Phuket, Thailand
I had booked a ships tour this day as I had done the town of Phuket before.
The tour left bright and early – making us get up to be off on one of the first tenders.
There was a big pile of suitcases waiting for us at the pier. They had remained on Ovation or missed their flights. Bet the owners were happy to have them before the three day crossing to India.
We walked along the long pier then up the road to the buses. The next few days were to be a major festival so roads were busy – but tomorrow buses would be kilometres away.
Then off we went for our two hour drive across the island of Phuket and across to the mainland.
Our first stop was at Wat Suwannakuha.
A stunning temple set in a series of caves. A golden reclining Buddha’s and others. But the caves were amazing. The colours were spectacular. Green, orange, even blues. Fantastic.
Lunch was a typical ship tour lunch of very ‘average’ Thai food. Well not that average at all. Pretty bad in fact. Hahah. But in a lovely location. And we all jumped into a Thai Long Tailed Boat.
Mangrove everywhere.
We headed out to Phang Nga Bay. Home of the pinnacle type island with the undercutting caused by erosion. Very pretty.
The place was very pretty – but an insane tourist spot. Everything was covered in people. People would go out there for a peaceful kayak at the stunning spot. It was like human soup. Boats, ferries, swimmers, kayaks.
And home of the famous Khao Phing Kan or “James Bond Island” as seen in The Man with the Golden Gun!
The rock was amazing. Great colours and rugged erosion.Even a monkey walking on the beach.
Nestled against one of the islands was a ‘floating village’,Koh Panyi. A populating of 1500 people have lived here for close to 200 years. The whole population is Muslim and all live in the shadow of the Mosque. It was so pretty.
The houses were built out all kinds of materials. Either on pylons or on huge poly styrene blocks. All breaking up – a little each day and releasing it into the ocean – to float for ever. It never breaks down. It is ingested by marine life and kills them. That and all the plastic floating around. And I suppose the effluent as there was not processing plant.
The area was surrounded by fish traps. They bring in the catch and put it in the pens. There were some huge fish in them. Fish and styrene chips.
This island uses plastic bottles as flotation devises. They make huge nets of them to hold things up. So they are recycled – that is until the net tears and they all float away.
The school was built on cement pylons, but the sports fields were floating on blocks.
The main income was tourism. The whole front of the place was tourism. Shops and restaurants. We walked for around 10 minutes, weaving through the stalls. Water and (low tide) mud under us.
The main income was tourism. The whole front of the place was tourism. Shops and restaurants. We walked for around 10 minutes, weaving through the stalls. Water and (low tide) mud under us.
We spent 3 hours out in our long tailed boat. It was extremely pleasant under the shade with a breeze. On the way back we passed more wonderful cliffs and islands. One area had some cave paintings. Not too sure how ‘ancient’ they were.
As we were travelling back in the bus the lady told us about our next stop.
“Did she say we are going to a ‘Cat Shoe Shop’?”, said JD.
That would have been silly as JD does not own a cat, nor even like cats. Yes, I did laugh loudly. And forever more will always think of cashew as CAT SHOES! And JD will never be allowed to forget it. The shop was very boring – but Oh! I am so glad we went to the Cat Shoe shop!!!!!
Even got to see some cashew nuts growing. The Cat Shoe nit is hand picked out of the nut shaped pouch at the bottom of the flower. The pulp is then distilled to make a beverage.
The sun cooperatively waited to set as we arrived at the pier, then back to the ship. An 11 hour day! Long, but great.
I was back on board by 7.05. I thought about a quick shower before the last hour of Concierge time…..but was scared I would see my bed and ‘fall down’ then wake up at 3am wide awake.
The ships did a good job sorting out places for the 1200 to drink. It’s still busy but so much better.
They also organised a few more breakfast options. Chops and Lyric (the small annex to the main dining room) was no where near big enough for all the Gold Card holders. They fenced off an area (to keep others out? or to keep us in?) in the dining room and it was great. We were being so well looked after.
And then ……. three wonderful sea days as we travelled to the west side of India.
I joined an awesome group for dinner and we had much fun. And amazing service. Fantastic.
By now I had slipped into the rhythm of sea days.
Breakfast – sometimes.
Morning Trivia
Lunch – sometimes
Progressive trivia
Always something else….I hadn’t managed a Nanna Nap by this stage.
Afternoon trivia and Concierge Time. It was kind of fun having people at so many bars. I got to roam form place to place and catch up with the many people I knew from previous cruises, people I knew for online and many new friends.
Fun times. Sad not to bond with bar tenders in the lounge but they are just so busy!
Then a fun dinner. We have two awesome waiters who are so much fun!
Life is good on a ship!
Progressive trivia is fun. We did well on the first three days. BUT it i the stupid kind where the points double each day. Day 1 was worth one point per correct answer. Day 2 -worth 4 points. Day 3 worth 8 points.
So – on a long voyage the points on the first few days are totally irrelevant. You really only need to attend the last few days where points are worth 10 times that of day 1.
BUT – having said that I will put this out there!!!!! We are in the front!
We have a fun team. Four from the US and two Aussies. – ANZUS (I know. No Kiwis!)
The 14th was the Suites and Pinnacle Brunch. Another fun time. It was held up on Deck 14 – and they hadn’t closed the area off before hand. So heaps of people were sitting up there. Some said “No, they wouldn’t leave” and had a lovely time eating and drinking.
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