Friday, August 29, 2008

Phuket Airport Closed by Anti-Government Protesters

9th September.

I can't quite get my head around the idea that Samak has to quit because he hosted an early morning cooking show on TV... but that seems to be the story..

Bangkok Post News - Samak Must Resign

Now looks like new elections might happen sometime soon. And I hate to be the bearer of bad news for the PAD, but the same people are likely to win again unless the suave Democrats, led by the sauve Abhisit Vejjajiva who was born in England and went to Oxford University... and if I might suggest, is thus not quite trusted by the rural Thais, who like 'em home bred and not so white and clever.

Anyway, aside from the weather, not much happening in Phuket! Certainly no troubles or problems, so get here NOW and check out the deals on LateStays.com!


4th September

Rumours spread yesterday that PM Samak would quit today. He did not of course. Not sure what can end the stalemate.

Anyway, Phuket is 100% normal. No problems. Everything well. Daily life continues as normal after the silly airport "siege" at the weekend. Don't think anyone round here will be dumb enough to try that again...

So, maybe I can get back to some normal blogging?? :)

PS - the weather is lovely - see the Phuket Weather Blog

Even in Bangkok, the tourists are saying "What Crisis?" - see article in the Sydney Morning Herald.


3rd September

There was a march in Phuket town yesterday with an estimated 1000 people taking part. The airport is very very unlikely to close again, as the local PAD seem to have realised (belatedly) that such action is the same as shooting themselves in the foot. Yesterdays march and occupation of Phuket Provincial Hall was totally peaceful.

Phuket Wan reports:

According to The Nation online breaking news: "Supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy have seized the Phuket provincial hall, Sondhi Limthongkul, a PAD leader, told the protesters at Government House at 12:20 pm."

To Phuketwan on the spot, it looked more like a peaceful picnic in the park. And so it remained, until clouds burst over the crowd at 8.35pm, dampening the protest..


Protests in Phuket yesterday, photo from Phuket Gazette

Latest News from Phuket:

Phuket Wan
Phuket Gazette


State of Emergency Declared in Bangkok

2nd September

Well, it all went off last night it seems with rival groups fighting in the streets. So the government finally had enough and declared martial law. Now people, back off and be sensible about this.

Phuket is Peaceful and Safe

Ok, listen, I live here with my family. I have 2 kids. In Phuket, daily life is unchanged except all the TV's are tuned to the news channels instead of the soaps. There's nothing to worry about here.

Anyways, if you worry about travel - get some travel insurance!... Click below:

Recommended Travel Insurance


The Phuket Wan website says today:

Top level talks took place today at Phuket Provincial Hall amid concerns that the protests at Phuket International Airport could be renewed.

The declaration of a state of emergency this morning in Bangkok and union action calling for the resignation of Prime Minster Samak Sunthoravaj took tension to a new level in Thailand.

But Phuket remained peaceful, and looked like staying that way.

Phuket Airport General Manager Wicha Nurnlop told Phuketwan that he had informed Governor Niran of the need to protect the airport.

Wing Commander Wicha said there was no immediate threat of a repetition of the weekend's three-day blockade.

Travellers were arriving and departing without problems. There was no protest outside the airport.

The Chief of Phuket Police, Major General Apirak Hongtong, said there were no immediate concerns on Phuket and all precautions were being taken.

Leaders of the main protest group, the People's Alliance for Democracy, have been told by the Phuket tourism and business community to keep their protests low-key and not damage the island's peaceful image.


Today is a normal day here. My kids are at school, I am at work, my wife has gone to pay our tax and social insurance. See you soon!


Phuket Airport is Open - See You soon!

Sunday 31st August 4pm

Touchdown! First flight after the "siege" has landed. The first flight to arrive was Thai Airways TG213 from Bangkok, which touched down in Phuket not long after 3.30pm.

See Phuket Wan for more information.

If anything untoward happens, I'll post here, but lets hope all the silliness has ended now and everyone can get to Phuket and enjoy their holidays or get home!

