People are always asking us where our favourite travel destination is, and we always say Thailand. But why? Last year 30 million tourists visited Thailand so it must have something going for it.
It is good value, the weather is amazing and so are the beaches. The food is wonderful and the people are friendly. These are the usual sort of reasons tourists pick holiday destinations. We love Phuket because life is as easy and as pleasurable as its ever going to be anywhere on this earth. You don't have to stress about anything. It's not about grand 5 star accommodation, although you can get that here if you want it. It's not about rushing around sight seeing and ticking all the right boxes. It's about being. Not that airy fairy, navel gazing type of being either, just living. We have stayed in the same guest house in Nanai Rd in Patong for the last 8 years. Its busy and crazy and real. The neighbourhood is full of guest houses and locals. Go to bed late, sleep all morning if you want to. Make good coffee in your room, or walk across the street to the French breakfast bar. The 7 Eleven is a few metres away and so is my laundry lady. Ann's massage is just 50m down the road. No need to make an appointment. Just turn up. Last night at 10pm we arrived and they were quite busy. So she called a friend and less than 5 minutes later a lady from another salon had arrived and we both got our massages. The latest we have had a massage is 1.45am.
Or perhaps you sleep even later and head straight to lunch at Song Pee Nong, our favourite local Thai place. Or relax with coffee and panini at Ella Bistro. Or perhaps you wake up earlier to go to the beach. Many afternoons we go for a foot massage at about 4.30pm. ZAR80 for an hour with comfy aircon and free wifi; followed up with sunset, happy hour cocktails at Sole Mio. Neil's favourite this year is Long Island Iced Tea. The hardest decision you have to make is where to have dinner. And restaurants in and around Patong are great. Our best find this year is Home Kitchen in Kalim. And of course, there's always the live music and goings on in Bangla Road to keep us busy. Find your favourite spots and after a few days you have friends all over town.
We go everywhere local on a scooter to zip through the traffic and park with ease. For anything else we organise a car and driver. We are never in a rush. We love it when friends are in town. We enjoy showing first timers around and hanging out with the more seasoned "farang" as well. There is no better way to spend hours with friends than over a simple Thai meal with your feet in the sand and a view of the sea .Or sitting on the beach,watching the sunset, drinking Sang Som and Coke out of plastic cups. Or even heading up to Le Versace for a view of the whole bay for pricey cocktails and designer snacks.
It's been 5 weeks and we can't believe we have to go.
"Nex year lon time. We sta 8 wee. Good for you, good for me."
Our three favourite bars for live music this year, Waves Bar on Soi Freedom
It is good value, the weather is amazing and so are the beaches. The food is wonderful and the people are friendly. These are the usual sort of reasons tourists pick holiday destinations. We love Phuket because life is as easy and as pleasurable as its ever going to be anywhere on this earth. You don't have to stress about anything. It's not about grand 5 star accommodation, although you can get that here if you want it. It's not about rushing around sight seeing and ticking all the right boxes. It's about being. Not that airy fairy, navel gazing type of being either, just living. We have stayed in the same guest house in Nanai Rd in Patong for the last 8 years. Its busy and crazy and real. The neighbourhood is full of guest houses and locals. Go to bed late, sleep all morning if you want to. Make good coffee in your room, or walk across the street to the French breakfast bar. The 7 Eleven is a few metres away and so is my laundry lady. Ann's massage is just 50m down the road. No need to make an appointment. Just turn up. Last night at 10pm we arrived and they were quite busy. So she called a friend and less than 5 minutes later a lady from another salon had arrived and we both got our massages. The latest we have had a massage is 1.45am.
Or perhaps you sleep even later and head straight to lunch at Song Pee Nong, our favourite local Thai place. Or relax with coffee and panini at Ella Bistro. Or perhaps you wake up earlier to go to the beach. Many afternoons we go for a foot massage at about 4.30pm. ZAR80 for an hour with comfy aircon and free wifi; followed up with sunset, happy hour cocktails at Sole Mio. Neil's favourite this year is Long Island Iced Tea. The hardest decision you have to make is where to have dinner. And restaurants in and around Patong are great. Our best find this year is Home Kitchen in Kalim. And of course, there's always the live music and goings on in Bangla Road to keep us busy. Find your favourite spots and after a few days you have friends all over town.
We go everywhere local on a scooter to zip through the traffic and park with ease. For anything else we organise a car and driver. We are never in a rush. We love it when friends are in town. We enjoy showing first timers around and hanging out with the more seasoned "farang" as well. There is no better way to spend hours with friends than over a simple Thai meal with your feet in the sand and a view of the sea .Or sitting on the beach,watching the sunset, drinking Sang Som and Coke out of plastic cups. Or even heading up to Le Versace for a view of the whole bay for pricey cocktails and designer snacks.
It's been 5 weeks and we can't believe we have to go.
"Nex year lon time. We sta 8 wee. Good for you, good for me."
The"new" Paradise Beach
Laem Sing Beach
Sunset on Patong Beach 
Longtail boat to Rang Yai
Rang Yai Island
Tuk Tuk ride to Bangla RdOur three favourite bars for live music this year, Waves Bar on Soi Freedom
Bangla Rd fun
Heroes Bar
Smiley Bar
Every now and then a bit of rain..
But 2for1 Happy Hour cocktails as usual..
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