Beach Day

First full day in Phuket and the sun is shining.  Grabbed breakfast at the hotel; not included as previously reported but very reasonable at less than $5 and we need to have energy for lounging.  Headed to the beach right away so we could enjoy the sun before it becomes stinking hot.  Sadly, no chairs for rent here so Ken went exploring and we bought two; a lounger and a semi-lounger.  Overpriced of course but we are here for a week so the daily amortization rate is quite reasonable.  We also have the plastic woven mats and towels from the hotel so we are all set.  

Nothing more fun than people watching on the beach.  Guys with fishing gear, folks of all shapes and sizes in their "fashionable" gear, a man drinking beer out of a bottle wrapped in a silk scarf (no one knew he was drinking!), people trying to get as much sun as possible, others trying to get as little sun as possible and mermaids and mermen sunning at the edge of the surf.  Who needs a book?   The part of the beach we were on seemed to be "inhabited" predominantly by Europeans so the conversations were a collage of languages and accents.  

The beach vendors didn't get started until close to 11.  They don't seem as aggressive here but they are selling everything from day tours to sunglasses, bikinis, wraps, fresh fruit, ice cream and strangest of all for me was the roasted corn on a stick (hope they give dental floss with that one).   Business seemed slow generally.  Ken surmised that Sundays might be a changeover day.  

After several hours of applying sunscreen and floating around in the Indian Ocean, we decided to call it a day.  Might need to add an umbrella to our beach gear tomorrow as midday sun is a killer here.  Back to the hotel for a late lunch; pizza for Ken (best crust so far) and yellow chicken curry for me (yum).  Then it was off to the pool in a shady spot for a dip, some more relaxing and chatting with our mainly Danish neighbours.   After a bit, Ken headed off in search of Starbucks and a great cup of Joe and I had a nap.  

Fast forward a couple hours and we are enjoying beer and another sunset before heading down the road to find dinner.   Pad Thai for both of us; mine with shrimp and Ken's with chicken.   Here, we are on the quest for the best Pad Thai.  Tonight's was okay but not going to win that distinction.   Restaurants here seem to favour lounge singers who can belt out songs from the 70s and 80s.   A bit strange but the duo at our restaurant were pretty good and I sang along when I knew the tune.  

After dinner, we went exploring a bit.  In addition to the non-stop restaurants and bars that you expect at beach resorts, there are massage parlours every few feet it seems.  Didn't see anyone availing themselves of those services on our walk so the ladies looked a little discouraged.  We found another fish pedicure place so maybe later in the week.  A bit of shopping; wine, some nuts for the beach and TimTams (an Aussie cookie that cruise friends rave about) and then back to the hotel for an earlyish night.  More beach action tomorrow.  

Good Night from Paradise.