Posts Tagged ‘beach resort

08
Aug
09

Day 2 in Phuket

0500, I woke up.. that is after Monique has been shuffling around the room for quite a while.. The electric has been cut, with only the diesel generator going for the toilet lights and mini fridge. Front desk guy told us that electric from the mainland was cutoff!? Would be up in about 1hrs time..? Room was stuffy and no TV. Sure enuf, it was up again, but our sleep was interupted. Just our luck.

Breakfast with a view of the Andaman sea

Breakfast with a view of the Andaman sea

0800, up and going for the complimentary breakfast, sitting outdoors and great view of the sea. What a great way to start the day… (trying to forget about the electric incident) …

I was robbed. My missing sausage.

I was robbed. My missing sausage.

Thats my breakfast! Pancakes werenot so good, buy the rice was ok. Hey, I am missing a sausage! I been robbed!

The matron at our breakfast was very nice. She made our eggs and brouhgt it to us. This level of service to Asian travellers is new to me…

beach dog patrol

beach dog patrol

0830, off to the beach. Just a little walk this AM, a little feet soaking.. 🙂 We negotiated with the dog. Okay no swimming, just soaking feets.. 🙂

Feet soaking 1

Feet soaking 1

A big smile on Monique on getting feet wet. The sound of rolling crashing waves, the feel of water rushing around your ankles, looking out into open space and seeing just 2 fishing boats out in the distance… 

Lang hitchiking a ride over to Nicholas Bar Islands..

Lang hitchiking a ride over to Nicholas Bar Islands..

Somewhere out in the Andaman seas is the Nicholas Bar Islands… maybe 1 day I will get there..

This is not happening to me!

This is not happening to me!

Opps, did I go out too far!? I have my phone in the pocket! Running as fast as I can! Just a little damp around the phone cover…phew.  Lucky me, didnt fall into the soup(which could easily have happeded)!

Pool at Karon.

Pool at Karon.

930, a little tour around the hotel. Pool, wish we have time to use it… but I seriously doubt it. Looks inviting.

Kinda close.. too close actually.

Kinda close.. too close actually.

Thing that I dont like, too close to the neighbouring hotel. This pink building is so new, they are still installing the lights and furnishing the place. Quite noisy, drilling and hammering!

Rolly Tasker from across the street

Rolly Tasker from across the street

1015, after a little wash up and rest, it was time to take care of business. This is Monday, have appointment with JP of Rolly Tasker on that spreader business.

Inside Rolly. Waiting area.

Inside Rolly. Waiting area.

This is my 2nd visit to Rollys’ and I enjoyed it as much as I did in 2006. On the inside, the whole building is a very big “open” space. There is no walls and hardly any pillars. The lobby area is as aways, colourful and showcase the rich history of sailing and racing.

Open space.. and sails bagged and ready to go.

Open space.. and sails bagged and ready to go.

Rolly’s is well established in Phuket and I hear its getting bigger. This is one of the few honest business outfit that is really good for the locals. The jobs that it creates, the skills of high tech sail making, the way of conducting business with  global sales and international clients, will truly benefit the keen learning young Thai workers. I am very impress with the level of energy that is in the air. Most of the girls (Rolly hires 95% females) that I met are “working with a purpose”.

Mast rigging workshop

Mast rigging workshop

Thats JP working on a mast section. A very nice work space below the sail loft, set aside for storage and mast rigging. I like that triangle base stand he’s got.

Checking my purchase. Spreaders, looks good. Straight and no major scratches.

Checking my purchase. Spreaders, looks good. Straight and no major scratches.

JP was very busy running about his business. His office girl was very efficient and spoke relatively good English. She knew the business and learnt afew rope tricks… this is after all a rigging shop eh.

Exotic cold drinks?

Exotic cold drinks?

1145, we are headed to lunch at Ao Chalong. Lunch at the Lighthouse was okay. Sandwich and cold soda with a great view of the bay. Being at Chalong is quite nice. I have fond memories of this area. Rustic, slow, sailor/cruiser type of area.

