Thailand

November 1 – Virgin Australia – Perth to Phuket

3,006 miles – 5.5 hours

By far, the most anticipated attraction of our visit to Phuket, indeed of our entire trip, was our granddaughter, Ashley.  She lived up to her designated ‘top billing.’  She entertained us with her many, many, many renditions of “Five little monkeys jumping on the bed.”  She impressed us with her huge vocabulary and her persuasive negotiating skills as she bargained with mommy and daddy for more time, for “just five more goldfish” or for “a good plan” for doing just about anything.   She captivated our hearts with her sweet smile.

 

 

 

One afternoon as Grandma and Grandpa babysat she baffled us with her request for ‘monkey eyes.’  She convinced Grandpa that these eyes were in the refrigerator and the two of them searched and searched with no luck.

                Grandpa:  “Ashley, what do monkey eyes look like?”

                Ashley, pointing to her own eyes:  “They look like eyes and they’re probably brown.”  (Duh, Grandpa.)

                Grandpa to Grandma: “What do they feed this child??”

When mommy and daddy arrived home, we found out that the elusive monkey eyes are chocolate dots that daddy had already eaten!

Loy Krathong

 

Loy Krathong is a festival celebrated all over Thailand in early November to wash away sorrows and to worship Phra Mae Khongkha, the Goddess of Water.  Krathongs, floats made of banana leaves decorated with candles, incense sticks and flowers, are launched into the water for good luck and happiness.  We all gathered on a nearby beach to help Ashley launch the krathong she had created in nursery school.

Shortly after Loy Krathong, Ashley developed a case of tonsillitis and for the next few days mommy was the only one who could console and comfort her.  Thankfully, she bounced back to her cheerful, bubbly self within a week.

Khao Sok National Park

Since everyone was feeling fine we packed up the car, crammed all five of us in and drove north to Khao Sok National Park in Surat Thani Province.  The park is known for its huge limestone mountains that rise straight up into the air and serve as a wonderful backdrop for the Cliff and River Jungle Resort. 

 

Boat ride on Cheow Lan Lake

Limestone mountains rising from the water of Cheow Lan Lake

Nancy hired a boat ‘captain’ and he whisked us across Cheow Lan Lake in his vessel that resembled a longtail boat except for the engine placement.  The 64-square-mile manmade lake was created in 1982 by the construction of the Rajjaprabha ‘light of the kingdom’ Dam.  Floating bungalows are the only accommodations along the lakeshore and, after seeing them, I was relieved that Nancy had booked our accommodations at the Cliff and River Jungle Resort!

Cliff and River Jungle Resort
It was quite a hike down to the restaurant along the river
and then back up to the family cabin!

 

Lunch at White Sand Beach
 on our way back to Phuket
from Khao Sok National Park

 

After two nights away from home, Ashley was visibly excited to be back home with Daisy and all her toys. There was lots of time to read and play with Grandma and Grandpa.

From previous experience, we were all impressed with the quality of the tours given by Simba Sea Trips so bright and early on November 23^rd we joined Sebastian and his boat crew at Phuket Royal Marina for a day trip on Phan Nga Bay.  More than forty islands jut straight out of the calm green waters of this bay on the western side of Phuket.  The weather was perfect for a boat cruise and we all had looked forward to this trip for days. 

Not long after leaving the marina, Nancy started feeling a bit under the weather and, as any boater knows, there is no worse place to be when feeling ill than on a bobbing boat.  She hung in there for the first stop at Koh Phanak where Frank went exploring the hidden caves.  She even hung in for the second stop at Koh Hong where Frank, Jon and Ashley went kayaking.  But as soon as she heard that Sebastian was making arrangements to get two other sick passengers back to Phuket aboard a local longtail (translation: crude, not quite ready for prime time or tourists), she was ready to call an end to the Simba trip.  (That little excursion back turned out to be an unexpected adventure for her as the longtail nearly ran out of fuel!) By the time the Simba boat made it back to Phuket Royal Marina late that afternoon, Nancy was feeling better.  Hmm, did she just need some alone time?

The  kayakers

 

 

After seeing Nancy off on the local longtail with Sebastian and two other retching passengers, the rest of the Simba group proceeded on to Koh Phing Kan and Koh Tapu/James Bond Island.  With Sebastian gone, Harry took over as our tour leader.  He posed us for humorous pictures with James Bond Island in the background.

At Koh Yao Noi we boarded a ‘bus’ for the short overland ride to the Hook Restaurant where we enjoyed a fine Thai lunch.  Then we were off to another island for swimming, snorkeling and snacking.  Ashley and I went looking for monkeys.

For us, the month we spent with Jon, Nancy and Ashley just raced right by – hopefully they feel the same way.  A month is a long time to host guests!  We thoroughly enjoyed our visit.  And appreciate all the love and hospitality that we were shown.  We love you guys!

Family photo at Promthep Cape

 

View from Promthep Cape