Jess & Jude's Adventures in Thailand 2004

Surin Beach

The weather is overcast today, not sure what we will do. I aroused the sleepy head Jess at 6.30am and we went for a walk along the beach. There is not much to Surin, very quiet. While having breakfast we decided to move on from Surin and take our chances in Patong.

We took advantage of the resort pool for a couple of hours. Jess even conned me into going down the big slide. Ouch! Just before checking out at noon, Jess had six braids with beads put into her hair at the salon. She looks very funky.

We caught a songthaew to Patong (250bt) and we were dropped in the heart of Patong Beach. We lugged our packs a couple of blocks checking out the hotels. We decided on the Tropica Bungalows for 1000bt (Air con, hot water) which is right across the road from the beach. The bungalows are set in a lush tropical rainforest and the interior has Thai Teak decor.

The weather here today is glorious. We took a walk through town then down onto the beach. We kept getting hassled by hawkers trying to sell us a paraglide. Back at the Tropica we decided to book seats for the Phuket Fantasea show(1300bt each inc. transfer). Fairly expensive but well worth it. We also booked a 1/2 day tour for tomorrow to go the Phang Nga Bay.

After a 2 hour nap we went for another walk along the beach front road. I bought a small bag and Jess finally chose a pair of sunglasses. We had dinner at the Tropica Restaurant overlooking the beach. I had my first Singha beer for the trip. Very pleasant watching the passers by and a good meal.

Our minivan collected us at 7pm to take us to Phuket Fantasea. It was incredible, once inside the grounds there is a carnival atmosphere with all the carnival games.

The show started at 9pm and what a spectacle. Fantastic costumes, laser light and sound effects. The elephant performances were fabulous and there were at least a dozen elephants on stage. The show told the story of Thailand and incorporated many of the traditional Thai Dances. After the show Jess was able to hop on an elephant. We got our minivan back to the Tropica at 11pm and wandered up to Starbucks for a late night coffee then bed.

Sunday 6 June
Patong Beach

Slept in this morning, the rain has come to Patong. Not much to do here when it is wet, we found an internet place and spent some time catching up with emails. Grabbed a coffee and danish at the local Starbucks. Due to the weather we decided to cancel our trip to Phang Nga Bay. It would have been too rough in the longtail boat. We should have gon yesterday, Mai Pen Rai (no worries mate).

We spent most of our time walking in the rain checking out the market stalls. Found a N.Z. pub called the 2 Black Sheep and stopped for a Singha beer and a chat with the owner Bill. Jess decided to get some more hairbraids (20bt each). I picked up some pants and a T-shirt on the way back to the Tropica. Did some laundry, bugger the chores never go away.

We decided to go back to the 2 Black Sheep, they were serving a great Sunday Lamb Roast. Stopped in at the Tropica restaurant for coffee and pancakes before bed.