25/5/09:
Phukets airport wasnt a lot bigger. collected bags and was mobbed by people wanting to take you here or there and put you in this or that hotel. We arranged a minibus taxi to take us to our hotel for 2 quid each. our hotel is in the centre of phuket town (we didnt really know where was best to be based) so not near to any of the nice beaches- the idea being that we would travel to a couple fo the nice beaches on different sides of phuket on different days. the town is certainly interesting and an eye-opener. A lot less touristy than koh samui- most things only written in thai. plus it is a lot dirtier and smellier. our hotel is ok for 5 quid a night. we have an en-suite and there is a swimming pool!! we arrived and went to explore- lots of shops and shopping centres. we looked around and got some lunch- a supermarket had a salad bar- it was gorgeous!!!! then we went back to hotel cos we was scorching. we headed to the pool where we was the only ones- we laid on the sunbeds but were literally drenched in sweat so spent a lot of time sat in pool reading. we had showers and headed out to get tea- cheap and easy macdonalds. Then got a few supplies from supermarket like drinks and fruit to take back to room- didnt know if was safe to be out late. we watched tv (lil alex was pleased cos championship play-off final was on) and I finished my book- a cuppa tea and an aspirin by helen forrester- all about the liverpool slums just before the war; it was quite interesting. we was pretty knackered so crashed before long.

26/5/09: woke up to torrential rain so decided to lay in a bit and hope it cleared. the plan had been to go to one of the nice beaches today but at 10am it still was drizzling so we got ready and headed out to explore around here. We got a tuk-tuk (the drivers are constantly approaching you and beebing you- its sooo annoying) and the driver took us around some of the sights- like a big buddha statue and temple and some market place and then he dropped us at chinatown. We got some brunch- i had sweet and sour seafood and veges with rice and lil alex had chicken green curry and rice- they come to about 1.50pounds for both and they were nice. we were running out of things to do so when we come across the bus station and saw a bus going to Patong beach for 50p we thought we'd go anyway. The bus was just a little truck really. After driving for about 45 minutes we arrived in Patong- it is a lot more touristy!! Hundreds of bars, restruarants, shops, stalls. A nice beach but although it was very hot it was still overcast and a bit drizzly. We walked around and got a drink. A lot more tourists there; it was interesting to see but we got bus back about 4.30 and as we got back the sun come out!! Only got 2 more nights then we are going to Koh Phi Phi. I was gonna get a massage but theres not really anywhere around here and when I found somewhere they said there massage person had gone home?! So we went to supermarket and got a salad and stuff. Lil alex had a bit of a dodgy gut!! We just chilled again cos there isnt really a lot else to do at night.

27/5/09: We got up early hoping it would be sunny and we could go to one of the nice beaches but it was very dull and soon started raining. We got ready and then headed out to get breakfast. Rain was torrential by now so we looked around the shopping centre til it slowed a bit- then we found another massage place for me to try and lil alex went on the internet. Strangest massage yet!! A bloke met me at the door and I told him what I wanted and instead of going into the room with all the chairs and beds set up he took me through a cafe next door and out the back up some stairs (I was getting scared at this point as to what I was getting myself into). Upstairs though there was several rooms with massage tables and lots of women staff. He left me in one room and then a woman come in and left some pj type things on the bed- she didnt really speak any english so i didnt know if i was expected to put them on so i just sat there- haha. Then she come back and laughed and pointed to pjs and to me so i did put them on. Then she done the massage but as she started there was the biggest storm I have ever heard!! Plus she kept laughing the whole way through- I dont think I was very good at laying there- I didnt know when to move, etc and it doesnt help when you cant communicate. It was a traditional thai massage which meant lots more being pressed, stretched, twisted, kneed, stood on, elbowed, and it was quite painful sometimes- I think I'll stick to the oil massages. then she gave me some funny drink- like flavoured hot water- yuck, but I felt I had to drink it. Meanwhile the original guy started questioning me about Lewisham and whether a civil engineer is a good job. Paid 6 quid including tip then met lil alex in internet place- it was still raining!! It has literally rained all day so there has been nothing to do! We booked nice place in Koh Phi Phi to stay and are getting ferry over tomorrow- lets just hope the weather improves!! There is nothing to do here in the rain!! So we got a few bits and went back to hotel where I read and lil alex watched sport on tv- it seems such a waste to spend time in the hotel now we are getting to the end but there really is nothing else to do here in the rain. Plus lil alexs guts have got worse- I'll spare the details but he is now asleep in the room in the hope he'll feel better later. I went back and met him and we headed out for dinner at a proper restruarant place where I had spinach and cheese to start then for my main I had a big dish of waldorf salad and a jacket potato- random. Lil alex had cheesy chicken, tomato pasta, salad and chips plus we had drinks and it was 7 pounds for all of it!! Bargain!! We got drinks to take back to room and then had showers and packed our bags. I read lots of my ladyboys book- very interesting if a bit graphic!! We went to bed quite early cos lil alex wanted to get up at 1 to watch the champions league final. He did manage to wake up and watch it without disturbing me too much.

28/5/09: We got up about 8.30 and checked out about 9 then found a tuk-tuk to take us to the pier so we could get a boat to Koh Phi Phi. However, when we arrived they said the next boat wasnt until 1.30. So lots of waiting around!! Weather still very dull and a bit drizzly.