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#1
02-07-2006, 04:14
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Ok, the more I look into this the more confused I get.
Hi All,
Long story short, I turn 50 this year and I had planned on climbing Uluru (Ayers Rock) on my birthday, you see I don't feel like a 50 year old more like a 35 year old. The cost of flying to Ayers Rock and 5 nights accommodation (no breakfast) is roughly the same as spending 8 nights in Kata Thani and 2 nights in the Pathumwan Princess Hotel in BKK, both establishments supply breakfast each morning, have always wanted to visit Thailand so I decided to jumped ship, think there is more to do in Thailand anyway. My problem is that after a bit of reading I'm not sure I want to stay at the Kata Thani, from what I gather it's a bit off the beaten track, also the issue of transport to and from Phuket and Patong, hey I want to experience Thailand not veggie out in a resort. I was looking at a little pampering at the Kata Thani seeing this is a milestone for me, last holiday March just gone we caught the Spirit of Tasmania from Sydney with a 4wd and tent and did the touring thing around Tassie for 2 weeks. I really confused now, do I book the Kata Thani, is it expensive to travel to and from Phuket or Patong via taxi's and are they readily available day and night, I've read you don't walk on Beach Road of a night, do we eat in or out and where are the best places to eat. In regards to tours do I book them before leaving Australia of book them once we arrive in Phuket, looking at the following tours what are peoples opinions on these or are the better tours and excursion to be had. June Bahtra The Magical Ohang Nga Bay Cruise (with lunch) Full day A traditional junk rigged schooner that traverses the lush tropical archipelago from Phuket to Phang Nga Bay. Highlights" Phang Nga Bay - James Bond Island - Gypsy village - mangrove Delta - Grotto cave. Departures Daily 7 am to 6 pm Ideal Cruise Full day with lunch Highlights 3 hour cruise ti Phang Nga Bay, Limstone Rocks, "James Bond" Island, lunch at Ko Panyi Moslen village Departs daily 8.30 am - 16.30pm Simon Cabaret You'll love every minute you spend in Simon Cabaret. On stage is a bevy of professional entertainers presenting artistic impersonations through songs and tales of love and adventure with fantastic sound and light show. Departures daily 21.30 - 22.30 Phi Phi Island by speedboat. Full day with lunch Highlights speedboat trip to Phi Phi Island, island hopping at Khai Nai and Mai Pai Islands, lunch on Pee Pee Don Island Departures 7.00 -17.00 I am also interested in scuba diving and have read somewhere that whale sharks visit Thailand, could someone tell when they visit and the best place to dive to see them, I had travelled to Christmas Island off Indonesia about 3 years ago in October and missed them by a week. So many questions, it was a lot easier before I found this site and you guys threw a spanner in the works, sorry about the long post. For my 50th I want something that is memoriable. Cheers. Kate Last edited by Aussie 23 10 : 02-07-2006 at 04:19. 
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#2
02-07-2006, 04:36
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Hi Aussie 23 10 Welcome to the forum. Ha ha so many questions,its the same for everyone for their first Thailand trip.  OK as far as tours go,wait until you reach Phuket until you book. Lots of travel booths are dotted around and are similar in price. Also much better to plan your days one at a time. I can thoroughly recommend the Phi Phi Island trip,although damaged by the tsunami,its still a beautiful spot. Lots of opportunity to snorkel on the trip. Phang Nga is also a lovely area, JB island is overrated IMO but still worth a trip. As for yor hotel in BKK,have a little read of the accommodation/transportation section,and also Bangkok and there are plenty of ideas for hotels there. BKK to Phuket is best done by air, pretty cheap at between 2k and 5k baht return. Its a 1 hr 20 min flight. Taxis take too long and the driving is very hairy to say the least. Eating out is another post on its own,again have a good look through the posts or use the Search function and there are loads of ideas and advise. Good luck
__________________
I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my Granddad Not screaming in fear like his passengers
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#3
02-07-2006, 04:53
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Hi Dawsey,
Sorry I did not make my post too clear, we are flying into Phuket. The question in regards to taxi's was mainly around Phuket, Patong and back and forth to the Kata Thani, are taxi's readily available day and night and are they expensive. Cheers Kate
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#4
02-07-2006, 05:04
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Hi Kate,
OK Kata Thani Hotel is in Kata Noi, and its about a 20min ride in a tuk tuk into Patong. You should be able to get a tuk tuk day or night but it will be 250/300baht each trip each way. I see the hotel runs a shuttle into Phuket town and Patong so that will save some of the daytime cost but I would doubt it would run at night time. Kata Thani looks a beautiful hotel,but with all the trips you have planned,will you spend much time there? Its a lot of baht for a place to just sleep,but its up to you of course. I'm sure some of the other BMs can recommend another nice hotel in the area for a little less baht. As a matter of interest,can I ask when you intend travelling?
