Karen Beach & Health Centre - Day 9

1/1/2016

Got up at 6:30 and got ready to go to beach. Went to Karen beach which was 10 min walk from resort to fire big cracker box bought by men.

Walk on beach watching sunrise and writing on the sand will always bring child inside anyone, especially, when you are with someone whom you love with no bounds. Missed Vedhu as he was tired and taking rest at resort. Returned back to resort and went straight for BF. Returned to room, packed everything and got ready by 11:30 for 11:45 pickup to health center for massage. 

Stepped into Tarn Tara Spa and it was like heaven on earth. The spa building and gardens are very beautiful, and the staff were friendly. I loved the way this building has been constructed with water around the place and lotus flowers in the water. The lemongrass tea as welcome drink is delicious. We all had 1 and half hr Thai massage and facial, and we all loved it.

We all felt pampered and kids enjoyed there spa. This is definitely a treat for new year’s day.

Tiger Kingdom & Patang beach - Day 8

31/12/2015


Had continental breakfast at resort. Mns and vedhu went outside to find about bikes. Rathna & myself went for foot massage. Went back to room after massage. Got ready and started to Pathang beach. We got down finding about bikes. Barath had subway lunch and I started exploring places around the mall. There are many activities going on in malls. Took some pics in the mall and went to Tiger Kingdom.

Tiger Kingdom is located in the Kathu district just 5 kilometers from Patong. There's an open-air reception area cum lobby where visitors can buy many packages. Tickets are priced according to the tiger's size. We picked medium tigers and Rathna and Barath picked small ones.
 

Sure, visiting Tiger Kingdom is a huge and somewhat expensive but when else would you ever get to do something like this? Sometimes rare opportunities that you know you will never in a million years have a chance to do again appear on this journey called life, and you know you have to grab them before they are gone. Cuddling tigers from the Tiger Kingdom in Phuket was one of my rare opportunities.

Many friends in Australia told me about how unethical it is to dose tigers with drugs in order to let them touch by visitors. I was in 2 mind sets before buying the ticket but after getting assurance from tiger kingdom I took the ticket. Tiger Kingdom claims to not drug their animals, and from my observation, it seems like that’s true. The tigers were all alert and playful when they weren’t napping and the handlers were very cautious around the animals.

There are more than 70 tigers in the kingdom (may be more).

One of the tiger got a little rowdy during our visit, we’d all have to be little careful until it calmed down. They all were well-fed, happy, and healthy. Also, the cages were pristinely clean, and a lot bigger than most. Tigers also have swimming pool to hop on when it gets very hot.

It was an amazing experience, and something I’ll always remember the rest of my life. The roughness of their fur, their smell, and the heavy rhythmic breathing I felt as I laid my head on their ribcage. A dream come true.

It may cost some money but a visit to Tiger Kingdom is pure joy and the photographs I brought home are priceless.

From tiger kingdom we went to Walking street, where tourist are in more number than locals. We did some shopping. Had coconut water and walked to beach.

Vedhu and Barath went on jet boat while we were waiting on the beach looking at para sailing. After they returned, we walked on other side of walking street and had Indian dinner.

Kids were tired so we hopped 'took took' to go to resort while Srini and Mns want to roam on the streets. 

We came back to resort, took shower went down to see the resort newyear celebrations and went for a walk with Rathna. Returned to resort, spent some time on balcony and went to sleep after wishing few people. Mns and Srini came around 11:40 ish but I was very tired to wake up. Looks like Vedhu and Mns went out to spend new year.

Fantasea - Phuket - Day 7

We all got ready to go to Fantasia festival. Van came to pick us to fantasia. Met an aussie bloke in our Van and spoke to him until we reached our place.

Entrance of Fantasea itself is spectacular. I fall in love with the place the min I entered.
We started with big parrots at the entrance and then went to white tiger kingdom. These white tigers are really treated as kings in a big palace setup.

There are many art forms on our way.

At one place I can see old telugu movie setup on water with goddess, princess, dancers etc., There are thousands of big gold fishes floating on the water. I did not want to move from there but due to time constraint we have to leave.

We went to dinner at Golden Circle where they can accommodate more than 2000 people. We (Rathna, Vedhu, Barath and I) had awesome Indian dinner and took few pics and came out.

We went straight to ‘Kamala’ also called elephant show. I was bit worried that Srini garu and Mns may miss this show in search of us but they were sitting inside by the time we reached there.

 This show is about fantasy of a kingdom. This show has Thai cultural infused with cutting edge technology and state-of-the-art show elements. The essence of being Thai, everything from the love for freedom and fun, courage and compassion, is being represented in each scene. Show featuring Thai culture, magic illusion, acrobatics, animal performance, pyrotechnics, stunts, aerial performance, 4-D effects, special effects.

Came out and saw the settings of the elephant show. Very beautiful and great work involved in this.
Vedhu and I went to pat elephants and took few pics with them. Came out with big smile coz this is a show worth every TBH.

Back to resort. Mns and Vedhu went to walk on streets and I slept.

    -- New year arrangements at resort --

Phi Phi Island - Day 6

30/12/2015

We were ready by 6:30 AM. Had continental breakfast and hopped on Van to go to Phi Phi Island. Phi Phi lies in the Andaman Sea, just north of Tonsai, and south of Phuket. It’s fairly central location and beautiful make it a very popular spot for vacationers and partiers. All tourists must arrive by Ferry. The trip from Phuket takes around 90 minutes. This has essentially turned the island into a rush of day trippers who overpopulate the island. Many instances I thought I was in India.

Our tour was very nicely organized from start to end – thanks Srini garu. As part of the tour, tour organisers will pick up and drop off at hotel. They arrived on time for pickup. During pick up the driver will put a sticker which you should retain well as based on this you get all other facilities in the trip. Ferry leaves around 8.30 am. You can sit inside in air conditioned room or outside in the sun. There are free soft drinks and some snaks for all in the Ferry. 

 
We booked an air conditioned room ie extra care will be taken by the staff. We were given croissants and tea for breakfast.  Even though we booked a special room, Mns was outside all the time enjoying the water, view and weather. He was completely wet and enjoying the water that is spilling from ferry. He was behaving as a kid playing in water. Felt happy to see him like that.

5 start veggie lunch was organised at Phi Phi hotel as part of the package. After lunch,  take the snorkeling equipments and again the boat will take to deep water for snorkeling. Those who cannot swim can stay in the island.

Rathna and myself dropped out. We both walked alongside the beach shops and I had henna tattoo. We returned back to ferry and exactly same time Srini, Mns, Vedhu and Bharath came from snorkeling. Back in Ferry and inside A/C room. Staff served us with coconut water and fresh fruit. We went around the ferry again watching other people lying around.  Return journey is in the same path. Ferry will pass by the James bond island, Maya Beach and Viking caves. Not stopping there but you can take some pictures from the Ferry. After arrival, van took us to the hotel.

 

 

 

--Sunset from hotel balcony--