Final comment from the Phuket Wan website which has been reporting this blow by blow... "Before Friday's action, the PAD had the support of the vast majority of people on Phuket. And now? Well, anyone who depends on the tourism industry for a living would have to wonder. Tourists don't play politics, so it's best not to play politics with tourists."

Enjoy Sunday, everyone.


Sunday 31st August 1:20pm

Phuket Airport Reopens

All airlines contacted. First flight out will be 4:20pm.

Phuket Wan reports -

The blockade of Phuket International Airport is over, and now the cost is being counted.

Phuket's air siege lifted when leaders of the Peoples' Alliance for Democracy met Sunday morning and decided to stop the protest that brought a halt to all flights in and out of the island from Friday.

Soon after, airport General Manager Wing Commander Wicha Nurnlop called all 11 airlines and told them the airport was open, and that flights could resume as soon as possible.

The first outbound flight will be Thai Airways TG214, due to leave Phuket for Bangkok at 4.20pm.

Inbound, the first flight to arrive will be TG213, which leaves Bangkok at 2.10pm and arrives on Phuket at 3.30pm.

If you are a tourist travelling to Phuket or trying to leave the island, check with your airline direct for information about rescheduled flights.

The airport will have to cope with a backlog of travellers. Airport officials were meeting with the island's tourism industry leaders at the airport early this afternoon to plan a ''strategic airlift'' to relieve the backlog of stranded tourists.

As many as 20,000 people could have been delayed on the island unwillingly, but many have probably already made their escape by bus to Bangkok.


Well thank you. Finally.

And thank you to the Phuket Wan website for all the updates. Phuket Gazette - hang thy head!

The protests continue in Bangkok.

Right, now I can get back to blogging about all the nice things in Phuket!

________________

I would not normally post breaking news, but things are happening here in Phuket and in Bangkok that need to be mentioned. There will be no dicussion of who is right or wrong. It's not my place to comment. I heard shouts on the TV this evening of "Ock Bai" which basically means "Get Out". Similar shouts were heard nearly 2 years ago...

Update Sunday Morning 31st August

Phuket Wan reports a late night meeting reached no conclusion. No flights today? These people are starting to hurt Phuket...

Samak still refuses to step down, but I just heard on the BBC news that the army chief has "suggested" that Samak should step down. Reports in the Thai papers say that a large pro-government group is gathering in Bangkok. One hopes the pro's and the anti's don't start any argy bargy.


Saturday evening 30th August

Well, a lovely sunny day here. I have "caught the sun". Nice. But not nice if you are supposed to be flying in or out of Phuket today. This is going to make a few people rather annoyed. Krabi airport is also closed.

Latest on Phuket Wan, which seems to be covering this very well:

"NO NEW deadline for resumption of flights from Phuket International Airport has been set after officials cancelled advice that a return to the air might be possible from 6am Sunday.

The prospect of no timetable for a return home left some tourists low on cash at the airport, being fed bowls of rice by airport staff."


What the?

Why?

There's a long discussion on the Thai Visa forum (which is mostly moaning expats, but there is useful information there too!)

Phuket Gazette, shame on you. No news since yesterday. Come on, this is NEWS, or does nobody work at the weekend??

Meanwhile, protests continue in Bangkok. The BBC website reports that Samak met the King and refuses to resign. Actually he was elected, so he does have a point. As a farang I should not step into politics, but I just want to say... a group calling itself the People's Alliance for Democracy is trying to bring down an elected government by mob rule. Great.

Plenty of news updates on the Bangkok Post website. Also on The Nation.

Open the airport please.


earlier update Saturday Morning 30th August

Bangkok is set for another day of protests. Phuket Airport will be open sometime later today. According the excellent coverage in Phuket Wan, one flight left last night carrying stranded tourists back to Bangkok, and the airport's general manager is quoted as saying there will be no flights until at least noon.

