Summer Holiday in Thailand

WOW.  We had a fantastic time in Thailand.  Absolutely awesome. 

Thankfully we left home early as after we checked our luggage in and had to show our boarding passes to get to customs, we were stopped and had to sit for over half an hour, as they said that they had found something in our checked in luggage.  We had to wait for them to bring it to us so that we could open it and unpack everything for the security to check.  They found nothing, got us to close our bags again and let us go.  We then had to join the queue to go through customs and our body check at customs.  We made it to our gate with 15 min to boarding time.  Then our plane was delayed.

The flight was only 3 hours and the clouds were very intimidating.  

Once we landed in Bangkok, we were informed that because we had South African passports we had to go to the health desk to get a stamp on our entry card for yellow fever, even though we reside in China.  Then through immigration was a breeze.

The normal taxi cost 420 Baht to take us to our hotel, Ibis Riverside, which took about 35 minutes.  

 

If you go to a 7/11 to buy a tourist phone card, you need your passport to buy it.  Had supper at the hotel and then went to back to the room for a good nights rest.

We woke up early to join in the buffet breakfast.  Nothing too fancy.  There was scrambled boiled and fried eggs, chicken and pork viennas, spicy chicken stir fry, spinach stir fry, potato conjee, fruits, yoghurt, toasts and different types of bread.  There is also tea, coffee and juices.  

After breakfast we took the hotel shuttle to the sky mtr and went to the MBK mall.  It was still early and the shops only open at 10am.  So we went for a short walk.  It was so so hot.  When the malls opened we went to  one called the Siam Paragon and then to BTK which is similar to the Louhu Shopping complex in china.  

Then it was back to the hotel for some R&R in the sun and pool. We also went for an amazing Thai foot and neck massage that is right next to the pool.  It incorporates the foot, whole leg, hands, arms, shoulders, neck and head.  A one hour long massage.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  

In the evening we went to the Mambo Cabaret Lady Boy show.  I still said to Paul that I thought I booked the wrong show, that I thought it was just a Cabaret show.  Until some of them spoke.  When trying to get a taxi back you have to make sure you ask the drivers if their meters are running as they want to charge a set fee. 

 It was an enjoyable day.  After the Mambo show we went to a local restaurant for supper.

The next day we sat at the pool after a delicious buffet breakfast and relaxed a bit before our tour on the rice barge cruise to view the floating homes.  We saw plenty of monitor lizards on the way.  They are meant to bring good luck to the locals if they seem them in their yards.  We started on one boat for an hour and then changed to the rice barge for another hour.  On the rice barge we were treated to a buffet of fruit and juice.  

Once we got back to the hotel we got ready for dinner.  It was an enjoyable buffet of seafood although other dishes were also served.  A lovely day today.

The next day we were awake early this morning for our pick up at 6:10am.  We proceeded to pick up another guest from another hotel and then went to another hotel where a bus was waiting to take us to the floating markets.  We travelled 100km out of Bangkok to reach the floating markets.  Halfway there we stopped off to use the toilet, and visit a local tourist market where the locals make their own coconut milk, sugar, and milk.  

This is the toilet I had to use.

Then we were on the bus again.  We were dropped off where we had to board a long boat 7 at a time.  Oh my word I was so scared.  I thought the boat was going to topple all the time.  It felt like the longest boat ride ever, but I am glad I experience it.  

The long boat stopped at the market and we were given 1 hour to explore.  It was very busy and very hot.  Just like any market you have to bargain.  It was amazing. 

It was so hot that this dog opened the door of the fridge with its nose and went to lie in it.

Then it was a 2 hour drive back.  I must say I was pleased that the bus met us at the market and we did not have to take the long boat back again.  Ha Ha.  It was a well deserved rest when we got back to the hotel then a delicious buffet supper again.  Enjoyable.

The next day it started with an awesome breakfast in the morning and then an early day at the pool.  We spent about 4 hours swimming and sun tanning.  It was lovely.  
Then we were off to our last tour in Bangkok.  It was the ‘Night Lights of Bangkok Tour’ on the Grand Pearl.  We had a buffet dinner and what a spread.  It was a relaxing boat ride, with a slight swaying of the water and a cool breezing blowing.  A really gorgeous evening.

The next day we flew from Bangkok to Phuket.  First we had our buffet breakfast before packing.  Make sure you have about 500Bhat with you to pay as you pay for the toll fees as well.  Once we landed it was a 1 hour ride to our hotel, Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa.  It was well worth the trip.  The hotel was gorgeous. 

We decided to come to Phuket for only R&R from the busyness of Bangkok.  The front desk is friendly and helpful.  We got to know Natty at reception, and what a lovely person.  She will go out of her way to make sure that your stay is comfortable. 

  

Make sure you have lots of small notes available as tips are very welcomed here.  By the time we got to our room it was already 11pm.  So there was no wandering the resort, instead a good night’s rest.

The next day we woke up to beautiful weather and went to The Grill is which is situated on the beachfront.  What a way to enjoying  your breakfast with the sound of the sea and the birds.  

Afterwards we went for a short walk on the beach.  We walked in the crystal clear water that felt like bath water it was so warm.  You could see the fish swimming around your feet.  

  

  

Then we changed into cozies and back to the beach to soak up the sun and the sea.  I must say I got very burnt.  And that was before 12pm.  We went for lunch and the food and service is extraordinary.  The sun from the day was tiring so we ordered room service.  Yummy.

The next day we woke up later than usual this morning.  Must have been all the sun from yesterday.  We went down to the Merchant kitchen for breakfast.  It has a bigger buffet selection to choose from. 

After breakfast we went down to the deck chairs by the beach and soaked the views in. 

Later in the evening we went out to The Grill for a fantastic supper and of course the beautiful scenery in the evening as well.  It was also relaxing to lie on a soft bed watching movies in the evening. 

  

  

  

We spent the rest of the holiday having our breakfast at the Merchant Kitchen.  And we were always greeted with a smile from Kelly and Pang.  They were awesome and always remembered not only our names, but the names of the other guests as well.  

And we always went to swim at the pool outside our room, out of the three other pools available, and got to know Challot, who made the most amazing smoothies.   We also bought a snorkel mask and was trying it out in the pool.  It works very well.  

  

This evening we went to the Merchant Kitchen for a buffet meal dinner.  Scrumptious.

The next day we were picked up for our last tour in Thailand.  We went on a Sunset Dinner Cruise on a Junk boat.  The views were beautiful.  There was a cool breeze thankfully over the water.  It was an awesome trip.

  

  

The rest of the time at the hotel was purely R&R.   Sun, Sea, Smoothies, and delicious food.

  

  

There was also a wedding at the resort.  All I can say is WOW.

When it was time to leave, we got a taxi to the airport.  It cost us 1200Bhat.  Our flight was delayed and we had to sit for about 4 hours in a very noisy airport.  The flight back was very uncomfortable and had such a headache by the time I got back.  Think I need another holiday.

Well keep reading and I will keep posting.