Phuket Thailand

Oz_Mike · #1 28-01-2007, 07:49

Hi all!

I'm a 50 yo bloke from Balwyn - a leafy suburb of Melbourne, Australia.

I am into scuba diving, motorbikes (I ride a VFR800) and digital photography, among other things.

I have been to Phuket 4 times in the last 3 years, and I am totally hooked on the place as a holiday destination. It has everything I want in the one place (or fairly close by) - world class scuba diving, beautiful scenery, nice accommodation, great food, fun bars, gorgeous women...

I am a big fan of the GFE and I seem to always find a special honey each time in Phuket. I have wised up though, I get a Thai SIM for my phone and I don't give out my email or my Oz phone number to the ladies.

In Australia we have 4 weeks annual holiday as standard but I have negotiated with my employer to take an extra 4 weeks leave without pay every year. I had a ball in Phuket in March and November last year for 4 weeks each time. I like to think of it as spending one in every six days in Phuket - it helps to keep me sane at work.

My next trip is planned for April and I am counting down the days. I have not yet experienced a SongKran - it sounds like fun.

I hope to catch up with some of the BMs at the MTB next trip.

Cheers,
\Mike

Mav · #2 28-01-2007, 07:55

Balwyn hey.........ALL BG"s this guy is loaded.......lol

Welcome Mike

MrDK · #3 28-01-2007, 08:11

Mike, Welcome to the board. Looks like you are far beyond Newbie by the time of your first post.

Oz_Mike · #4 28-01-2007, 09:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrDK

Mike, Welcome to the board. Looks like you are far beyond Newbie by the time of your first post.

I am definitely a newbie on this board - though I have been reading it for a while.

I like to think that I am not such a newbie in the Phuket scene, but I am always looking to pick up some hints from the regulars.

I recently discovered the guest-friendly accommodation list on this board - it is Gold!! I have been happy at the C&N Hotel in Patong on the last few visits but I am now inspired to try some other places next April.

\Mike

steve@thaib · #5 28-01-2007, 09:09

Welcome bloke, which portion of Melbourne is that? I'm semi-familiar with the City and just trying to picture it.

Hoping to be around in April myself. It's a good time to travel, hot though.

Oz_Mike · #6 28-01-2007, 09:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve@thaib

Welcome bloke, which portion of Melbourne is that? I'm semi-familiar with the City and just trying to picture it.

Hoping to be around in April myself. It's a good time to travel, hot though.

Balwyn is about 15 Km East of Melbourne CBD. The surrounding suburbs are Kew, Camberwell, Mont Albert, Bulleen.

Here is a photo of the Street next to mine - resplendent in its autumn colours:
http://nednslash.bpa.nu/balwyn/

It is a pretty suburb with eye-watering real estate prices. It is solidly middle-class and boasts a very low crime rate. It is also kinda boring and has no bars or hotels - by council decree!!

\Mike

Pad Mc · #7 30-01-2007, 00:06

Welcome to the board Mike!

Have a good one!

RobRoy · #8 31-01-2007, 02:56

Welcome Mike. Melbourne's great, whatever people say. have fun in LOS, as if I need to wish you that.

Nanook · #9 31-01-2007, 15:39

So you are an experienced Newbie? Anyway welcome to the board and enjoy your next trip Mike.

georgelondon · #10 31-01-2007, 15:56

welcome to the board mike!

Mav · #11 31-01-2007, 16:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobRoy

Melbourne's great

l can think of somewhere better.....and l am heading there tomorrow

RobRoy · #12 31-01-2007, 18:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mav

l can think of somewhere better.....and l am heading there tomorrow

Hmmm, let me guess, LOS?

Bubba182 · #13 01-02-2007, 00:21

Welcome to the board from a another newbie. I wish I could figure out how to take a whole month off and still have a job when I get back, LOL.

Bubba

Iltis · #14 01-02-2007, 01:54

Welcome to the Board Mike - see you in april at mtb for some beers

cybernator_uk · #15 01-02-2007, 02:11

Hi and welcome to the board..... Hope you have another great time in LOS

Oz_Mike · #16 02-02-2007, 16:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubba182

Welcome to the board from a another newbie. I wish I could figure out how to take a whole month off and still have a job when I get back, LOL.

Bubba

We have a staff benefit scheme at work called "48/52". It is designed for parents with children at school. The deal is that you take 8 weeks holiday and the 4 weeks leave without pay is spread across all the pay periods. You get a little bit less each pay but no big hit for the 4 extra weeks.

I use my 48/52 to spend 8 weeks each year in Phuket. This way, I get to spend one day in every six scuba diving and mongering *Yay!*.

\Mike

Bubba182 · #17 02-02-2007, 20:56

Well I guess that's one up for living in Australia. I iwsh we had somehting like that in the states. After that much time off work they would have to retrain me on how to do my job, LOL.

Denver · #18 03-02-2007, 15:24

Welcome aboard Mike,

Hope to catch up with you in Patong sometime soon. Keep us posted.

D