Packing for a return visit to Phuket.

Yesterday, I went for my check-up at the eye specialist. He said that my eyes are now perfect, and I thanked him so much, for changing my life in every way. I can’t tell you how many times a day I marvel at being able to see everything clearly. On Wednesday, I played the piano at the mall, and it was such a pleasure to be able to see my friend approaching from quite a distance away, and also to be able to read my music clearly. When I wake up in the night, I can read the time on the clock radio, instead of trying to guess whether it’s one-o-clock, or whatever-o-clock. When out shopping, I can read ingredient labels, and price tags, which of course, is most helpful.

I’m also looking forward to being able to go on a plane without fiddling with contact lenses in those tiny loos, or having to find my reading glasses to read the menu etc., and whilst I’m on the subject of air travel, I don’t think I’ve mentioned that we’re off on our travels again tomorrow morning. We’ve booked a nine day holiday at Club Med in Phuket, and I’m really excited to visit there again. We were there six years ago, and had a marvelous time. Hubby tells me that this time around, he will NOT be doing the trapeze, unless I do it too. 😉 I think he’s quite safe on that one, but you never know. Stranger things have happened, but not much stranger.

I tentatively asked if there was any other way of getting down again, other than falling like a very scared stone into the safety net. He said that he didn’t think so. I don’t think I could ever bring myself to just let go and fall into space, but maybe you’re all much braver than I?

Last time we were there, we sent this pic to our son, and he asked, “Where is everybody?”  It was out of season, and there weren’t many other guests. I suppose it could be much the same this time.

One day trip that we’ll definitely be doing again, is to take a boat out to Ko Phi Phi Island, made famous by the classic film ‘The Beach’, in which Leonardo DiCaprio was the main attraction. The extraordinary Maya Bay, is world famous for its exquisite beaches and truly picture postcard perfect scenery of jungle covered cliffs.

Now I’d better get packing once again. I think that only light summer clothes and sandals will be needed, so it shouldn’t take too long. I’ll try and do some posts from there if I can get my hands on some reasonably priced internet access. If I don’t manage to stay in touch with you all, you’ll know exactly where I am.

If you don’t hear from me, I’ll see you when I return to South Africa in ten days time.

Ships and boats from my travels.

Hi again, everyone. Whilst I was looking for photos for http://jakesprinters.wordpress.com/2012/05/05/sunday-post-vehicle/ “Vehicle,” and before I’d read the guidelines properly, I found some pics of boats that I’d seen or been on in the course of my travels. Sea-going vessels didn’t qualify for the theme, but I thought I’d just do a post about water transport. Of course I have a great variety of pics, but here are just a few of my favourites.

This is a Nile cruise ship just in front of ours, on our  trip which took us from Aswan to Luxor to see many of the temples, most notable of which were the Temple of Queen Hapshepsut, the Karnak temple complex at Luxor, and of course the Valley of the Kings, which was spectacular. Here, we were alongside the Kom Ombo temple. We spent a very happy and entertaining week aboard, and I even got to impersonate a belly dancer at the fancy dress party.

The hydrofoil across Lake Titicaca took us from a resort outside La Paz to Copacabana, with stop-offs at Moon Island and Sun Island on the way. As you can see, we were the only passengers, apart from our guide. It was a wonderful sensation, speeding across the glittering lake in the bright sunshine, with the snow-capped Andean mountains to our right

These long-tail boats, known as ‘Ruea Hang Yao’ in the Thai language, are on the beautiful Phi Phi Island in Thailand. We did a day trip to this paradise, from Club Med Phuket, which also included a visit to Kho Phi Phi where the film, “The Beach” was made. We didn’t see Leonardo diCaprio, or a giant Marijuana plant. We have another trip booked there for early next month, and I can’t wait.

Our Venetian gondola ride last year, was a real highlight of our Italian tour, mainly because it was so funny. As you can see, our gondolier doesn’t look like the happy, singing type, and certainly wouldn’t pass the audition for Gilbert & Sullivan’s operetta, “The Gondoliers.” We set off under the Bridge of Sighs, and as we sailed along, we asked our boatman to sing to us, but he said that would be extra. LOL! The guy in the gondola in front of ours started to sing “Buona serra senorita,” and ours joined in, albeit somewhat halfheartedly. A local man walking along the path, called out to us in Italian, “He can’t even sing. Why don’t you just tell him to shut up?” We creased ourselves laughing, but ‘Mr Sourpuss’ did NOT look amused.

Here is a vessel we intend to take a trip on when we return to Florida. We went boat watching one day earlier this year and saw the luxury motor boat, The Lady Delray, which takes one on a leisurely two-hour narrated tour from Veteran’s Park through the calm waters of the Intracoastal Waterway, and past some of the area’s most beautiful mansions. We’ll be able to see a variety of marine life in its natural habitat, and learn a little about the area’s history, all this whilst snacking on tasty morsels and sipping cocktails. I’m so looking forward to it.

This vessel in the play area of our local mall in Florida, might not be a real boat, but it does contain my two gorgeous little granddaughters, so I thought I’d put it in anyway.

Have a great day everyone. Chat again soon.