Patong Lodge Phuket

... amp; the most massive prawns I have ever seen. All seafood is priced by weight &amp; the big prawns were 200 B ( $7.30)for 100g. My 1 prawn weighed 150 g &amp; was 300 B ( $10.80) &amp; I had it cooked in garlic &amp; butter. It was yummy but very expensive &amp; of course was not enough to fill me. Walking home I bought a pancake with banana &amp; choc sauce for 40 B ( $1.50), which was very yummy<br><br> <br>

... two weeks was a complete contrast. Our hosts, Annie and Liam were fantastic and we owe them a very big 'thanks'. They were the best hosts; tour guides; entertainment officers; and, cooks we have met in a very long time. They are worthy of a mention in the 'Lonely Planet' guide. Swimming each morning at Nai Harn beach, only five minutes from our bedroom, and then buying fruit for breakfast on the way back was a ...

... Khai Island which was little more than a beach with hundreds of brollies and far too many people, not to mention expensive beer. Funny how all the advertising posters ashore show a deserted beach! Got back to Patong Beach after six, went for a massage then the usual evening beers and dinner at a Mexican. 20-21 January Another beach day, then a day hiding from the sun, ripping dvd movies and even watching one.

... The kids fell asleep. They had food for sale on the plane and it was a much better choice than you get on US airlines. We ordered some food and some Air Asia merchandise. We arrived on time. Overall we were very impressed with Air Asia (the plane was old, but the trip was so smooth). We gathered our luggage and went and met found our car that was to take us to the marina.....

... the throngs of Asian tourists happy because they all seemed to have smiles on their faces.... we were a little less enthused. On dropping us off the cab driver says: "I wait here for you - you pay when you want to leave". Uh...no thank you mister taxi man. We're Americans. We don't need to pay you to sit there waiting for us - we'll just get another cab. So - we settle in for the sunset. Nothing fantastic - definitely couldn't ...

... make a mental note to "eat on the feral" in here in future. I grab a basket and start piling trays of jackfruit into it. Dad disappears with Mei-Mei. Rob, Mum, Henry and I continue browsing - we have compiled a list. Henry needs a new school bag and school shoes, sports socks, swimming goggles, polycarbonate drink bottles etc. Rob needs tonic to go with his gin. When we finally get to the check out and actually check out, we can't find Dad and Mei ...

... to hit the posh cinema in the big shopping centre, about 20miles from where we were staying. Taking the local 'bus', an open sided truck, which drived no faster than 15mph as it picks up and drops off on route as requested by the customers, with plastic role down windows, which the driver comically pulled over to unwind/ roll up with every small patch of rain and sun... we got the the shopping mall in an hour. The cinema has 3 classes ...

... spent an afternoon at one called Karon beach and quickly discovered where all the tourists are. We were glad to stay in the city as it felt more authentically Thai, but it was a nice change to lay on the beach and swim in the very warm, very clear water. Though our guidebook suggested that topless bathing was not culturally appropriate, there was no shortage of older women shedding their tops to bronze their...upper bodies. All in all, a fun and eventful intro to Thailand!

... Tomorrow we're off to Bangkok (Yee Haa Karen says - she's been waiting to Bang kok for a while now...........apparently!!!!) One night there and then heading East towards the border with Cambodia to Surin and The Great Elephant Festival! Not sure what to expect apart from over 300 elephants and an influx of 40,000 people and Dumbo soccer??? (we think it's sort of like a Thai version of an animal Highland Games?????)