2010-10-30: Phuket Orchid Farm - near Chalong

As we still are in the "wet season" we get some rain more or less every day. Three days ago the rain had already started when we woke up, so we decided to ask a taxidriver to take us to Phuket Orchid Farm which we read about in one of the maps that are available for free,

Although it was raining all the time, and most of the nursery was outside, it was a fantastic experience.


Some more pictures from Nai Harn and orchids: NaiHarn

2010-10-29: Nai Harn Beach - Baan Krating Resort

A couple of days ago we arrived to Baan Krating Resort in Nai Harn Beach. Nai Harn Beach is at the very south of Phuket, and is a lovely area. Baan Krating Resort is situated att the hillside overlooking the sea. The setting is truely amazing. We are surrounded by jungle with all the sounds and atmosphere that brings, yet only 100 meters to an almost private beach. The staff is really friendly and extremely serviceminded. The breakfast which is included is delicious and we have had a couple of tasty dinners in the restaurant. This is a place that we without hesitation would recommend for any couple that wants to get away to tranquility, fantastic setting and good service.

Link to the Baan Krating homepage: www.baankrating.com/Phuket/index.aspx

Wonderful cabins

Pool area

Our "private" beach

2010-10-25: Phuket Town - do not miss this!

Yesterday evening we went into Phuket Town for a meal, and if possible some entertainment. We asked the taxi driver to take us to a specific restaurant we read about, in the central parts of town. The driver had no luck in finding the place, so we asked him to pull over and let us out. After a short while we found a nice restaurant with only thai people. The food was excellent and the prices on the very low side of the scale.

Some more pictures from Phuket Town and Boat Lagoon: PhuketTown

What you shouldn´t miss if you ever come to Phuket Town is the place we went to afterwards. A tiny bar called Rockin Angels, Fantastic live music and a relaxed atmosphere. We really enjoyed ourself, and stayed until they closed.

2010-10-23: Boat Lagoon, Phuket.

We arrived to Phuket, Thailand Wednesday morning after being travelling for 30 hours. Everything went according to plan and when we arrived to the hotel we got our room directly - much appreciated as we
were rather tired. Boat Lagoon Resort is a big resort built around a well equiped marina, The reason why we choosed Boat Lagoon is the fact that three of the biggest brookers in Thailand has offices here.

Apartments, offices, shops and restaurants all around the marina.

View from the balkony of our room.










Already the first day we had meetings with 2 of the 3 brookers. They helped us alot with information concerning buying process, insurance, registration, etceteras,
Thursday we looked at the first boats. One 42 feet monohull that was not for us. Neither condition nor planning was what we looking for. The other one was a 47 feet monohull that could have been acceptable if the condition was better.
During Thursday morning we also managed to meet the third brooker. He had a new boat for sale, and by coincidence the seller was in the office as well, It was a 42 feet monohull that very fresh and not very old, We feel that 42 feet might be on the smallish side, but it is still very interesting as it is equiped almost as we want it, and only a couple of years in the water.
Friday morning we looked at a 49 feet monohull with all the equipment we ever could dream about. The condition of the boat was also good, and the boat is inside our budget even if we need to invest in new sails and renewal of some of the rigging. Our main concern is that the cockpit is very small for a boat of that size, and we expect to spend a lot of the time in the cockpit.
In the evening we took a taxi to Phuket Town, and had a good thai meal. We ended the evening on Timber Hut - a bar with live music and a lot of people. 
After a late night we have spent the day in the fantastic pool area relaxing.

We do not use our Swedish telephone numbers anymore, but we have a thai number now: +66807403493.

2010-10-07: Phuket and Langkawi - here we come!

We have now booked tickets for a 7 week trip to Phuket. We will also spend at least a week in Langkawi. The purpose of the trip is to find our future home - the boat of our dreams. We are already in contact with a number of boat dealers, and it is obvious that there are several intersting boats to look at. We are fairly open to what kind of boat we would like - both catamarans and monohulls are possible. What we want to have is a boat that provides good living space, and is in good condition. Of course there is a long wishlist of functions/equipement we want to have, and maybe we need to compromisse in some areas.
When we are away, we will try to see as much of Phuket as possible. That means that we will not stay at any hotel more than a week, and move around the island.

2010-10-03: Weekend in Stockholm

Yesterday we arrived to Stockholm by train. We had tickets booked for a show by Jerry Williams (born as Sven Erik Färnström). Jerry is kind of a rock legend in Sweden, and now at the age of 68, he have a fantastic show called Dynamite. Watching the show and realizing his age impressed us - we wish we have that energy when we are 68! We enjoyed the evening and continued after the show to an Irish pub in the Old City with live music. If you feel like listening to and watching Jerry on You Tube, you can click this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-zwp7A3a3w&a=GxdCwVVULXehZna9ibO9lL_55TAS8MMZ&list=ML&playnext=1

After a late evening, there is nothing like a good brunch. We joined a 3 hour cruise in the archipelago of Stockholm taking us to Waxholm and back. A beautiful trip, and everything you could wish for on the table.