31st January 2014

Today was our prearranged tour to the James Bond Island, Phang Nga. Usual pick up from our hotel around 8.00 am then a 45 minute minibus transfer to the boat at a pier on the north of the Island.  Soon after we set sail we were introduced to 'Jimmy' who was to be our guide for the day's events.  We learnt that Jimmy used to be a Thai kick boxer from age 16 to 22 when his wife persuaded him to give up for a safer occupation (you may see from the pics that most of his teeth have been kicked out and he has scars both sides of his face).  Jimmy's main job for the day was to paddle the two of us in the inflatable kayak that would be used at various times during the day.  He told us his pay for the day was just 300 Bhart (about £6) - later we doubled that with a well deserved tip for is efforts all day.  First stop was to see the sea caves at Panak Island with their stalactites and bat colonies - then off to Hong Island for another Kayak ride into a beautiful lagoon.  Then it was off to Phang Nga the famous James Bond Island (Man with the Golden Gun filmed in 1974 with Sean Connery). It was very crowded with tourists but Jimmy our guide still managed some good photo's.  Then it was back to the boat for lunch that was cooked on board (yummy) then off to a quiet beach for a swim and to take pics of the monkeys that come down out of the trees for the bananas given to them by the boat crew. Then back on board for the trip back to the boarding pier and our coach transfer back to our resort. In the evening (our last night in Phuket) it was down to the wild Patong Beach for drinks, people watching and food!  Tomorrow we are off to Phi Phi Island.

30th January 2014

Today we had a beach day.  When we arrived at this resort we were told to try the Laem Sing beach 10km north of the busy Patong beach and the advice paid off as you will see from the pics. It was a picture postcard beach with fine white sand and crystal clear water ..... and not too busy at all.  We had a full day there, saw the sunset before leaving around 6.00pm to return to the Patong Beach area for the evening.  Tomorrow we have a 7.30 am pick up for our trip to Phang-Nga Bay (better known as the James Bond Island).

29th January 2014

Transfer day today.  We were dropped at Bangkok airport three hours before our flight!! Too long to resist the curry puffs and other goodies on offer in the Bangkok Airlines Lounge!  Arrived at our resort in Phuket around 5.oo pm. We booked up for a full day boat trip to the James Bond Island Phang Nga Bay on Friday.  Tonight we have briefly experienced the nightlife at Patong Beach it's certainly lively!  Tomorrow we are going to explore and have a day on the beach.

28th January 2014

We decided today had to be a chill day as we move on to Phuket tomorrow for three days. So after a leisurely breakfast we made our way down the River to pier 13 and headed to the Khao San Road to have a Thai massage.  My poor old feet have taken a pounding with our hectic schedule in Thailand  so I had a foot and leg massage and Steve had his back & shoulders done, both for the amazing price of a fiver.  After a break (beer, chips and buffalo wings!) in the Khoa San Silk Bar it was into a Tuk Tuk for short but difficult trip (because of protest road closures) to the Golden Mount Temple - it was very pretty there with great views of Bangkok from the top. Then it was back on a Tuk Tuk and back down the Chao Phraya River to our resort for gin and tonic, packing and preparing for our early transfer for our flight tomorrow.

27th January 2014

Up early again for another full day in Bangkok. Steve had planned a kind of circular route that would land us back in the hustle and bustle around Khao San Road for the evening.  First we went by the sky Train to the Victory Monument. We knew the anti government protesters were camped out there but did not know the extent on the disruption. As it happened the monument appeared to be out of bounds for close up viewing so after an uncomfortable walk through some of the protesters, we returned to an overlooking walkway for further pics. From here we made our way through the strangely quiet Santi Phap Park to the Baiyoke Tower hotel for a skyline view of Bangkok from the 84th floor - reminders of our visit to the World Trade Centre.  Next a successful flying visit by Taxi to the massive 5 storey IT City Mall to try and get some more mini discs for my video recorder. Then it was of to Jim Thompson's house the US guy who disappeared mysteriously in 1967 after making his fortune in the Thai Silk Trade. Then we dived on a canal taxi (10 Bhat each) on the canal that runs along the back of the house heading west to the last stop. From here we hopped aboard a Tuk Tuk to Khoa San Road where we went into a couple of bars for much needed drinks and excellent Thai food before making our way back to our hotel on the River boats.

26th January 2014

Today was market day. We had two to fit in as they were both weekend only markets so Sunday was our only chance.  Floating market first we thought, so aboard our hotel shuttle boat to start our trip on the Chao Phraya River at Central Pier.  The first price we got for a longtail boat ride up one of the Klongs (canals) to the market was way too much so Steve decided to make our way further up the River on the public transport boats (30p each!) to get a better deal. At the Tha Chang Pier the 'walking away disinterested' ploy worked reasonably well and for £30 we were off, just the two of us, for a two hour trip including 40 minutes at the market. Very colourful and nice food on offer but we were full from breakfast. After our trip is was back down the River to pick up the BTS Skytrain for the Chatuchak Market at Mo Chit. The market is one of the largest in the world and when we arrived there we could see why.  We spent 5 hours looking around but only saw a fraction of what was on offer.  We really enjoyed it even Steve, who is not a market fan, we bought quite a few bits and pieces.  We were surprised that the alcohol ban seemed to be ignored here and we had a couple of beer stops and were able to buy a few cans to take back to our hotel.

25th January 2014

Today was a transfer day as we left Kanchanaburi for our second stay at the Anantara Resort in Bangkok.  After our 11.00 am pick up, a 3 hour trip and a late lunch while our room was prepared, there was little time left for much sightseeing. So we had a G&T on our balcony followed by a River trip in our shuttle boat and the Chao Phraya Express Boat to the Khao San Road for our evening entertainment.  When we got there 'shock horror' no alcohol!  It looks like the elections planned for 2nd February are to go ahead after all and the authorities have decreed no alcohol will be sold from 6pm Saturday until midnight Sunday both this weekend and next. While fruit smoothies are great for me, Steve not so happy (see I phone pics below). Also shown is a night shot of the Wat Arun Temple and one of a typical hotel shuttle boat.