A very special roundabout.. marked by cones!

A very special roundabout.. marked by cones!

After lunch, I needed some internet time and Monique needed spa time.. I went into the same old internet cafe that was on the corner of the Chalong roundabout! I should have gotten a picture of the shop, but I was just too happy being online and forgot everything else for 2 hrs.. anyway the shop has a POS sign on the door. It is also a postal service shop and serves drinks to the surfing customers.

4 years later, the Chalong roundabout is still marked by cones.. In the 48 hrs that we were in Phuket, we went around it 10 times at least! I have finally gotten the hang of going around it.. 🙂

2230hrs at Patong.

2230hrs at Patong.

1600, we are back at Karon. Preparing for the evening wonder around the touristy areas of Karon and Patong. 1700, drove over to Patong. Driving around Patong is almost too crazy for me. After 2 big rounds, managed to find a pretty good parking spot.. Phew. Our objective tonight, food and local stuff for gifts.

Interesting, but no thanks.

Interesting, but no thanks.

Many interesting sights around here. This lady is walking around with a stove and all that food. She walks among the crowds, where this man with the foodcart stay on the roadside.

Grill corn and pancakes available

Grill corn and pancakes available

I hate it that they do not put up a price for what they sell. You know for sure its triple what it normally is, in less touristy areas! 70B for this man’s pancake, and we got some for 30B nearer to our hotel. We got so sick of asking the price and bargaining till its less than half.

The pedals turn on this bicycle!

The pedals turn on this bicycle!

Finally, a honest man in Patong. He made all this stuff himself and he post his prices. Price was so reasonable that I just bought a bunch of his stuff happily. Who likes bargaining, really!?

Check out the bikes and Tutus.

Check out the bikes and Tutus.

All these created by this artistic fella. I like his shop! There are galleries and artist at work around patong. Guess there must be a demand for Thai arts and crafts. Oh BTW, there was a street vendor walking around with fried critters…

Pina Colada x 2

Pina Colada x 2

1100, looking for supper and a refreshing drink! How about Pina Colada and nuts.. ? Also got the banana pancake that I was so craving for. I had them from my 2 trip and always wanted more. Sorry, no picture.. it got eaten too fast.

Was looking for more food, even tho we really didnt need it.. Didnt see anything that appealing..

1140, back at hotel. Was taking a shower when power got cut again! It was a warm night and stuffy in the room. No fans. We know for sure, that the electric was not cut from mainland. The hotel cut its line to save money! .. 0130, diesel generator died.. out of fuel I think. Total darkness for 5 mins, then everything was back on.. aircon and TV! .. hmm.. somebody didnt buy fuel.. hee hee. Left TV on all night.. Hmmpphh! Nice hotel, what a pity!

06
Aug
09

Phuket again – part 1

My 3rd trip to Phuket, but this time with Monique. My previous experience in Phuket were not so great. 1st trip to Patong was not fun. 2nd trip was onboard S/V Calliste to Ao Chalong and we stayed for about a month in the area. Right side of Phuket is nicer to me, then the overly popular Patong area. The snobbish people who work around that area and the aggressive TuTu drivers put me off.

We are needing new mast spreaders for S/V Calliste since a long time ago and the cheapest place we could get some is Phuket. This is our conclusion after 5years of internet search, emails and phone calls. Expiring Krisflyer miles is quite a motivation for making this trip at this time and add to that, cheap 4-star hotel @ S$40/night breakfast included, cheap car rental @ S$35/day.

I have hope that this trip would be more fun as my travelling partner is not “white man”. I dont really wish to go into the details on “why is that” on this blog… So my slightly crazy friend and I were at Phuket to shop, eat and relax.. .. how relax can we get with a tight shopping schedule in 48hrs?

Picture of rental car before we drive it out.

Picture of rental car before we drive it out.

