jbr 20 July to 1st Aug

This should be a quick JBR to highlight some good and bad.

The Bad = Malaysian Airlines - the oldest planes we have ever travelled on- hopeless at check in- never again with them.

Travell Agent (flightcentre)= mucked up the number of days for our stay at Banthai Resort ( 1 day short but flights correct) so we had to pack up and move hotels for 1 night ( not happy Jan).The hotel we moved to was the Absolute Sea Pearl ,yes it was absolute, absolute SH..T. A word of warning dont ever stay there.

Eating Maccas for lunch= the worst case of food poisoning I have ever had, and yes it was definately after eating lunch as I had no brekky this day.

OTOP markets= what a rip off, they over price themselves to start and dont barter much, they would rather see you leave there stalls.I paid 900 baht for a pair of shoes I liked this was after bartering hard from 2000baht starting price.The next day I bought the same shoes from a stall in Tesco in Phuket town for 300 baht

The Good = Banthai Resort - perfect location, great rooms, great pools, great brekky.

Good Places to eat = all in Patong to the right as we walked out of Banthai resort but short of Bangla Rd- Break Point - find it down an alley way next door to Harrys Steakhouse, the best fried rice I have ever eaten(50baht)

S%26amp;G and SabiSabi both across the road from each other in another alley way close to the Banthai.

Molly Malones= not as cheap as the others but a great feed %26amp; nice cold beers.

Nightlife= anywhere along Bangla Rd wow what a place.leave your inhibitions behind and enjoy the time of your life,plenty to see plenty of places to do it and great freindly people everywhere.

The highlight of our trip was being on the first ever sunset cruise with Captain Mark and getting to meet the famous couple from this forum Cathy %26amp; Garry.All I can say is that this would have to be one of the best days as tourists that we have ever spent. great operator, great company and some of the best scenery and fun you could ever have in one day.

Please dont miss out on the experience with Captain Mark either do the day or sunset cruise you wont be disapointed.He is a top bloke and will look after you like no other tour operator will and we found out he was from our home town so he must be good (haha).

Phuket Town Markets= open sat %26amp; sun nights, cheaper prices than Patong and loads to buy, highly recommend a look.

Doctors surgery In Patong = fantastic, clean and helpfull.I went there with my 2 girls on seperate occassions as 1 had an ear infection and the other a tummy virus, My wife went and got me medication for the food poisioning as I couldnt leave the dunny long enough and they gave it to her.

The funniest thing in Phuket you will see.

Being able to buy beer and alcoholic drinks from the chemist.

By the way you can buy any medication that you would normally need a prescription for in Aus over the counter.Just ask and they will provide.We bought antibiotics (amoxacillan) and other stuff that we use in AUS for rediculous prices.Also you can buy all of your toiletries for next to nothing so I wouldnt pack a thing next time just buy when we get there.

Well I though it would be short,enough rambling from me.We absolutely loved our first trip to Phuket and can%26#39;t wait to go back.Thanks to everyone for making this site so good, especially Cathy %26amp; Garry,Phuket Richard and Captain Mark amongst others.

Cheers Ian Tanya Emma %26amp; Brooke

jbr 20 July to 1st Aug

Terrific trip report for your first visit to Phuket, glad you had a good time.

Cheers,

Stewie.

jbr 20 July to 1st Aug

Fantastic report - Yes, We did a time share promotion at Absolute Sea Pearl and thought the place was digusting - pool, Yuk, and there was the smell of sewerage inside the hotel. Needless to say, we never used our 7 nights free accommodation, in case the other places were just as bad.

It was great to know that you can buy antibiotics so cheap at the chemist - we%26#39;ll stock up when we go in October.

Cheers,

Sandy %26amp; John

Thanks for the great report. Glad you enjoyed yourselves

(except of course the extended toilet visit !!) The trip with Captain Mark sounded like so much fun.

Thanks also for the tip about the medication. We too shall stock up next year. We will also try the markets at Phuket Town next time. I found the bartering at otop hard too.

Thanks again

Cheers Jubby

Hi there Ian Tanya Emma %26amp; Brooke,

We had such a good time with you guys on the sailing trip, definately something we will never forget!!

Hope you have all settled back into a normal routine, did you enjoy KL and do anymore shopping haha.

Cathy %26amp;Gary xx

Hi There Ian,

Where abouts was the Dr in Patong.

Just in case.....

Thanks

Gardie

You will find the doctor on beach rd down the alley way near Zen Japanese restaurant.

Cathy

KL was a another travel agent stuff up with our room booking the girls had to share a double bed for 3 nights.As for KL been there done that.

Cheers Ian

Hello Ian, and thanks for remembering us so kindly. We%26#39;re glad you enjoyed the trip so much. I enjoyed it too.

Thanks for the photos as well, they will look great on the website.

All the best, and I look forward to seeing you and all the girls next time you are n Phuket.

Bye,

Mark.