Phuket – Page 2 – Creative Meanderings

Summer 2012: Phuket, Thailand – 46 days to go!

General, Meanderings Abroad No Responses »

Jul 072012

I gotta say I’ve had enough of the down pouring rain. This Oregon-girl left it behind because of the rain…. For the first couple of days I was staying positive about the change of pace and climate, but four days straight of this nonsense is starting to give me a little cabin fever and grey skies blues.

It doesn’t seem to look promising in terms of clearing up, though…guess that’s the risk of being in this area during the low season (aka rainy season). 😉 At least it has been reasonably quiet in the evenings so that we are still able to go out and enjoy dinner out and riding around.

So, here are some videos and pics of nightlife:

Main street along Patong Beach

Main street along Patong Beach03-Jul-2012 06:50, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 3.9, 5.0mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 800

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Main street along Patong Beach

Main street along Patong Beach03-Jul-2012 06:50, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 4.6, 6.83mm, 0.1 sec, ISO 800

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There are always scooters or cars for rent

There are always scooters or cars for rent03-Jul-2012 06:50, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 4.8, 17.22mm, 0.125 sec, ISO 800

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Our wheels

Our wheels03-Jul-2012 06:51, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 4.4, 6.07mm, 0.125 sec, ISO 800

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Bangla Street - Tiger land

Bangla Street - Tiger land03-Jul-2012 07:15, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 3.9, 5.0mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 800

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Smacking Ass fun in Suzy Wong's (there's even a Suzy Wong's II!)

Smacking Ass fun in Suzy Wong's (there's even a Suzy Wong's II!)03-Jul-2012 07:26, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 3.9, 5.0mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 640

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Scooters everywhere!

Scooters everywhere!03-Jul-2012 07:36, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 4.7, 7.28mm, 0.1 sec, ISO 800

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Banana - perhaps the only real discotheque in town

Banana - perhaps the only real discotheque in town03-Jul-2012 07:38, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 3.9, 5.0mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 800

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Summer 2012: Phuket, Thailand – Weissbier & Wine Restaurant

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Jul 062012

R is always on the lookout for good food and good beer. So, we had passed a sign for Weissbier (Wheat beer) a few times on our nightly rides. The other day, R decided to check out the menu and see if it was any good. Well, Weissbier and Wine Restaurant is a cute little place hidden back off the main road. The food is a delicious German/Austrian fare and both the beer and wine is up to our standards. R was quite pleased to be reminded of eating and drinking in Munich and I love a good meal any day!

For the past week, they have been having a 2 for 1 deal and so we’ve been twice. I did put my foot down to going three days in a row, but I know that we shall be back again in no time at all!

First meal at Wiessbier restaurant

First meal at Wiessbier restaurant03-Jul-2012 05:46, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 3.9, 5.0mm, 0.5 sec, ISO 100

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Rabbit companion at Weissbier

Rabbit companion at Weissbier03-Jul-2012 06:05, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 4.4, 15.06mm, 0.5 sec, ISO 200

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Second meal at Weissbier (two for one until the 8th and delicious food!)

Second meal at Weissbier (two for one until the 8th and delicious food!)04-Jul-2012 06:15, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 3.9, 5.0mm, 0.4 sec, ISO 100

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Next time, I’ll try to get some photos of the place as well.

-T 😀

Summer 2012: Phuket, Thailand – 48 days to go!

Going Mental No Responses »

Jul 052012

Just a few pics to show what we’ve been up to. It’s not all, but just a few tasters:

Big beer Lil' glass28-Jun-2012 16:40, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.625 sec, ISO 400

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Pizza night28-Jun-2012 16:50, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.333 sec, ISO 400

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Beach chairs from B-lay Tong01-Jul-2012 01:02, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 3.9, 5.0mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 80

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Our new digs01-Jul-2012 01:02, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 4.8, 7.73mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 80

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01-Jul-2012 01:19, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 5.1, 10.0mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 80

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The library - head of the class!01-Jul-2012 12:32, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 4.1, 15.7mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 400

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02-Jul-2012 06:46, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 3.9, 5.0mm, 0.333 sec, ISO 100

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02-Jul-2012 15:57, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 4.1, 15.7mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 200

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02-Jul-2012 15:58, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.125 sec, ISO 400

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02-Jul-2012 16:01, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 4.2, 18.9mm, 0.5 sec, ISO 400

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02-Jul-2012 16:02, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.6, 9.4mm, 0.05 sec, ISO 200

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Main street along Patong Beach03-Jul-2012 06:50, OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP. TG-610 , 4.6, 6.83mm, 0.1 sec, ISO 800

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-T 😀

Summer 2012: Phuket, Thailand – 50 days to go!

