So, we have been a bit slack on updating the blog so here goes a round up from Christmas until February.

We broke up from school for christmas and that evening had a brilliant party in our condo, on the roof next to the beach. It was a BBQ and a few of us decorated with lanterns and candles and paper chains, and we all had a great night (even though it rained on and off which meant we were taking down and putting up decorations continuously).

Once that was out the way, we packed our carry on luggage and headed to the airport for a few days in Phuket.

We arrived and headed to find a minibus taxi to take us to our apartment. At this point I should say that after the last trip away where the accomodation was...basic, I was keen to try and redeem myself and so this journey was perhaps more nerve racking than normal. We have all had the stomach drop when your transfer coach pulls up to a hotel which looks horrendous as you wait with fingers crossed to hear that it is actually somebody elses. When we arrived at our apartment, the minibus stopped on a busy strip, full of souvenir shops and a few bars and no beach! Disaster! When we found the sign, it took us down a side street and what we found was actually really peaceful, with a nice pool and away from the hustle and bustle. Good for a small budget, but terrible restaurant!

So, the first day we went to explore the beach which was really beautiful and actually just over the road. It was really strange though as it was full of Russians and huge men who looked like former wrestlers which became one of the highlights: retired wrestler spotting. We relaxed on the beach before heading to the surf bar which had a wave machine installed so that onlookers could watch as over-confident, small swimsuit wearing individuals tried to impress their dates with their skills on the waves while everyone else were just waiting for them to wipeout - very funny!

Our first night was completely bizarre and included the following sentences...

1. "Jono, there is an elephant in the car behind us"
2. "Sarah, don't turn round there is a man holding a coiled snake behind you"
3. "CAN YOU TURN THE MUSIC DOWN IN THE TUK TUK PLEASE!"

As well as lazing by the beach and by the pool while we were in Phuket, we also went over to explore Katanoi beach which was absolutely beautiful, a much nicer place to stay than Karon or Kata with an amazing hotel called Mom Tri's where we had some delicious food.

We got a small insight into the seedier side of Phuket as we ventured into Patong on a crazy, pimped-up tuk tuk (small truck which drives at 80mph around the steepest and sharpest corners, flying past families of 8 squished onto 1 motorbike). Walking down the main street, you are accosted by SO MANY men asking if "you wan' ping pong show?" ER NO "you wan' sexy show cah?" NO!! It was horrible, definitely red light district so we ran inside a sports bar which had screens of sport and pool tables and no scantily clad ladies in sight. It was definitely an experience but...we were ready to head off.

To summarise:

Phuket has beautiful beaches, jungle and hills. Karon, Kata and Patong are built up, full of aggressive street vendors and overflowing with 'ladies' with deep voices offering you a massage. The clientelle is Russians and retired wrestlers and Patong is a place to avoid. That said, Katanoi is absolutely lovely and there are definitely ways you can avoid the craziness, it's just harder on a limited budget.

Home for 3 days and Vietnam here we come!