For the flight to HKT, I had been allocated an aisle seat in the centre rows of four seats, sitting next to a French guy (one of a group of passengers). I thought it might have been an interesting flight to Phuket. How wrong can one be!!! I wondered if he thought he owned all four seats, as at times, I was restricted to leaning into the aisle! I also wondered if he was from Paris! In which case, his rude actions could be understandable, and excused!
[No offense meant to the (ex-)Parisians I know!]

I couldn't help noticing that a passenger across the aisle was watching Paddington in Peru, so I did likewise and joined in the fun! My conclusion: it is not as good as its predecessors.

At HKT, the aircraft was parked some distance away from the terminal, so we had to encounter the heat and humidity when leaving the aircraft and into the awaiting busses. Inside the terminal building, the Passport Control queues were long, but thankfully, an additional desk was opened, just in front of me. It really was a breeze through!

I didn't realise, but the main runway at Phuket International airport virtually cuts the island in two. It aligns in an East-West direction (100-280 degrees).

My luggage was waiting for me on the carousel (in Baggage Claim), so it was full steam ahead towards the exit and into the concourse, where someone with an Amani badge welcomed me to Thailand.

A little over an hour later, I was at the Reception desk at the Amari hotel. After checking in and explaining why I was a day late, Gam accompanied me to what was to be home for the next thirteen days. Two things immediately struck me, once I was inside my room: a lovely Welcome on the bed (Photo TH-068), and an amazing view from the balcony (Photo TH-069).

First action: To take a shower and get into some clean clothes!!!
Second action: To go and explore the hotel grounds. Even though it is a large complex (located at the very southern end of Pa Tong beach) it does not feel overcrowded.

Feeling hungry, I was guided to a table overlooking the bay; what a lovely view (Photo TH-070 and Photo TH-071).

I had my first decent meal that evening - Pad Thai! I also requested a large Singha beer to wash it all down with, until the waitress told me that it is "Happy Hour" and I could have two for the price of one! Therefore, I asked for two small Singha beers!

I thought Happy Hour was a sales gimmick at bars, and the like, to attract clientele. I didn't expect it at a 4-star hotel. Mind you, I was glad it was available! I retired early to my room (and bed) a little after 18h00, ready for a good night's sleep!

Photo TH-068

Photo TH-069

Photo TH-070

Photo TH-071

Apart from waking up twice during the night, once to switch the very efficient air conditioning off (even though it was set to 20°C, which is warm by U.K. standards, it was freezing in Thailand), I slept until my alarm woke me at 06h00, when I got up to prepare for a 07h00 pickup. Let's go diving!

By 06h50, I was ready and waiting for my pickup to Ao Chalong Pier. The journey across the island (from Phuket to Chalong Pier) took about 40 minutes (including a pickup at another hotel). Even an island in the tropics has its 'rush hour'! The roads were busy with cars, lorries, and 'thousands' of motorcyclists, but not quite Nine Million Bicycles!

At the pier, we were shepherded to our respective dive groups (by divemaster (DM)). It was at this point that Shu appeared! It was great to see him again! [He and I worked together in London, in 2018/19.] He told me that we were "on the same boat". Soon after, following a bus ride to the very end of the pier, I realised the significance of his comment; there were many dive boats tied up to the pier, and to each other! It was here that I met and was introduced to Jon Walsh (Lisa's husband from Andy's Scuba Diving) and three other divers; two guests and another divemaster.

We departed from the pier, on board MV. Freedom Dolphin, to the first of three dive sites: Banana Bay, Freedom Reef, and Bay One. At the dive briefing en route, we (three guest divers) were informed that there will be five in the group, comprising one DM at the front, followed by us three guests, and one DM at the rear. Photo TH-072 shows the planned schedule and location of to-day's three dives, and Photo TH-073 shows the arrival at Banana Bay.

Banana Bay - It was fantastic to be in the warm tropical water again, and with a fully serviced BCD and regulator! I wasn't sure how much lead weight I would need, but to start with, Jon put two x 0.8Kg weights into each of my side pockets and one in each of the top pockets. Once we were below the surface, I had difficulty getting further down. Jon made a minor adjustment to my equipment, which helped.

Freedom Reef - For this dive, Jon added a 0.8Kg weight to each of my two top pockets. It made all the difference - it did the trick!

Bay One - My buoyancy was perfect; I was able to swim horizontally, both bodily lengthways and widthways. For future sea water dives. I need to start with two x 0.8Kg weights in each of the four BCD pockets, making a total of 6.4Kg.

Photo TH-072

Photo TH-073

Photo TH-074

Photo TH-075

Back at the Amari hotel, and just prior to going down to the restaurant, I couldn't resist taking a photo of a Thai sunset (Photo TH-074). For the second time in two days, I had Pad Thai for my evening meal. While enjoying my meal, a group of Thai dancers entered the restaurant (Photo TH-075).

Rest day - There was no need to get up early, but the room-cleaning guy rang the door bell at 09h00! "Please come back later, I am about to take a shower". However, to have a breakfast, I needed to be at the restaurant before 10h30; which I did. I had some fresh fruit (pineapple and water melon) and pastries (a croisant, and a waffle - with honey).

For some time, I have wanted to locate the hotel that I stayed at, with Anne-Marie, in Jul-1993 (see Photo TH-021 on this page), so I booked myself onto the 13h00 shuttle from the hotel to the beach at Pa Tong.

Once at Pa Tong Beach, I started walking north along Thawewong Road, passing numerous hotels (on the beach side of the road), but I was unable to link the image of TH-021 to anything I saw. At the place where the buildings ceased, I made my way onto the beach and walked back, hoping to recognise the breakfast area to any of the hotels, but alas, i didn't. I can only think that the hotel we stayed at has been replaced by a bigger hotel/building.

