laceytreigh

Hi E onboard,

We were on the Gemini in May/June and we are the types who like to be prepared.......... we took $AU100 for each port converted into the appropriate currency. $US for Vietnam. $Sing loaded into the wallet for immediate use in Singapore. I believe it's like learning a greeting or a few words of their language, it's a sign of respect to use their currency.

We got some VND given as change, when I bought stamps and didn't expect change, so a bonus souvenier, 3000 dong, not worth much in $AU, and not worth exchanging back.

Enjoy your cruise,

Tracey.

Hey Les,

Don't get too carried away in your assumptions that "hubby is quite capable of taking care of you both". Don't underestimate us women!! LOL.

In Nha Trang, I had to tell my DH to ignore the pedal cab driver who was shadowing us and let me do all the talking......... otherwise we'd have ended up on the next plane home!! Just depends who is more out of their comfort zone. :D

Your code work is very good........ I have no idea who you have booked with!! Or why they would have such a silly policy. You've paid up, I'd be asking for something in return. When do you go? I forget..........:o

Tracey.

Hi everyone,

Frank, a jacket is not compulsory for the Captain's dinner, nor is a tie. The dress requirement for men in the Ocean Palace (for dinner) is a shirt with collar, closed in shoes, and shorts are not permitted. There were men at the Captain's dinner wearing polo shirts, through to the full on tux.

The milk for in cabin use comes in those 'too small' portion control UHT packs. If your cabin steward doesn't keep up the supply, there is more available in the Mariners Buffet 24 hours a day, just help yourself. Same applies to teabags and coffee packets.

We applied for our Star Cruiser card on board, went to lunch, and picked it up afterwards. The points we were credited with we used against our bill which we paid 90% of about 5 days before the cruise ended. The remainder was paid via a credit card authorisation. Then we earned more points to pay that off too.

Unfortunately,compared to many other cruise line websites, Star Cruises leaves a lot to be desired, so does their internet communication. They should hire themselves a good IT consultant.

Les, I would have thought your TA would have given you some paperwork by now with your cabin number. Check thru what you've got. I didn't notice our cabin number at first.

Vera, welcome back. Glad you had a good time.

Tracey.

Hi E onboard,

100 baht for a dvd in Pattaya, so should be the same in Phuket. In Kota Kinabalu, MY, we paid 10 MYR. Look for a code '9' on the cover, these are the best quality. Don't wear your tour group sticker on the outside of your clothes, this identifies you as a day visitor, and more likely to have poor copies sold to you. Pick a resort name, tell the vendor you are staying there and will come back tomorrow if the dvds are not good quality.

I'm not familiar with which ports are on the straits cruise, but I'm guessing it's a west Malay coast cruise? Can't help you much with specific info, have been to Phuket, but land based hol. If you decide to venture off on your own, or buddy up with another couple and cut costs, tell the driver you have to be back at the ship one hour earlier than you need to. That way, you have an hour up your sleeve in case anything goes wrong.

In the 3 weeks we were on board, I'm not aware of anyone being left behind, but there were days when many passengers were paged just prior to departure. I imagine this was because they didn't appear to have checked back in. This happened to us in HK, we didn't look as if we were back on board because our cards didn't work when returned to the ship and we were issued new ones. Their system said we were still ashore.

Les,

The steaks are melt in your mouth delicious, cooked to your liking. The mignonettes are 2-3 inches across and best part of an inch thick and a serve is 2. Unless you like your steak cooked right thru and a little bit dried, don't mention 'well', not even 'medium-well'. I had some one night and one end of one was a bit thicker and therefore under done for me, so I put my potato on top of it while I ate the first one and the heat finished it off. We were never hungry by the end of our meal in the OP. Your mum will probably wear a cardy inside, there were quite a few out and about on the HK - Singapore leg of our cruise. There were days when it felt freezing as you came in from outside. Our cabin steward was always readjusting our cabin to 20.

Keep the questions coming!!

Tracey.

Hi Les,

How did you go finding info on Tioman Island? I found these web sites, haven't had much of a look, but they might be useful to you.

www.tioman.com.my

and

www.tripadvisor.com click on Asia > Malaysia (down the right hand side, look for the blue 'other destinations' bar) > all locations in Malaysia > Locations in Pahang > Pulau Tioman

hopefully you'll find enough info to suit your needs. I found this tripadvisor site to be very helpful and it covers e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e.

By the way, don't go too OTT with the clothes, pack light. I don't think we saw a jacket other than the Gala night. Leave some room in your suitcase for your treasures!! You may get rain, we got a little, and we also had brilliant lightning storms in the night. But be prepared for it to be HOT. We had high 30's most days with humidity+++. Take at least 2 bottles of water each ashore with you.

