Phuket Holiday: Karon Beach and the Upside Down House

I'm not writing according to days now, because hey, this is Phuket... and we did mostly the same relaxing stuff everyday - eat, play, swim, just hanging around.  Like I said, there wasn't a fixed itinerary but just a list of to-do stuff like shopping and visiting certain places.

One of the reasons for staying in Karon was because of the beach.  We thought that Patong beach could be too overcrowded, hence Karon and yet its not being too far away from the night life and shops.  The two setbacks are that Karon town has nothing much to offer, but the massages there are plentiful and so, so cheap!  I think it's THB300 for a full hour massage - and you can choose either foot or Thai body massage.  The prices are definitely higher in Patong because it's a tourist crowd.  Secondly, it's impossible to walk from Karon to Patong along the windy roads where vehicles zip past quite fast.

Karon Beach

So from where we stayed, it was just 5 minutes walk from the quiet Karon beach, literally across the road.  The cars can be quite fast along the windy, two way road, but the hotel guard is kind enough to hold traffic for all hotel guests.

Cross this wooden bridge...

... to reach this!  Someone commented on the internet that the sand squeaks as you walk on it... and another person verified that it's true, and now I'm going to confirm those claims that the sand DOES squeak!  Victoria is my witness.

Placed our hotel umbrellas next to this flag.  We took umbrellas as the clouds looked dark but God held the rain from falling so we had a relaxing half hour without the harsh, hot sun

Young man showing off his muscles.  It's his idea to take off this top because it was wet and sticky, and he wanted to be just like daddy.

Made himself comfortable on the beach, and threw sand balls towards the ocean

Our dinner in Karon town

Noodles for the one craving (not me!)

Prawns for the one craving (yes, this is for me!)

Little fler gave in to his fatigue whilst waiting for the food to arrive.  When Vic and I finished our meal, he was still sleeping so we headed nearby for foot massage.  Daddy ate as slow as he could as he waited for the Sleeping Handsome to wake

Very nice!  I love the fresh peppercorns.  

Tom yam seafood soup (my favourite) and steam fish in sweet lime sauce (note to self - I wanna try mimicking this sauce at home)

The Upside Down House (Baan Teelanka)

We went to the Premium Outlet which was just a stone's throw away but we didn't get much things from here since the prices were such a bargain and the items offered were not suitable to us.

This place is officially known as Baan Teelanka, as some maps do not label it as the Upside Down House

                           
I was personally excited about the Upside Down House because this was my first time (in fact, the first for both kids too) to such a place.  I was quite disappointed though, as there was only two floors minus the basement, and not airconditioned so it was stuffy and hot inside.  The place was not spacious and makes it difficult to snap good pictures without someone photobombing or giving the secret away in the background.

The objective was to give the children their (and mummy's) first time experience in this sort of place.

Hanging on to the roof top

Look out honey!!  Don't drop your Samsung A5 into the toilet bowl

The new way of riding a bike?

Whoa!  Where's the gravity?

Pulling onto the tuk tuk... wait for uuusssss!!

William!  Stop hanging around!  Get back to work!

Let's do some vacuuming from up here, boy boy.

Phew! Finally, it's not him who's upside down now.

That's all folks!  One final post on the markets we visited and that'll wrap up our Phuket holiday posts.

Phuket Holiday: Pool and Patong!

Day 2 

4th June 2015

Today we had our first buffet breakfast in the hotel... food selection was slightly above average but service was very good.  We became regulars at the egg station from this day onwards (until our check out).  William enjoys his omelette with extra cheese most!  This egg alone can almost fill one's tummy up!  

We love how generous they were with the cheese and ingredients.  William was intrigued to see how long he can pull the cheese

This is the adult pool view as we walk down to have our breakfast

 We had nothing on our agenda today, so after breakfast we headed to Kid's World again where we each found something to do... either on the table futsal, or a video game, or fooling around with some toys, or a football match on the PS3.  I picked up the "Maleficient" book (I have watched the movie and wanted to see if it's as good as the movie) and was allowed to borrow it out.

Kid's World was not crowded so our family kinda monopolized the whole place.

Didn't know this table futsal can be so addictive.  We took turns to compete against each other.  

