We've been in five ports for the last seven days so we seem to be backed up in getting our post out. We have posted all of our tales below in several postings and are now caught up. Still no way to get pictures posted and the one day we were ready to post the ship's server was down for maintenance. We hit two ports back to back then one day at sea and then three more ports for the next three days. This vacation is getting a little tiring. The old adage "I need a vacation from my vacation" is standing true. You're out all day in the port, back on the ship to clean up, eat dinner, download pictures, study the next days port, pack your backpack, get to bed and then you're back at it again the next morning for another full day. It's coming all so quickly it's hard for us to say what we did or where we saw something. I thought it was just my memory getting to me but Candice is having a hard remember all this stuff too (Candice: I'm just having a hard time with what the currency rates were for a place). That gives me a little comfort but not much!
We've been invited to eat with the Chief Purser and his junior assistant for Tuesday, the 30th. We are still waiting for that next elusive Captain's cocktail party.
We are up to 11 golden tickets in trivia. We weren't able to play while we were in port since we were out running around. We just can't get enough of these! They are suppose to get some new prizes for ticket redemption in Dubai.
They postponed our pirate drill until after Dubai. We understand that no one will be allowed on the 3rd and 10th decks since they will have the water cannon hoses laid out and everyone is to keep their curtains closed at night and most lights on the boat will be darkened with security on the outside decks. Meanwhile I'm stocking up on food in the cabin just in case something goes down. We suspect they'll tell us to lock ourselves in the bathroom if anything happens but either way I'll be ready!
PS Lucky cat is back to waving. We'll see how he does! Ha, ha.
Phuket was really a touristy island. They seem to have recovered well from the 2004 tsunami in Patong and now have evacuation routes marked down on the waterfront and a small sign commemorating the event.
We had to tender in from our ship and I saw a sign placed on our ship that said 'security warning - stay back 50 meters' for the first time. Candice told me that they had been hanging that up in every port but it is usually on the other side of the ship where we can't see it. Once on shore we stopped in a basement grocery store to stock up on some Cokes and Pringles for our beach excursion.
Back out on the streets we found a Tuk Tuk which is an open air, covered truck, to take us about six miles up the road to Kata Beach. On the way there was a section of roadway on a long hill but not too steep that had a bunch of temples placed on the side. Most seemed to be broken down, tipped over and dilapidated. They were mixed in with newer ones standing totally erect. I couldn't figure out if they were memorials for people who had died in traffic accidents on the road or what. It was something to see even if I didn't understand it.
Once on the beach we rented more lounge chairs, a table and an umbrella for 200 Baht. There were so many chairs they had to number them so you could find yours amongst the throng of them wrapped all the way around this 2 mile circular beach. I couldn't figure out how they ran this system or who got the rights to operate these chair rentals but it was an operation and a half. The heat was stifling to say the least. Apparently it had just showered before we got over to the beach around 10 a.m. so the humidity was even higher than usual as the sun started barring down on us. No sunbathing that day, just sitting under the shade of the umbrella trying to survive the heat. We think it hit triple digits that day.
As we sat there watching the waves roll in we tried to figure out if the weather was this way every day or if we just hit an usually hot day. You could feel the heat surrounding you, not so much that you were hot because apparently the air around us was hotter than our bodies. A lot of Europeans were vacationing here and I had a a nice conversation with an elder couple from Canada out in the water. They had been in the area for 2.5 months and had 2 more weeks before flying back home. They asked me about all the places we had visited and I told them what our favorite places were. They asked me if I was worried about the pirates and the safety of the entire trip. I told them I wouldn't let a few thugs thwart my vacation plans. The lady said she really liked my attitude about that and was surprised I recommended some of the places like Vietnam since she had heard different stories. I guess it's all in the eye of the beholder!
As I was coming back in from the water to the lounge chairs I was surprised to look up and see Candice had left our belongings unattended on the beach and was walking into the water. I guess I had talked for quite a while and she was quite desperate to get some relief from the heat in the water. She motioned for me to get up to our belongings and later told me that she was watching me the whole time and knew I was talking since my hands were waving around. Bless her heart, even if I did look towards the beach I never would have spotted her amongst all those umbrellas.
There was an opportunity to have another foot massage on the beach but it was too hot to really enjoy it. The only saving grace for the day was a nice breeze that blew too infrequently but when it did, it was great! I found my myself trapesing down to the water every fifteen minutes. We decided we'd start moving over to the next beach, Karon Beach back towards Patong, after the heat of the day passed. So around 2:30 p.m. we packed up even though the heat hadn't subsided to any measurable degree. We tried to pay attention as to how long the drive from Karon over to Kata was on the way there and decided we would try to walk it.
