Hi everyone - I'll start a report in the hope of avoiding penalties!

We arrived in Phuket last Friday and are staying in Surin Beach at the Treetops Arasia. Haven't been to Phuket for about 12 years and its certainly changed a lot - much much more built up and all the hills now seem to be covered in buildings.

Treetops fills a hill of it own - lovely hotel - all suites with bed, lounge, garden and terrace and huge bathroom and jacuzzi out on the deck - really is nice - main drawback of the place is that its up a hill and its really steep. There are steps everywhere so by the time we leave I'll either be a cripple or a mountain goat.

We've come into Phuket town for a look today but its not a great town. Patong beach is to be avoided in both our opinions - maybe good for a bit of shopping but as we are heading up to Bkk we will wait until then! Surin is very quiet and has limited restaurants particularly at the moment with most of the beach places closed - but we are managing just fine.

Been out to the elephant rehab centre and had a nice elly ride and met the resident white face gibbons - they are all free to come and go as they please. Going out with John Gray in a day or two but other than that the object is to relax as much as possible.

Will continue later

Regards, Mary

Hope you are having a great time !
How's the weather ?

Penalty avoided. Where are you dining? How are the meals? Nosey minds want to know.

thanks for the inintial report...anxious to read about your bkk stay...

you can have phuket!!

Its not that easy finding internet places around where we are - especially with the hike down from the hill!!! Plus the rooms are lovely and we quite like sitting up there in the outdoor jacuzzi.

Weather has been reasonable - in fact good for this time of year - a big storm in the early hours this morning but only a little bit of rain now and then.

We went out on John Gray Sea Canoes which was a good trip - will report a bit better when we get home. Been eating in a local restaurant a fair bit - the Capri - Thai/Italian - has good wood fire oven for pizza and thai stuff that I can eat - I'm gluten intolerant so have a few problems sometimes - just happens that the Thai chef at this restaurant also has the same problem so that helps a lot. Ate in the hotel last night - seafood BBQ (1000bt++ per head) - wasn't worth it!!!!

We go to Bkk on Monday - given the air problems it will be interesting to see what security is like on the domestic flights. Staying at Centre point Silom (for the first time) so interested to see how we like that too - will be able to see the Pen from the window!!!! Looking forward to Bkk - Phuket is okay but I prefer Hua Hin and the North I think.

enjoy the rest of your time in phuket...

you may or may not be able to see the penn from CP silom...

harmonique and tongue thai are quite close to CP, so make sure you check them both out...great thai food

In Bkk - we can watch the Pen from our window - sigh!!!! Actually the Centre Point is quite good - roomy and the apartments are nice - a little dark maybe and of course not all the benefits of the Pen but okay for this trip.

Heading from Tongue Thai this evening. Just leaving the Loft after lunch - a favourite spot.

Weather much better in Bkk than in Phuket but still a bit of rain about.