Having a complimentary session on puppet making with the staff called Anne whom Vic grew quite fond of towards the end of this trip. 

Entered Patong town in the evening. 

Walked around and found this full house place.  Many mainland chinese here.  We checked the menu out before deciding, and liked the varieties and price!  

For very reasonable price, the quality or quantity was not compromised.  

Many tables ordered this, so we ordered a small dish as well. 

There's a little competition between these two....

Sawadeeka. Mimicking what Ronald does.

We walked around the shopping mall

Excited to sit on one of these tuk tuks. We asked around for the price we had in mind, got turned down a couple of times then finally found one who was willing to accept our offer.

The ride on the tuk tuk back was a fun experience for all of us.   The driver immediately put on a party dance song over the loud speaker, and Daddy went into his auto-dance mode, moving William along!  Driving quite fast, along the windy road from Patong back to Karon where our hotel was located, we enjoyed the cool breeze whilst hanging on to dear life as there was no seat belts or doors or windows.

The little boy was thrilled, but I think Jie Jie preferred a classical anytime!  Hahah... (that's for now)

Phuket Holiday: 5D4N in June

A month back during the mid term school holiday, we went for a 5 day holiday to Phuket, Thailand.  This is our second time here, the first being in November 2010 Since we did most of the tourist stuff in November, having watched the Phuket Fantasea show, had a little fun watching Simon Cabaret, did Patong shopping one evening, etc...

So this time, I decided we will have no itinerary.  Did a mental note that we only want to visit two places - Upside Down House and Trickeye Museum.

Our hotel this time, was Novotel Karon which was a very new (less than 1 year) hotel.  It was formerly another hotel, then refurbished.  So being guests here means two extremes - either we get really lousy service from inexperience staff or extremely good service to boost their review.  We were blessed, because we got the latter!

We booked a family room that came with a king sized bed, two bunk beds for the kids and a balcony!  During check in, we were given the standard Thai welcome of a cold drink and a cold towel.  In addition to that, both children were given a treasure hunt list to complete.

Pleasantly surprised by this welcome sign on our door.  Kids found a note on each of their bed leading them to a stash of gold chocolates!

Kids were elated to find toys and a castle-tent in the room

Our big king sized bed, and two bunk beds for the kids

Study table, sofa and TV

We headed out to complete the treasure hunt list first, which was really to get us oriented with the amenities in the hotel.  Once completed, we headed to the Kids' World next to the children's pool to redeem their gift.  Each child were allowed to choose a toy of their choice from a bag of different toys.

Then we spent sometime at the Kids' World... even hubby and I made ourselves comfortable.

Capsule holes for games

A library tree of books you can help yourself to!

PS3 games area and a thoughtful water dispenser at the side

Cartoons and chill area

Ample table and chairs for kids to play and do their activities

I guess the highlight of the whole holiday would be this place where the Vic and Will not only got to play and hang out, but also sign up for their in house activities like Magic Show, Origami, Puppet Making throughout our stay.

Hubby also brought the kids for a swim.  The slide was too inviting and reminded me of the one at Hard Rock Hotel in Bali, only this was a milder version.

The boy still fits in his toddler life jacket

Vic hanging onto a hotel float

Mummy enjoys the me-time watching my loved ones swim, laugh and play... 

In the evening, hubby arranged for dinner in the hotel so we need not go out hunting for food.  I didn't expect him to also arrange for a 5 day early birthday celebration for me!  We ate at the restaurant called, TAI serving Asian and Thai food.

William's rice in soup - from the kid's menu

Vic's all-time favourite choice - fried rice - also from the kid's menu

Steam fish in lime and fish sauce.  Very delicious.  Made mental note to find out recipe online

Our happy family!

My first birthday cake from the hotel, getting a birthday kiss from my prince and hugging my firstborn

Hubby ordered minced pork with basil, curry soft shell crab (because he knows I love soft shell crab) and another dish which I forgotten

And a special non-alcoholic drink on the house for the birthday girl

It was definitely a memorable celebration.  Our waitress was pleasant and sporting.  As there were no other customers at the time when she brought out the cake, she turned off some of the lights and sang a solo birthday song, at first to William (mis-q) then turning over to me!  : )

After dinner, we took a walk out to Karon town to help with digestion and also check out what's around us.  Ended up with an hour's foot massage for only THB300 (equivalent to RM35)... how blissful!