11:30pm and the speeches continue in Bangkok at the PAD rally. The army chief is reported to have refused to impose a state of emergency. No need for it really. The army certainly does not want a coup. The talking continues. Prime Minister is probably sleeping, I would if I was him. Deal with this in the morning. Good night!

10pm - photos of tonights / todays protests on the AP Website

8:47pm and now there are speeches again, with people coughing from the tear gas... no the speeches are outside Government house, while the teargas was fired outside the police HQ.

8:33pm I am watching channel ASTV 1 - it looks kinda scary to me. Lots of tear gas, lots of shouting

NOW! 8:23pm I am watching tear gas being fired RIGHT NOW on TV... A minute ago there was a concert, singing.. now things look a whole lot worse...



The Phuket Gazette is updating the news as it happens here in Phuket (more or less -not sure Phuket Gazette will work 24 hour shift!)

Phuket Gazette News

Phuket Wan also has updated information... but can they stay awake all night?

The "PAD" - People's Alliance for Democracy - has rallied in Phuket and closed the airport. Latest estimates say there are TEN THOUSAND protestors at the airport. And this is peanuts compared to Bangkok. Krabi and Hat Yai airports have also been closed. This is direct action in large numbers. Stay tuned.

So far no injuries here in Phuket, but I just saw on the news that police had fired tear gas at people in Bangkok about 1 hour ago.

You can find more news on the Bangkok Post website.

Bangkok Post Special feature with news updates...

The BBC News has the latest too. (Well of course they do!)

BBC also has analysis on WHY this is happening...

Latest situation, 1 hour ago:

PHUKET AIRPORT: Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit has called an emergency meeting of his top staff, including Vice-Governors Smith Palawatwichai, Worapoj Ratthasima and Tri Augkaradacha.

The meeting was called to discuss what action should be taken about today’s protest, which has stopped all flights in and out of the airport and crippled Phuket’s tourism industry.

The meeting, being held at Phuket International Airport, is closed to reporters.

________________

Earlier today

Phuket Airport overrun, runways blocked

PHUKET AIRPORT: At about 4:45 pm today, People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters breached the main gate at Phuket International Airport, made their way into the main terminal and smashed the windows of the VIP lounge.

Several hundred protesters stormed the runways and airport officials have ordered a halt to all air traffic.

Police have been called in from around the island to supervise the anti-government rally, which had swelled to an estimated 10,000 protesters by 3:30 pm.

The THAI Airways Union has allowed their 15,000 staffers to stop work to show their support for the protest.

Earlier, at about 2:30 pm, the protesters used vehicles to block road access to the airport.

Tourists with outbound flights to catch have been forced to walk several kilometers with their luggage, then clamber over a two-meter spiked security fence.

The traffic tailback now stretches about five kilometers.

Some arriving passengers have been seen walking down Mai Khao Beach in a desperate bid to get out of the area without crossing the PAD protesters.

A growing number of passengers are now trapped inside the airport and the only movement seems to be though a back door at the airport’s staff housing complex.

Just before posting this news online, the Gazette received reports that about 1,000 protesters had marched to the PIA Director’s Office Building, just north of the main parking lot, and some 400 protesters breached the gate at the main entrance and were now heading to the airport, where the scene has been described as “chaos”.

I will keep an eye on the TV and internet and may add more later

Jamie

Popular Hawker stall at Permas Jaya, Johor Bahru

Located just along Jalan Permas 7, Permas Jaya, Johor Bahru.
(N1°30.006' E103°49.202')

I had been noticed this stall quite sometimes ago.
Business is very good especially weekend afternoon. That's make me curious & wanna try out their foods.

One of the Saturday afternoon, me & my brother in-laws visited this stall. Basically they are selling nasi lemak & others light foods, and their coconut drinks are selling like a hot cakes!

We order the coconut each and pack of mee-siam. It was tasty. Jerry (my bro in-laws) noticed the sugar cane looks like those planted natural from village....and we decided to taste it. Hmm....Fresh & good! It's different from those chemist perfectly sweet selling in the cities. It's the original sugar cane!

