Thailand

February 2017
A 20-day adventure by Vander Wonders Read more
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  • Day 20

    Vergeet

    February 24, 2017 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    Ek vergeet graag goedjies op plekkies, maar daar is 'n merkwaardige mysteriese manier hoe ek en my besittings weer herenig word. Ek is gelukkig soos dit, dit breek vir Roedolf want hy verloor nie goed maklik nie, maar as iets van hom wegraak is dit "goneski". Ek aan die ander kant is 'n loskop, maar wonder bo wonder kry ek altyd my goed terug. Die aantal kere wat ek al by lost en found moes gaan draai ... ontelbaar...ek keer wel gewoonlik terug met 'n vrolike stap.

    'n Week gelede het ek my sonbril in die taxi vergeet, en sonder te veel moeite het die taxi maatskappy dit by een van haar vriend gelos wat naby die lughawe werk, ons stop toe net vinnig daar vanoggend en voila wuif iemand vir ons in die pad met my sonbril en brillkassie. Roedolf skud net sy kop haha.

    {Issy}
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  • Day 19

    @the cove take 2

    February 23, 2017 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    We had such a great time, we went back, this time we were a bit smarter and got a taxi - the hill is pretty extreme and not fun in the heat just before sunset.

    Halfway through our dinner it started bucketing down so we had to give up the prime spot by the water, the rain was actually lovely and cooled it down. Shared some travel some stories with the Spanish manager.

    We had a great time and the thin crust artisan pizzas did not dissapoint.

    {Issy}
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  • Day 19

    Last few pleasures at the Pullman

    February 23, 2017 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    This week was really the first time since the start of our trip that we have been bored. Sometimes bored is good, it's really hard work to run from one experience to the next, we really needed a bit of relaxation and to do nothing for a week.

    In fact this week went by so quickly its hard to believe we have to leave tomorrow.

    This is the only accommodation I booked on this whole trip; Isabel is normally the one booking accommodation and I do the flights. But this time I wanted to spoil her a bit with a 5 star experience so I booked it and she only knew the name of the resort prior to us arriving here, I did not show her any pictures or reviews of the place.

    I must say the resorts facilities are amazing, the room, gym and the pools are all great. The only complaint that I have is that the service from waiters and hotel staff other than the front desk staff is very poor. In the 7 days laying next to the pool, not once did any waiter ask us if we would like a drink. Two mornings at breakfast we did not even get coffee. But on the plus side the drinks and food at the resort are very expensive. The bad service almost encouraged us and most other guests to just purchase drinks at the 7 eleven across the street for a quarter of the price. This one couple even had a bottle whiskey of their own next to the pool. You would think that the resort management would want to promote better service to increase sales.

    We had a great time and hopefully one day we will have a bathroom like the one we had here in our home. 😜

    {Roedolf}
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  • Day 17

    The Cove

    February 21, 2017 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    As only Isabel can, she sniffed out the almost hidden gem of a restaurant just a km away from our hotel, on the opposite side of the peninsular.

    Apparently people drive all the way from Phuket town to come dine here. I can see why!

    Its one of the most romantic settings I have seen in a restaurant plus the food and service was amazing. I dear say its the best food we've had since we arrived in Asia and the service was nothing like the rest of Asia. Our drinks actually arrived short after we ordered them and not mid way through our meal. The starter actually arrived first and we were given time to study the menu and not forced to pick a meal while the waiter waited for you.

    Its such a blessing to have a wife, partner and best friend to show me these hidden gems and to enjoy them with.

    I think the thing I am going to miss most about traveling is not the fact that I don't have to work but the fact that I won't be able to spend so much time with Isabel. One thing is for sure, unlike many men I don't dread retirement, because I am not afraid to spend all my time with this wonderful woman God has blessed me with!

    {Roedolf}
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  • Day 17

    Coffee with a view

    February 21, 2017 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Awake since 5am for some bizarre reason!! I read tried to fall back to sleep, by 6.20 I gave up, made coffee as quietly as possible and sneaked outside to watch the sunrise on our balcony.

    I laced up to be at the gym @7am, when it opens, for a much dreaded long run - which I need to do if I want to comfortably run the two oceans. I nipped into the restaurant grabbed a small homemade organic health bar (a bit too much raisins for my liking) to at least have a bit of energy.

    I kept going by flipping around between bbc news, a travel channel, cooking channel and my ipod. I started very slow, aimed to get the first 3km done and then just hang in there. I didn't plan much, thought if I can do 1.15 minutes regardless of distance , it will be a good start, being 8 weeks away from easter weekend. Roedolf made his appearance, did some yoga and then felt inspired to run too, I kept going ...for another 30 minutes.

    17km boom !! 1.48minutes not fast but hey its precious time on my legs and I survived on the treadmill which I absolutely hate.

    No more excuses- just do it!!
    {Issy}
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  • Day 15

    Khai nai island

    February 19, 2017 in Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Nog 'n bietjie snorkel nog 'n bietjie swem nog 'n bietjie son. Dis 'n mooi klein eilandjie met klomp beachbars, dit was mal warm ons konnie vinnig genoeg in die water kom om af te koel nie. Dis ook maar lekker gekommersialiseerd, maar ons vind 'n stil hoekie. Hulle het heerlike vars pynappel en waatlemoen bedien. Die pynappel in Thailand is hemels, dit maak nie mens se verhemelte stukkend nie en is dis heerlik, nie te soet nie dis net perfek.

    140 dae ek kan nie genoeg dankbaar wees vir ons avonture en reise nie.

    {Issy}
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  • Day 15

    Maya bay

    February 19, 2017 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    I am officially running out of descriptive words!! This place is stunningly beautiful, the crystal clear water is sheltered by 100-metre high cliffs. The downside is, its packed with tourists! They reckon that at any given time there is probably about 30 plus speedboats visiting.

    It was still incredible to see. This is where the movie,the Beach, (with Leonardo de Caprio) was filmed.

    Me and Roedolf swam out quite deep to escape the crowds and have a couple of moments of pure beauty to ourselves.

    We spend about an hour here, then we were gathered like sheep again to get back on the boat. We did enjoy it but we don't like competing with the crowds. We love off the beaten track, probably out of selfishness.
    Our Similan and Siren islands visits were way more idyllic probably also because we were there when the crowds have departed.

    {Issy}
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  • Day 15

    Phi Phi Don

    February 19, 2017 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    We started our Phi phi Island adventure with a stop a the monkey beach, to be honest its just a bunch of monkeys on the beach not that impressive, we rather posed for some pictures of the view from the beach.

    Then did some snorkeling before heading to the main beach at Phi Phi Don for a Thai buffet lunch. Honestly i am not sure what the rave is about Thai food being such a culinary experience, its all the same to me, its either fried or its some soupy noodle or vegetables dish. The minute you try to venture out from that its so spicy 🌶 no soft palate can enjoy it.

    The snorkeling was good considering the number of boats frequently visiting this site, however it was hilarious to watch the other 18 people from our boat attempt snorkeling, some for the first time. One guy actually put the snorkel in his mouth with the plastic part that goes between your lips and you teeth outside his mouth and the guide had to show him to properly put it in his mouth.

    {Roedolf}

    Conclusion- any monkey activity that most tourists rave about, we don't find entertaining at all - we spectate and find something more exciting to do. -kids from Africa I guess -knowing what a pest they can be in parks.

    {Issy}
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