Thailand 2024

 EXPLORING
PHUKET AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS 2024

The 2024 Kimberley Cruise Ship Season was hectic.

With no staff to relieve Paul as the Tour Director, he was doing 12-day Kimberley Cruises back to back.

After 11 straight cruises, he walked off and decided it was time for a break. Lisa booked us in to a great luxury hotel called Crest up on the hill just out from Phuket and Patong Beach.

We don't normally do luxury hotels but this was a well-earned break and we had a great swim out room - that linked to the pool cocktail bar!!!

We ate at the hotel a lot with the themed nights but also spent a lot of time in town.

We didnt take a huge amount of camera gear - just two Nikon bodies and a versatile 18-300 zoom and a 10-24 wide angle.

It was enough and we were happy to be travelling lightly.

THE BIG BUDDA

THE CHALONG TEMPLES

CASHEW NUT FACTORY

OLD PHUKET TOWN

OUR SWIM OUT HOTEL ROOM AND POOL DRINKS

We brought a large blowup doughnut (yes like a chocolate iced doughnut complete with sprinkles) from a store downtown and we left it in the pool for a week. 
It got a lot of comments and other people having fun on it.
It was the best $8 we had spent all holidays...!!
The staffed just laughed every time it came out.

PATONG BEACH AND BANGLA ROAD DISTRICT

SPECIAL TOP DECK DINNER AND DRINKS AT SUNSET

SIMON'S CABERET

THAI FRESH FOOD AND SEAFOOD MARKET
VISIT AND A COOKING CLASS

INVITATION ONLY ROOFTOP COCKTAILS AND
7-COURSE TOP DECK DINNER AFTERWARDS

A WALK FROM THE RESORT TO A SECLUDED BEACH
AND LUNCH ON A HILLSIDE RESTAURANT WITH STUNNING VIEWS

THE NIGHT MARKETS AND WALK THOUGH THE TOWN

A LONG WALK FROM KARIM BEACH, PAST
KATA BEACH AND BACK TO THE RESORT

A MOROCCAN THEMED OUTDOOR DINNER PARTY 
AT THE RESORT. IT WAS AWESOME!

A DAY TRIP ON A FAST BOAT FROM THE
MARINA TO THE ISLANDS.

VISITING THE LIMESTONE SEA CAVES

KAYAKING AT THE LIMESTONE KARST SPIRES

VISITING JAMES BOND ISLAND

VISITING THE FLOATING VILLAGE OF PANYEE

PALM BEACH AND ISLAND STOP FOR A
SWIM ON THE WAY HOME

BANGLA ROAD NIGHTLIFE

DINNER AT A RESTAURANT OVERLOOKING
THE BAY AND PHUKET