Wed 28 Nov Phuket

Wed Nov 28 Centara Karon Resort Hotel, Phuket
Well this is very nice. Spacious apartment, 3 pools, water very clean, plenty of poolside loungers, hot and sunny (acclimatising myself very slowly, lots of sun protection, limited hours of exposure, hence not burnt as some others have). Best of all, breakfast is included, buffet help yourself style, so after 7 course breakfast I'm well set up for the day and usually last through til evening meal with maybe just a snack at lunchtime. Drinking lots of water, all bottled of course. The water coming out of the taps in the bathroom is yellow, taking a shower is a bit like standing under a urinating elephant. but I think it's just fine sand getting through the filters.
First evening here was one of their annual festivals that involved selling huge cylindrical lanterns (600mm high?) to locals and tourists alike, taking them down to the beach, lighting a slow burning wick at the bottom causing the heat to make them rise into the night skies - hundreds, no thousands of them, floating burning lanterns, near and far, filling the night skies, quite a sight.
The town of Karon is highly commercialised for tourists with lots of westernised restaurants but I have found one called the Elephant Restaurant which emphasises its thai food and serves up excellent food, generous portions, every time. They don't speak much english but I have been there all 4 evenings so far, had different meals (all thai, i've not had a western meal since leaving UK), I'm a regular already, as are others i've noticed.
Not much wildlife here, noisy cheeky minah birds, a snake slithering accross the path in front of me, a frog and a few scotsmen.
Walked the length of the beach yesterday, probably 3k, and back. Golden sand, shelves steeply, big waves, sea temp. 30 degrees plus, great fun.
Haven't booked any day excursions yet, they all involve long bus or boat rides, it's too hot and I'm far from acclimatised yet. Half way through second book already. Trying not to overdo it.
Hope to get some of the Vietnam and Cambodia pictures on blog and facebook tomorrow. A nice lady called Lyn says she will help me.
Take care everyone,
John