Ban Karon

We woke up early on our last morning on The Phinisi, despite our best efforts to sleep in. It gave us time to mingle and converse with everyone. By 930 we were shuttling over on the dingy to the pier. Though not a very big pier, definitely a busy time due to all the day-trippers heading out to The Similan Islands. We ended up docking with another boat, and passing through their lower deck to disembark 🙃

Most of the guys were put on the shuttle bus destined for the airport, and only four of us on another for Phuket Island. Once we reached the outer limits of Phuket city, we were swapped onto a different van to get us to Patong beach. We think that's where A forgot his sun hat 👒🤔, oh well.

We arrived at the accommodations by 11am, and they were gracious enough to allow an early check-in. It is a simple 2 bedroom apartment; we can cook for the first time in a month! It was nice to have down time in a cooled space, without any rocking ⛵. Eventually we did head out to get a few things, and went as far as the Malin Plaza outdoor market, before heading back. Without the ocean breeze and open air, the temperature really is toasty 🥵. We only found convenience stores instead of grocery ones, so ended up ordering pizza and pasta to be delivered. A little reset for the tummies after many days of yummy boat food.

The following day we spent the morning poolside in the shade. Coffee, fresh fruit and oatmeal ☕. Mid-afternoon we decided to checkout the local mall, mostly just to get out AND stay COOL ☃️ It was a short but hot walk despite trying to stay in the shade. Jungceylong shopping complex is pretty extensive, but very much catering to International tourists, and high prices. But, can't beat bubble tea for $1.15cad!

Big C grocery store was an experience. Well stocked shelves, but confusing to find items due to multiple places for things. Many imported things are higher costs than home. It was good to see better fresh food storage practices, yet the pre-cooked chickens were just sitting on a table at room temperature 🍗. The liquor store closes for a few hours of the afternoon due to government rules. Thankfully it was after 5pm and we could buy a bottle of Thai Rose wine. It was a gamble if it was going to be dry or sweet. We lucked out and it was refreshingly dry 🍷

Travel planning for the next few weeks was enjoyable to do in the peaceful AC'd apartment or poolside in the shade. Then we realized when trying to make an online purchase that the credit card used at the grocery store was missing 💳😱! Looking around the apartment turned up nothing. Phone calling the store included the understandable language barrier. They looked, yet didn't quite say they didn't have it. Walking to the store late afternoon avoided the sizzling UV rays 🔆 The store employee we asked (with Google translate) about the missing card showed us to the customer service counter. The young man behind the desk was holding up the card! 😁 They had found it when I had phoned.

A short walk through the busy shopping areas lead us to the Patong Beach at dusk. The beach was quiet with the last boats of the day trickling in. We chose a restaurant facing the street towards the beach. A noodle dish and veggie Burger 🍔🍴 The food was delicious and endless people watching.

Our last day in Pa Tong beach was more relaxed. A took the laundry down the hill to wash at a self serve laundromat. It was super reasonable at 40 Bhat a load. While the clothes were hanging to dry on our patio, we planned for our next adventure in New Zealand 🇳🇿 Surprisingly, the day was relatively enjoyable with a continuous breeze to distract us from the 33C humid heat.

For dinner we ventured to a nearby Mexican restaurant, off the busier main road. We were looking at the margaritas, but there was a Buddha holiday in effect, preventing the sale of alcohol anywhere in the country 😭 Soda water with lime didn't quite taste the same.

And that's a wrap for our Thailand adventure 👌Read more