Oh well, my travelling starts from Sebana. 0910, left Sebana on ferry to TMFT. 1045, on bus 35, TMFT to TM-MRT. 1100, on train ride to Changi T2. 1110, waiting for Monique while eating a puff at T2. 1200, checked in, and shopping begins at T2. 1320, Silkair MI754 took off. 1450, arrived Phuket.

check out dings, bumps, cracks

check out dings, bumps, cracks

1500, we have a rental car reserved for us.. but where to get it? Dave’s rental car email says that they were across the street from the airport. So we walk out of the building, pulling our little travel trolley boxes, across the big parking lot, getting out through the vehicle exit gates, cross a busy road and finally walk down the aisle of rental car businesses. The staff at Daves’ were great. Very polite, smiling all the time, spoke some English and very efficient. They were surprised that we walked over in the hot heat when we had someone to meet us at the airport. .. opps, I didnt know that.. it was not in the email from them..? Thats ok, for us, we dont mind. The old Nissan LV that I booked was not available, so we were upgraded to a Toyota Vios and no additional charge. Great! who woulda thot you can get all this with S$35/day.

Winding roads, steep up and downs.

Winding roads, steep up and downs.

1530, getting used to the -1hr difference in time. Driving to Karon Princess via Patong. Not for the faint hearted who has never driven in Asia. Rather heavy traffic until we hit the bypass road into Patong. Bypass road was very winding and lots of steep uphills and downhills, not fun but you get glimpse of the Andaman seas and its really refreshing.. I should be really tired by this time, after all day of travelling, but there is energy in the air and expectation of fun is pushing me on. 1600, driving through the complicated and very cramp Patong area. This place is crazy, too many people around and too many Tutus!

The sign of Karon Princess

The sign of Karon Princess

1620, the sign that we were looking for. Checking in was easy. Staff were very welcoming and helpful. A refreshing cool drink right there at the lobby while we get keys and sign the paperwork. Great service.

Leading the way to our room

Leading the way to our room

………..And we get a cute bellboy to carry our stuff. Hotel seems pretty new and nice. Long narrow frontage. Every where in Karon is the same.

Abit of the seaview only.. and a crane

Abit of the seaview only.. and a crane

Guess you have to pay for the prime view, and the cheap guest gets only whats left.. which is not much.. I think the other view is better..

garden view

garden view

……We have a nice little balcony too. It is typical resort hotels to have a little private outdoor space.

Happy Monique

Happy Monique

……….View from the balcony.. why so close to the neighbour..? 

View from the balcony

View from the balcony

…………4-star hotel.. really? I think tile flooring small hard beds wont make it. Room is clean and space is okay. Good size bathtub and new shower makes all the difference in the WC. In room safe box is sized just right for putting in a laptop! Great! I wouldnt trust it totally but I dont want to carry it around all day either. Plus, I got  insurance so…

simple room.. S$40.. whatdya expect..

simple room.. S$40.. whatdya expect..

1700, we are going to Central Festival market, the biggest mall in Phuket. Small dinner with Tom Yam soup in the food court. Followed by lots of shopping until mall close at 2200.. still didnt finish the mall entirely.. Hope we be back again in next few days.. sorry no pictures in mall, too busy shopping..

Hawker stand. Not many stalls open at 1020.

Hawker stand. Not many stalls open at 1020.

1030, looking for supper. Late night snacks is a Asian thing and anywhere in Asia you can get great food all night long. We checked out these guys near to Ao Chalong. Clean and friendly. Very local and not touristy pushy. We like places like that. Real down to earth kinda feeling… but I was really looking forward to some seafood, hopefully the exotic kind..

squid rings and mussels in tamarind.

squid rings and mussels in tamarind.

1100, We were at the road side restaurant between Karon and Kata beach, they served big prawns, crabs and shells.. and was almost closing for the night. Most tourist dont eat supper I guess? There was this guy that was trying to get us to buy from his shop.. a little pestering and 50% off he says, only for Monique.. ? hmm..? Okay, so we ordered for take out. While we waited, he pestered Monique all this time, to go disco or clubbing or anything.. his treat..? Wow.. ? Somehow she managed to politely accept the flatterings and turn down those activities.. I could care less, I only want to eat.. Anyway, this is what we bought from the seafood place near our hotel.. It was GooD!

