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.

A good day

We spent the day out, started out at Dino golf at Kata beach and after making the top 10 scores for the place, we all went to Kata beach and enjoyed some time in the water. The sand was soft, the water even softer and warm to boot. 

Then it was back to the villa for a swim. 

After that, I was tasked with procuring some charcoal and firelighters for our barbecue. After heading into Patong with J, E and T, I said goodbye and began my task. 

Off to the big C (it's a supermarket!!!) and after discussions with three staff - none of which spoke English, I was pointed to the second floor. That didn't help... and then I spotted a westerner looking at silicon. He can't be a tourist I thought so I walked up to him and said "if you're looking at that stuff, you must live here" yes he said. After a brief chat he pointed me in the direction of a hardware store near Bangala street. Off I go and after many a proposition for ping pong shows, massages, cheap beer, photos with monkeys and iguanas - I realised this wasn't the right place. So I stopped and talked with three (reputable looking) massage ladies who pointed me towards the hardware shop back where I came from...

Thanks I said and after exchanging smiles I'm off again. This time I find the place I'm looking for but alas, they have no charcoal. After a non English chat, they somehow give me directions to a locals market so off I go again...

I almost gave up and rang Chris to let him know I wasn't having any real success but that I'd give the market a quick go. I must have walked about 5km by this point and my lack of sunscreen was beginning to play on my mind a bit. As was the many bars that I passed with their cold, cheap beer!!! But I stuck at the task, even though I couldn't find the f3ck!? Market...

As I was walking to the line of tuk tuks, I happened to spy some people cooking on a makeshift BBQ, with charcoal. I hurried over and tried explaining my plight. I was actually very close to the market at this point so after they handed me a piece of charcoal to break the language barrier, in I went to the market...

With nigh a westerner in sight, I managed to come across a place with the bags of charcoal I'd been looking for. Firelighters I asked (well it was asked with a series of hand gestures, all of which indicated explosive gestures with me saying the word fire) :)

Next shop the man said so over I go and begin the language dance again. Another 5 minutes it so later, I'm presented with a box that has fire and BBQ symbols on it (I can say they prove to be very flammable). Back to my new friend at the charcoal shop and he agrees to take the bag out the front for me on a sack truck while I get a tuk tuk. 5 tuk tuks later I finally agree on price and away I go, back to the house. 

I have no idea how much time has passed but I do know that I've actually had a fun experience and one that allowed me to be less of a tourist and more of someone that was making real connections with the people here - and without speaking the language :) it was seriously fun and left me with a sense of satisfaction. 

It's go time!!!

Singapore here we come :)

45 minute delay in Melbourne

I think I've got that covered :)

G. 

It's Thailand Time

A nice early 0300 start greeted us this morning. We didn't greet it back very well... But here we are at 0530 sitting in the Qantas Club waiting for our flight to Melbourne which kicks of the beginning of our trip which will take us to Singapore and Phuket!

We've dressed for the cold here but it won't be long before we're down to shorts and t-shirts :)

Bye for now.

GEM and J.

Our Site

Hi Everyone,

Following on from the blog we created for GEM and J in the USA, we wanted to have another place where we could record our holiday experiences.  GEM and J on Holiday is the place.

This is where we'll record our experiences so please check in from time to time and see what's happening.

From GEM and J.