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Good morning to you all, I write this on a Friday morning (I've lost track to be honest but Tina informs me its Friday) from patong in Phuket. As I write this I can see a nice derelict like wall from our hostel window, a room with a view if you please but yet this somehow sums up Phuket.
We are staying on the other side of the island to Phuket town in patong where our guide book and many others we met used the term seedy. This I'm afraid to say is totally justified and I don't use the word lightly given that Phuket has not been the most enjoyable.
We had an easy Wednesday morning catching a flight out to Phuket, then the bedlam of the Phuket airport hits with taxis/tuk tuks everywhere. We managed to get a mini-bus with what I believe to be 5 overweight gentleman and 1 woman all looking like they were out if the sopranos (Tina swears they were Russian but im sure im right). The woman proceeded to have a go at the minibus driver which I know is a school boy error in any country, sure enough we got dropped off first. As far as I know they could still be driving around right now.
Anyway arriving in Phuket to the area of patong was nothing short of a wake up call to us both, having just spent a very enjoyable week on chiang mai we were suddenly in an area which resembled magaluf, benidorm etc. X10.
Everywhere you turn there a Europeans trying to sell you rolex watches, cigarettes, taxis, drink, suits and so on and it just means there is no where to turn just for a quiet drink. Having read a bit into Phuket parts of the island were badly damaged by the tsunami but they built quickly but I think this was to swift judging from what I have seen. One strip just basically has open bar like strip clubs, god only knows if these are lady boys, women or whatever but an area we quickly moved on from. It seems like there are alot of ex pats and an older men who have just cone out to get younger Thai girls. It just brings a sour taste in the mouth which is a shame as it masks what could be a fantastic looking island given that you are surrounded by spectacular mountains one side and lovely beach views the other. Although you have to often pay for a seating area in the beaches to enjoy that aspect.
Nonetheless Tina and I have found aspects to enjoy by walking to the less built up areas if the area and found a nice local Thai restaurant to enjoy my new favourite of chicken massaman curry or the other of their spicy green curry.
On Thursday we went and sat at the beach the whole day and as per usual the pure wrath of the sun came crashing down on Tinas body. I found it difficult to sleep last night due to the neon glow that was lying next to me like some kind of nuclear reactor. She is extremely red but obviously not Tinas fault, she blames the factor 15 suncream for not doing what it as supposed to but I think anyone who knows her may suggest otherwise but would nod an agree with her regardless. I can't laugh to much as I myself fell asleep and i have a belly that looks like it has been hit repeatedly by a paddle but I feel good nonetheless and I now await the fruits of my labour in the form of some tan.
Anyway enough of my chat and ranting, we pack up to make the trek and take a boat trip (about 2 hours) to ko phi phi where we plan for snorkelling, diving and a generally more laid back way. I hope to visit Maya bay (where 'the beach' was filmed and ao phang nga where they shot scaramanga's hideout in James bonds 'a man with a golden gun'- partly as I want to act it out with Tina playing the midget like character odd job/nik nack.
I have only taken a few pictures here but I feel alot will follow with the other islands to come. We have a bamboo like bungalow to stay on in ko phi phi so I feel the funny stories may write themselves on this trip.
A red belly Robbie c out for now.
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