Karipatta, I hope your family are starting to pick up, especially your parents. Older folk just don't have the reserves to fall back on when there are bugs around. I agree about the 'obsessiveness', although I don't call it that either. I pushed a lift button today with my finger and I reprimanded myself, I always used a knuckle on the ship!! Less chance of putting that near my face later...........

It'll be interesting to hear from Vera... come on!! Where are you??? LOL.

Tracey.

Karipatta,

I can empathise with you, as another victim of the gastro bug on the Gemini. We have been home for a week, 2 weeks since we disembarked, and I still don't feel 100%. I'm back to work tomorrow and dreading it. My stomach is still very sensitive, especially to coffee, which I have given up. I can suddenly feel nauseous for no reason,and all I can do is rest till it passes.

I really feel for your parents, it must be terrible for them. I hope you let Star know how you feel.

Frank,

I'll add my 2 cents worth re HK to Singapore excursions another day. Bed is calling.............

Hi Paul and Marie, I hope you are both well. Haven't checked our photos yet, too much storm related stuff to sort through. No major damage.

Bruce, Thanks for the Mt Kinabalu pic. I'll email you soon.

Vera and Ian, you'll be off Gemini by now, welcome back, hope your cruise was wonderful.

Tracey.

Hi,

We were just remembering some of the fun we had on board the Gemini with the crew.

Phoebe in the Ocean Palace. A very sweet Chinese girl, her station was the middle level to the left when you walk in the door. She has a 'magic stick' that she uses after the main course to sweep the crumbs away. They all have one but hers is 'magic'.

Mark in the Ocean Palace. Filipino guy, very funny, good rap dancer in the crew show. Ask for a little cracked pepper on your meal and he will give you a quarter turn on the mill, then you have to say bit more, bit more, till you have enough. His station was on the entry level towards the rear and left side as you walk in.

There were all brilliant of course, but these are the 2 we especially remember. There were a couple of language problems, like the day we ended up with a plate of smoked salmon each for breakfast, certainly not something we would complain and make a fuss about. I'm not kidding, we must have had about $15 worth of smoked salmon each!! Boy I miss the Ocean Palace........... TIP: point to what you want on the menu as you say it.

The 2 girls who allocate the seating in the Ocean Palace, sorry, can't remember their names, but they were also lovely. Keep on their good side. They loved Trevor's 'same, same' t-shirt and posed for photos with him!! And be prepared to share a table at lunch or dinner, it's a good way to meet people. At breakfast we were a bit reclusive unless we met friends at the door.

Try and pour your own wine........ they'll almost drop what they're doing and run to take the bottle from you!!

If you have a non-drinker or someone who only has one glass of alcohol at dinner, tell the wait staff that they are the driver tonight. That's good for a laugh. It was actually one of them that originally said it to us, we thought it was hilarious.

Try to get back to your table with anything from the cold breakfast buffet in the Ocean Palace. It won't happen too often, especially with the juice.

Dress regulations in the Ocean Palace at dinner. For men, no open footwear, shirt must have a collar. Unisex, no shorts. This applies even at the Captain's Gala. We saw the full range of clothing, both men and women. Men wore anything from a full dinner suit, to nice pants and jacket, to pants and a polo shirt. Women, same, full on formal to smart casual, so Les, don't worry about the clothes too much. Just go and relax and have some fun!

Linda worked in the Gemini Bar, a 26 y.o. from HCMC. Unfortunately, her contract finished last week, but if you get to the bar in the Hyatt or Sheraton, HCMC, look out for her. That's where she was going back to. I asked her if she'd come back to the Gemini and she said it would depend on if her mother lets her. The mother has the last word in a Vietnamese family.

Nanang was our cabin steward. He was from Jakarta, and didn't like it there. Big, dirty city, loved being on the Gemini. Absolute angel, loves to write and writes every day.

Furball, we were in Patong Beach, Phuket 5 years ago and there were many, many dvd shops. Can't imagine that it would be much different now.

That's all for now.

Tracey.

I know what you're saying though, with all the tasty and reasonably priced alternatives, why would you want to drink the water?? But I do prefer water to brush my teeth.......LOL

Les, the water on board is perfectly safe, you would have no idea that it was anything other than whatever you're used to at home. And you will drink plenty of it!!

Beer buckets.......... 3 cans Heineken, $15, instead of $6.50 per can, Sing $$.

7 cans (with which you will get the 'big' bucket to take to your cabin) I seem to recall was $29. "Happy Hour" prices do not apply to this promotional price, but then Trevor topped up with Heineken on shore for US$1 per can in Vietnam.

A tour of the bridge (run on sea days) is also a good way to pass an hour, mind you don't get trampled in the rush when the info booklet is handed out when you get up there. Don't worry, there WILL BE one each. They plan it that way..................

Tracey.

