Sugar Pie's Blythe Experience

Welcome to Phi Phi - Island of dreams

So today we have packed up our digs at Karon Beach Resort (we will miss everyone there, the staff were lovely) and headed by boat to Phi Phi (Pee Pee) Island. When you come up to the beach from the water you are greeted by a spectacular strand of pure white sand, crystal clear waters and an ubundance of lush tropical greenery dotted with bungalows. From the Cat they move you into a little runabout then closer to shore you transfer again to 4 wheel drive boat for the last part.

On the shore we were greeted by all the staff, cool towels and a pinapple/coconut drink. We all sat in the Reception Pagoda to enjoy our drinks while they checked us in and Ray and I were given a lovely surprise when they told us they had upgraded us to a deluxe bungalow driectly in view of the beach and decorated it with lovely flowers that said happy anniversary - I am so glad we saved to do something special for our 10 wedding anniversary. Not sure how we'll top this one though.

Well I am off to nurse poor sick hubby (a touch of heat stroke) so that tomorrow we can go snokelling and relax at the day spa.

xoxo

Sugarpie and Hubby - Island hoppers.

NYR 1: Spend another NYE in Karon Beach!

So New Years Eve went off with a bang (well hundreds of bangs actually) here in Karon. To start with we had our own private table on the grass in front if our room and our friendly waiters Dat and Kao provided extra special drinks service - Rays glass was never empty. The resort put on an amazing huge buffet (again you'll have to wait for the pics - I am going to try later today to see if I can upload a couple from here) and a show. We were treated to live music all night, a performance from the 'Ladies' of the Simon Cabaret - one Ukrainian guest was overheard asking if they were all ladies, so sweet and naive) and then a magic show.

Fireworks started at about 930pm. Here you can buy fireworks on the street so cheap so everyone was letting them off all night. Officially the fireworks went off along the beach at 11.55pm. It was incredible sight as we were situated at the end of the beach so we could see all along the bay from Karon to Patong and Pataya beaches and they all had fireworks. At to that the background music from the Full Moon festival at Patong that could be heard loud and clear and it was an awesome night.

All along the beach from the moment the sun went down you see people setting off the paper lanterns into the night sky, there were hundreds of them and every now and then one would have firecracker attached so when it reached a certain point the cracker shed a tail of sparks that was so pretty.

Fire works were going all night and when we woke at 700am people were still lighting them.

Best New Years ever - would we do it again? You bet.

xoxo

Sugarpie and Hubby - soon to be Karon regulars.

 

Pretty Shiny things in Phuket

So day two was a big shopping trip and prep for new years.

We started the morning with a trip to the Buddhist Temples - breathtaking. One of the huge temples has a glass room in the top where in a pretty vial surrounded by glass and gold ornamentation are what are supposed to be the tears of the first Buddha. It was so peaceful and relaxing sitting in the temple. In another one were three monks meditating - I am sure that they were real but Raymond thinks they were statues.

Stop 2 was 'The Worlds Biggest Jewellery Store' - OMG, wall to wall jewellery made on site and your own personal shopper. Since I was trying to stick to a budget Ray bought me an anniversary present - a 6mm Blush Pink Cultured Pearl and Diamond pendant. The pearl hangs from the diamond which is bezel set in a square of white gold to match my eternity ring. So beautiful. I know have two pieces of jewellery that have their own valuation certificates!

From there we went to the factory outlet centre which was just like Harbour Town - nothing too exciting so we held on to the spending money.

The trip finished at 'Central' a freaking huge shopping centre that could house 20 Grand Centrals with room to spare!

Then new years dinner - but more of that next time.

The roads here are crazy - no one uses indicators and the road markings are just for show - beware of crazy tuk-tuk drivers and scooters! And once you have been on a Thai round about you will never complain about Aussie ones again.

xoxo

Sugarpie and Hubby - Dino-barfly's.

Haggling 101 - Karon Bazaar

So our first day in Karon Beach saw us doing just a small touch of shopping. After a stroll down to Patong we made our way back to 'James Fashion House' - recommended as a good tailor, for a suit for Raymond. So now they are making him an Armani Suit (in an Italian Cashmere/Mink Blend - thanks Italian vogue for the language lessons), 2 shirts, waistcoat and tie for less than $300. For me I chose a Dolce Gabanna 1920's Peacoat in charcoal grey with red silk lining - perfect for T-bars winter.

From here we headed back to the Bazaar where Raymond tried out his haggling skills and scored the best bargain - Quicksilver Boardies, Ripcurl Shorts, 2 Polo Brand Shirts and a Fox shirt (all with the aussie swing tags and bar codes attached) for 1500Baht - a huge $50! Me, I bought some Chanel Sunglasses (I know they are fake but I can't tell how) for 150Baht - $5. Score.

The afternoon was spent relaxing in the Dino-Bar (yep it's a Dinosour Themed Minin Golf Course complete with cool roadside 'cave' bar) with a Singha for him and one of the many cocktails for me.

Lots of swimming and relaxing followed.

Have you ever seen the photos of the electrical wires here that regularly go on line? Well they are not exaggerated - tangles of power lines drip down over your head along every road way and twisted down poles all over the place - it's crazy.

We will add heaps of photos as soon as we can find a computer that will let us attach he camera with out electrocuting ourselves.

xoxo

Sugarpie and Hubby.