22/5/11 Sunday
Booked out Phi Phi and caught the fast boat to Phuket a 1.5 hours ride.
Today we join The Robinsons for a family holiday at the Phuket Marriot Beach Club Villas.
This is the last post for this journey.
Thanks for travelling with us we hoped you enjoyed the images and comments.
Till we travel again or have news Bye Bye from Thailand.
Journal entries of travels and life.
Friday 27 May 2011
Tale of the tragedy in Paradise
The tragedy as told by Wun.
Phi Phi Don the island is as we found it [for a couple of oldies].
A very good bungalow right on the water, a Thai restaurant next door, serving meals, Massages on the beach and the view away from the maddening crowd the stalls and the touts. Deck chair in the water. Paradise.
All too much I think we had best take a rest........
21/5/2011 Phi Phi Popular resort. Breakfast. Speaking in broken english our innkeeper [Wun]tells her story.
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| Pam with the owner (Wun)of the Phi Phi Popular resort |
"The wave came when all the people had been partying. Boxing Day 2004. The first wave was small and the people all scrambled down to the shops, stalls and lower rooms to get money and goods. Then the big waves came 5 Meters plus and they were all caught". She said her friend said "no go back, bad thing this! Go to top floor" and she did. Her two friends did not listen and they go away in the water". There are still trees beairng the scars and stumps of buildings not rebuilt. It is true that developers moved in and bought the prime sites for new hotels. But what of the future? There is a large warning tower housing early warning sirens in the centre of the Isthmus. If the island is full then 3000 - 4000 people will be hard pressed to get to high ground in time. [Our bungalow is five metres to the high ground stairs].
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| Tree stumps broken off at the base. |
A very good bungalow right on the water, a Thai restaurant next door, serving meals, Massages on the beach and the view away from the maddening crowd the stalls and the touts. Deck chair in the water. Paradise.
All too much I think we had best take a rest........
Tuesday 24 May 2011
Krabi and Phi Phi Don Island Thailand
From Krabi it is a short fast boat hop to our next stop being Phi Phi Island.
It is a popular diving spot and a haunt for the under 30s set. Mum if you have a daughter do not let her come here. OK be warned!
The deal the bus picks us up and takes us across the peninsular to the terminal. All good on the ferry loaded with back packers. The ferry is a single hull aircraft style seating 3 and 2. The crew is very particular as to how they load the boat. Packs get loaded in the bow and people distributed over the length of the boat. Some of the adrenline charged travellers do not like being told where to sit and it is a bit strained.
Phi Phi Don Island at about 12 noon, easy journey. Book in time for a swim. The tide is full. Phi Phi Don had been devastated by the 2004 Tsunami. The afternoon we set out after a sleep to explore and have a beer. We found the markers where the wave came - 5 metres high.
It is a popular diving spot and a haunt for the under 30s set. Mum if you have a daughter do not let her come here. OK be warned!
The deal the bus picks us up and takes us across the peninsular to the terminal. All good on the ferry loaded with back packers. The ferry is a single hull aircraft style seating 3 and 2. The crew is very particular as to how they load the boat. Packs get loaded in the bow and people distributed over the length of the boat. Some of the adrenline charged travellers do not like being told where to sit and it is a bit strained.
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| Phi Phi Island Beach |
Reflections: travelling on a public bus
On the buses
A man of indian extraction got on the bus at a small village. He was dressed in neat trousers and a pin striped shirt. What was exceptional this man wore clothes pressed to perfection his shoes were polished and he had an air of expectation. Where was he going?
Further along a young lady got on the bus dressed in a neat dress gathered at the waist with a beautiful buckle, the dress was knee length. She wore plain high heeled shoes and a matching immaculate handbag. Her hair was in a boy style. She looked so beautiful and poised. She only stayed on the bus for a few stops. Who was she meeting?
Then a man dressed in jeans,T shirt and windcheater [in this heat], He carried a plastic bag with his possesions in it. He had flip flops on his feet. But he carried with care a wet bundle of newspaper that looked like a huge bunch of flowers. Who were the flowers for?