On my way back to the Amari Coral Reef hotel, I popped into a 7-Eleven shop, to have a brief rest from the heat, and to buy some liquid refreshment; a bottle each of water and Coke! One thing that I did notice during my walk was the noise level - it was high! I was so pleased that I was staying at the Amari Coral Reef, where it is so much quieter!

After a much needed cooling down period back at the hotel, I went to explore The Jetty. On my way, I passed the hotel's two massage locations; one small private beach company, under what looked like a large tent (with a hotel warning outside, for the hotel's clients), and a larger, purpose-built building.

Photo TH-076	Photo TH-077	Photo TH-078	Photo TH-079
Photo TH-080	Photo TH-081	Photo TH-082	Photo TH-083

The typical sight and sound of a Thai long-tailed boat Video TH-015 [0 minutes, 31 seconds]

I had been thinking about having a (real) Thai massage, now that I am here. So on my way back to the hotel (from The Jetty), I called in at the Breeze Spa (located within the hotel), and was given a small presentation 'flyer'. With several possibilities, I decided to give it more thought, before committing myself.

For tonigh's dinner, I opted for an Italian meal at La Gritta. A pizza might be an option. Well, it certainly was! I ordered a Calzone Pizza. Wow! When it arrived, it was probably the biggest Calzone I have ever seen and had! Then it was back to my room to consider my massage options!

Rest Day - I went down to breakfast at 08h30; to avoid the rush that usually happens after 09h00! There was no pineapple, so I took some water melon, and a couple of small pastries (a croisant, and a waffle - this time with Nutella! [Yeah, I know - Nutella/Palm Oil and the links to the reducing rain forests!])

For my Do-Nothing day, it was time to catch up with updating and composing this journal so far. So I spent a few stress-free and relaxing hours at a table, under a large umbrella, overlooking the bay! I received a message from Lisa, confirming diving tomorrow and Sunday with Jon.

A member of the restaurant staff walked over to me and presented me with a cold damp face/hand towel! It was so refreshing! What a lovely jesture!

I woke up at 06h00 for the 07h00 pickup from the hotel to Chalong Pier.

Thanks to Jon's guidance, my technique continued to improved. So much so, that I felt everything had come together for tomorrow's diving.

I had initially arranged to have a massage after to-day's (Saturday) diving, but I was strongly advised against it, due to the amount of Nitrogen (from the diving) still within my body. This is the same reason that divers should not fly for at least 24 hours after diving.

Back at the Amari, I rearranged tomorrow's massage for Monday; for health reasons (to ensure any (all?) excess nitrogen had been expelled from my body).

Photo TH-084

Photo TH-085

To-day was virtually a repeat of yesterday.

Rest Day - After two diving days, I had a rest day. Besides, I had my rescheduled full body massage during the afternoon. It was amazing! I have had stiffness in my left shoulder for a number of years, and when she (the masseur) reached that particular area, she found the spot! We could both hear the 'cracking' sound emanating from both my shoulders, but so much more from my left shoulder! I left the salon with my upper torso feeling so much freer!

Shu and I had arranged to meet for an evening drink. He arrived at the hotel on his motocycle, but rather than use it to go a few hundred metres, we decided to walk down to Pa Tong, for some liquid refreshment! As part of our chat, he mentioned that he was free on Friday, and would I like to ride pillion to explore the southern part of the island of Phuket. Great idea!

Photo TH-086	Photo TH-087	Photo TH-088

Photo TH-089

Photo TH-090

Rest Day - During this rest day, I had a booked massage for 11h30.

Photo TH-091

Photo TH-092

To-day's diving adventure was at the Phi Phi Islands. Jon had a prior commitment, so my dive buddy for to-day's three dives was Angel Frias Delgado.

Photo TH-093	Photo TH-094	Photo TH-095
Photo TH-096	Photo TH-097	Photo TH-098

Another dive day at the Racha Islands (Noi and Yai), with Jon as my dive buddy.

Photo TH-099

To-day was a sightseeing day, touring the southern part of Phuket Island. My thanks to Shu and his motorcycle. It was reminiscent of when Anne-Marie and I hired a motorcycle back in 1993, and did the same thing!

One of the places I wanted to revisit was the location where Photo TH-029 was taken on 14-Jul-1993; see TH-100 and TH-101.

Photo TH-100	Photo TH-101	Photo TH-102
Photo TH-103	Photo TH-104	Photo TH-105
Photo TH-106	Photo TH-107	Photo TH-108
Photo TH-109	Photo TH-110	Photo TH-111
Photo TH-112	Photo TH-113	Photo TH-114
Photo TH-115	Photo TH-116	Photo TH-117

As I will be flying on Monday, to-day was my last diving day for this holiday. It was another day at the Racha Islands (Noi and Yai), again with Jon as my dive buddy.

Back at the hotel, and time for a few last evening photographs, to remind me of the fabulous time I had in and around the hotel.

Photo TH-118

Photo TH-119

Photo TH-120

Photo TH-121

Rest Day - Another Do-Nothing day, apart from having another relaxing SPA massage, prior to my departure tomorrow.

Travel day (Goodbye Amari/Phuket, Hello Dubai), but not before experiencing a tropical downpour!

This holiday diary continues, and ends, with the Dubai page.

Photo TH-122

A Tropical Downpour Video TH-019 [1 minute, 34 seconds]

A Wet Goodbye Video TH-019 [0 minutes, 36 seconds]