just back report

just returned and thought I better write a report ,seeing this is were I got most of my info from. first we had 3 days in singapore, then to phuket for our first time. we stayed in patong at patong resort., in the pavillion wing. nice hotel and rooms were nice.breakfast got a bit boring nearly same things every day. there were a few problems with the running of the hotel, if anyone wants info. when we arrived it was very windy, people said it was the end of the typhoon that they had in hong kong. weather settled down after a few days, but didnt stop us from shopping.lunch at sweets and quiet a few teas, nice meals and prices and they had really nice milkshakes. we had alot of meals at sabai sabai kids say they had the best chic or beef noodles and sweet n sour pork. went for tea at the Islander had roast chic and vegies ,really nice meal only 210 baht and was big enough for 2 people. we were meet by richard at our hotel, what a nice man. we stopped off and picked up another couple at kata beach resort then off to the elephant rehab. when we got there richard was calling charlie, while we were cutting up fruit and a man turned up on a moped with charlie on the back. he seen richard and came running over and jumped up on the table. we all groomed charlie and richard told us all about the park. then up in the tree above was lum yai with the new orphan baby gibbon frank. he was a bit shy so he stayed in the tree and lum yai came down to be groomed. richard has some conection with these animals, they really love him and he them. then off for the elephant ride, which was through the rubber plantation and up the hill to the top. the view was great for photos and we had a hand of bananas, which we feed to the elephants. after spending a few hours there we then stopped off at the little view point, were we had sate,spring rolls,toasted sand and the best pina coladas. then richard dropped us back at the hotel. It was one of the days the kids keep talking about, they loved those gibbons. we went to the tailor to have pants made, which richard had given us a card for. we were really happy with the job he had done. we traveled everywhere in tuk tuk as the kids loved them. we were picked up by one in kata that had a dvd portable set up in the back and he played an old elvis movie with he thought was great and when we laughted he turned it up even louder so we could watch it. went to the dino park in kata and played mini golf. did all the shopping in patong at o top markets and phuket night markets, bought t shirts, sunnies,dvd,bags,bathers. took a tuk tuk into phuket town and went to tesco and big c. just a little of what we did,had a great time and saving for next year. any info wanted or prices just ask. jenny

just back report

Hi Jenny, What a great read, Ive been looking forward to your report. (I want that tuk-tuk that plays the Elvis movies) Let us know the prices you paid for alllll your shopping haha

Cathy

just back report

Glad to hear about your wonderful vacation. We are flying on Monday so we%26#39;ll be there next week. This is our 1st time in Phuket and after reading everyone%26#39;s experience, we%26#39;ll have ours too.

thank you jenny for a great report, i am really looking forward to my first holiday in phuket, now just two weeks away.

Hey Mandurah :) Love your report!

Which restaurants did you frequent other than Sabai Sabai and how were their prices and locations? For that matter, how was Sabai Sabai?

Also do anyone know/recommend any cheap breakfasty places in Patong that open early (how early) and how cheap?

Cheers,

Charmaine

Hi Mandurah,

glad you enjoyed your trip.

How did you find Dino Park? I have a 16 month old and am not sure if that is suitable for her at all (was thinking of skipping it since there%26#39;s probably not much for her or us to do there - we are not into golf). Is there a entrance charge or you just pay for whatever you do?

would you prefer sweets or sabai sabai?

As for shopping, did you go to central festival? Is it a worthwhile trip or some other shopping malls won hands down?

Please do share as much as possible. Will be touching down on Phuket soil exactly in a week%26#39;s time.

Hi Mandurah

Great report - glad you enjoyed your stay, seems like everyone does! I can%26#39;t wait.

You say you stayed at the Patong Resort - is that the Patong Merlin? I%26#39;m thinking of staying on our trip, what were the problems?

Would you stay there again, and if not, where in Patong itself would you recommend?

Any advice much appreciated,

Kathleen

PS I knew a Jenny who lived in Mandurah - there are probably quite a few Jennys there, but did you once live in country SA?

hi kathy, the patong merlin was two hotels up and the holiday inn next to that. went for a work through and they were both very nice. with exits to the beach and markets. right across from holiday Inn is the o top markets, were there must be 60 stalls. we would look around here at night time. If I took the kids again I think I would go for the holiday Inn, it is really set up for kids. pools, kids club and playstation 2 in the family rooms. At the patong resort they put the adults in one room and the kids right down the other end. I spoke to another family there and there kids were even younger and they did the same. I went to the office and told them I was not happy and they moved them when they got the room. Also people told me there was things like wallets taken from there room. And a man from melb was at the office going off about room service, paying for it and it still put on his bill. so in the 7 days we seen alot of unhappy people.

hi charmaine, we ate at karlsons which was down the lane way going to the beach from patong resort,we had things like chic sate, sweet n sour chic, milk shakes. this was a little more expensive than some I thought, just to tired to go to far. sabai sabai it is in a street called soi praisanne if you walk along the road were the shops are across from the beach you will see mc donalds and it is down that side street.we had chic rice, beef noodles and chic noodles and 4 milkshakes. noodles 50 baht and milkshakes 50 baht which is about $1.60 each.this was really cheap and meals were good.In the same lane across from it was s%26amp;g another good cheap restaurant. the Islander was out the bangla st exit.this had nightly specials roast chic and vegies or roast lamb as well as a big thai menu.the roast cost us 210 baht,around $7 it was big enough for two. we ate over at the tables at the o top markets, nice food and cheap with drinking water on the tables in jugs.had things like chic%26amp;cashews,chic rice,sweet%26amp;sour pork,pineapple juice and beef noodles.all came to 420 baht $14. I feel full just thinking about all that food we ate. so I better keep up walking. hope this helps. jenny

Hi Jenny

Thanks - that was really helpful. I think I%26#39;ll take your advice and stay at the Holiday Inn

Hope you%26#39;re recoving OK!

Kathleen

hi NANAnana, I would not take a 16 mth old to the dino park, my kids are 15 and 11yrs. you have to pay a cover charge to get in, the mini golf is included. as you walk around and play it you pass all the dinosaurs. the kids loved sweets the best as they say they have the best milk shakes. I think they are both good and good prices. as for central festival I thought it was very expensive and didnt buy anything there just had a look. we bought things at tesco and big c. jenny