Phuket Thailand and private shore excursion

Saturday, March 21, 2009 – Aunt Ann and Matthew’s birthdays!
Phuket Thailand! In the Andaman Sea

RAIN, RAIN and RAIN!!!! Oh wow did it rain as we anchored. Everyone was on time to take the first tender at 8AM. And once we landed, we found out we had SEVEN BRIDGES to go over with two wheelchairs!!! J So it was step up one step, cross over the bridge, step down one step, go across the plank, step up one step and cross over the bridge….and repeat this. You can imagine the ship’s crew lifting two people while they are seated in their wheelchairs up and down…

But we made it! The guide and two helpers were there and we only had to wait for the bus due to intense traffic. The police monitor the buses on the busy road.
The nicest touch was being greeted with plastic rain capes!!!! SMART.

The name “Phuket” is derived from the Malay “Bukit” meaning hill, and hills dominate much of the island’s interior. The island is 30 x 13 miles and was developed as a tourist destination in the ‘70s and sleepy Patong (a beach area) grew into a popular resort. The central mountains and national parks are stunning. Coconut plantations, rubber groves and traditional village remain. Coral reefs just offshore support more than a hundred identified reef species and the Indian porpoise and long-nosed dolphin can be seen in the waters. The BAHT is the currency: US$1 = 34 baht. Thai silk, gems, nielloware and “copies” of designer goods are for sale.
Few people are unaware of the December 27, 2004 earthquake off the Sumatra coast and the deadly tsunami it spawned. Sections of Patong Beach were struck but the damage was limited to a small area.

At the Bann Chin Pracha house there was a large 6’x8’ personalized sign welcoming Ensemble Travelers. Very impressive and welcoming!
It was a very interesting house, from the Sino-Portuguese era. They gave us Chinese oranges, about the size of your thumb, but so sweet and good!! Shoes had to be removed to tour. There were a few movies filmed in the house and the owner of the house was there to greet us. They did the long and loud dragon dance for us and we enjoyed coffee/tea and cookies.
The rain was a bit of an issue here with the mud puddles on the path to the house, two people opted to stay on the bus and several did not care to remove their shoes as they were all muddy and wet and would be difficult to put back on. The umbrellas offered by the bus helpers were large and they were one color on the outer side but the under side had beautiful colors and designs. I like that better with the design in the inside as opposed to the outside.

We drove next to see the Sea Gypsy village, the indigenous people of the southern islands. They live in shacks by the sea and they have their own language. They danced for us and we had shopping time. Communication was limited on what the dance meant and any personal interaction. They fish in longtail boats.

Along the highway, we passed live monkeys and stopped to feed them some bananas. There were at least 20 of them.

Sun was gradually coming out now…
Cashew nut factory visit: Sri Bhurapa Orchid. It has been in operation since 1943 and they produce approx. 1000 tons a year of product. We all really enjoyed tasting the various flavors put on the nuts. One person was shelling them and the factory was not working but we could see the machinery behind the glass. Other items were also for sale – dried fruits and soaps…The cashew tree is a thick-leaf shrub with an average height of 18 feet. Fruit begins after four years during the months of February – April only. The fruit is red, orange or bright yellow when ripe. A nut hangs outside at the base of the fruit. After harvesting, the nut must be boiled for 30 minutes so a second shell becomes hard and can be removed manually using a special tool. They are then roasted in the oven for up to 14 hours in order to easily remove the thin layer attached to the nut.

The richly decorated Wat Chalong (Buddhist temple) was next and we explored on our own. Firecrackers were lit in the oven to welcome us. It is known especially for its golf-leaf covered statue of Luang Pho Chaem, the abbot of the monastery at the beginning of the 19th century when Chinese invaders came to Phuket from Malaysia in an attempt to seize the valuable tin mines. Luang Pho cared for the injured at great personal risk and was deemed a hero of the people. There were beautiful interiors with vibrant colors and archways and we also could see a large white Buddha on the top of the hill.

Lunch was in an air conditioned (very much appreciated!!) window-to-ceiling glass room and the restrooms were western and very modern and clean. They had printed menus for everyone. The menu was battered fried fresh waterweed with shrimps, fried fish with sweet chili and sour sauce, stir fried prawns with tamarind sauce, Chicken green curry, stir fried squid in black pepper sauce, spicy and sour seafood soup, stir fried mixed vegetables and steamed rice and fresh fruit.
“I felt as confused when it came to Thai cuisine, especially after reading the section in my phrase book on all the goodies available. Try phat phak bung fai daeng (morning glory vine in fried garlic and bean sauce), especially when the menu is in Thai script and your pronunciation is liable to bring you lightly grilled cockroach braised in a sauce of lizard’s eyeballs.” Mark Moxon, British writer

The group divided out for shopping or to return to the ship. We lost a wheelchair somewhere along the line and since I had signed for it for $500, we had a goal to find it!! We finally found it on the ship in a corner and were greatly relieved. Semi-formal for dinner, I listed to a few violin songs from Hanna Starosta and then I worked on the trip report and notes, even though I had a headache and wanted to collapse. Soon enough…
Called Aunt Ann and Matthew and off to bed…
They also had a tropical deck party.