We monitored the customers non-stop dropping by, some come for the fresh drink....some are attract by their light foods. Beside this stall, there's another stall selling all type of fried snacks. Like goreng pisang (fried banana) and others.....

If you like to have some light food during tea break, it's worth to try out this stall.





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Thursday, August 28, 2008

29th August, 2008

Today's weather;

Once more a blue sky reigns over Samui and at this moment no dark clouds visible over the Gulf. Current temp at 7 am is 25.4C.

In a few moments I'm off to Pattaya for a long weekend, so my next updates will be from Pattaya.

Yesterday started out lovely, but the dark clouds that were lingering over the Gulf moved in fast and around 10.30 am when I was in Maenam, running errands, it hosed down with a vengeance. When I needed to leave the car, water was ankle deep on the road! Plai Laem had only a little bit of rain however and around 3 pm the sun came out again and heated things up.
Max temp reached 31.7C

Camille

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Bandon International Hospital, Bophud

Bandon International Hospital, Bophud

My last hospital review, for the time being, of hospitals on Samui is about Bandon International Hospital .



I'm not going to talk a lot about this place since I consider it a dump and the things I personally know about this place and witnessed and adding stories of what I heard from others I can only advice to stay away from this place.
Word is that this hospital is on a black list of many European or Western insurance companies. If true, that tells it all.
It's located next to Big C on the ring road.
Camille

28th August, 2008

Today's weather;

A blazing blue sky is shaping up with cloud formations over the ocean, the Gulf of Thailand, which surrounds Koh Samui. Max temp at 7 am is 25.5C.

Yesterday started out very nicely and I was on a dive trip to Koh Tao pretty much all day and we had lots of clouds but no rain. This in contrast to Samui, where it drizzled all day long until 3 pm at our side of the island. Max temp only reached 30.5C.

Tomorrow I'll be off to Pattaya for a long weekend to complete some wreck diving courses so my next updates will be from Pattaya.

Camille

Phuket Butterfly Garden

We had been once before to the Phuket Butterfly Garden, years ago when our daughter was little and before our son was born. Somehow never made it back until a couple of weeks ago. Our daughter said she wanted to go again. She'd just been on a school "field trip" and they'd been studying the life cycle of the butterfly, so I think butterflies were one of her current favourite things.

The full name is Phuket Butterfly Garden and Insect World - yes, they have more than just butterflies! It's just north of Phuket town in the Sam Kong area not far from Tesco Lotus. It's reasonably well signposted, not too hard to find.. they also have a pick up service which can be quite a good deal (see the website link below). Entrance is 300 Baht for adults, 150 Baht for kids. Adult in this case means over 10 years old. Locals like us pay a bit less, but I think that's only fair for "regular" local visitors... twice already! And we'll go again soon, as after we'd left our daughter told us we'd not seen everything yet...

Before you get to the garden you have a rather good educational area and lots of displays with horrible scary things such as huge spiders, scorpions and the biggest damn millipede I have ever seen. Oh, and leaf insects, stick insects, all kind of things. There is also a lot of information about butterflies including a "multimedia presentation" (a video) about the amazing transformation from egg to caterpillar to butterfly.

Educational area at the butterfly garden

Video at the butterfly garden
(above) The Butterfly garden has a very good educational section

Out into the garden. I saw a brochure that says "imagine while you walk in a tropical garden.. with thousands of butterflies". I guess there are hundreds, but don't go imagining some fantasy scene with butterflies filling the air. My kids were more interested in feeding the fish... (They did walk around and look at butterflies too).

Kids feeding the fish at the butterfly garden
(above) Fish feeding at the butterfly garden

I wandered off in search of photos. It's not big, you can't lose the family here. All around you find butterflies and caterpillars too. There are signs describing the different species. It's all very well done and nicely looked after.



I was not alone in trying to get butterfly photos.. and this guy had a much nicer camera than me!

