Dispatches from the Andaman Coast

The winners of the Table Tennis competition... The team uniforms helped obviously.

Sorry, I am in danger of disappearing up my own butt with titles like that!

I will never remember all the details of this trip (and no one really wants to hear about your holiday when you get home ) so I thought id give the free Internet in our room a whirl... and its raining so win win.

Firstly and most importantly we are all really loving Phuket. Of course I wouldn't be me if I didn't analyse it all to death so here goes:

• The Good

The Resort. Its a lot like the Balinese resorts we have stayed at (in fact most of Phuket reminds me of Bali). The resort has a great pool, great rooms, lovely staff and everyday two nice ladies come and clean up this pit we call a room... whats not to love?

The Family. Spending so much time with extended family is a one way ticket to crazytown for me (mainly because I have no patience) but I am happy (and relieved) to report that so far so good. Hands down the best part of the holiday so far has been seeing the cousins (aged 13 - 2 years) playing and looking after each other so well. It warms my cold cold heart to see the big kids playing for hours with the babies. The other benefit of having so many adults is that there is usually a baby sitter if the kids don't want to do an activity etc. So far it has worked well with all couples and families getting time together.

The Food. We have dined at some yummy yummy restaurants both Thai and European. Bear has eaten curry most nights and my sis in law is in danger of turning into a noodle. Yesterday we went to a huge shopping area and I had chicken and cashew with rice for lunch ... it was so so good and it cost me $2... happy days.

The Breakfast Buffet. I know a family that stays at this resort just for the Breaky Buffet... and after having it I can totally understand why. Not only is there lots of variety but its spaced out and you never feel crowded. Yesterday David had bread and butter pudding with vanilla bean custard ... for breaky.

The Massages. For the record I would rather stick hot needles in my eye than have a massage. I always feel uncomfortable lying on a bed with no undies on whilst some stranger squeezes my fat. Luckily the little massage shop next to our resort does gorgeous pedicures (for me) and massages for everyone else.

• The Bad
  

The resort pool towel "arrangement". This is going to be the death of me. Each guest is given a pool towel token to swap for a towel at the pools. If you lose your towel or token $36 is charged to your room. Of course the hottest game in town is "steal the pool towel". On our second day here Dave had a heated "discussion" with a couple of Russians who had tried to nick my towel whilst I was swimming! I feel like way too much of my holiday time has been spent watching stupid towels.

The waiting. The logistics of getting 12 peeps anywhere takes time. The first few days I felt like was always waiting for someone. The combination of me slowing down and them speeding up (cos I told them off) has made the situation better.

The shopping. My feet are too big for most of the shoes here!!! A small part of me died when I realised all my shopping dreams where not going to be fulfilled. David and Bear have all new wardrobes and Lulu has a new dress that she wont take off so 3 out of 4 ain't bad.

• The Ugly
  

My Hair. If I want to have decent holiday pics I need to spend my holidays in climes that DON'T have 90% humidity. I have even taken to wearing my limp sweaty hair in a pony tail... oh the horror.

My Butt and Davids Tummy. It completely goes without saying that we are stacking on the kgs. We do not appear to be concerned as everyday we find new delicious food to try :-)

Ok its stopped raining now so I guess its back to the grind :-)

Take Care Everyone

Ex