07
Jul
09

New crew onboard S/V Eleanor

Looking fresh and ready for the day

Looking fresh and ready for the day

Who would’ve thought, these 2 gals, names witheld as they requested… finally made it to Sebana. This day trip took almost 2 months to materialize. ..

0930, collected the girls from the customs building. Zee had starting snapping away on her camera, anything that caught her fancy was “shot”. Walking towards Calliste took forever, as the girls posed and snap away.

Having some of that great stuff

Having some of that great stuff

Sebana marina is really quite pretty at 1st sight. After the initial oohs and aahhs, we are off to late breakfast/early lunch at the “Chee chong fun” lady at Sungai Rengit.

 
Getting Eleanor ready to sail.
Getting Eleanor ready to sail.

1200, it was a beautiful day to sail, the wind was a gentle 5-10kns. Ideal conditions for taking out new crew. Although it wasnt in the plans, the girls could resist giving it a go.

1st time on the Jib halyard.. kinda weird look on her face..

1st time on the Jib halyard.. kinda weird look on her face..

Putting the girls to work. Raise the JIB! And up went the JIB.

Up goes the Jib

Up goes the Jib

As I normally do, we left berth on the jib only. Raise main when we are in the open.

After another small stuggle with raising the main, the girls take a break.

Taking a break, C posing.

Taking a break, C posing.

A few easy tacks in the open to get them used to Eleanor’s motion and up to speed on their jobs as jib crew.

Reluctant mariners ...

Reluctant mariners ...

No short of picture snapping opportunities here. Its great having photo maniacs visiting, almost all photos in this post are from Zee’s camera.

Nice picture of me sailing.

Nice picture of me sailing.

And thanks to her, I have a great picture of myself sailing.

Thats us sailing.

Thats us sailing.

Doug snapped afew of us sailing by. No wake, we are moving very slowly. Wind was very flukey. Surprising change in directions and speed.

Putting Eleanor away.

Putting Eleanor away.

1400, as commented by my crew, the not so fun part about sailing is putting the boat away. Its alot of work going out and coming in, but I think our new crews enjoyed the experience. .. thats just what I do, it gives me great satisfaction to take my friends out on Eleanor. They are worth it.

Walking in the gardens around Sebana

Walking in the gardens around Sebana

1500hrs, I had been wanting to walk and take some photos of flowers that I have seen from afar while sailing. Somebody’s got a really good thing going with Orchids.

1600hrs, we have time before dinner. Decided to go check out Desaru.

One of the many rocky beaches at Desaru

One of the many rocky beaches at DesaruIt was a beautiful day at Sebana.

1745, dinner at Good Luck restaurant. Our regular Jade Garden is hosting a wedding dinner banquet, not available. Just as well, discovered that Cereal Prawns and deep fried baby Squids were better at Good Luck. Other dishes like sweet n sour pork bits and tofu were not worth mentioning. ..

It was a beautiful day at Sebana.

It was a beautiful day at Sebana.

1900hrs, back at marina, in time for sunset. A full days’ activity. All exhausted.

2000hrs, check in and waiting for ferry. More catching up on chit chat.. seems like a whole day of chatting is not enough :O .. imagine that.

2100hrs, girls departed on last ferry back to SG.

2200hrs, me knocked out cold… zzzZZ

09
Apr
09

How to overkill a coconut..

