Phuket(Kata Beach) Thai.

A 7 hour flight to Singapore from Sydney, followed by a 1.5 hour flight from Singapore to Phuket, left us a little frazzled, so it was quite late when having haggled with a Taxi driver, we finally arrived at 'The Little Mermaid' accommodation in Kata Beach. I don't think either of us had realised when we booked it (courtesy Rough Guide Thailand), that it seemed mainly to be used by Scandinavian families and single males who were in Thailand looking for 'Thai Brides', but neverteless it was an extremely homely place and the staff were very kind and helpful.
Had a couple of days scouting around and beach- before visiting 'James Bond Island' in the Phang Nga National Park..a beautiful island which featured in 'The Man with the Golden Gun'(must watch it again now!). Talking of James Bond..is that Ursula Andress or what??? (I know...wrong film!!!)

We've both been impressed with the Thai's attitude to business and their ability to organise..they could certainly teach us 'Brits' a thing or two about thoroughness and customer satisfaction.

Rather blotted my 'copy-book' when I forgot to put enough cash in my wallet for the day and then came to pay for a lunch we'd just consumed!! Imagine our embarrassment!! However, it was 'no problem' to the Thais . The deputy manager of the Hotel just told me to hop on the back of his motorbike and whizzed me back to our hotel(about 4 miles) to pick up some more cash!! Imagine that happening in England!!

Sydney Aus.(return)

After our sojourn to the Blue Mountains, a return to Sydney, to finish off our time in Australia at a more luxurious hostel, seemed like a good idea...and so it proved!!
A visit to Hyde Park Barracks(yes, I know it sounds familiar to those of you in the UK ......but who said Aussies are original??) was extremely interesting, as they have a complete history of all the "criminals" deported there during the 1800's and details of their crimes along with the specifics of living conditions and punishments incurred whilst they were incarcerated. Most of them were only 'petty criminals' and some were deported because they were political or religious threats to the government of the time(nothing changes....)!
Lots of Irish Catholics were banished from the Kingdom, so I felt quite at home!!!

Pam tried out the sleeping accommodation....but I think I prefer a double bed personally!

Our last evening was spent at the Opera House with Dionne Warwick and boy did she put on a show!! I guess she must be in her 60's or even early 70's, but she had so much vitality and a real zest for life as well as a great voice still....we both thoroughly enjoyed the performance.