__________________
I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my Granddad Not screaming in fear like his passengers
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#5
02-07-2006, 05:12
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With regard to taxis,most people use tuk tuks to get about,but for a similar price,there are private taxis with A/C. Its best to ask around when you get there and you can usually make an arrangement with an owner and he will ferry you about as and when you want. Plenty of drivers willing to give you their business cards looking for fares.
You should pay around the same rate for a taxi as a tuk tuk and really they are cheap for what you get.
__________________
I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my Granddad Not screaming in fear like his passengers
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#6
02-07-2006, 05:13
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Hi Dawsey, Thanks for all your help Dawsey. Hopefully someone can come up with some nice accommodation that is not so far out and on the beach but is still special enough to celebrate a milestone, in regards to the shuttle I have read a post here that stated even though the Kata Thani states they have a shuttle to Phuket and Patong the shuttle to Patong does not exist. We leave Sydney on the 20th Oct 9.30pm arrive Phuket at 10.30 am on the 21st, leaving Phuket on the 30th Oct. Give you a tip in regards to the date of my birthday check out my user name. Cheers Kate
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#7
02-07-2006, 05:21
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Hi again, I do hope the weather is kind to you then Kate as you will be arriving in one of the "wet" months. Have a look at last years weather for Oct. http://www.alexmalcolm.net/ This looks like a nice place,but I don't know anything about it http://www.asiarooms.com/thailand/ph...de_resort.html Cheers Dawsey
__________________
I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my Granddad Not screaming in fear like his passengers
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#8
02-07-2006, 05:30
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Hi Dawsey, The problem with the weather and my birthday is I can not change either of them, ah well a little rain (or is that a lot of rain) never really hurt anyone, just hoping we get a couple of fine days, or I may have to spend all my time at the MTB getting smashed, been a long time since I have written myself off, not a pretty sight, think I may stay away form that. Cheers Kate
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#9
02-07-2006, 05:35
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Quite true,can't change either. A visit to MTB is a good idea. Just introduce yourself to Nicke the owner of the bar and the administrator of this forum and he will make you welcome. The BMs are a pretty friendly lot
__________________
I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my Granddad Not screaming in fear like his passengers
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#10
02-07-2006, 06:10
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clime ayers rock or visit the mtb ------hmmmmmmmmm--(strokes chin and thinks for a nano second---)
-- have a few cool ones in the mtb-- or risk falling to your death from a lump of sand in the middle of oz--- h-mmmmm?yes -- the mtb is the best bet Last edited by dawsey : 02-07-2006 at 17:55.
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#11
02-07-2006, 06:15
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Stayed at Katathani Resort and just loved it. Right on the beach with no road to cross. The problem with it is there is nothing walking distance except for acouple little shops and resturants. Sounds like you would rather be a little closer to the action. Might want to find someplace in Patong. We are staying at Kata Beach Resort this time. Hoping it is as nice as Katathani. Have fun. Lori
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#12
02-07-2006, 06:54
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Hi Andy, Life is too short to worry about a thing like dying. I could cross the road to the MTB and get hit by a tuk tuk driver and be done for. As for kids being eaten by dingo's, we don't have any kids left at home, when they moved out we also moved (110 klms away form them) we never gave any of them a key to the new house, I think they got the message. The only reason hubby and I stayed together in our earlier years was that we kept fighting about who would get the kids, he would not leave and take the kids with him and either would I, so we stayed together, ah well turned out ok the kids left. hahaha. Cheers Kate
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#13
02-07-2006, 06:56
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Hi Lori, When are you going to the Kata Beach Resort, may look at that. Cheers
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#14
02-07-2006, 07:47
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But I see the point you are making.
