Indigo Pearl and heading home

After a last morning swim singing "crocodile on the wall" (thanks Addi) at Baan Heaven and a teary farewell to Tracey and co, we checked in to the Indigo Pearl Resort at Nai Yang Beach.
We decided to stay here for a night before an early flight the next day (close to the airport). What a cool decision (thanks G xxxx). We will definitely be going back there. It has been voted as the most luxurious beach resort in Thailand 2012. Everything has been thought of. You even get someone come and light the candles and citronella (mossie) coils on your patio in the afternoon. Greg even had a real massage there which included soaking his feet in milk.
We had an early start to our day today making our way home. A good flight from Phuket and despite a long transit in Singapore it could be worse. We were going to head into the city for a look but the weather is bad and the new Qantas club was beckoning. A delicious lunch, lovely service and soon to a pampering shower before settling in to the flight to Melbourne.
What a great holiday full of new memories and an appreciation for Thailand that I didn't expect. We'll definitely be back.......
Can't wait to see everyone and to pick Barkley up tomorrow.
GEM and J
xxxx

Our last day with the Baldwin- Rolls'

It has been a massive, amazing week. Tuesday we decided to hang out at the beautiful Baan Heaven villa and soak it up before the Baldwin-Rolls' fly back to Laos and we head off for a night at the Indigo Pearl.
Greg and Chris headed off into Patong in the morning to drink, play connect 4, shop and get a massage, which they can explain later!
Tracey and I then wandered off along Bangla road for some site seeing, shopping and we then made our way to Jogceylon for more shopping, drinking and the most amazing foot massage.
We made or way back to the villa and Greg and I then took the girls along Patong to soak it all up before we were about to head home. Greg took a chance on the ribs from the road side stall, we bought the girls fireworks on the beach, Mabel did Gangnam Style on Bangla road with the party crowd and I was attacked by a falling twig which made me fling my camera across the table where it settled brutally on the footpath. Fortunately no damage done! A crazy tuk tuk road ride home where Gangnam style was repeated with powerful speakers and flashing lights. Very funny.
Time to pack now.

J
xx

Touring around

Today (Monday), John took us around in air conditioned comfort to the key touristy spots in and around Phuket. Seriously, if you are ever in Phuket, you have to get John to drive you around. We have his card! He has been spot on with his recommendations and he is just great at getting us from here to there.
Firstly we went to Phuket view point which had great views of the coast line and then on to the Big Buddha where we wrote a message on a tile that will be incorporated into the wall of the temple as construction is finished. We were all then blessed by a Monk. Truly very spiritual.
We then went on an elephant walk. Not sure what to make of that really but still enjoyable as a family thing to do. Mabel and I had an elephant that was 30 years old and her name was Pingy.
John recommended we go to lunch at the After Beach Bar which had great views (again) and I had a delicious Larb, which I'll be attempting to make when I get home.
We were then going to go back to Kata beach for a swim but John suggested Paradise beach. It's name gives it away. Just beautiful. We had a storm coming in as we swam but it was still so warm.
We stayed in for dinner where a "chef" came in to cook for us. It was actually the lady who cleans the villa (Tong) and her son who cleans the pool. I know that sounds weird but it was the most amazing traditional Thai meal ever. Curry, satays, dim sims, cold rolls etc. Everything was cooked from scratch and they even stayed back and did the dishes. We felt very spoilt and were very grateful.
Obviously we are having a great time!

J
xx

Phi Phi and lady boys

On Sunday we headed out to the Phi Phi islands by speed boat. Today was the first day of rain we had and we were all a bit worried about how the weather would affect our day. We should never have worried.....
The trip across the sea was rough and we laughed when we got drenched by the waves and some other passengers spewed along the way! The waves were huge, oh and we also laughed when a mum put her kids doodle (Oscar's word!) into an empty coke zero bottle for a pee right in front of us.
We couldn't stop at Maya Bay as they were filming a "Hollywood" movie so we went straight to Phi Phi Lay for some snorkelling. Then off to Phi Phi Doang for lunch before heading to Khai Island for swimming, snorkelling, feeding fish (G reckons the spew was recycled here - ewww) and drinking mojitos.
Now as for the lady boy part of the story, you'll have to ask Greg, other than to say Jennifer was brilliant, funny, generous and took a real liking to the blonde haired, blue eyed Greg!!

A sunset dinner

After a rest day today (Saturday) we went out to dinner at the most spectacular restaurant Baan Rim Pa as recommended by our fantastic driver John.
We ate traditional Thai food as we watched the sun go down over the Andaman Sea, while drinking cocktails.
We all agreed this was a holiday highlight!!! At least until Elsie smashed a glass at the end of the night!

Elsie's 11

On the 31st May Elsie Grace turned 11! What a lucky girl to be celebrating overseas and in the beautiful Phuket with family and friends.
After a morning breakfast of Thai pancakes with whipped cream, Elsie decided she would like to spend her special day at the water park Splash Jungle - especially after hearing what a great time her Aunty, Uncle and cousins had there last year!
Elsie's Mum and Dad then took her out to dinner in Patong, with eyes wide open at all the sites and sounds.
Happy birthday Elsie.