Photographer at Phuket Butterfly Garden

I did manage a couple of good photos with my little Canon Powershot. Actually pretty good camera for macro photos, but I want to upgrade soon! OK, there may not be thousands of butterflies, but there are a lot and the more you look, the more you see. There are said to be 40 different species here and they have a special breeding program on the premises - this being the area that we missed, so my daughter said. She's seen it on the school trip.

Phuket Butterfly Garden

Good for the kids, well worth a visit. They even provide umbrellas for rainy days. Along with the zoo and Phuket aquarium, we have a good selection of animal related things to do here in Phuket. I guess you could count elephant rides and snake shows too if you like. One day we'll take the kids for an elephant ride. I know it's super touristy, but the kids will love it (so will we!).

Phuket Butterfly Garden

Phuket Butterfly Garden is open every day 9am - 5pm, certainly worth a visit, especially if you have kids.

Update - Butterfly Garden 2010
Phuket Butterfly Garden Website
Phuket Butterfly Garden Photo Gallery

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

27th August, 2008

Today's weather;

Once more a near perfect blue sky is welcoming Samui this morning. Current temp at 7 am is 27.2C.

Yesterday was the usual warm and sunny weather with a max temp around the mid thirties.

Camille

Monday, August 25, 2008

26th August, 2008

Today's weather;

It's a near perfect blue sky overland this morning but heavy clouds linger over the Gulf. The current temp at 7am is 27C.

Yesterday was fairly cloudy but with enough sunshine as well. As usual during this August, it was warm! Max temp reached 33C.


Chaweng beach early evening, around 7 pm
Yesterday we did a night dive at Chaweng beach, my dive blog will be updated soon and after the dive there was a beautiful, star littered sky!
Last night there was some heavy rain in the middle of the night though, good timing and good for the plants and other vegetation on the island!
Camille

Chinese Ghost Month at Johor Bahru

The Ghost Festival (中元節) is a traditional Chinese festival, which is celebrated by Chinese in many countries. In the Chinese calendar (a lunisolar calendar), the Ghost Festival is on the 15th night of the seventh lunar month.

In Chinese tradition, the fifteenth day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar is called Ghost Day and the seventh month in general is regarded as the Ghost Month (鬼月), in which ghosts and spirits, including those of the deceased ancestors, come out from the lower realm. During the Qingming Festival the living descendants pay homage to their ancestors and on Ghost Day, the deceased visit the living.
For more info, please click here.


There's no different at Johor Bahru here, same as every state in Malaysia.
Within the month, you can see there are many stages & tents been setup. The stages are for the show and the tents are for the ritualistic food and burning incense.
During night time, there'll be peoples in front of the stage watching the show...:) Even though the Chinese traditional show and singing performance is for the ghost but....haha! peoples love to watch it too! The show normally will live until midnight.

I did join one of the group during my teenage on the 80's. My purpose are : 1) Earn extra income, 2) Gains experience & explore, 3) Getting to know more friends & Fun!! Haha!

Most of the Chinese here will do praying in front of their house in day time or night time. There will be no Standard day within the whole month, everyone chose their own lucky day! :)

The business man over here have their praying too! Because they believe it will bring better luck & more business! Most them prepare in bigger scale (in everything) compare with those praying within houses.

They believe the more you burn...the more you will get in the coming year.....

Giant incense are everywhere

During the Seventh Ghost Month, many peoples also won't renovate or swifting anything in their house. They believe.....this will cause them bad luck!
I still remember, some seniors said.....babies and kids advise not to go out their house during night time....
There are many traditions or superstitious guide still exist today! Basically, they are more on restrictions.

Some said....if you take picture while it burns, sometimes you can see some 'shadows' .....hmm...can you see it? I see nothing.....

Another interesting situation that you be able to see it is....the live bidding during the Ghost Month dinner! Too bad that I don't have any photos to show.
They bid anything on the stage, all the successful bidders only pay back on the following year. Yes, that's mean you can use it or finish the foods & drinks, but pay it next year! The term is One Year.




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Sunday, August 24, 2008

The restaurant you won't visit second time!