A Joint Birthday Celebration of 17 years!

OK OK, it's 17 years after combining the age of both my two children.  Haha!

Vic celebrated her first double digit birthday, and William his 7th birthday in a joint celebration this year.  A simple bash at Souled Out, Hartamas again with only the grandparents and parents.  We picked up their ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins in Mont Kiara before dinner.

The food was average (I strongly feel they need to revamp their menu) and service below average, compared to previous years.  It's also unfortunate this year we were given a table downstairs in the open area, where it's almost impossible to hold a conversation without raising our voices.  And you'd think we'd get more attention where the action is, but no, our waiter was unfriendly and slow.  Sigh... I was already telling hubby on the way home that we will need to convince William to change his birthday venue preference to a new place.

Anyway, that aside... here are some pictures for memories.

My baby boy with his all-time (and I really mean it, ALL TIME) favourite!  A plate of carbonara (or carborana as he calls it) will definitely light up his day!

And Vic always enjoy burger and chips!  

Family pic for the record.

See how big my girl has grown?  She's taller than Kakak now and always tease the helper.  

The ice cream cake that was frozen hard like a rock and then melts so fast like a floating iceberg, we had to gobble down our share and then quickly put it back in the icebox!  

The April babies cut their cake

See how time flies?  In another 7-8 years, my firstborn would be entering college and I might still be calling her to remind her to wash her hands, sleep early, etc.

For my Vic

Yes, Vic - know that your mummy here loves you DESPITE, DESPITE all the nagging I give you, all the grumblings yet I quietly marvel at how you're now taking it in good stride.  

You're still shy to hug, but I noticed how you now make an effort to bend forward.  
You love to help, sometimes putting your priorities all wrong but you're also teaching me to let go. You are very sentimental, from Heh Heh to Doggy, to your hair and favourite tee.  

At night, you're still the little girl who wants mummy or daddy by your side until you close your eyes. A song, or a small chat maybe... just to get the winks coming. 

Yes, you've been through some changes in life, not by choice but mummy saw how you brave it up. Bravo, my princess!  This year we praise God for putting you in a position of leadership, as class monitor.  Therefore, practice humility and hone your leadership skill, dear.

There are many lessons still to learn, challenges to conquer, fears to overcome but take it all with every ounce of positiveness you have.  Choose your friends wisely, and never forget to pray. Most importantly, remember always that Mummy Daddy is always there for you.  


For my William

And William - my youngest but not the least.  Always joyful and forgiving.  Ready to share and give. I love the smell of your hair, even when you're sweaty after school hours.

When you're sick, you never cry or complain.  You eat your medicines obediently and even expectantly!  I'm proud even to say you can tell your paed all your symptoms accurately, whilst mummy sat there feeling a little useless. 

When you're bored, a piece of paper and pen or a book, or two cars will keep you happily occupied.  

When you're happy, you're always cheeky and witty.  

When you're sad, it takes only a while to bring the smile back.  

So keep loving, keep reading for the world is your oyster, and keep those flying kisses for you mummy dearest and that running hug for your daddy.  

William's First Operation

William complained of pain on the eye lids near his left eye sometime in March and after having asked the usual questions if he bumped himself somewhere, or played rough with his friends, I decided to leave it be.  There was no swell or any redness.

The next day he told Kakak about the pain and we couldn't find any wrong with the eye again.

We brought him to his paed and he prescribed some eye drops for him for a week.

Then he complained no more about his eye until a week or so later, when I suddenly noticed that his left upper eyelid looked rather swollen.  So I flipped it open and was horrified to see probably two white dots (like the oil seed that we I get on my face).  It looks like a small growth.

Daddy took him to see his paed that night and unfortunately the locum was on duty.  She suggested a round of antibiotics and if it doesn't heal, to see an eye specialist.  Since this was related to the eye, we decided to take no risk as he's complained about this for some weeks now.  Daddy immediately drove him to the nearest hospital, KPJ in Damansara Kim (formerly Damansara Specialist Hospital) and thankfully, managed to see an eye specialist before the doctor closed her clinic.