In seats to the front of the bus sat a man and two women and a young girl. He gave up tickets for the four of them. He acted appropriately for me to surmise that he was a muslim man travelling with his two wives, I wondered why would a man subject himself to more than one wife? The full catastrophe.
Musings, questions and no answers.
We love to watch and talk to people travelling along. It is part of this journey called life.
A man of indian extraction got on the bus at a small village. He was dressed in neat trousers and a pin striped shirt. What was exceptional this man wore clothes pressed to perfection his shoes were polished and he had an air of expectation. Where was he going?
Further along a young lady got on the bus dressed in a neat dress gathered at the waist with a beautiful buckle, the dress was knee length. She wore plain high heeled shoes and a matching immaculate handbag. Her hair was in a boy style. She looked so beautiful and poised. She only stayed on the bus for a few stops. Who was she meeting?
Then a man dressed in jeans,T shirt and windcheater [in this heat], He carried a plastic bag with his possesions in it. He had flip flops on his feet. But he carried with care a wet bundle of newspaper that looked like a huge bunch of flowers. Who were the flowers for?
In seats to the front of the bus sat a man and two women and a young girl. He gave up tickets for the four of them. He acted appropriately for me to surmise that he was a muslim man travelling with his two wives, I wondered why would a man subject himself to more than one wife? The full catastrophe.
Musings, questions and no answers.
We love to watch and talk to people travelling along. It is part of this journey called life.
Monday 23 May 2011
All day on a Bus Penang MY > Krabi Thailand
Thursday 19/5/11 Georgetown >Thailand border > Hat Yai > change to Govt bus > Krabi. 8hrs. Approx.
We have an early start 5.00am pickup all good, a tour of the city before dawn collecting passengers. Thai Border at 7.00am and it is busy. Takes an hour to cross. Make Hat Yai and connect with the Govt bus for Krabi on our way by 9.00am.
Buses can be fun! But the bus we had had a dumb jockey who loved Thai music LOUD. Unfortunately for us we were sitting in front of a huge sub woofer in this bus all the way 5 hours. Arriving at our hotel immediatley dug out the panadol.
Our stay in Krabi is at the City Seaview Hotel on the bank of the Krabi River. Superb view over the river with long boats and fishing boats plying the river. The hotel is a classic colonial style with a beaut verandah and solid timer furniture.
We have an early start 5.00am pickup all good, a tour of the city before dawn collecting passengers. Thai Border at 7.00am and it is busy. Takes an hour to cross. Make Hat Yai and connect with the Govt bus for Krabi on our way by 9.00am.
Buses can be fun! But the bus we had had a dumb jockey who loved Thai music LOUD. Unfortunately for us we were sitting in front of a huge sub woofer in this bus all the way 5 hours. Arriving at our hotel immediatley dug out the panadol.
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| City View Hotel Krabi |
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| Pam admiring the view from our room |
Our stay in Krabi is at the City Seaview Hotel on the bank of the Krabi River. Superb view over the river with long boats and fishing boats plying the river. The hotel is a classic colonial style with a beaut verandah and solid timer furniture.
Cameron Highlands to Penang Malaysia
Wednesday 18/5/11
Cold start at 7.00am with mist on the ground, to the bus, down the mountains to Ipoh. Onto Georgetown. Wrong! Shoulda got out at Ipoh. No buses from Georgetown to Krabi only mini buses. Ooops my girl Pam is not amused.
Tomorrow Bus to Krabi Thailand.
Cold start at 7.00am with mist on the ground, to the bus, down the mountains to Ipoh. Onto Georgetown. Wrong! Shoulda got out at Ipoh. No buses from Georgetown to Krabi only mini buses. Ooops my girl Pam is not amused.
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Manky view looking to interior. A evening storm brewing. |
Never mind, booked into a classic Hotel Hong Ping in Georgtown Penang. The airconditioner works, the view is over lots of manky roofs, the room is like a 5 x 4 shower cubicle with ceramic tiles to the ceiling. Ceramic tiles cover the floors. It is spotless. The family must have run this place for 50 years or more. The Innkeeper is charming she believes in value add. Add bus ticket, ferry, etc..... Good stay local and clean.
