Patong Merlin Hotel Phuket

Saying farewell to the tour, I caught a free shuttle bus to my home for the next 2 nights. The Patong Merlin. Right in the heart of Patong beach and party town. It was a shame that I was so sick to do anything! I checked in and headed straight to the pool, where I spent the rest of the day relaxing. Swimming in one of the three pools, with palm trees swaying and the sun shining and working on the tan. I did manage a short walk along the markets that night. My room at the Merlin is lovely, a n...

Sawasdee Krub! It's hard to believe that 43 months ago today, the island of Phuket met disaster as a tsunami pushed its ferocious waves along the western beaches of this beautiful island. Hit hard was Patong beach and in particular, the Patong Merlin Hotel, our hotel for our stay here in Phuket! There's little evidence of that fateful day as tourists continue to visit, vendors continue on with business and Thai people carry on with their life! On a much happier note, Birthday Boy Rick celebra...

Sawasdee Krub! Since arriving on the beautiful island of Phuket on the Andaman Sea, it's been rather difficult to pry ourselves from our poolside lounge chairs at the Patong Merlin Hotel. Lounging around the pool, soaking up the Thai sun, having hotel staff bring us pina colada's on our beckin call - this is living in Relax mode! But then again, we've been on holiday for eleven months already! How much more relaxed can we become! Well, that's a challenge worth pursuing! Even Howie, and his wi...

Sawasdee Krub! This morning, we woke up early to catch a van by Phuket Siam Seacanoe Tours for our transport to Chalong Pier on the Southeast corner of Phuket Island and our day tour of the Phi Phi Islands. The van was full as it traveled south passing along the beaches of Karon and Kata before heading east to Chalong. It was a good opportunity to see these beaches which appeared as beautiful as Patong itself. The forecast for today was hot and humid temperatures with mostly sunny skies! Idea...

Sawasdee Krub! Over the past week we've thoroughly enjoyed our stay on Phuket Island and in particular at Patong Beach. The Andaman Sea offers beautiful sunsets! The streets come alive in the evening with people and street vendors! The market stalls are a good place to get a bargain! The restaurants offer great food at a good price! The Thai people provide great service with a smile! Tomorrow we depart this great island and country! Sawasdee Krub! Rick & Elsie!

Of course we're still on Sydney time which is 3 hours ahead of Thailand time. So we wake at 5am and try to go back to sleep. The plan is to meet for breakfast at 8am (Thai time). There's a knock at the door and it's Dad and Mei-Mei, fully dressed and all perky. "Let's go for a walk" Dad says. Rob and Henry jump up and happily oblige while I try to grab more sleep. I've got a busy week scheduled considering that we'll be in Khao Lak for the final week and by all accounts, there's not much happ...

I booked this tour in November from Sydney - an all day trip discovering the limestone caves of Phang Nga bay by sea canoe, including meals, drinks and transfers to/from accommodation. As usual I was a bit worried about how Mum and Dad would handle it, especially Mum considering that she doesn't swim let alone go outdoors much. I had rung and spoken to Mr John Gray personally who assured me that the majority of his clients can't swim and that his staff are all certificate trained life-savers;...

We get up at 7am for an early breakfast (it's 10am in Sydney). The breakfast selection is really good. I haven't mentioned the egg stations - there are 3 and this is the low season! One is for scrambled and omlettes, another for poached and boiled, and the other for fried eggs. Henry of course is in egg heaven and has had an omlette every morning in addition to the bacon, hash browns, pancakes etc AND we tell him he has to eat fruit as well. We're even allowing him a daily cup of coffee (load...

For Dad, Rob and the kids today was a welcome "program free" day. Dad had arranged with Kip to take him into Phuket Town for a traditional Thai massage and for Rob, I had written out a list of important yet very exciting jobs to accomplish (collect laundry; contact Tara; organise island tour and Mr Nat for Saturday etc) whilst Mum and I spent the day at a cooking class at Pum's Restaurant and Cooking School. The cooking class included interactive tuition for any 4 Thai dishes (chosen from the...