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PHUKET - Thailand posted Sunday, March 06, 2005
When we originally decided to go to Thailand for our vacation, we were a bit apprehensive: it being so soon after the devastating Tsunami of December 26th, 2004.
So originally we made up our minds to stick to places unaffected: Bangkok and the Gulf of Thailand area, like popular Koh Samui. But after talking with people who’d been not far from those areas during and immediately after the Tsunami, we were told that the affected regions were mostly rebuilt, and all are in desperate need of tourist dollars. So, we did a lot of research and with some trepidation, decided to head to Phuket after our initial days in Bangkok.
Not knowing or having planned where to stay in Phuket, but having a few ideas about welcoming areas, we took advantage of the opportunity to speak with some expats living in Bangkok full time. One, Michael from America, Bangkok for the past 19 years, said that the Twin Palms Resort & Spa came highly recommended, was new, and in a more remote, quiet area of Phuket island. It sounded like just the kind of place we were looking for for some rest and relaxation. So, we checked out the web site, www.twinplams-phuket.com, made a phone call from the airport the day we were to arrive, and booked it for 6 days, 7 nights.
It was a gamble, but we were comforted that it was a slightly more educated one, the other option being landing in Phuket airport with nothing booked at all, trying to find our own way around a very large island.
So, we were met at the airport in our own private car and driven through the palm filled island to our destination; Surin Beach’s Twin Palms. Upon arriving, we were greeted with chilled guava juice mock tails, and jasmine leis. Our luggage was taken to our room, and was there when we arrived after having been escorted through the palm and jasmine trees surrounding both pools.
The night views at the hotel are truly spectacular. Our room was open and fresh. It had clean, cool white walls with dark wood floors and furniture. There was a large balcony overlooking the pools in the courtyard, complete with an overhead fan, settee and day bed. The closet had automatic interior lights which lit when the doors were opened. The bathroom had his and hers sinks and an entire glass wall through which we peered at palms and geckos while showering.
The included continental breakfast buffet was filled with pastries, cereals, fresh fruit, dried fruit, juices, breads, and yogurt. Upon arrival at the open concept restaurant, each morning, we were given our choice of coffee, tea, cappuccino, latte, and eggs cooked fresh any style imaginable.
Our hotel package included all kinds of goodies, most of which we forewent for daily spa treatments like facials, massages, body wraps and many other delights. Also included were waffle-weave bath robes. Divine.
Each day we awoke to the beautiful breakfast, a stroll on the beach before the intense heat and sun of midday, a swim in the pool, spa treatments, some lounging on beach chairs under the shade of an umbrella, and snorkelling. Occasionally we’d watch an afternoon DVD in the privacy of our room.
The Oriental Spoon was the hotel restaurant for evening dining, and the menu was quite nice; food from all over the world. All delicious.
One day while on the beach, we ran into Zack and Andy who were anxious for a day trip, so we planned a trip to Phi Phi Island, for snorkelling and lunch. As you can see in the photos, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Phi Phi (pronounced – pee pee) we were told, was very hard hit in the tsunami. It seemed fine to us though, rebuilding had begun. There were only a few piles of fallen trees and debris as reminders of the disaster. The places we went were very desolate and it was difficult to tell if they’d been wiped out or had always been remote.
After a few days, some friends of ours from work also came to visit and beyond sun and surf, we took another great day trip. It was to Phang Nga peninsula for an elephant ride, sea canoeing, and a trip to James Bond Island.
Please have a look at our photos below and enjoy our adventures!
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 11 current comments...
Bonnie - 6/4/2005 Hey Guys, great pictures! Thanks for sharing - Thailand looks fabulous. I've got some photos up from my journeys as well - nothing as commentated but perhaps you've inspired me to write more, or should I say write something at all!!
http://homepage.mac.com/bonnie_m_kearns
Allan - 4/7/2005 Nice photos!!!
Happy One Year in Japan too!!!
andree paquet mccann - 4/2/2005
andree paquet mccann, - 4/2/2005
andree paquet mccann, - 4/2/2005
Chris - 3/26/2005 Great pictures. That's some wild hair you have going on Jonas compared to the picture of you at the top of this page :)
Chris, Angele, and Rio - 3/21/2005 Hi guys! Sounds like the adventure just continues to get better! Loved the photo of you at James Bond Island. Jonas--with your long hair you are beginning to look like a true Bohemian traveller! By the time we had hit month four of our world tour, Chris was sporting the same hairstyle--and he kept it that way until the end of the year! Well you two, you are in our thoughts a lot. Isn't living away like this the most amazing thing?! God bless you both! Love, Chris, Angele, and Rio
Perry A. - 3/14/2005 Like WOW! This picture says it all -- you looks fantastic!!
I'll get Gramma to rent Man with GG so we can all drool together...as it snows in Canada. Love yah...have a wonderful time and I'm feeling great, so is my sidekick, the Zoodle. You look so healthy!!!
Marie - 3/11/2005 You guys are really cementing that reputation as a worldly, intrepid couple! Maddie says hi and so does her dolphin Pino.
xoxoxo les mccannmarcheses
Mom F. - 3/7/2005 Hey, a write-upalready.
TwinPalms looks and sounds amazing...enjoy your well-earned R&R.
Love
M&D, PA&Z
Alisha Richardson - 3/6/2005 Well well well... so this is your famous on-line diary.
Im very impressed. Sounds like you guys are having such a great time in Japan....almost makes me think I should come back...
Thailand is definately one of our favourite spots in the world. Cant wait to see the pictures. Keep in touch. Lots of love. Lisha. Ps Scott says hello
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