Last night

We had James and Lesley over for some wine and a nice all night chat last night. A very nice couple from UK/Australia. They live six boats away from us on the same quay, and are visiting Barcelona for some months before they set off to a summer Med cruise and thereafter on the ARC in November.

By the way: today is a special day. It was six months ago me and Alex met each other the first time and it is from today six months left till we'll set off for our world tour! Six months could be considered to be really nothing yet it is everything, if that makes any sense./ Taru

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway part 2

It was the second day of our short trip to the Isle of Wight.  We’d taken a trip on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway where we had met up with a lovely elderly couple and their son and then we’d arrived in the little town of Wootton and had taken a five minute walk… that took about thirty minutes or more! Talk about a county mile!

We made it back to the station with five minutes to spare and I perched up on a little incline and waited for the majestic steam train to return.

I could hear the whistle long before the train arrived and could see the steam rising through the trees. 

It is so exciting seeing the train pull in, even though I’d seen the same thing barely a couple of hours before.  I don’t believe it is something I’d ever want to get used to though as it is a magical sight and sound. 

Beautiful!

The carriage we chose this time around seemed even more fancy than the first one!  It seems we were right; this one had been assembled in 1886 whereas the first one had been assembled in 1903.

Southern Railway is still going to this day and runs the service down into Surrey and East and West Sussex.

The ticket inspector was kind enough to pose for a photo for me.  I loved his authentic uniform and ticket dispenser.

The train pulled off and below long we arrived back in Havenstreet Station.  We took a look around at some of the other grand engines there.

 

And we even had a chance to see them filling the engine up with water again which is not something I’ve ever seen before.  I’m not entirely sure I realised that they had to do this before but it made total sense that they do, of course.

It was such a wonderful day and a great way to spend our anniversary!  I would love to go on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway again one day!

Wordless Wednesday ~ 20: Southwark Cathedral

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My favourite places: The Beach Bar

Phuket can be whatever you want it to be. Phuket is bars and girls. Phuket is crowded beaches and jet skis; shopping and good food. Phuket is groovy nightlife with trendy people. Phuket is a luxury getaway at a 5 star resort. Phuket is an island full of history and interesting culture. Phuket does have all this and more. Me? I am not into nightlife, clubs, bargirls and not rich enough to pamper myself at a fancy resort. Don't need a hotel anyway. Phuket is home. Phuket is where I work, where my kids go to school, and when I have time off work, I try to explore, which is what this blog is mostly about really. You can look other places for nightlife information, and if you want full on tourism, watersports and more food than you can eat, stay in Patong Beach, by all means, but do try to get out and explore some!

This blog is "my" Phuket and I give thanks to all readers and people who email or come to see me to say they've enjoyed the blog. If you can find some useful information here among all the "normal" tourism websites, great. Hope you may get some ideas of things to do - things that may otherwise have been unknown. The blog has been going for 4 years now, and there's plenty more to be added. More restaurants I want to try, more trips to take just off Phuket to small islands or attractions in nearby areas. Always new things to see - and at the same time, there are some places I/we (the family) keep going back to. Some days, especially in high season, a day off is very welcome, and all I want to do is relax. We have some favourite places to go, and The Beach Bar is maybe top of the list.





The Beach Bar is a small, cheap, friendly, rather basic restaurant right by the beach at Cape Panwa, overlooking Chalong Bay. It's just along the beach from the Novotel Panwa resort, which sounds developed but you can't even see the hotel from the restaurant. There are some holiday apartments a bit further along called By The Sea. Many of the customers come from these 2 places, which helps explain why The Beach Bar closes during low season. It's normally open from about October to the end of April. Open for lunch or dinner, great for sunsets like the one above.

It's a family run restaurant, don't expect white suited waiters and silver platters here. We like the simplicity. We found the place over 3 years ago and now we always enjoy a chat with the owners and have seen their kids growing up, as they have seen ours. The kids get on great. My wife and I like that - we can sit quietly while the kids go off and play on the beach, looking for shells or hunting crabs. I like to go in the late afternoon. By around 4:30pm they take all the tables out onto the sand, so you can sit right by the sea and wait for sunset.



