Phuket, Thailand

[TroyGFC]

Wdgie a good forum with lots of info is http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g2 ... huket.html heaps of people giving heaps of good advice. Make sure you do the John Grey sea canoe tour well worth the money, dont do the imitations.
Another good bloke is Richard, an ex-pat from Canada who decided after viet war to stay in Asia. http://www.phuket-scuba-diving.com/visit...
He can organise trips to the elephants, canoes, anything really. Doesnt charge either, just buy him a beer! Message me if you want his email address or phone number. I am not sure if he still personally takes people to elephants like he used to, the elephants and gibbons would practically come straight to him for a pat. Regardless the elephant santury is on hill of Kata beach and cost nothing, small donation for banannas to feed elephants and from memory 1000baht for hour trek on their backs.
If you look at my photos on facebook (via link to webshots) I have a few photos of place.
As for sea canoe, best full day of adventure Ive ever had. You leave late morning to fishing village were you get on a boat for 2 hr cruise to Hongs (which r the mountains which you canoe under). Awesome stuff when you get into middle of mountain and its just like Jurasic Pk, he takes you to about 4 of these, returning at nightfall after a great dinner to realise lanterns as a offering. Plenty of time for swimming, great at night time with the glow fish lighting up water!

[TroyGFC]

http://johngray-seacanoe.com/thailand/h ... rlight.htm

[wycbloods]

I went in april 07 and loved every minute of it. We stayed at the aquamarine resort in kamala beach which was a nice 15-20 minutes from Patong. James Bond island trip was great as well as Phi Phi island. We also did a elephant/white water rafting day which was awesome. We also visited Fantasea which is a similar theme to the royal show with rides and side shows but it also offers a great show which will inform you about the history of Phuket and Thailand in general and also has a great animal contingent which are fantastic. A great place to go and i am sure you will have a great time Wedgie.

[Wedgie]

Cheers guys, Ive been reading up on our hotel and it sounds great by the reviews it gets.
So far must dos are:
Sea kayaking
Elephant ride/White Water Rafting
Trip to James Bond Island
Trip to Phi Phi Island

Not after a lot more to tell the truth, we get there late on a Monday night, stay the entire week, weekend and dont leave until late on the 2nd Friday so plenty of time, plan to spend a hell of a lot of it relaxing on the beach by the pool, drinking, eating and getting massages, can't wait!

[TroyGFC]

ahhh the massages!!

[Dirko]

Trip to James Bond Island
Trip to Phi Phi Island

If you meet a few other nice couples, I suggest you organise a private speedboat ( share the cost with the other couples) and make your own itinerary. That way you don't get stuck somewhere, and you can also stay somewhere longer etc....

[Wedgie]

Good idea SJABC, might do that, we did similar when we went to the Whiitsundays once, always good if at least one couple is rich and has a penthouse suite too!
Bugger, just found out the North game I miss out on is against Norwood Oval on a Friday night, my fav match of the year!
Come back on Anzac Day when North are playing at Unley, might give that a miss as there'd be nothing more bringing me back down to earth than going to that hole.

Also a hint for others out there, dont just go to a tour agency and take what they give you.
When I went originally we were going to have to spend 2 days virtually in the Kuala Lumpar airport and only 7 nights and days in Phuket.
When I looked up a few flights myself and rearranged things I went back there with what I'd found and managed to turn it into a direct flight from Sydney with 11.5 nights there and no stopovers and for a cost of about $800 less!
Definately worth doing your homework and shopping around!

[TroyGFC]

As Jabba said, def go by speed boat if going out to Phi Phi Island, the charter boat takes all day to get there leaving only 2hrs to explore and swim. I thought the Hongs were 100% better than Phi Phi, may of been also cause i was there 1yr after tsunami. In saying that I would of loved to spend 1 to 2 days relaxing there!!
Ah i miss Phuket!!

[Mic]

Good idea SJABC, might do that, we did similar when we went to the Whiitsundays once, always good if at least one couple is rich and has a penthouse suite too!
Bugger, just found out the North game I miss out on is against Norwood Oval on a Friday night, my fav match of the year!
Come back on Anzac Day when North are playing at Unley, might give that a miss as there'd be nothing more bringing me back down to earth than going to that hole.