Hi,

Scorpio17, the water on board Gemini is perfectly safe to drink. At first, we boiled and cooled it, but then we just drank it. Your cabin steward will bring you bottled water every day, one bottle each, make sure you save a couple of empties so you have extra to take ashore with you, or you can buy another bottle from the bar, $1. We always had 2 full bottles with us on shore days.

Les, I don't know about a wireless connection, we couldn't find an unsecured one. There are 2 computers in the library with painfully slow internet connection, at 33c per min. Plenty of people seemed to have mobile phone coverage. I didn't hook up with global roaming, so not first hand experience there. Have you looked at tripadvisor.com ? There is plenty of info on that site, just click on the links to take you to the relevant towns.

Tracey.

Hi Vera,

Glad to hear things are going well for you and Ian. Trevor and I enjoyed our time with you very much. Linda was very pleased to meet you too and will definitely check out the tailor you recommended to her.

Have fun in HCMC, take care if you need to cross the street!! LOL. Will be very interested to hear about Tioman Island too.

Tracey.

The onboard activities seem to have created some interesting discussion. To be absolutely honest, I can't remember what we did for the first week. I seem to remember a lot of sitting around relaxing, chatting with other pax and watching others getting seriously involved in the activites and being silly. It was far to hot to get too active!!

The fruit and veg carving was fascinating, they are real artists. I don't think I was ever torn between activities, there really wasn't a lot happening, but that suited us perfectly. Having done a P&O and going at everything full on, relaxing on the Gemini was just what we needed. Would even consider an Aussie Gemini cruise when they come down, but it's a bit soon for the bank to have recovered.

Tracey.

Hi Les,

We didn't go to Phuket or Tioman Island, our cruise went up the eastern Malay coast and across the South China Sea to HK, Borneo and back to Singapore.

The people we spoke to at the airport on Sunday had been to Tioman Is and said it was lovely but we didn't discuss docking or tenders.

The Sing Sling at Raffles was (another) splurge for us, the sort of thing we may never do again. We spent maybe one and a half hours at Raffles the day before just wandering around and going into the Raffles museum, which was very interesting. You can have 2 on the Gemini for the same price and get some change, it's a personal decision whether it's worth the cost to have one at Raffles.

We got to Sydney Airport a bit more than the 2 hours they tell you, our plane was also late arriving from Joberg and had to be restocked etc. If you can sit and happily people watch, or have a good book, 2 hours should be plenty. Take heed of the new regs for your toiletries, they will confiscate without hesitation if you don't comply, we saw it happen, and the dumb-a*** wasn't happy. Also note this applies to gels, pastes, liquids, and spray cans. Talc doesn't count, so don't put it in your clear bag.

Our next trip, is a land based to Phuket, hopefully next March. After that we will be checking out cruise itineraries again.

Anyway, I have to get back to the real world and go grocery shopping, we need something for dinner. All our frozen food is going in the bin due to 4 days without power here while we were away........... Oh to be back in the Ocean Palace...................... :o

Tracey.

Hi all,

Left Singapore last night and arrived home this morning. Very tired and a little bit off colour, but some vegemite toast seems to have fixed that!

We had the absolutely cheapest cabin onboard, inside, deck 3, and we had tea/coffee making too, so I'm fairly sure all cabins would have. Actually, compared to some cabins we saw, we did ok size and storage wise. Ours was a 4 berth cabin, so had double the wardrobes and some extra drawers, and by the time we found the webcam, we had an outside view as well!! We left it on overnight, so we knew when it was daytime. We also didn't bother with the shower curtain, the shower was tiny, just close the door and mop up when you're finished.

Our cabin steward kept our cabin in top condition for us, nothing was too much trouble, and he did an 'ice run' every afternoon, which kept our drinks lovely and cold. Trevor bought a 'beer bucket' which gave us an extra large bucket to have in our cabin. Add some water to make a slurry in the ice bucket and it works even better. And he was an absolute angel when I was sick.

We met up with Vera and her husband Ian on Saturday at Raffles for the obligatory Singapore Sling......... the one they make on the Gemini is every bit as good and $8.50 as opposed to $20 at Raffles, but I guess you pay for the location and 'authenticity'. But then when you pay $10 +++ for a glass of wine at the airport................ Gemini cocktail of the day is $7 and any COD can be bought for this price on any day, which is good to know if you find one you particularly like. We liked one called Sentosa Beach.

Spoke to a family at Changi Airport who had just disembarked from the Gemini, so they would have been on the cruise immediately after ours, and all went well as far as the gastro bug went. They missed Krabi and had an extra day in Phuket due to a medical emergency, but not gastro related, so all you future Gemini cruisers, the worst seems to have passed.

Les, it took us every bit of an hour to get through the checkin process at Sydney Airport, very tiring and quite ridiculous IMO. Every Qantas flight checks in at the same place, one queue for everyone. Changi was much more streamlined, although we were there earlier, ahead of the crowd.