Kids love it there, they are more or less free to roam, and it's safe. There is no road, no jet skis, no big crowds. If we're sitting out on the sand we can keep an eye on them if they wander along the beach. This year we did our son's birthday party there, which he and all the kids loved.



What? Oh, go on then, here are some more sunset views from The Beach Bar...



(above) Sunset 17th April 2010



(above) Sunset 15th November 2008

The beach itself is not perfect - pretty good for swimming at high tide, but totally rocky at low tide. Still pretty views, as you can see from the sunset pictures, but you can only swim at high tide, when things look more like this - much more like it!



The food at The Beach Bar is quite simple. They do seafood - lobster, crab, fish, prawns, it's maybe a bit cheaper than the main beach areas. We often just get "normal" Thai food. They do good Chicken with Cashew Nuts, Tom Yum, Glass Noodle Salad, and one of my favourites - Chicken wrapped in Pandan leaf ("Gai Hor Bai Toey"). Most of the easy dishes are only 60 - 80 Baht.







Last year we also went there for Loy Krathong, as we'd had enough of heading to the more crowded places and having to push our way through to the water. At The Beach Bar it was just us and a few other people plus the owners family launching our Krathongs into the water for good luck. I reckon we'll go there again this year (it will be November 21st).







(above) our daughter and her Grandma help the owner digging for shells

But what I really enjoy is the relaxed atmosphere, no rush, no noise, it's a place that I can feel totally at ease for a few hours, watching the sun set, watching our kids play and drink a few cold beers. Yes, one of our favourite places. And.. if you're planning to go in the near future - bad luck, it's closing for low season in a few days, if not already. Open again sometime in October.

Older posts about The Beach Bar

• The Beach Bar December 2007
• The Beach Bar January 2007

Window Into SA: Zanele Nhlapo

We’re back in the interior of South Africa this week to meet with Zanele Nhlapo.  Zanele is a successful business woman who lives in Soweto and works in Emmarentia.

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What is the name of your website or business?
Phakisa Communications (Director: Zanele Nhlapo)

Whereabouts in South Africa are you?
6 Linden Road, Emmarentia, (011) 888-6518

Tell us about what you do?
Phakisa Communications is a one-stop-shop communications & multimedia company, with its head office situated in Joburg. Our core competencies are PR, Marketing & Communications campaigns & strategies; Advertising; Photography; Corporate Videos; Events management; Print layout & design; Multimedia & Graphics; Corporate branding, imaging & signage; and Promotional items. We’ve been in business since 2001, and have a large range of governmental, parastatal and corporate clients. I (Zanele) am one of the directors of the company. 

Are you a football fan?  (rugby, cricket or football)
Football

Which team will you be supporting?
Bafana Bafana/ Brazil

Which is the nearest football stadium to your home?
Soccer City

Will you be attending any games?
No, I prefer to watch from the comfort of my couch.

Are you near to any historical places or places of interest?
Hector Peterson Memorial in Soweto.

How would you describe South Africa to someone who has never been there before?
South Africa is a beautiful and colourful country that has mountains and rivers that flow in all of its 9 regions. We have a very rich and diverse culture – hence the term “Rainbow Nation”. The people of South Africa are down to mother earth, and are eager to help at any time. Treat them with respect, and they will always be of help to you. Remember, not all people in Mzansi speak English, but you can always try hand signs for directions.

What would you say is the single best thing about South Africa?
South Africa is a place of peace and controversy, where various cultures are merged to form one colourful Mzansi culture.

What is the number one attraction that tourists must visit in South Africa?
Anywhere on a safari.

Where in South Africa do you go on holiday?
Seafront / Kruger National Park

Do you have any advice for tourists and visitors?
Do not carry your valuables with you all the time and at least not openly. If you are lost, just stop at any garage; petrol attendants are usually very helpful with directions. South Africans are generally a friendly bunch of people, so don’t be too paranoid… being alert and aware is a good thing though.