Oh the cyclos are still taking people around the old town for 10 ringets.
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| A 1981 Mercedes Truck with the hood cut off to keep cool. Re built in wood. The owner was so proud of his Merc. |
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| Painted door Chinese temple Georgetown Penang MY |
The old city has not changed a lot since our last visit in 08. Predominently Chinese population. Industrial centre and major port is Butterworth on the mainland. A bridge and ferry link Penang Island to the mainland.It was a British Colonial City controlling shipping in the Malakka Straits and to open trade with Siam. [Thailand]
Not a lot to see in Georgetown. Pigged out on noodles in the market. 2 meals with a slushy for $3. I hate noodles but these were OK and the cook had some pickled chillies he tried on me. Woow
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| Stall with Laksa and other noodle specials. Note: 3 ringets = 1 A$ |
Sunday 22 May 2011
Cameron Highlands
Monday 16/5/11
Bus from Bay 14 Pudyuraya Bus Station. This station has undergone a huge building programme. All the touts have gone, the waiting area is tiled & airconditioned. No fun left in life.
The Highlands are 1000 metres altitude. Lonely Planet says, "this is the place old buses come to die and all the drivers are F1 aspirants". The new road twists and turns passing through dense tropical jungle. It is a very good road.
Tomorrow Tourists for the day Cameron Highlands
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| Bus from Pudarahya Station KL to Cameron Highlands |
The Highlands are 1000 metres altitude. Lonely Planet says, "this is the place old buses come to die and all the drivers are F1 aspirants". The new road twists and turns passing through dense tropical jungle. It is a very good road.
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| The buses "art itself"". |
Our Hotel in the Cameron Highlands.
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| Century Pines Resort Reception Cameron Highlands [CH] |
Tourists in the Cameron Highlands
Tuesday 17/5/11
The CH main industry is market gardens, flower gardens, tea plantations and tourists. Local tourists flock here from Singapore and Penang as the temperature is cool, suitable for your scribe to wear a pullover.
Time spent on a day trip to see the BOH tea plantation,
The Rose Garden, Bee Farm, and the Strawberry Patch. The tea gardens are awesome.
Tea lovers, it is better than the wine tours. We were tourists for the day.
I saw the tea Plantations and the Orchids now I can be Happy than Happier Too.
Tomorrow we travel by Bus to Penang MY.
The CH main industry is market gardens, flower gardens, tea plantations and tourists. Local tourists flock here from Singapore and Penang as the temperature is cool, suitable for your scribe to wear a pullover.
Time spent on a day trip to see the BOH tea plantation,
The Rose Garden, Bee Farm, and the Strawberry Patch. The tea gardens are awesome.
Tea lovers, it is better than the wine tours. We were tourists for the day.
Tomorrow we travel by Bus to Penang MY.
KL Malaysia hot and sticky
15/5/11
Hi here we are in KL. There is a definite something about arriving by air in an Asian port. There is a feeling and a smell as soon as you step out of the plane.
The air is like, heavy. The smell is a mix of rotten vegetation, wet socks and exotic spices. I always feel like it is Far North Queensland without the cooking smells. I am at home.
The ride into KL is all palm trees, on a super highway past the Sepang Raceway.
The highway meets the gridlock around Sentral bus station.
Tiger Beers in the local pub whiile taking a look at the super modern mall, some video snaps of buskers, train back to hotel and time to retire ready for the bus to Cameron HIghlands tomorrow.
Thanks for coming along.
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| Happy Campers leaving on a jet plane |
The air is like, heavy. The smell is a mix of rotten vegetation, wet socks and exotic spices. I always feel like it is Far North Queensland without the cooking smells. I am at home.
The ride into KL is all palm trees, on a super highway past the Sepang Raceway.
The highway meets the gridlock around Sentral bus station.
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| Bukit Bintang Square with Petronas Towers in the background |
KL is changing rapidly.The signs of wealth are everywhere - cars, dress, shops and apartments. The people are reserved and polite. Moslems have majority. The Chinese have the money, the Indians do the work and the Malays run the government. Forgive me if I am wrong but that is how I see it. Seems to be OK so far.