We visit this McD (N1°29.702' E103°48.924') at Permas Jaya few times back......
As usual this time, we having our weekend breakfast here....
And they surprise us by the 'toilet'! Shit was everywhere but the cleaner seems like nothing happens having her own sweet time sweeping the floor in front of the counter....where there's no customer.

Just imagine that, the restaurant is fully air-condition and customers are enjoy having their meals, but mixed with some special smell.....?!

Anyway, the peoples who serve at the counter are not polite even. From the moment we walked in until we left, there are no smiling face from the staffs over here!
Hmm....this is the worst McD I visited, and will not back again, will you?
Share your view, or tell us your experience.......




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25th August, 2008

Today's weather;

It's cloudy but warm. Current temp at 7 am is 26.7C.

Yesterday was a fairly cloudy day but with still plenty of sun and it was hot. Max temp reached 33.5C.

Camille

Saturday, August 23, 2008

24th August, 2008

Today's weather;

There's a fair amount of clouds on the sky this morning although the sun starts to peek through. Current temp at 7 am is 27.5C.



Chaweng beach yesterday around 10 am
Yesterday was once more sunny and warm with a max temp in the mid thirties.
Camille

Friday, August 22, 2008

Bangkok Samui Hospital, Chaweng

Bangkok Samui Hospital, Chaweng

In my series about Samui Hospitals, it's time to talk about Bangkok Samui Hospital in Chaweng.



It's the newest hospital on the island and by far the hospital with the most updated and modern equipment and they also have one of the two hyperbaric chambers on Samui, currently located on Samui, under their roof.
This hospital is part of the Bangkok Hospital group with hospitals all over Thailand.
Since their opening I have visited this hospital a few times, for check ups and to see friends who were staying here and we found out here that my wife was pregnant of our second child.
However, over time, I started to dislike the hospital more and more for their greedy approach. If you want to visit the hospital, they charge 3.000,-THB as a registration fee, refundable by your insurance. For residents this registration is waived though. It's not until very recently that their room rates went down, since my regular insurance would only cover room rates for the other hospitals on Samui. There are also numerous stories floating around were they ask for outrageous prices to treat you. Unfortunate and not necessary in my opinion.
In contrast, I have very good experiences with the Bangkok Phuket hospital of the same group. Very professional, very friendly and helpful staff, good service and very cheap!
Bangkok Samui hospital is located at the ring road in Chaweng, next to the Bangkok Airways main office;
Bangkok Hospital Samui 57 Moo 3, Thaweerat Phakdee Road, Bophut, Koh Samui , Suratthani 84320
Tel: 0-7742-9500 Fax: 0-7742-9540
Camille

New Lonely Planet Guide to Phuket

It was a few months ago that a guy called Adam visited our office and said he was doing some research for a new Lonely Planet guidebook all about Phuket. He explained this was a new kind of guide. Rather than try to pack the entire SE Asia region or the whole of Thailand into a guidebook that ends up weighing 2 kilos and is out of date by the time it's published, the new idea is to make small pocket sized guides to single destinations, ideal for holidaymakers. Sounded good - a small, detailed guidebook with way more information about Phuket than you can find squeezed into any Thailand guide.

"Looking for information about Phuket? You've come to the right place!", said the author of Jamie's Phuket! I and Khun Wan, our all-knowing secretary/accountant then supplied Adam with an information overload. Wan also helped him out with translations and interviews. I think Adam stayed about a month in Phuket travelling all over the island. Very nice guy - you can see his website here: Adam Skolnick

I'd forgotten about it actually, until a couple of days ago. I went for lunch at my favourite little Phad Thai shop and the owner proudly showed me a photo of her husband cooking Phad Thai in a book. "Is it a good book?", she asked. I checked the front cover - Phuket Encounter... Lonely Planet. "Yes, it's a good book!". Then I remembered - must be that new guidebook. It looks like this:

      

Aside from the tasty Phad Thai, there are many places listed in the Phuket Encounter guide that also feature here on Jamie's Phuket, and I am glad to say (rather chuffed in fact) that this blog is listed in the guidebook as a recommended website. I'd certainly recommend this book for visitors to Phuket, and you can be sure it's up to date as Adam was only here a few months ago, though prices can change of course.