Going Mental No Responses »

Jul 032012

Just realized that I missed writing yesterday as I spent it at the pool. I had meant to do some writing and work, but instead just enjoyed spacing out, watching people and relaxing. It was a good alternative. 🙂

Today is rainy, so I have no excuse not to get some things done. Unfortunately, I forgot to upload pictures and videos from the last couple of days, so will save that for the next posting. 😉

As you can see from the title, I’ve decided to go for the countdown rather countup method of marking the passing of time. Somehow it feels better. 😀

‘Tis all for now!

-T

Summer 2012: Phuket, Thailand – Quiet days

Going Mental No Responses »

Jun 292012

Nothing new to report. Just having some quiet days – reading, swimming, sleeping and relaxing. That’s what my two-week relaxing hiatus is for, right?

Gonna start making lists/notes of things to do, though when I get back into the swing of things.

Did go for a short run and walk today, which was good….

More later,

-T 😀

Summer 2012: Phuket, Thailand – Days 2 & 3

General, Meanderings Abroad No Responses »

Jun 272012

I think I’m going to have to stop counting the days that I am here because I can’t really keep track of them anymore. It’s great when the days finally start to blend together as it means that ‘vacation-mode’ is finally setting in. Mostly, I do the days in the title to differentiate the posts and give them some order, but I suppose the date of publication will do that for me…. 🙂

Anyway, my sleeping patterns have changed, thus also changing my exercise pattern. Usually, I prefer to get up and off for a run on the treadmill right away so as to get my day going quickly. I generally don’t enjoy running in the afternoons, but I could…. I am rather keen to try a run on the beach with no shoes, but am a little concerned about the sloped terrain, so maybe I will have to save that for walking. In any case, in a few days we are moving to a different hotel that has a gym and pool, so I should be able to return to a more regular routine then. In the meantime, I’ll do what I can with our swimming.

We’ve been chilling in the mornings and then going to the beach for a swim in the early afternoons. That is usually followed by some food and afternoon relaxing before we go out for dinner and ride around the town.

Although I have been doing well in keeping with my ‘no work for two weeks’ rule, I am exploring other areas of interest such as writing. My post tomorrow will explain that in more detail.

So, most of my days are being filled with playing games, reading, writing, eating and sleeping. Sounds like vacation, right?! It’s still a bit weird for me as I feel as if I should be more productive and exercise more, but I need to learn to give myself a break. It’s only been three days after all! Need more practice. 😉

Here are some pics:

Sunset view (June 26th)26-Jun-2012 15:49, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 4.1, 15.7mm, 0.04 sec, ISO 200

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VW Bus bar26-Jun-2012 17:36, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.077 sec, ISO 200

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VW Bus bar menu26-Jun-2012 17:54, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 100

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White Russian #126-Jun-2012 17:53, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.2 sec, ISO 400

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Let's see...26-Jun-2012 17:54, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.333 sec, ISO 400

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Yep! Tasty!!!26-Jun-2012 17:54, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.333 sec, ISO 400

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White Russian #...4???26-Jun-2012 18:33, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 4.1, 15.7mm, 0.2 sec, ISO 400

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Didn't get a pic of the food as I was a little bit too buzzed for that, but took a picture of the sign ensuring quality food!26-Jun-2012 18:47, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.4, 7.9mm, 0.125 sec, ISO 200

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In memory of...26-Jun-2012 17:36, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 4.0, 14.1mm, 0.5 sec, ISO 400

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Summer 2012: Phuket, Thailand – Day 1

General, Meanderings Abroad No Responses »

Jun 252012

There’s nothing quite like waking up and realizing that you’re on vacation with absolutely nothing to do. If you’re like me, then on a normal day your mind might start racing with making a mental list of what needs to be done. So, when you remember that, in fact, you have nothing that ‘has’ to be done, a smile is all that is left to be had! 😀

Still, I haven’t quite fully accepted that I should be in relax mode, so I decided to check out the beach and mark the distance if I were to go for a run. With my running shoes and Nike+ ready to go, I went for a healthy beach walk.