What can South Africans do to make the country a better place?
Be more helpful to tourists, especially when they are lost and need directions.

What is your dream or vision for the future of your city and country?
Clean, friendly and free from crime.

What is your favourite South African charity?
Othandweni (home of the destitutes)

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I asked Zanele for a couple of photos of their office and environment but they reminded me it was just a boring old converted house.  Here are two photos of the Phakisa staff.

I love how the staff really represent South Africa’s Rainbow Nation!! The insanely pretty girl in the front on the top photo and at the back left in the bottom photo is my very good friend Jean.  We met at Wits University.

Our Sunday in pictures

Blue sky, sunshine, 26°c and we were sailing downwind from Barcelona to El Masnou in a very smooth and wonderful ride. Fishing a bit, tanning a bit, philosophizing and just relaxing on the most beautiful day this year has given us so far. It was perfection!

Alex was taking care of the sails while I was tanning most of the time..

Until he asked me to "at least throw out the fenders, you lazy woman, we're arriving at the harbor!"

So I did. Which seem to have been very amusing..? Should do that more often.

And we arrived at El Masnou.

Which is a small little city around 30 minutes driving with car up north from Barcelona. That's 2,5 hrs sailing.

We had a long walk through the colorful picturesque town in search for an open supermarket, for no reason really. We seemed to have forgotten that we actually are living in Spain and EVERY SHOP is closed Sundays. Very old fashioned and something we never really get used to. Anyway, it was a nice little walk at least.

After an experimental meal in the harbor we headed back to Barcelona.

At some point the wind died out completely and we had to, unfortunately, sail with the engine on for almost half of the trip back.

Nevertheless we could arrive home just in time for the sunset. Simple day but oh so fantastic. Already looking forward to next weekend. The beautiful Costa Brava is on the schedule for that one. /Taru

Featured on Sperry Top Sider

Sperry Top Sider has featured a note about our circumnavigation on their blog, this week. Check it out!

Happiness is:

Two days of break from the intensity of work (or at least in a bit slower tempo). A clear blue sky. The sparkling blue sea, and the fact that our mainsail is back in good condition. Finally. We haven't been out for two weeks!

A quiet sunset

Hotels in Phuket Town

Phuket is of course more known as a beach destination, and I would guess 99% of visitors will want to stay close to the water. There are plenty of hotel recommendations on this blog, mostly hotels near the beaches - Phuket's west coast is all about beaches, from the overdeveloped madness that is Patong (yeh, some people like it, I know) to much quieter locations like Naithon or Kamala. There are some hotels inland away from the water, or on the far less developed east coast, and there is also plenty of accommodation in Phuket Town.

Phuket Town (officially called Phuket City, but it certainly feels like a town), is the main business center of Phuket and the provincial capital. There's no beach, but staying in town gives a totally different experience of Phuket. Sure there are some tourism oriented businesses, but mostly it's local life - markets, small interesting shops, Chinese shrines, day to day life going on all around, historic buildings, museums, local restaurants and a nightlife that is quite separate to the bars 'n' girls at the beaches. It's the place to be to enjoy events such as the Phuket Vegetarian Festival or the Street Show Festival. I like Phuket Town, and there's plenty of space given to it on the blog. If you have a longer stay in Phuket and want to experience more than just tourism, why not stay in town for a couple of nights?

Some Recommended Phuket Town Hotels

Thavorn Grand Plaza Hotel

A couple of blocks south of the bus terminal, about a 10 minute walk to the old town, the Thavorn is quite large (150 rooms), it's right opposite one of our favourite restaurants in town, Uptown Noodles. I see room rates under 500 Baht a night at the moment. It even has dorm rooms.

