Phuket: Patong Loft Condo and the happy house guests

After 10 years at Alen and Umberto's Guesthouse, we decided to rent an apartment instead for our 3 month stay in Patong. We chose a 2 bedroom condo so that we would have lots of visitors and we have loved it. We miss our Little Italy on Nanai Rd neighbourhood just a little bit but with a scooter to get around, the new location is as easy. We hope our guests  all had as fabulous a time as we have had. 

Paulet and Gavin who helped us settle in and shop

Barbara and Gavin who were game for everything

David and Lisa from Chaing Mai who kept our home bar well stocked

Paul and Jo who packed a lot into a week

Natalie and Steve who didn't stay with us but kept the party going

Nikki and Robin whose happy habit of visiting us in Phuket- may it long continue

Tracy who loved the snorkelling and will be back to party with us again

Tracey and Denise -beach mates and cocktail party partners. Tracey who loves Phuket, keeps our routines going and has visited us here about 8 times- you need to be back next year!

Gert and Sharon.. first time in Thailand

Nikki and Ranj... not your last visit

And our time in Phuket would not be the same without all the fun times with the local farang Debbie, Gary and Blaze and the part-time farang Jill and Patrick, Dave and Nadine. Staying a long time means getting to know people everywhere we go and it's so good to hang out at all our favourite spots with the happiest and friendliest people in the world.

Phuket 2018 Top 5s

TOP 5 BEACHES
Koh RangYai
Catch a longtail boat from Laem Hin Harbour to a nearby island with a lovely beach. Get there early to secure a quiet spot and beat the tour boat crowd that arrive in the afternoon.

Freedom Beach
A quick longtail boat ride from Merlin Beach. The eco friendly owner keeps the beach very clean. Umbrellas and beds for rent. Nice snorkelling.

Northern corner of Patong Beach
Much quieter than the rest of Patong Beach. Good swimming and the "On the Rocks" beach shack with shade, cold beer and a great view.

Iguana Beach
A small, hidden beach club with friendly staff and comfy cushion beds. Bring your lilo and float on the ocean at sunset.

Merlin Beach
Quiet beach with great hillside restaurant. Good at high tide or the sea will dissappear.









TOP  5 RESTAURANTS
Home Kitchen
Quirky decor, excellent chef and very good cocktails.
Kaab Gluay
Right opposite our condo and good for takeaways as well. Best Thai food in Patong and frequented by lots of locals.
Il Capannina
Best Italian in Phuket with homemade buffalo mozzarella and other cheeses. Takes us back to our old Nanai neighbourhood. We call it Marco's after the owner's son who lets us BYO for free.
Tantra
We searched for years to find good Indian food in Patong and Tantra is one of the most authentic Indian restaurants we have ever been to.
Song Pee Nong
Still our go to local Thai spot after more than 15 years of trips to Phuket.



TOP 5 COCKTAILS
Pina Colada
Wherever we are, it's my favourite.

Long Island Iced Tea
Wherever we are, it's Neil's choice. Best to have only one though!

Bananarama
At Sole Mio, our favourite sunset spot on the beach.




 Singapore Sling
 At Sea Salt, our other favourite sunset spot.

 

 Johnny Gold
With one ice cube. Not a cocktail but Neil's favourite bars stock it just for him.

TOP 5 LIVE MUSIC BARS
Moody's Cafe
Moody is the best rock guitarist in Patong and his bands are really fun. This place is off  Bangla, which makes for a slightly more chilled night out. The food and cocktails are good too and Lily and the other staff keep us happy all evening. We love it here - like visiting good friends!

Scooters Bar
A very talented Phillipino band with lead singer AB and a modern set. Also a less hectic Bangla venue.

Lion Bar
"Let's get Loud " must be the band's theme song here but this large band gets the Bangla crowd going night after night.

Island Bar at Soi Freedom
Soi Freedom is off Bangla it's a little quieter and the outdoor venue is lovely on a hot evening. Actually it's warm every night here. Bar staff Takky and Dom are great. In fact everyone at Island Bar is happy and friendly.

Rocking Angels
This is an intimate little Blues Bar in Phuket Town owned by guitarist Patrick, whose been known to throw in a few country tunes and plays a few Rodrigues numbers especially for us.




 

Lots to do in South Africa

In November and December we spent a little extra time hanging out with family and friends in Joburg. We had time in Zebula too. We caught the Premier Class Train down to Capetown for the Rugby 7s. It's not as luxurious as the Blue Train of course but a highly pleasant experience with friends. You can relax in your cabin watching the world go by, sleep in air-conditioned comfort and while away many hours in the dining car over bottles of well priced South African wine.

 For the duration of the Sevens tournament we had the luxury of staying on Denise and Bert's boat in the V and A Waterfront and for the rest of the week it was super to stay and hang out with good friends from Scarborough to Llandudno via Claremont and Woodbridge Island. 

Over Christmas we  spent a wonderful week at the farm with friends and family. It's lovely to have a place where everyone feels at home and we can accommodate 25 people with ease. The farm is proof that glamour and luxury are not the elements that make celebrations special. 

Celebrating New Year's Eve in Pretoria was a first for us. Thanks to Paulet and Gavin for organising a great party which started with a long lunch at The Grand Cafe followed by a nap and then plenty of bubbly and snacks on their verandah in the balmy summer heat. By 10am on the 1st January 2018 we were on the way to the airport; Singapore bound.