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  1. #1
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    Kata and Southern Phuket August 2013

    Well we took off to Phuket the day before my birthday and spent 5 nights on Kata. On the agenda were checking out if Phuket is all that bad, surfing for the kids, touring for the wife, and relaxing for all of us.

    We flew down on Nok Air, and to avoid the hassle of taxis we had a Honda Jazz waiting for us at the airport. 850 baht a day. Nice rental company, on time for pick up and drop off.



    First stop was Kata, and lunch at Kata Mamma's


    The sea view from Kata Mamma's


    Pizza on the 8th
    , really quite nice. Cappania I believe was the name of the joint. Oven backed pizza was nice, then some kind of molten chocolate dessert, very nice.




    The kids had had basic surf lessons in Bali, but wanted to get better. Found a nice school that used the lifeguards as the trainers. Start with the basics on land. The surf was rough, and there were red flags for most of the beach, but with a board or boogy board you are good to go. Kata is really very well patrolled by life guards. Constant whistle blowing as most of the tourists dont have a clue about the water.


    The art of surfing came back quick to my kids and within half an hour they were up and doing it. Mostly on shore break, but its not easy to get up on a surfboard. I for one know that well.
    But you have to get into the surf first.


    Ripping it.




    The joint we stayed in this time. It's called the Palmery, new in fact they had the grand opening on the 10th. Nice pools and got a very good rate. We had what they call pool access suites, not really a suite but a 40 sq meter room with a 30 sq meter outside living area on the pool.



    The took the wife to Wat Chalong and the Big Buddah.


    Me and the woman who has put up with me for over 22 years.


    What we made together.


    The Big Buddah, which is now looking better and better.


    With my lifestyle a little blessing by a Buddhist monk never hurts.


    I will put up more of our tour of Nai Harn, Rawai, Chalong, Laem Promthep, and Laem Panwa.

  2. #2
    Dislocated Member
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    Looks like a good time mate, and your girls are really growing. Cheers.
    How did you find the Jazz? Nice car I think.

  3. #3
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    Did you feel Kata was over-developed, AO?

    I stayed there for a six month spell about 15 years ago and it was very nice. I went back about 5 years ago, and found it too crowded, noisy, expensive, etc. Places change, and old memories often 'feel' better...

    What was your overall feel for the place? Would you go back?

    Comparing with say Sri Lanka; flights + accom, this time of year, probably no difference in the cost for a 5 day break. I say this because I've rarely been anywhere in Thailand over the last 10 years. You have options like: Bali, Laos, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Burma, etc. I just don't see that Thailand offers much 'value'. Maybe that deserves a thread by itself...
    Cycling should be banned!!!

  4. #4
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    BB, yes I have seen Kata change over the last 30 years. But I really dont get the over developed feel. In fact you can see several mega projects on the hills that have been stopped as they were freaking illegal. No high rise hotels and we go in off season so its not too crowded.

    What I did notice this time is scores of Chinese tourists, most by tour, but for the first time a good amount on their own. Its expensive if you go to the wrong joints, or head to Patong for the nightlife.
    Yes we will go back again next year. For us as a family destination its hard to beat. We have never encountered a problem. In fact its such an easy vacation. But remember I am talking family who loves to do day time stuff. Just a few beers and good food is fine for the night.

  5. #5
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    Nice feedback. Thanks.

    I went there for many years too, off-season, just scuba-diving. In those days I worked in the UK, so Thailand felt exotic, and it was much cheaper with a more powerful pound. I often stayed at smile inn right on the corner of the local street - around 800 baht or so. I used to like it a lot there.

  6. #6
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    Good one AO great pic's mate

  7. #7
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    Great thread so far, bro. Keep it comin'.

  8. #8
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    Lovely family/travel piece, AO!

    Girls take after their Mother, I see...

    Happy B-Day and many healthy returns to the day!

  9. #9
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    So we headed out of Kata to Naiharn beach, the view down to the end of Kata.


    The only rain we had was this morning, it was starting to clear by the time we got to the rocks of Nai Harn. Most people dont know you can drive through and under the pool of the Phuket Yacht Club to get to nice little beaches. The tide was coming up fast here.


    Drove around Rawai, Chalong, and onto Laem Panwa. Here we found the nicest seafood lunch I have had in years. Prawns fresh from the sea that had never seen a far. Mussels to die for and a huge fish done sweet and sour. Really nice.


  10. #10
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    Where was the restaurant AO?

  11. #11
    Thailand Expat
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    At the end of Cape Panwa, right near the entrance to the Phuket Aquarium which I got in for free for being a "senior" citizen.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by aging one View Post
    At the end of Cape Panwa, right near the entrance to the Phuket Aquarium which I got in for free for being a "senior" citizen.
    OK, I know where you are. The Ao Yon and Kao Khad parts of Cape Panwa are my favourite parts of Phuket. Quiet, with some stunning scenery, and good eating places also.

  13. #13
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    A few last shots around Cape Panwa.




  14. #14
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    Top thread. Thank you.

  15. #15
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    Great thread. Can't green you at the mo. Thanks for showing Phuket in a decent light rather than the usual negative shite.

  16. #16
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    Happy birthday AO and respect due for not wearing socks with your sandals

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by aging one
    At the end of Cape Panwa, right near the entrance to the Phuket Aquarium
    Quote Originally Posted by PAG
    Quiet, with some stunning scenery, and good eating places also.
    Agree, it's very nice there. Need a car though; once waited for the bus only for the local taxi mafia to threaten the driver not to take us, then the taxi mafia charged 1000 baht to get into town; was getting late, had no other options, the missus was very upset, but the taxi scum were, well, scum...

  18. #18
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    Enjoying this thread AO, thanks for sharing mate.

  19. #19
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    Great thread. Thank you.

  20. #20
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    Happy birthday. It looks like you and your family enjoyed the celebration in Phuket.

    Nice thread.

  21. #21
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    I like Kata Beach and have been in the off season many times and done a fair bit of surfing there. On my last trip this year, and Im sure you would have seen it, the "flow rider" wave machine thingy they have built on the beach.
    I dont like the Idea of it, gives the place a Disney Land look to the beach area.
    But I still think Kata and Karron are the Best Beaches on Phuket.
    Glad you had a good time and I like your out look on things...

  22. #22
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    Looks like you enjoyed some pretty good food .......... not as good as home cooking but at least it's done for you. Any shots of breakfast in your camera ?

  23. #23
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    Looks like big fun was had by all the family. You will be needing to purchase a shotgun soon to keep the scumbags away from those daughters i reckon

  24. #24
    Thailand Expat armstrong's Avatar
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    great pics AO. I liked Phuket when I was there a few years ago.

  25. #25
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    Happy Birthday AO. Nice pics and thread. Seriously, you haven't aged since I first met you 8 years ago!

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