Banana Beach (on Coral Island)

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I am lucky to live and work at the South end of the island which means that the trip to Coral Island is very simple for me to get with my wife and daughter (especially as my wife is Thai).

Many Hotels, Travel Agents and Fishermen will offer you this service.

So what is on Coral Island?

Well this time we chose to the other beach - Banana Beach. We found everything there that we needed - food (very simple Thai food, please do not expect everything), rented some snorkels and toilets.

If you need more than a simple beach to play on then I suggest that you may get bored here - we did not - we loved it and stayed for 3 hours!

You are able to have a go on a Banana Boat if there is one present and I was thankful that Jemma decided that they were too noisy and was not interested!  We were happy that there were no jet-skis but this is not guaranteed, there will also be the parascending with a speedboat if there is the guarantee of clients.

What I thought was beautifully simple was that they even had cheap loaves of bread that you were able to feed the fish with!

A point to remember though is throughout Thailand it is sometimes a good idea to carry a roll of tissues - we do! Be it for the ice cream that is quickly melting or for a simple need.

I would not recommend a Long-Tailed boat but if you want a degree of flexibility then this would be perfect - but check if you and your friends feel safe before departing!

Pop into see Russell at The Sunset Bar to hear his tale!

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Eat some Local Food - Bugs!

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Come to a different country and Eat some Local Food.

As part of my job working in Phuket I try to explain many things to visitors to this wonderful place with such a myriad of things to discuss.

But I cannot talk about the reality of eating bugs!

A question that I am always asked by the visitors and I have to admit that I have tried twice.

Once (about 10 years ago) at the Cape Panwa promenade when there was a temporary infestation of the Giant Water Bugs and the second time when I visited Sapan Hin market with a food critic from the United Kingdom.

After visiting a number of sites (http://migrationology.com/2012/12/how-to-eat-scary-insects-worms-and-bugs-in-thailand/ AND http://www.phuket101.net/2011/06/insects-in-phuket.html)

 I have decided to take a fresher look at this type of dining – and the fact that the UN recently produced a report that Bugs may be our next diet.

(http://www.fao.org/docrep/018/i3253e/i3253e00.htm)

Willy has the best site to outline all the different tastes that these special animals have so I would have to say that he is my mentor with this - all hail to Willy. Have a look at his post for a description of all them.

Giant Water Bugs (Mang Da Na)

Silk Worms (Nhon Mhai)

Grasshoppers (Takatan)

Mini Crickets (Jing Reed Khai)

Bamboo Worms (Rod Duan)

There are more insects but I could stay around long enough to take photographs - Crickets (Jing Reed), Red Ants and Eggs (Mod Daeng / Kai Mod Daeng), I am sure that there are more though.

Me - I will eat none until I receive

25 shares on facebook

or

50 likes on facebook

or 

15 comments on this post

or

lots of money

So with the assistance of Russell from the local Sunset Bar – he will take the photographs for you I will have a go at each type.

This is the final time I will mention this.

July 2013 

January 2013 

July 2011 

and others - usually in reference to the Weekend Market 

Merci Beaucoup

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I am no longer surprised at what I find on my many strolls through Phuket Old Town in the mornings. This is a shop that I saw open and then do very little - than last week I saw closed and then I saw 50% discount?

Does this mean that it didn't work and the shop is trying to reduce the amount of stock?

Well whatever - we went in and we found the stock still relatively expensive for accessories. However there were a number of pieces which could be that piece that you are looking for and you would pay for it whatever the price.

I can find nothing more on the Internet regarding this shop but that there was a Thai modelling promotion for KonPhuket and the accessories were from here.

Website: n/a

Email:  n/a

Phone Number:  076 258 090

Approximate price: $$$$$ 

Address: 32 Yaowarat Road, Phuket Town

Hours:  ?

Rang Hill and a statue

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If one was to take a trip up Rang Hill - whether it is to visit a restaurant (Phuket View, Tunka Cafe or Khao Rang Breeze) one should always look a little further.

I cannot come here without visiting the Wat Thepkajonjit with the Golden Buddah on the roof and the creative decoration at the front - a wonderful experience.

However there is a monument at the very top constructed to commemorate the Phuket Governor who is credited to starting the Rubber Business in Phuket - Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahisornpakdi.

So what is so interesting about this?

Well he is actually a Chinese Tycoon but he did save the business in Phuket. The price of Tin was dwindling and the price of rice was not doing much better. He persuaded the people of Phuket (and hundreds of Chinese) to plant Rubber Trees - and it was a very successful move.

His second name to which he is referred to is Khaw Sim Bee.

Rumour does tell me that he actually smuggled back the seeds to the rubber trees after a visit to Malaya...

Despite this King Rama V Chulalongkorn of Thailand named him as the most successful Provincial Governor (in that period) and then King Rama VI conferred him Thailand's Highest Honour - The Grand Cross of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant.

Phuket Alpha - iPad and iPhone and Apple accessories

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I needed to buy an official cable for my iPhone and after reading so much about explosions due to people using cheap copies or having their phones 'fixed' I chose to visit Phuket Alpha - who look after all my computer purchases.

Then the cable for my computer needed to be replaced - Phuket Alpha to the rescue!

You may not need this - BUT...

Website: http://www.phuketalpha.com/home.html

Email:  info@phuketalpha.com

Phone Number: 076 215 796

Address: 261 Thalang Rd, Phuket Town, 83000

Hours: Mon - Sat: 09:00 - 19:00 

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