JBR 28th july-9th Aug

Hi everyone

Well we are back, its taken me a few days to get my JBR started but here goes.

I must say it was a fabulous holiday we travelled with another family and friend. There were 10 of us 2X 16 year old, 1X14 and 2 X 12 year olds, and us over 40鈥檚 鈥︹€︹€?/p>

The only hiccup we had was on the way to the airport. Karen and Phills SS commodores gear box decided to pack up. Luckily it happened near Phills brothers place, so they dropped the car there and he took them the rest of the way to the airport.

Flew Thai airways which were fantastic, luckily we had the TV in each seat so the kids were very happy. Some of us got some sleep ( at least I did) some watched movies.

The stopover in Bangkok was a bit boring but the kids were good and the time went quite quickly. We exchanged some money here and got 29.8bht to the dollar (pretty happy with that)

We hadn鈥檛 brought any duty free as we decided it wasn鈥檛 worth the effort just to have it confiscated. Obviously they have changed there rules as everyone was coming through with duty free. We thought oh well bad luck we will just have to buy something from phuket. When we arrived in Phuket we found a duty free shop near the baggage claim, it was extremely cheap. They didn鈥檛 have a great selection but we bought 2 one litre bottles for $33AUD. Pretty happy with that.

We stayed at the Duangjitt spa resort. What a beautiful place, its just a little further south than the Patong Merlin.

The staff were great, they didn鈥檛 ask for credit card when we booked in and our rooms were ready. The rooms were quite plain but nice and big. We had fantastic views from our room. The only disappointing thing was the main pool was closed. This pool is huge and beautifully landscaped. The other 2 pools were great as well so it didn鈥檛 turn out to be a real issue. Breakfast was yum, although you do get sick of buffet breakfasts. (my son and I were even eating curry at breakfast- delicious)

Day one is such a long day after we booked in we went the the Orchids for lunch, it was yummy and with drinks cost about $80 for 9 of us. We walked around for a while and got our bearings. We had tea at Bushrangers again fantastic food and cost about $80 for 9 of us.

We spent Sunday swimming and shopping and we went to shakers to eat. This became one of our regular spots the food was great and the kids could play pool, so that kept them happy.

That night we went into Junceylon for a look. When we came out it was raining, coming from drought stricken Victoria, we didn鈥檛 mind seeing the rain and decided to walk home in it. Well didn鈥檛 we look stupid, forgot how heavy it gets, we were drenched, talk about wet Tshirt competions鈥?People were looking at us as if we were mad (which we are), here were 4 adults and children jumping in puddles and splashing each other. We had so much fun, but had to go home and get dry clothes.

Monday Steve and I got up to have a run on the beach, but it was raining (bugga) so we went to breakfast instead.

Started some serious shopping this day, you know the usual DVDs (200 of them)from kittys, 10 Thirts each for the boys and some Dior and CC tops for Abbey. Karen and I bought some lovely skirts. By now the rain had gone and we were dripping sweat so home for a relax around the pool.

Tues we had our day out with Mai. We had a great day, we got to meet Charlie and LumYai, the kids just loved them as we all did, they are so funny. We stopped at a snake show, very good but they are mad. The kids went mad at the cashew factory, admittedly it was lunch time but I think they tried every nut etc possible. We came out with a few purchases of course.

Had a lovely massage when we got back to the resort, then back to shakers for tea. The yellow prawn curry was one of my favourite dishes it was spicy but the different flavours yum yum..

Wed was another quiet day just swimming and shopping. Took the kids down Bangla road. My darling 16 year old decided he was game enough to jump up on the bar with the girls (yes they were girls- lucky for him otherwise he would have s**t himself.)Today

They were fascinated with everything but were unsure about the ladyboys.

Thursday we went back to the elephants and went for a ride, this was great and again both Charlie and Lum yai came down.Charlie stole Seans sunnies, he dropped them as he ran up a tree, but then he stood over Sean and Abbey and started to pee on the them, lucky they moved as he then pooed and took off. It was so funny the look on their faces was priceless. We then went to the big Buddha, big its bl**#y huge. Certainly worth seeing it is amazing.

Thurs checked out Tattoos for Steve, he booked in to one in soi kepsup (I went there last year and they are very good).Went to an Italian place for tea opposite the Orchids again great and very cheap.The kids loved the little bloke out the front trying to get people in, he was very nice (gay).

Fri was of course the bbq night. As everyone reports it is great. The food was Fabulous 150bht amazing. The kids played mini golf 50 bht before heading to the sunshine bar.

What a great night and such lovely staff. We also met the beautiful Sue and Colin (gismo) some lovely girls from Hamilton. It looked like it was going to be a bit quiet so we got the ball rolling, Colin went up the pole and we went behind the bar and started dancing, wasn鈥檛 long before the night was rocking. It really is a lot of fun even if you don鈥檛 join in there you just watch the others make clowns of themselves.

Sat

Today we were up brght and early for our big day out with Captain Mark. What a fabulous day Mark and his crew are awesome and really make sure you have a great time. My fussy daughter said the fried chicken was the best ever and she wanted to take the cook home. Everyone enjoyed there day and would certainly recommend the day out to everyone. It was Phills birthday so we had to go out for tea (nobody was really hungry after our awesome meal with Capt mark) We had a great night and the girls in the restaurant bought out a piece of watermelon with candle in it while we sang Happy Birthday. I thought this was just the sweetest jesture, what beautiful people they are.