A few small hills and hot sidewalks later we stuck our heads in the first grocery store for a look around. Air conditioning was good but nothing like the air conditioning in the 7-Elevens. Everyone we have visited in our travels are quite the heat refuge, especially in the tropics. I'll never look at another 7-Eleven pre-trip in states the same again. Unfortunately their fountain drink machine was down so we settled on another bottle of Coke.
Walking through the shopping in this area, Candice found a dress to buy. Starting price was 690 Baht and she passed it up but we got to the end of the stalls and had to turn around and go back to exit. Upon strolling back by the price magically dropped to 250 Baht. She bought it! I felt sorry for these people having to hawk their wares just to make a living. We prefer shopping with things priced. We don't like having to ask for the price because it will tie you up for 15 minutes. Everyone kept asking us where we were from, a conversation starter (and it's best not to start one-if you know what I mean), and once we didn't answer them they'd guess we were from Sweden. Seems there is a direct flight from there to Phuket and Candice had the coloring. I don't really look like I could be Swedish but our first room steward thought I was, so maybe I could pass for Swedish.
Trying to get a Tuk Tuk back to Patong proved to be a little challenging. We preferred to split the fare with someone going that way and after walking to and fro just trying to find a driver I spotted an older couple that looked like they were also looking for a ride. I shouted across the road and asked them if they wanted to share a Tuk Tuk. They were French and didn't speak English but apparently they understood Tuk Tuk and agreed they would split the fare. Three hundred Baht later we made it back to Patong. Our first mission was to find a happy hour bar followed closely by a foot massage place.
Seems we stumbled across the foot massage place first since the happy hour 2 for 1 bars were not as plentiful as they were on Kata Beach. One hour of foot massaging for me and a pedicure for Candice with air conditioned air was right in line. I actually stepped inside to see how air conditioned it was before we said 'yes." They gave us a nice cold cup of sealed water to drink, unlike the Hong Kong massage where they gave me the medicinal hot water to drink. I wasn't about to drink that water since it was hot much less whatever they put in it to take the edge off of the painful foot massage. I made it through that one with some pain but it felt good at the same time. I thought this one was going to be less painful since they were just serving ice water but she really worked the center of my feet good and I thought I was going to come up out of the chair a couple times. I think my feet thanked me both times!
A little more shopping along the street front where the tsunami rolled in and then to the bar for a drink. One vendor had the actual video of the water coming on the beach at this particular spot. It was pretty weird watching it and looking around seeing exactly where the water went. At the hotel street bar we choose the 'My Dear' drink which tasted a lot like the Singapore Sling but was actually a little better. It was a perfect way to spend the rest of the evening until our ship sailed at 7:30 p.m. With what little Baht we had left to spend we revisited the basement store and bought two cans of Pringles then made our way back to the tender pier. (Candice: 110 Baht = two cans of 55 Baht. Perfect!)
We always thought we'd like to go to Phuket on vacation for a little longer stay but the weather proved us wrong. One thing for sure is our hotel would have to be air conditioned to the hilt. There is so much to do and see on this island and you would definitely want to rent a motor scooter to get around. There are plenty of smaller islands to take boats out for snorkeling and beach visiting. They have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It seemed to be TOO touristy and packed with too many tourist too, especially around Patong but we'd give it another whirl in a heartbeat but maybe after researching a cooler month to visit, if there is such a thing!
Pulverizing heat in Phuket is a no go but Phuket in and of itself is a GO!
Sandy
Hi Sandy and Candice, How are the worldwide travelers doing? This time this phrase really fits. I see you're getting tired. I would have been tired a long time ago with all that you're doing, and all the places you've been to! An experience you'll never forget! I hope you're keeping up with FOX to see all the shenanigans going on in Washington! I have to go now to watch O'Reilly, Hannity, and Gretta. Enjoy the rest of your trip. Sharon/Dittohead signing off!
I'm right there with you Sharon...I've got them all DVR'd. I've gotta catch up on 'em. I sure am missing Rush this week!
Sandy, just wondering if the "Ph" in 'Phuket' is pronounced as an "F"? LOL
Thanks for catching us up on the world tour. Aye Matey, watch out fer tham pirates!!!
Hi Chris, Charlie told me I had an answer from you. This computer stuff just isn't me. I missed Rush too. Glad he's back! And since this is on the Miller's blog, hi to Sandy and Candice too! Happy Easter to all of you. Hope you all get lots of goodies. Talk to you later! Sharon/Dittohead