The Amazon website lists the Phuket Encounter Guide and says it's not yet released, but can be pre ordered. When I checked the Lonely Planet website, I could not find the book. It's that new! So how the heck did the owner of the back street Phad Thai shop get a copy??!!

Phuket Encounter Guide - Order from Amazon.com

23rd August, 2008

Today's weather;

A very blue sky rules again this morning with some isolated thin cloud flocks in it. Once the sun heats up, these fluffy clouds may easily evaporate. Current temp at 7 am is 25.7C.

Yesterday was once more warm and sunny with a max temp of 33.8C.

Camille

Thursday, August 21, 2008

22nd August, 2008

Today's weather;

A near blue sky welcomes this new day with a current temp at 7am of 26.4C

Yesterday was once more warm and sunny with a max temp of 33.7C.

Camille

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Safety Stop Bar, Mae Haad, Koh Tao

Safety Stop Bar, Mae Haad, Koh Tao

During my stays at Koh Tao, there are a couple of places where I hang out a lot and the Safety Stop is definitely one of them. It's located directly opposite the Sea Lodge, the place I usually stay at when on Koh Tao, so it's also very conveniently located for me.



It's smack downtown Mae Haad, which is also convenient and they serve a nice range of pub food. Free Wi-fi comes in handy and in the evening a lot of divers hang out here.





Once on Koh Tao, a place to visit and enjoy a couple of cold drinks at and possibly a bite. Enjoy it.

Camille

A Day At McDonald's Skudai, Johor Bahru.

I drop by this McDonald's Restaurant (N1°31.384' E103°40.703') for a drink one day, what a coincidence that I meet a group children having party around the area......


Curiosity of me found out they are from Macroview Child Care Center at Taman Daya, Johor Bahru. This was one of stop for their yearly trip (The center will organize such trip for all the children annually). I was told by the friendly principles (Mr & Mrs Tan) that the Child Care Center is taking care children from 3 to 12 years old.


Hey! Wait for me!!

I felt rejuvinated while I mix with all these children, there were so happy playing around the area. Their voices & laughing were fill up the restaurant with full of happiness!!
Children will not feel hungry around there, because....once you feel wanna eat something, just ask the coupon from the principle! That's easy! But strictly no Toys!! Haha!


Once they filled up their stomach, the teachers will arrange them to visit the kitchen of McDonald's. (This was one of their program)

The manager patiently arrange the team to visit their kitchen

The area is big enough for the group of children and also other customer. As you can see the group were separate from the customer area to prevent any disturbances.


Who were there........
Pictures of the happy children & their teachers.....





After about 2 hours later, they are queuing up to leave and prepare for their next stop.....





I didn't follow them to the next stop, but.....thanks for the joyful moments!!

The address :
Lot No. PTD13309 & PTD52136
KM11 Jalan Skudai
Mukim Tebrau
81200 Johor Bahru
Tel : 07 - 2383 729
Fax : 07 - 2383 932
Free Wifi services provided

I did ask Mr Tan about the reason to chose this McD Restaurant than others.....he said that the air-condition here is cold enough and the staffs are friendly. I agree with him!

Related post :-
* Macroview Care Centre, Taman Daya - Johor Bahru. (2008)
* Mid Autumn Moon Cake Festival at Macroview Care Centre (2009)







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21st August, 2008

Today's weather;

All morning it's been clear and sunny with a hard wind though, here on Koh Tao where my IDC candidates passed their PADI IE with flying colors. For an update on this, please check my Dive blog. Current temp at 10am is already 31.2C.

Yesterday was another warm and sunny day with a max temp of 33.3C at Koh Tao. The breeze kept it nicely cool!

Tomorrow I'll be reporting from Koh Samui again.

