The day started off with an early morning flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg. We are very sad to say goodbye to Callie at the airport. It is seldom that we go on such an adventure without him, but someone in the family has to write an exam and he is the brainy one after all!
We find ourselves in a brand new international OR Tambo and the confusion on not knowing where to go, having to find Winsome, wrapping bags in plastic (cause we are terrified of someone putting drugs in our suitcases!), buying forex (which we never got to do – thank goodness for credit cards!) and having to declare computers, cameras, ipods and having to run for about 2 kilometers to gate A 14, we nearly missed our plane.
The kids are all excited when they see the on-board entertainment and Luc gives everyone a demonstration on how everything works. Including his mother who manages to bomb out the whole rows system by pressing the wrong buttons for too long! The plane is great, the seats are great and when the girls come around for drinks the third time we realize how great the service is! Very tempted to drink a Singapore sling, but the early morning stress climaxed into a killer headache, but even that is not a problem for the crew – within minutes I have a painkiller and it is time to start the movie marathon.
And one it is indeed. I manage to watch XMen – Wolverine, Of Angels and Demons and some Ben Afflic Movie – and sleep for exactly 30 minutes. Luc went from movie to games to movies to games non-stop – and managed to sleep 0 minutes. So did Katie – which became a huge challenge later in the trip. Moving 6 hours forward we wanted the to go to sleep 11 o’clock Singapore time, which was only 5 SA time. Of course they didn’t. Which meant that after landing in Singapore at 5 – it was 11 o’clock SA time and the fatigue was beginning to set in. But all the excitement of Singapore airport, the sky train and the shops kept the eyes open. (The old ladies had an eye opener as well. Discovered the free feet massage machines outside the boarding gate – and oh, what a quick, few moments of ecstasy when the tired feet got a serious, mechanical massage.
After a nearly 4-hour wait, we were on the plane to Phuket and then the problems started. Luc and Katie fell asleep and when we landed we could not wake them up. After many threats and promises Luc got up with great protest and arrived half asleep in Phuket. The 40 minute minibus ride to the hotel, was effectively used by the kids when the immediately fell over and continued their sleeping.
The island reminds me of Mexico, Malawi, the Philippines, which means it is third world with lots of green, clear blue water and “charming” third world buildings. The roads are filled with little scooters. We drive past spectacular beaches and grand hotels. When the bus finally stops at a little run- down establishment at the end of the beach, I am so glad when I don’t see our hotel’s name outside. Followed by a great surprise when the driver informs us that this is our hotel indeed – the name is on a big sign a bit further down! In the end it turns out not to bad. On our way to the room we spot the pool and the kids finally awake from their sleepwalking. Excited to think that we might have a pool view room. Turns out we got the last in the row, which has a view of the room of the wing in front of us and a far distant view of the sea. Well at least it is on the third floor and not as exposed (in the case of the hopefully unlikely appearance of a Tsunami!).
We have a big studio with living area, kitchen with pots and pans, but no knives and forks (very strange!!!!). We all agree we have to stay awake as long as possible. So we unpack and get the kids down to the pool. It is very hot and humid and no sign of the 7-day rain prediction Callie made before I left. I now believe that it is a clever trick by the islanders to create low season, so that they can take a break from the tourists!
After swimming we take try to find the hotel shuttle into town. Waited a whole 30 minutes in the wrong spot. But eventually got to Pantong town. Apparently Pantong was the first beach to develop as a tourist attraction and it was a mainly backpacker paradise. It has kept a bit of the backpacker feel. With a main beach road clutter with little stalls, restaurants and curio shops selling everything you can think off. I manage to swop some Malaysian currency we still had left over from our eventful trip when we got free accommodation for 4 months, compliments of the Abu Sayyaf.
Seeing bright red watermelon in a street cart we immediately stop the lady and soon each on of us has a plastic bag with a skewer digging into sweet watermelon! Our first stop is the biggest shopping centre in Phuket, Jungceylon. There are many shops and lots of stalls as well. Cathie gets very pink sunglasses and Luc starts negotiation for a very kitsch watch – thank goodness his mom has the purse! The two of us ends up negotiating for a PSP – not a bad deal and the man promises to load all the game Luc wants. I find that a bit dodgy (this as well as the fact that he has a region coded SA PSP!) and we are not sure if we should buy this. We join Winsome in a great salon where the two of “old women” get a stunning facial – and the cheapest in the world – R 70 for a full facial. The poor kids have to sit (and sleep – Cathie) through it. Luc even joins in to give me a few minutes of reflexology! After being so good I get him what he has been wanting for so long – an original bactobung (or whatever you call it!).
When quickly run into Carrefour (big supermarket) where we have to choose between an interesting arrays of food. We are not brave enough and end up buying croissants, cheese and ham! When we get back to the hotel transfer pick-up spot, we realize that the street has been closed off, for the partygoers and we have no idea where to get the transfer!
The Pantong beach are has now transformed into a vibey, party spot with bars and restaurants and lots of people. Fortunately we are not yet seeing the signs of prostitution – sure we were still a bit early. By this time Winsome is dead of exhaustion and looks like she is going to burst into tears when the kids want to order an ice cream. Shame, they were so patient in the salon, we finally give in. We decide to take a Tuk Tuk home (looks like a miniature taxi with 4 seats. We are even too tired to negotiate a price and the driver gets a good deal, whilst we are just too happy to finally get home.
I persuade the others to go for dinner in a little restaurant next to the hotel. One beer shandy later and Winsome has some more colour in her face. The kids are still full of beans and make jokes and talk a lot. We order two pad Thais (noodles with chicken). It is spicy and the kids are complaining! Back in the room we all hit the bed – the two kids on the sleeper couch and the old women in the giant king size bed!
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