Coconut in torture chamber

Coconut in torture chamber

Instead of 4 swift strokes with a big chopper…

What if you had hammers, clamps, chisels, but no big chopper… 🙂

The landscappers at Sebana clears the excess growth around the compound pretty regularly and leaves the cleared stuff along the roadside for the truck to collect later. On our way to the container workshop, we chanced upon a pile of freshly cut leaves and coconuts. The last nut that I remembered chopping was about 20yrs ago, with a big chopper at my mum’s place. But who can pass up on a fresh nut!
So I got this one and we’ll come up with a way to crack it.. .. .. 🙂 .. I dun suppose you will have clamps and chisels on survivors…
22
Feb
09

In search of CLAMS!

I confess to being a seafood junkie, and my favorite in that are CLAMs! My happiest childhood days were spent clamming away on some remote island off Punggol. A 2 hour clam hunt along the beach of Coney Island will yield half a bucket.

Then, for some reason, life changed. My family didnt go clamming anymore, and I went on to school and did other stuff. I still love seafood and clams, but I would buy them cooked or “fresh” from the supermarket.

As I recall, my last successful clamming trip might be when I was 10. After all these years, I wonder if I still enjoy hunting for my own clams. So, when I did the cruising trip up to Phuket with Doug on S/V Calliste in 2005/6, I decided to hunt clams once again. This turn out to be rather embarrassing for me, as I got no clams to show, whereas the non-clammer Doug picked up 1(at beach near Telega Harbour, Langkawi) and found 3 large pin mussels(on a remote island beach in Phang Nga Bay, Phuket).

BTW, I am not yet given up on clamming. I am still on the lookout for clamming beaches wherever I go. Just this weekend, a great clam craving spell overcame me. I pulled Doug away from whatever his plans were and off we go on a clam hunt. We drove from Sebana, down the road to Sg Rengit, turn left to head towards the sandy beaches off the East Coast near Desaru. We are looking for sandy beach clams…

My cute little SUV at Rumunia Beach Resort.

My cute little SUV at Rumunia Beach Resort.

We turned off the main road leading towards Desaru, when we near to the beach front community near Gombak. We were surprise to find a rather nice resort and vibrant activity going on there. This weekend, a bunch of SGreans were doing kayak school. Apparently their subject this week, was coming in on the surf.

Kayakers preparing to come in on the surf

Kayakers preparing to come in on the surf

It was fun to watch them go through with all their strokes and ride up and down on the surf. None of them got into any trouble coming in. Maybe the conditions were not  bad, only 1 metre surfs.

Riding the surf

Riding the surf

Opps! Almost fell in that time..

Opps! Almost fell in that time..

looking

looking for the right spot

Okay, enuf watching. Back to the topic of clamming. Since we were here at this nice little open resort, I thought we might just try clamming right here on this beach. Armed with 2 plastic spoons, I set out to find my clamming spot amongst the rocks. This place looks promising, with a bunch of dead clam shells washed up in a pile. Where you have dead clam shells, you must have live clams too. That was Dougs’ theory.

Clam hole #1

Clam hole #1

Here I am digging my 1st clam hole of 2009. Just 4″ down, we realized that this is not to be. The sand was to coarse under the 1st layer of finer sand. Not quite the right texture for clams.

Ok, moving on to the next beach up the coast. We past a Army camp, 1 kampong, 2 broken up bungalows. Normal things in MY that dont fit in the nice waterfront living scene. Finally drove off a unused, overgrown path that led to the beach about 3km from the Rumunia resort.
Clam hole #2, plastic spoons still intact

Clam hole #2, plastic spoons still intact

What a world of difference 3km makes. The sand on this beach was much finer. This is more promising that the last beach, with again, more dead shells and finer sand.
Doug and teamug on beach at Rumunia

Doug and teamug on beach at Rumunia

Well, so whats’ the verdict? Found nothing but dead clam shells after 4 holes on this beach. Surprised that the disposable plastic spoons held up from all this digging too. Hey, ok, so Lang has no luck clamming yet again!

Well, at least Doug had a good time at the beach and documenting as I, once again embarass myself with futile clam hunt.



Sailing 2015: Port Townsend(WA, US) -> Costes Island (BC, Canada)

Sailing 2013: Singapore -> Okinawa -> Kobe

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