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"管它黑貓白貓，會抓老鼠的就是好貓"
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#15
02-07-2006, 08:19
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Hi Aussie, about katathani that was me.I stayed there with my friends last year for 8 days and as you mentioned KT offers a shuttle service at there internet pages. But there is inly a shuttle to phuket town and its not running back late night think latest off to phuket town about 20.oo o´clock. To patong it didnt exist. you have to take a taxi ( no tuk-tuk´s at the place normally) Allways need a taxi to come to anything (bar,restaurant etc.) which has been 300 bth one way each time and not only the costs is embarrasing also the time you loose.the hotel is nice and if you are not to choosy the food also( but expansive compared to the prices you pay outside if you dont like the two menue offered every deay of the year the same!!!!). and at least KT is not GF, no way, even if you would like to pay a joiner fee...Me thinks there are enough hotels in the same class closer to the action and GF.Just read the thread in transport and accomodation. Katathani is a nice ressort hotel for familys or couples who dont want to go outside that much and just do relax a few days.nice rooms (i had a suite) but some of the facilitys are not that high standard wish you a nice trip
__________________
Never to old to make yourself a fool  Especially in LOS
Last edited by shark1963 : 02-07-2006 at 08:25.
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#16
02-07-2006, 08:57
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Thanks Shark,
Thinking about looking for something else, not sure. Hubby says he does not mind paying for taxi's as long as the accommodation is nice. KT is not GF, no way, even if you would like to pay a joiner fee...Me thinks there are enough hotels in the same class closer to the action and GF. Not really interested in if the resort is girl friendly or not, the only girl spending the night in my hubbies bed is me, but then again if I bought him a naughty he would most likely have a heart attack. I could claim the insurance money, now that's a thought. Cheers and thanks for the information Kate Last edited by Aussie 23 10 : 02-07-2006 at 09:06.
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#17
02-07-2006, 09:03
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Hey Kate, me thinks i have to apologize and made myself look like a fool again, should read before and take my glasses on before posting next time, at least at this time in the morning.Didn´t noticed to whom i answered. Sorry again.I am glad to see you take good care of your hubby and dont risk a heart attack or double the insurance money before your trip. I wish you both a nice trip and i am sure you find a lot of nice hotel in the thread you already found me thinks..
__________________
Never to old to make yourself a fool Especially in LOS
Last edited by shark1963 : 02-07-2006 at 09:06.
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#18
02-07-2006, 09:11
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No apology needed Shark, but am now thinking about increasing his insurance, don't tell him, hehehe Cheers Last edited by Aussie 23 10 : 02-07-2006 at 09:53.
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#19
02-07-2006, 09:15
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Hi Kate, Almost fell off my chair laughing at your post about the kids. That was good.
We are going in 3 weeks. Drove by Kata Beach Resort but didn't go inside. Looks pretty nice on the outside. I just want to be able to eat and shop without having to take a taxi or tuk tuk to patong everytime. We also want to be on the beach since we don't live near the ocean it is a treat to us. We don't need a GF resort  since I can take care of my husband myself but we do enjoy going to Patong every now and then. The girls are really sweet and a lot of fun just to hang out with. Lori
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#20
02-07-2006, 09:47
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Hi Lori, Ok, you have talked us into staying at the Kata Beach Resort, have to tell you I really, really, really like the look of The Aspasia Phuket but I don't think my husband loves me that much or I'd have to buy him that many naughties that he'd end up brain dead. My kids are really great and would do anything for us, apart from the youngest ditching his loverly Canadian girlfriend, he is 27 and about to move to Canada to be with the love of his life, just don't want my grandbabies growing up so far away, gee I am a greedy person I already have grandchildren and his girlfriends mother has none. All is good here, we just have a whacked sense of humour. Cheers Kate
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#21
02-07-2006, 09:58
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Check out this site to read ratings of 4-star hotels in Phuket. It has lots of reviews by people who stayed there, which are very informative. Also has pics, and links to hotel websites.
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-1915...OMxYDxc3sJ8b8F Kata Beach Resort looks nice, but it is in Karon which is still a bit of a tuk tuk ride from the nightlife and restaurants of Patong(not to mention MTB ).To me, it appears that the best bet is the Amari Coral Beach Resort, if you want to be on the beach and in a quiet part of Patong. Patong Merlin is well-rated, also, and is in the same area, but across the street from the beach, as opposed to being right on the beach. If you like a little nightlife on your vacation, then why not stay in Patong, and save yourself a lot of time running around! 
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LOS is warm, soft, smooth, and brown. 
Last edited by JayBee : 02-07-2006 at 10:03.
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