Monday

Queuing up to check in at the airport an American tried to chat up Tim, he didn't realise we were together & Tim didn't realise what he was doing. Tim had decided to take some vegatables (mainly Bamboo) for one of her friends. The bag must have weighed 25kg so I made her take it on as hand luggage.  We took a mini bus to the hotel but by the time it had dropped everybody else of in patong it was nearly 2hours before we arrived at our hotel the Phuket Chaba Hotel. However the Hotel was very good and quiet. Our room overlooked the small swimming pool.

Tuesday
Next day we went for Breakfast but is was not open , we were the first people up as we are used to getting up early every morning. After breakfast we walked around Kata and then went down to the beach which was approx 300m from the Hotel. I went for a swim while Tim relaxed.

For lunch we went to one of the local eating places and had chicken and rice and then we went back to the hotel and sat around the pool. Even Tim went for a swim.

Wednesday
We went for breakfast later today and everything was open & quiet. There seemed only to be about half a dozen couples in the hotel which suited me. We then went and hired a motorbike which cost 1000bt for 4 days and went to Karon for a look around and Tim went and visited one of her old friends. After wards we went to Rawai beach for a meal. This has changed since the tsunami and all the beach restaurants have moved to permanent buildings across the road and the beach is lined up with boats for hire.

 From there we went to Phromthep cape for a look at the views and finally on to Katanoi where we had a walk along the beach.

Thursday
Today we went to Went to Wat Chalong as I had never been before. The weather was hot again and I tried to keep in the shade as much as possible.

After a slight Detour we went to see the Big Budah which is still being constructed and which overlooks both Chalong and Kata Beaches.

In the afternoon it was back to the beach for me for a swim although the waves had increased since yesterday.  Tim went to the market  to do some shopping .

Friday
Went to Patong and just walked along beach however it was very hot again so we did not stay long .

When we got back to the hotel it was the beach again for me while Tim went to the
hairdressers. When I got back I think I had a little to much sun and had an early night.

Saturday
We Went to phi phi today setting off at7.00. I was curious to see what had changed since the tsunami. When we arrived there some passengers were dropped off while we stayed on for a look round and then we had an hour snorkeling however it was not that impressive. I was surprised by the number of people that chose to wear life jackets , well over 90% . By the time we returned to Phi Phi and had lunch we had less then an hour to look around.

On reflection we should have got off with the first party and had longer to look around the Island . Most of the infrastructure has been rebuild with a new pier but I didn't really have time for a good look. By the time we had walked to the end of the beach so Tim could feed the monkeys it was time to return the boat. We got back to the hotel at 17.30 – a long day for a short look round the island.

Sunday
People kept telling Tim about this store called Supercheap which sold everything at low prices. When we got there it was a huge outlet but under a tin roof with no ventilation. Tim bought some dried fish and other things which she assured me were bargains. However it cost me 1000bt in taxi fare so she could save a few baht.

In the afternoon back to the beach for my final swim of the holiday. The big waves had returned again but it was alright once you got out past them. After wards I went to a nearby bar for a few beers but prices were expensive compared to Bandung.

Monday
Return home and yes – Tim took 15kg offruit & vegatables back home. However she had some confiscated by customs at Phuket. Got back to Bandung at 18:30,