She put him through some tests and informed us that he need to go for a small surgery to remove the cyst.  She diagnosed this as infective granuloma.  I know it's not grammatically correct but this is exactly what she wrote on a paper for us.

Anyway, that was on Saturday night and William was scheduled for his first operation on Tuesday morning.  On Monday, I informed his school teacher and pre-empted her that he may be on medical leave for the rest of the week.  The supervisor prayed for us.


Tuesday, April 21

His operation was scheduled at 9am.  He fasted from the night before (after dinner) and was jovial and calm all the way.

Registering himself and getting his hospital tag

Changed to his op robe and waiting for the doctors

Daddy giving 101% support

X marks the eye to be operated on

Inside the operating theatre:  Only one parent was allowed permission to accompany him into the operating theatre.  So mommy went. As you can see, my little trooper was jovial all the way.

Less than 15 minutes later, he was wheeled out.  Praise God for a smooth and successful operation.  

So yea, the above is a simple chronology of what happened.  I held his hands as he layed on the operating theatre whilst they administered general anesthesia using gas.  I spoke words of assurance to him, reminding him for the umpteenth time the One who was in control, and he is in His good hands, and within a minute I saw my little boy's eyes close.  I almost wanted to wake him up, as his eyes closed, my own eyes teared.  The nurses then told me it's time to wait outside.

So obediently I walked out alone.

Hubby was waiting outside and he wittingly engaged me into a comedy movie he downloaded earlier. We held hands while waiting for our boy.  Within 15 minutes, the nurse came out and informed us that the operation was over.  See, it's so fast even before my tears can dry!

William was awake but drowsy.  We told him to continue resting.

By half an hour later, he was easily back to his own self, bored and wanting to move around.  The experience later at the hospital was not so good with nothing else to do but to wait and wait and wait. Lunch was not provided so I bought some food from the cafeteria for us and a muffin for William.  Thereafter I left to pick and settle Vic.  Daddy waited with William for the discharge papers until mid afternoon, and still received no discharge papers.

Cut the long story short, we kinda discharge ourselves with the prescription, let them hold our deposit and we left.  It's horrible to let a patient who has been fasting the night before, what more a child, wait for so long.  The other hospital - Pantai Hospital - did not even take THIS long to discharge a patient!

Back home, he was himself like nothing happened in the morning.  For the next few days, he stayed home but by Friday, went back to school since he was getting bored at home.

And the music stopped...

Vic and I have had many meltdowns over her not practicing her piano pieces, and not putting her heart in her practices.  For each good theory work handed in, there's a least three more with plentiful of careless mistakes.  Such mistakes are repeated, and some questions unanswered, leaving both the teacher and I disheartened and frustrated.

A brief history on her brush with music starting off with Yamaha's children group Junior Music Course (JMC) in April 2009 when she just turned 4.  She completed her two years in this course, then moved on to the advanced JMC for the next 1.5 years without completion because I felt the progress was slow and focus was not there.  So we found teacher Joanna who taught her privately in her home under the ABRSM syllabus.  She used modern pieces from current books with jazzy and contemporary songs, coupled with theory and ear training for an hour each a week with Victoria.

Vic has learnt Italian terms and learnt a handful of minor keys as well as melody writing and the works of Grade 1 and 2.

But alas, her interest didn't bloom and she found practicing her piano a chore.  We once had such a bad session at home because she would rebel against everything I said, even to the way she clapped her hands to the rhythm.  It's so bad for our relationship, and such a pain in the behind just to remind her to practice and do her theory.

So at that time, she decided that she will learn piano but not sit for exams.  Her idea of playing the piano is for fun without practicing nor hardwork.  Sometimes I felt like she was practicing only during class time, which really frustrates her teacher too!  After many advices and talks and before some people start shooting at me for being too harsh on her, I have given her the due encouragement and reasonings.  I guess she's just not into stuff that require hardwork with no short term result.

I guess piano is not for her at this time and maybe, just maybe she will pick it up again at a later stage.  Or maybe another instrument.  So far there's no indication of interest for music.

So finally in April 2015, after exactly 6 years of torture, the music stopped.

Flashback... this was Vic enjoying a lesson in September 2009