Spring Break and the family is ready for a beach holiday after a long Shanghai winter. We decided to go to Phuket, Thailand. The last time we visit the beaches of Phuket, Emersyn was three years old. The Szatkowski Family would be at Phuket, also. We decided to try the JW Marriott Resort as we have heard great things about this resort.
This resort did not disappoint this crew. From the entrance of lobby to the rooms, we were greeted to a first class resort.
The best part of this resort was the pool with the slide. The children’s pool has a slide which lands in the shallow part of the water. There are umbrellas all around the pool for parents to have a close watch with sun protection.
Jim and I stop in duty free in Bangkok to purchase alcohol as we know from prior trips that any kind of alcohol drinks will be expensive. We thought tequila would be the best choice to find “something” to mix with it. The resort has a deli/grocery store. We were able to find a lemon drink to make “poorman margaritas”, as Jimmer called them.
It didn’t take Eleri long before she wanted to go alone.
The tubes made the slide faster and more fun around the pool.
About three times a day, the staff hands out ice lollies for the children. It is a nice, cool treat for them.
The beach is a fun place to play in the sand. However, the waves are too strong for the children to go in alone. They stayed close to the edge.
We took a day off resort to enjoy the John Gray tour.
We signed up for the ‘Hong by Starlight’ tour. A hong is a sea cave (sea caves formed by the tidal motion eroding the limestone)
The trip will be in the Phang Nga Bay’s hongs in a kayak paddled by a guide. The boat departs in the early afternoon. Once we were on the boat, we enjoyed a good Thai lunch of soup, noodles, spring rolls, Thai chicken, salad and fruit. It is about 45 minutes to the Phang Nga Bay.
Once we arrive at Phang Nga Bay’s hongs we loaded into the kayaks. Getting into the hongs, the guides paddle through a dark cavern while guests handle flashlight duties. Both girls enjoyed this job, especially Eleri. Depending on the tide, the space between the water and ceiling can be cosy. We would lie flat in the kayak to pass through the cave.
We visit three different caves. Two were named Diamond Cave and Bat Cave – the names are telling in themselves. The Diamond cave was beautiful with sparkles all over the ceiling. The Bat Cave was very smelly with small bats sleeping at the very top.
A hong is a chamber in a karst island’s interior, cave-like but roofless, round in shape, with high vertical walls. The dense vegetation paints every surface green. Trees sprout from the cliffs to create a beautiful, peaceful chamber.
Waiting for sunset, Emersyn, Sam, Jimmer and Jim had fun jumping and swimming off the back of the boat.
After the swimming fun, it was time to make floating Kratongs. Loy Krathong is a beautiful Thai festival. Small floating decorations are set adrift en masse as a sign of new beginnings and for good luck. Our kayak guide shows Emersyn how to make the krathong, explaining each element as it is pinned to the banana stalk base: banana leaves for decoration, marigolds for prosperity, one incense stick each for Buddha, monks, and candles for health and happiness.
At sunset, we set out in the kayaks into a hong chamber. Because of the tide, we must lie very flat to get through the cave. Once in the chamber, we light the candles to set them floating. The cave also has glow plankinton. When you run your hands through the water, the water glows from the plankinton. After the floating kratongs, it is time to get back to the boat for our journey home. It was after 10pm when we arrived back to the hotel with two very tired girls.
After a long adventure day, the girls enjoyed more beach fun.
We enjoyed a dinner and Sunset at Ginja Restaurant at the resort. This is our favorite Thai food.
Sunset fire lighting ceremony is held in the Reflection Pond
It was a fun beach holiday shared with good friends, the Szartkowski family.