Sunday 15 November 2009

Kite Surfing at CPH - amazing!



Well I never thought that I would see this so close to where I work - but I did - AMAZING, thought that this needed a lot of patience, especially for the loyal partner on the shore organising the kite for him.  
It was exactly like flying a kite by hand - you definitely need a hand!
But once you get up it was fabulous. I have found this company in Phuket who indicate that they can share this experience with you - Good Luck.


Wednesday 11 November 2009

Get married!


One of the things that I do in Phuket at the Cape Panwa Hotel is take care of the weddings - and sometimes I get to dress up and say a few words.


If you need any further information please do not hesitate in contacting me on my email address - am@capepanwa.com.


On Monday we had a wonderful day – Dr Vikas and Siobhan had a Thai Wedding at the Cape Panwa Hotel.  They wore traditional Indian clothes and were joined by a baby elephant.





Sacha proposed to his girlfriend Satyam on the beach followed this special day. Sacha had been planning this day for ages and the nerves and excitement showed when it all worked and Satyam said, “YES”.





Then at the end of the week Andrew wed Camilla. Their clothes were made here and their friends and a baby elephant joined the couple!  This Wedding took place on the beach and was followed by cocktails and a barbecue at Panwa House – enjoyed by them all.

Tuesday 10 November 2009

Loy Kratong night






Wow - Loy Krathong was certainly festive and a celebration BUT it did rain and nearly the whole night was lost but it was rescued by the staff, Wirat's dancing and the Thai staff.


There is a review on the Cape Panwa blog - please click here.



How about making a Krathong?





Wow - what a night - what a party





A celebration for everyone!

Sunday 8 November 2009

A game of golf in Phuket?






Fancy a game of golf?  


I don't do very well but I enjoy the walk and hitting the ball - I do have a 'hybrid / gatoye'  on order from China which might help me get better but.......


Interesting fact - I found out that my golf bag contained an umbrella last week!!!!


There are a number of other places to swing a stick;


Thursday 5 November 2009

Loy Kratong 31 Oct - 2 Nov





Living with water all their lives, Thais worship and apologise to the goddess of the river by floating beautifully decorated krathongs away into the river on the full moon night of the 12th month of the lunar calendar.


Falling on November the 2nd this year, the Loy Krathong Festival is celebrated throughout the country.  The festival in general, is celebrated with a krathong (a basket decorated with flowers containing a piece of your hair or a nail) that's supposed to float away your bad luck.




In the North of Thailand they also celebrate this by lighting floating lanterns......we have a play in the South as well - but not when it is windy!!!





We had fun at The Cape Panwa Hotel - when the report is published then I will provide a link BUT i do have some videos coming - watch this space.............

Sunday 1 November 2009

The Vegetarian Festival in Phuket - A MUST






Did I understand it all - not a hope.  The people who were part of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival were people who believed in what it was.


The day started early and we quickly met some people who were part of the Festival.





This MUST have hurt - i am unable to understand how they are able to this unless they are possessed or 'out of it' - click here if you would like to see more of this stomach wrenching displays.


The carnival atmosphere was electric and i was totally drawn into it all - even picking up a wrist bracelet given out by a spirit medium.  There was a plethora of people who were pierced in a plethora of different ways - click here if you want to see some photographs of them.  


The procession included people outside their homes with a table of offerings set up to welcome the blessings of the spirit mediums.





Following this came the noise of the firecrackers and **** they did make a noise - many photographers and people involved in the parade did have ear plugs or ears stuffed with cotton wool - click here for a small flavour of what I saw.





I tried to collate a number of videos together but nothing could encompass the feeling of being in all that chaos.  I have compiled three videos which I have uploaded











The meeting with the Firecracker Man was amazing (above) - I was totally taken aback and it I will certainly be going again to see the Procession next year - I will read more of my text book so I will understand a little more about it - The Chinese Festival in Phuket.


Following this I took a trip into Phuket to watch the Fire Walking - but this was a disappointment - I think that Fire Running would have been a more appropriate title to give it! I did hear that one person did fall over whilst he was running over the flames however ............... BUT I have since read that the injured party failed this because of his own failure to stick to the rules!!


I was interested enough to find out a bit more about Fire Walking and after reading this article about Fire Walking I did feel that it was a con.




The atmosphere in Phuket Town near the Jui Tui Shrine and the Clock Tower was wonderful - a real pleasure to visit and see a wonderful phenomena.







There are a great many more photographs that I have taken, there are links to them and these are accessed best through the Cape Panwa Hotel photographic library - I will add these links later.


There are interesting reports in the Phuket Gazette - have a look.


This video was quite disturbing but interesting - click here