Travel: Thailand - Phuket

[mummyv]

hi jacsplace Elder one was 9 then. She was and is still scared of the dark, sleeps with night light on. Not to put you off, I did not know it would be scary. It was partly becos it was raining, cold, wet, dark. The night canoe in a cave was part of the Loy Kratong simulation - every family on the tour builds a lantern and releases it into the cave - they only light it awhile and then extinguish it so there is total darkness. I was apprehensive but I wanted to go so \"persuaded\" the elder one to go and just took the baby along (no voting rights) :roll: . The guide paddling the canoe is equipped with a miner's headlamp which can be requested to be switched on. This experience was THE highlight and one which the elder remembers vividly not the snorkelling or the elephant rides. Plus becos we are already in swimgear getting wet was less of a concern - when you wear swimgear, you'll be more prepared to get wet. Well, if you ever go back when kids are older, try it.

[jacsplace]

Hi mummyv,


It certainly sounds like a unique experience. We do have swim suits but we can’t swim.

[kitty2]

jacsplace:

My family went to Phuket for the first time in May. We stayed at Centara Resort on Karon Beach. It's great for families. Has many pools, a children's club, children's menu in restaurant.


There are lots of food options -- Thai and non-Thai -- all around the resort. The beach is a five minute walk away. But the waves were too strong, almost swept us away, so we didn't swim or play on the beach.

We booked through a travel agency in Singapore, so we didn't have to worry about airport transfers because everything was arranged from here. The agency also gave us a Phuket agency contact because we wanted to do some sightseeing. The Phuket agency booked us on an elephant safari with Siam Safaris, which was really fantastic. We also saw Phuket Fantasea, but this was a huge disappointment. The theme park is like any other and everything in it -- food, merchandise -- was super expensive. the show was boring. The butterfly garden was a nice way to spend an afternoon. It kept its promise of having lots of butterflies! It has a little cafe with great souvenirs and simple food like burgers and fries which my kids enjoyed.

May i know which agency did you go to?How much was the package?

Thanks for sharing

[jacsplace]

I used Sunny Holidays. I don’t remember how much our package was, but it was free and easy. We paid Sunny Holidays for the air fare and hotel accommodation only. Everything else we paid separately to the respective parties in Phuket.

[kitty2]

jacsplace:

I used Sunny Holidays. I don't remember how much our package was, but it was free and easy. We paid Sunny Holidays for the air fare and hotel accommodation only. Everything else we paid separately to the respective parties in Phuket.

Is the beach very far away from the hotel?The hotel looks great,any interesting place to visit?:thankyou:

[jacsplace]

The beach is about a five-minute walk from the hotel.


Phuket has several interesting places to visit. We loved Siam Safari for its authentic introduction to farming and elephants, and the butterfly garden for all its butterflies and lovely cafe and gift shop.

We went to Phuket FantaSea too but didn’t like it. Too commercialised, souvenirs were overpriced and the show was too much like a Vegas act.

[kitty2]

jacsplace:

The beach is about a five-minute walk from the hotel.


Phuket has several interesting places to visit. We loved Siam Safari for its authentic introduction to farming and elephants, and the butterfly garden for all its butterflies and lovely cafe and gift shop.

We went to Phuket FantaSea too but didn't like it. Too commercialised, souvenirs were overpriced and the show was too much like a Vegas act.

:thankyou:

[jacsplace]

:welcome:

[Callie Tan]

Any good villas to recommend for 2-3 families? about 7 adults and 3 kids…

[John Piper]

Hello all,


I am going to be on holiday in Phuket next month. Can anybody who stayed there before recommend a good 4 or 5 star Hotel in Phuket? I don’t have any preference for the area in Phuket but the hotel is the most important factor for me.

Thanks a lot,
John