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After sorting out that it is about a 5.8km roundtrip route on the sand, I came back to enjoy some coffee on the balcony, which is one of my favorite things to do on holiday. For some reason, coffee on the balcony feels like holiday. 🙂

Although we may end up moving from our ideal location due to noise issues (though most of the area has noise issues), the accommodations here at The Front Apartments is pretty sweet.

24-Jun-2012 09:00, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 6.6, 6.3mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 100

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24-Jun-2012 09:01, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.02 sec, ISO 100

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24-Jun-2012 09:02, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 100

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24-Jun-2012 09:02, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 100

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24-Jun-2012 09:03, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 100

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24-Jun-2012 09:03, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.02 sec, ISO 100

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24-Jun-2012 09:03, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 125

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24-Jun-2012 09:04, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.077 sec, ISO 200

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24-Jun-2012 09:04, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.125 sec, ISO 250

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We have a one-bedroom apartment with a fully equipped kitchen, two bathrooms, free wifi and a large living space. The couch isn’t very comfortable, but everything else is quite nice and more than I had expected from a place in Phuket. Not sure what I expected to be honest, but when you have low expectations it’s much easier to be impressed. 😉

Our main quest for the day was to find a scooter and explore. R’s favorite thing on holiday is to get a little set of wheels and ride around. His feet don’t go well with a lot of walking, so the scooter is a great option. He drives, I ride and watch the scenery. 🙂 We found one for a pretty good deal for 25 days (25 days!) and were off.

The Patong Beach town is reasonably spread out with lots of typical touristy beach shops, but also has its own character. I didn’t get many pictures on our first day of riding around the town, but they will come.

Of course, a day and a post is not complete without a few pics of the evening gastronomical pleasures! 😀

24-Jun-2012 17:22, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 200

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24-Jun-2012 17:32, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.125 sec, ISO 400

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24-Jun-2012 17:32, NIKON COOLPIX S51, 3.3, 6.3mm, 0.125 sec, ISO 200

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More to come…

-T

Summer 2012: Abu Dhabi to Phuket, Thailand – The Flight

General, Meanderings Abroad No Responses »

Jun 242012

Let me just start with – It’s fantastic to be on vacation at last! 😀

We embarked in the early morning from Abu Dhabi on Etihad’s partner airline – AirBerlin. First, a few comments about this flight.

This was the first time I’d been on an AirBerlin flight as I’ve hardly been to Europe and not at all to Germany. There are a few important points to make note of. The seats reminded me of the good ol’ days of flying when I was small and more flexible so I never noticed the cramped leg space. Now, I’m less so and took note that when the ever-so-kind Arab passenger in front of me pushed his seat completely back I had almost no space to even hold my book. However, I think that the width of the seats was slightly larger, which would be good news to someone wider than myself. Next, the flight attendants were really lovely. Unfortunately, they had to deal with chauvinistic and peasant Arabs…, but I admired their professionalism and ability to stay polite. Most especially, I appreciated their uniforms,which were nicely fitted shirts and slacks. It is nice to see a more comfortable and realistically attractive uniform that doesn’t require skirts or other ‘sexist’ styles of the female flight attendants. Finally, I must comment on the food. Airline food is rarely expected to be good, but this was…barely acceptable to me. The breakfast was a choice of pancake or omelet. I chose the omelet and am disappointed I didn’t think to take a picture…. It left much to be desired. The only other food offered was a two or four-bite (depending on your bite) sized sandwiches of either turkey or cheese. It was edible, but nothing to write home about. So, while the flight was pretty smooth and luckily it was not a full flight, so R and I had our own space, I’m not yet a fan of AirBerlin.

In any case, Phuket International Airport is nice and small, so we were able to get on our way to the hotel in no time at all. After about a 40-minute taxi ride, we made it to our digs for at least the next week – The Front Apartments. It’s a nice and spacious apartment overlooking the beach. The beach is a mere 10 steps away!

So, R&R begins! 😀

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