Sun. another chill out day we were all pretty tired after sat big day. Tony brought some brooms to take back to Australia, he was really taken with how well they sweep. (yes he got them through customs).

Mon.. The boys went to Thai boxing they had a fantastic night, the only thing they didn鈥檛 like was that they a couple of eleven year olds fighting. Us girls went for a foot massage and manicure, this was lovely. Abbey (12) giggled the whole time, so nice to see her act like a little girl. We all had to have purple nails at Abbeys request.

The last couple of days are a bit of a blur, lots of shopping and swimming. Eating ogg the carts, the chicken, corn, pancakes and fruit are just amazing.

Wed night we were suppose to be at Molly Malones to meet other Taers. We didn鈥檛 do anything all day but still managed to be very late. Unfortunately we missed most of them, but the ones we met were great. A big hello and thanks to Hippychiks, Maori warrior 鈥?what a terrific bloke and of course gismo 鈥?Sue and Colin.

Sue and colin decided to drag us all along Bangla road for a pub crawl finishing up at their bar. What a blast such a laugh and carry on.

Thurs that terrible day when you have to leave. We packed and got organised early so we could make the most of our day. We finished up at Shakers for our last meal. So sad to be going.

The flights home were great and everyone slept.Thai airways are really top notch.

All in all the food the shopping the weather the people the resort everything was great.

We are all talking about our return trip.

A big thankyou to everyone that contributes to this forum it really does help ensure you have the best holiday ever.

Deb

JBR 28th july-9th Aug

Hi Deb,

First up, thanks for the info on your JBR. The more I read these things the quicker I want the time to pass so we can get over there.

My girlfriends and I are going to Phuket for 5 days early Dec and like all females we are plnning on doing some shopping so that we don%26#39;t have to take so much over but to buy it when we get there.

Can you tell me a bit more about the shopping? Where did you go? Are there clothes available for Aussie sizes 12 - 16 as we all are different shapes %26amp; sizes and I%26#39;d like to give the girls a heads up before we go?

Also regarding the duty free - do you think we can purchase it at either Tullamarine on our way out or get it during our 2 hour stopover in Bangkok? What would you recommend?

Leanne

JBR 28th july-9th Aug

Hi leeanne

The shopping is endless. My girlfriend and I are both different shapes but pretty much a standard size 12(if there is such a thing)

We brought some lovely light skirts that have drawcord waist or wrap around. They cost about $8.50 especially great for wearing over there. There are alot of tops that one size fits all (NOT), but there are others that do come in L and XL.

We did all of our shopping on beach road and at the otop markets. Everything is repeated in different areas. So we found once you have got your prices sorted its best to buy as much as you can from the same shop as they will look after you, and usually end up giving you even better prices.

I would probaly buy my duty free in Aussie next time, just for convenience sake.

Cheers Deb

Hi Deb,

Loved it, its funny how you can so relate to everything someone else writes about once youve been, we were starting to think we should try somewhere else I mean how much fun can you have in one place, but we are sticking it out till the end, we love phuket and every trip gets better, mostly due to the people we have met from all over the world, it truly makes it priceless. I can so relate to running in the rain soaking wet, then going into a 7/11 for a beer and freezing your buns off, hahaha. Sue

Deb, Loved your report - can just imagine the sight of Charlie doing his business - Phuket is very adddictive, we just can%26#39;t get enough of it. 4th trip coming up in October (this time it%26#39;s the honeymoon) then hope to do another down the track. We can%26#39;t wait to get to the Sunshine Bar - in April it was closed, so we went to the hotel near the elephant place - it was nice, but everyone said the Sunshine Bar is so much better (especially the music)

Cheers,

Sandy %26amp; John

Hi Deb, great report, thanks for writing it for us. I%26#39;m like Sandy, we leave in October as well and finally will get to experience all these things people write about in their JBR%26#39;s. Can%26#39;t wait.

Rene

Thanks Deb - great report and brings back great memories for us - we frequented Shakers too, we loved it and always had a great meal there, even when we got pizza for takeaway - can%26#39;t wait to go back.

Cheers

Tiff xxxx

Hi Deb, glad you are home o/k, gladder to hear that you are already talking about your return trip. If you had told me you wanted Ya, you could have had her. Noi too.

I hope it is not too cold back in Ballarat. Say hi to the gang for me. Hi to Karla too, she has been very quiet lately.

I hope we see you back in Phuket some time.

Bye,

Mark.

Hi Mark,

great to hear from you. I have sent you a PM- re a friend coming over. I wish we had bought Noi back with us as far as Abbey is concerned chicken will never be as good ever again.

Hope all is well is paradise.

Look forward to seing you again next year

Deb

Hi Captn Mark

Great to hear from you. Hope all is well in paradise.

Its cold here but then whats new. Abbey is still talking about the chicken, I think it was the highlight of her trip.

Happy Sailing

Cheers Deb

Well DD45

What a sterling JBR ,

Im sooo glad you have had a wonderful trip, I bet the highlight would of been definately with Capt Mark.....

I wish I could of come back with you,

Phuket will definately stay in my heart for a long time as with everyone else on this forum. glad you are home safe

see you at work on Tues.

Karla