We took a walk, KL was hosting the youth festival in Bukit Bintang square. The crowds were excited and all the stars were out. Our dinner in the square, Malay Chicken Rice washed down with hot tea. We listened to the music and watched the generation that would run this vibrant country in a few years. They looked like any other kids full of life and expectations.
Tiger Beers in the local pub whiile taking a look at the super modern mall, some video snaps of buskers, train back to hotel and time to retire ready for the bus to Cameron HIghlands tomorrow.
Thanks for coming along.
Monday 16 May 2011
Auspicious Beginning. The Planets are aligned
The Planets are aligned for a safe and pleasant journey.
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| The Planets aligned |
Our journey started in Southport and this is what it looked like at 5.15am on Sunday 15th before our uneventful flight and overnight stay in KL.
Bus tomorrow Monday for a 5.5 hour bus to Cameron Highlands.
Saturday 14 May 2011
On the road again.
Hi
You are invited to join us. This is a short journey KL Malaysia to Phuket Thailand Via the Historic Cameron Highlands.
Bus and train travel in Malaysia is easy and cheap air-conditioned luxury coaches on super highways make travel a breeze. Rail travel is limited given the rail track from Singapore splits south of KL. One track goes North to Penang and onto Thailand Bangkok.
The spur line goes to the Khota Baru on the West Coast. Known as the Jungle line. It does not link to Thailand.
Comparing Malaysian roads to Australian roads these super highways link the whole nation. It is us who are a third world country. North Queensland was isolated for 2 months this year. Not good enough.
Our planned route is North to Ipoh and then local bus to Cameron Highlands stopping for a few days at Tanah Rata at a fab resort. The Cameron Highlands are famous. In colonial times the British used the Highlands as a retreat from the oppressive heat of the plains. Set 1000 metres above sea level the Highlands offer cool retreat. Tea is the production plus the orchids you see in your favorite florist probably were sourced there. Your scribe loves tea and orchids are my favorite flower.
You are invited to travel with Pam and I. Together we will discover the Highlands, experience life on the long distance buses and then the treasures of Kho Phi Phi [James Bond Islands] and the jewel called Krabi then Phuket meeting with Kellie, Richie and Lucie for a family holiday. Excited? I am! On the road again. Lets do it your scribe Malcolm.
You are invited to join us. This is a short journey KL Malaysia to Phuket Thailand Via the Historic Cameron Highlands.
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| City Scape KL KL is not my favorite city. It is vibrant and modern. But I feel it lacks soul. |
The spur line goes to the Khota Baru on the West Coast. Known as the Jungle line. It does not link to Thailand.
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| Petronis towers KL |
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| Cameon Highlands |
Sourced davesworldtravel.com/.../
I hark back to a conversation I had with brother in law Robert McIness. Comparing Australia with thousand of kilometers of roads, International airports, Ports and a coast line that goes on forever. A population of 22 million. But in the end the super highways the fast trains in Asia and China. What are we doing with all our resources money?Our planned route is North to Ipoh and then local bus to Cameron Highlands stopping for a few days at Tanah Rata at a fab resort. The Cameron Highlands are famous. In colonial times the British used the Highlands as a retreat from the oppressive heat of the plains. Set 1000 metres above sea level the Highlands offer cool retreat. Tea is the production plus the orchids you see in your favorite florist probably were sourced there. Your scribe loves tea and orchids are my favorite flower.
file:///Users/malcolmwilliams/Pictures/iPhoto%20Library/Originals/2011/25:04:2011/DSC_0069.JPG
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| Cameron Highlands tea plantations Sourced maatictours.com/ main/?p=735 |
You are invited to travel with Pam and I. Together we will discover the Highlands, experience life on the long distance buses and then the treasures of Kho Phi Phi [James Bond Islands] and the jewel called Krabi then Phuket meeting with Kellie, Richie and Lucie for a family holiday. Excited? I am! On the road again. Lets do it your scribe Malcolm.
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