Also a hint for others out there, dont just go to a tour agency and take what they give you.
When I went originally we were going to have to spend 2 days virtually in the Kuala Lumpar airport and only 7 nights and days in Phuket.
When I looked up a few flights myself and rearranged things I went back there with what I'd found and managed to turn it into a direct flight from Sydney with 11.5 nights there and no stopovers and for a cost of about $800 less!
Definately worth doing your homework and shopping around!

Do not fear, we play Norwood at night again on the 21st of August.

[Wedgie]

Good idea SJABC, might do that, we did similar when we went to the Whiitsundays once, always good if at least one couple is rich and has a penthouse suite too!
Bugger, just found out the North game I miss out on is against Norwood Oval on a Friday night, my fav match of the year!
Come back on Anzac Day when North are playing at Unley, might give that a miss as there'd be nothing more bringing me back down to earth than going to that hole.

Also a hint for others out there, dont just go to a tour agency and take what they give you.
When I went originally we were going to have to spend 2 days virtually in the Kuala Lumpar airport and only 7 nights and days in Phuket.
When I looked up a few flights myself and rearranged things I went back there with what I'd found and managed to turn it into a direct flight from Sydney with 11.5 nights there and no stopovers and for a cost of about $800 less!
Definately worth doing your homework and shopping around!

Do not fear, we play Norwood at night again on the 21st of August.

Someone pointed that out to me today so Im happy as Ill just get twice as drunk that night. Not sure if that is possible going on my previous visits to Norwood but I'll try!

[The Ash Man]

Take the missus to Fantasea
She will love it, mine did
Dont go for the meal, just the show

[Jimmy_041]

Take the missus to Fantasea
She will love it, mine did
Dont go for the meal, just the show

And the kickboxing - she'll probably leave and go shopping after the first bout, but you can stay, drink beer and watch the locals beat the suitcase out of the farang

[Dirko]

Take the missus to Fantasea
She will love it, mine did
Dont go for the meal, just the show

And the kickboxing - she'll probably leave and go shopping after the first bout, but you can stay, drink beer and watch the locals beat the suitcase out of the farang

Bloody oath !! Awesome stuff......

[Mic]

Good idea SJABC, might do that, we did similar when we went to the Whiitsundays once, always good if at least one couple is rich and has a penthouse suite too!
Bugger, just found out the North game I miss out on is against Norwood Oval on a Friday night, my fav match of the year!
Come back on Anzac Day when North are playing at Unley, might give that a miss as there'd be nothing more bringing me back down to earth than going to that hole.

Also a hint for others out there, dont just go to a tour agency and take what they give you.
When I went originally we were going to have to spend 2 days virtually in the Kuala Lumpar airport and only 7 nights and days in Phuket.
When I looked up a few flights myself and rearranged things I went back there with what I'd found and managed to turn it into a direct flight from Sydney with 11.5 nights there and no stopovers and for a cost of about $800 less!
Definately worth doing your homework and shopping around!

Do not fear, we play Norwood at night again on the 21st of August.

Someone pointed that out to me today so Im happy as Ill just get twice as drunk that night. Not sure if that is possible going on my previous visits to Norwood but I'll try!

Give it your best shot, that's all we ask.

[TroyGFC]

"Mauy Kickboxing TOOOnight" anyone whose been will probably know what I m on about here!! Saw this egomanic Aussie guy get the shit belted out of him by this skinny local kid.

[Jimmy_041]

The skinny little ones are the most dangerous

[The Ash Man]

"Mauy Kickboxing TOOOnight" anyone whose been will probably know what I m on about here!! Saw this egomanic Aussie guy get the s***t belted out of him by this skinny local kid.

Yep!
Almost as bad as 'wanna buy a suit?'
All day - TOOOOOOOOONIGHT, TOOOOOOOOONIGHT MUAY THAI
You feel like smashing the speakers by lunchtime!

[Drop Bear]

Authentic Muay Thai Boxing. TONIGHT TONIGHT TONIGHT. 6.30.

The Aussie we saw dropped his opponent in 30 seconds. KO'd!!

[THE MOLE]

The funniest has to be the few aussies they know, i kept telling the suit sellers that i was from wagga wagga and they all say straight away so do you know wayne carey!
They love luc longley too. ahhh the good times over there!
The lady boy mistake is one you only make once!
I was over there on when freo had there footy trip, and the boys were lots of fun!

[Dutchy]

Apparently from Darwin you can get to Asia for about $300, next time I go up there for work I think Ill make the most of it and head over there for a week

Look forward to your report and pics Wedgie