• Thavorn Grand Plaza Hotel - Rates and Reservations

Bhukitta Hotel

Right next to the bus terminal, 5 minutes walk to old town, lots of local restaurants close by. Reading the reviews, you can see some common "problems" with hotels in town - things like "too far from the beach" - well, duh! And no nice views - well it's in the town, and maybe staff not speaking the best English, yeh, if they did, they'd work in a 5 star resort.

• Bhukitta Hotel - Rates and Reservations
• Bhukitta Hotel - Reviews

Chinotel

Newly opened in 2010, Chinotel is on Ranong Road right next to the new market. Rates only 600 - 800 Baht per night with aircon, TV and you're right in the old town.

• Chinotel - Last Minute Bookings at LateStays.com
• Chinotel on the Phuket Hotels Blog

Royal Phuket City Hotel

Just about opposite the bus terminal, the Royal Phuket City is more of a business/conference hotel, with 250 rooms, a nice cafe called Cafe 154 that we used as a base for last years Phuket Photo Walk. Has a pool and spa too. Another favourite restaurant, Kaewjai, is just a block away.

• Royal Phuket City Hotel - Rates and Reservations
• Royal Phuket City Hotel - Reviews

Sino House Hotel

A couple of blocks North and East of old town, Sino House is an apartment style hotel and includes the highly recommended Rain Tree Spa which my wife and I mean to visit one day soon!

• Sino House Hotel - Rates and Reservations
• Sino House Hotel - Reviews

Lub Sbuy Guesthouse

A budget place, again very close to the bus terminal with lots of local places to eat nearby and 5 minutes walk to the old town. Odd spelling, Lub Sbuy means "peaceful sleep".. guess I would spell it Lap Sabai, but each to their own!

• Lub Sbuy Guesthouse - Rates and Reservations

Dara Hotel

A real oddity, this place. Location - on the edge of town close to the Central Festival Mall. I'd only stay here if I had some transport, but it's kind of unique - very colourful and modern.

• Dara Hotel - Rates and Reservations
• Dara Hotel - Reviews


Phuket Town may not be your cup of tea, but this blog does tend to be read by people who like all kinds of tea! Aside from the hotels above, Phuket Town has lots of low budget guesthouses and backpacker places - more info here: Cheap Places To Stay in Phuket.

More Hotels in Phuket Town

• Phuket Town Hotels at Agoda.com
• Phuket Town Hotels at LateStays.com

More About Phuket Town

• Glastnost Cafe on Soi Romanee
• Old Phuket Street Festival
• Exploring Phuket Town

Wordless Wednesday ~ 19: Twist

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Walking in Wootton

The brochure for the Isle of Wight Steam Train said that Wootton was a nice place to stop off as there were two pubs just a short five minute walk away.  Now I am a ridiculously fast walker so I thought “how far can it really be?”  Ha. Ha ha ha.  Famous last words.

We left the train station and took a last look back to make sure we knew how to get back to the trains.

We found the old stationmaster’s house which was rather quaint.  (I just love the flag at the back there!)

We walked for ten minutes up to the top of the hill and still found time to admire the tulips.  It was late March and spring was so much more advanced than in London!

The daffodils were out with a vengeance (and they were only emerging when we got back to London)!

And then… we got to the high street about five minutes later and came upon a closed pub.  It was, admittedly, a Sunday at about noon time but it was also our anniversary and we wanted a treat!  So we took a look on my newly acquired iPhone and it promised that there was another pub five minutes down the road.

Right.

A good ten or so minutes later, we finally found an open pub.

We had a precious five minutes to enjoy our reward before rushing back to catch the next train!

I thought I’d take a photo of the street leading back to the station.  Isle of Wight really looks exactly like the rest of England!  I had been expecting something less inhabited but I was wrong – there are 130,000 residents on this tiny island plus all the tourists!

Okay, it is slightly less densely populated than England. 

We made it back to the station with five minutes to spare and I picked a good place to catch a good photo of the incoming train.

Of course, we discovered the next day that had we turned left instead of right when we came out of the station, then we would have found a pub a mere two minutes walk away!!