Camille

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

20th August, 2008

Today's weather;

A nice blue sky with plenty of cloud shreds in it though. Current temp at 8 am is 27C on Koh Tao.
Today I'm on Koh Tao for a PADI IE and tomorrow afternoon we're hopefully on our way again to Koh Samui with 4 new Scuba Instructors.

Yesterday was a nice and warm day with very nice breeze that kept things fairly cool. Max temp reached 33C on Koh Tao.

Camille

Monday, August 18, 2008

19th August, 2008

Today's weather;

Light overcast and a rather strong wind. It's 30C at 10am on Koh Tao.

Yesterday was sunny and warm again with a max temp in the mid thirties, to be more precise, 34.2C.

I'm off to Koh Tao for two nights for a PADI IE but will keep posting from Koh Tao.

Camille

Kata Noi Beach

Kata Noi beach hardly seems to have changed in years. I took a ride over to Kata Noi last week to take some photos in the sunshine and have to say... Nice! Actually it has probably been a few years since I was last there. Kata Noi is not the kind of beach you pass through. The road is a dead end after crossing over from Kata beach (only takes a few minutes), so I suppose you really only go to Kata Noi if you stay there or out of curiosity.

Kata Noi Beach, Phuket

The beach is clean and is framed by headlands at either end. I know that in the high season you can get some decent snorkeling off the beach. When I was there (a hot low season day) the sand was almost too hot to walk on. Small massage shacks were doing a good business and there were a fair number of people on the beach and a few surfers trying to catch a wave. I don't think Kata Noi ever gets crowded, though. The one road behind the beach is quiet, there are a few restaurants, a few small hotels such as Kata Noi Bay Inn and Kata Noi Club Bungalows.

The (not) busy main road at Kata Noi

The relative isolation is a good thing for the taxi drivers! You can't spend your whole vacation at Kata Noi Beach. Kata is just about walkable over the hill (I saw some people doing it), but the hot weather and general lazy I'm-on-holiday feeling is why taxi drivers do so well.

Taxi drivers at Kata Noi

The beach really is very nice. But I have not yet mentioned the major feature of Kata Noi. This is the Kata Thani Beach Resort which takes up a large proportion of the beachfront. Yes, I reckon it must be a fine place to stay. You have (more or less) a private beach. The hotel gets great reviews on TripAdvisor and I reckon (if I was a rich man, la la la la la), I might stay at KataThani.

Kata Thani Resort - Booking at Agoda.com
Kata Thani Resort - LateStays.com

Kata Noi Beach

Not sure if they own the beach... don't think so, but they do seem to own all the land! I saw signs like the one below several times, and there were staff around who looked like security to keep out undesirables. I guess the other hotels have an agreement as you do really have to cross Kata Thani territory to reach the sand. In August things were not so busy. I reckon there might be more beach chairs in high season...

Kata Thani Hotel Guests Only. No Pikeys.

Empty Beach Chairs at Kata Noi Beach

Kata Thani might be the most obvious resort at Kata Noi, but there is a "fancier" place to stay. Mom Tri's Villa Royale is set on the cliffs overlooking the bay. If you are at the north end of the beach you'll find some steps and a path heading a hundred meters or so around the headland to the Villa Royale, which is one of the Top 10 Hotels in Phuket.

Villa Royale Booking at Agoda.com
Villa Royale on LateStays.com

As I was leaving and riding up the hill towards Kata Beach I noticed the top of the steps which lead down to Kata Noi beach. Easily missed. A small sign and a narrow, steep stairway. The main entrance to Mom Tri's Villa Royale is a bit further on.

To Kata Noi Beach

Compared to the "main beaches" Kata Noi still seems to me like a sleepy backwater, albeit with a couple of 5 star resorts. You can have some peace and quiet, a bit of luxury, feel like you're far from the masses, and yet you can drive over to Kata in less than 5 minutes where you find plenty of restaurants and bars for the evening. I like Kata Noi, but it might be a while before I go again unless someone wants to pay me a few nights at the KataThani!