We didn't bother with DF, but Changi airport looked to be the best place on the way in.

Anyway, all in all, we had a lovely time, yes the gastro took the shine off, and yes, the decor is a little dated, but everything was clean and comfortable, and the attentive staff and yummy food get full marks from us.

Tracey.

Hi all,

Very interesting to read the comments so far re the last cruise.

I don't think I will ever eat at a buffet again!! I must admit that I was seeing the world thru different eyes after I was ill, and by then everything was double the effort, so complaining was not on the agenda. Besides, already plenty of that from other pax. Even when I was allowed to leave my cabin, I had no energy and spent a lot of time there anyway. The trip back from HK was twice as long as the trip up. :(

Bruce and I met at the Clinic for totally different reasons. He was not ill.

It's really easy to spot passengers ill with this bug........ they need plenty of sick bags, because they're busy both ends, and our steward brought extra water every day. Also, if they can't get in to make the bed, they'd have to wonder what was going on. And IMHO, if it's for the greater good, and limits the spread of a very unsavoury bug, then report, report, report.

Vera, my plans have changed, but we plan to head out to the airport early arvo Sunday now. Can't remember when you said you arrive. Was it Friday? Maybe we can meet up on Saturday??

Anyway, bye for now.

Tracey.

Hi everyone,

Vera, I think we're planning to have brunch next Sunday at Paulana's (I think it's a boutique brewery right in town) I probably won't check in here again till later in the week, so let me know any plans you have. Give me a ring when you get in. Looking forward to meeting up with you.

Trevor and I have arrived back in Singapore to stay for a week with my sister. I have much to report, and some may not go down to well with the die-hard Gemini fans.

Firstly, let me say, I would cruise again on the Gemini, but Star Cruises will get a scathing letter from me when I return home. Much has been said about the gastro bug on the ship, and speaking with professional experience of infection control, there was more that could have been done, and should have been done, considering how disgusting some people's personal habits are.

Yes, I did get the virus, and let me say, it wasn't pleasant, but I kept it to myself, unlike many others onboard. They didn't report to the Dr for fear of being confined to their cabin (as I was). I don't believe enough was done soon enough to contain the bug. I got sick when we reboarded from HK, where I consumed nothing but a beer at Victoria Peak (excellent and recommended by the way)

1. The hand sanitiser WAS available from the very minute we stepped on board, it was not obligatory until we returned from Danang. I used it religiously and didn't touch anything I didn't have to. handrails etc.

2. The cabin stewards should have to report ill pax to med staff or supervisor.

3. Signage was non existent in the buffet, where the food was quite adequate, but we chose not to eat there much due to cross infection risk. Signs that you would find in an ordinary Aussie buffet: Please use a clean plate; If you touch it, take it; (I saw people take a plate then put it back because it was still warm), applies to food as well, DO NOT REFILL YOUR DRINK BOTTLE FROM THE WATER MACHINE, that absolutely floored me... a lady shoved the spout right into her bottle!!

4.Any cutlery or utensil dropped on the floor goes in the wash. Not so on board Gemini, sadly, and that's crew.

This is getting boring, let's talk some good stuff!!

Koh Samui, tender port, tenders run pretty much constantly to and from Nathon port. DIY day, with 2 other couples we hired a mini bus for an island tour. 2000 baht, buy your own lunch.

Laem Chabang, shuttle bus into Pattaya, S$30 each rtn. Hired baht bus to take us up to Big Buddha statue, 300 baht, down from 500. Good shopping in the markets along the beach, very hot day, could have shopped more but too drained. Bit like Patong Beach, but prob not as nice. Got sick of seeing young localgirls on arms of western (generally unattractive) men.

HCMC. Wow!! Did the Vietnamese wedding show on the Friday night which was very colourful and good insight into their culture. City tour next day, Saturday, city not as busy our guide says...!!!! Very in your face sellers trying to flog stuff every time you move. Saw 3 bridal parties at Notre Dame Cathedral for photos, one Traditional bride. Postcards are cheaper at the P.O. Stamps for Aussie bound postcard, 7000 dong, 6 for US$3 and a bit of VND change, interesting for a souvenier.

Danang. More of the same, pushy touts, many of them women. Again tour of the city and then out to the Non Nuoc stone carvers. Pedal cab drivers which are part of the tour will demand a tip. $US 1 is all you should give, but they will want 2.

HK. Brilliant!! Unfortunately time cut short, but with 2 others we caught ferry across to HK island, you can get change of small notes at the ticket window, cab up to the Peak $HK under 60 divide by 4 = cheap. Viewing platform, free. Beer at Bubba Gumps sitting at bar looking at same view, unreal.... pint $HK 52 I think. Peak Tram back down, up might have been better?? $HK22 each. Walk to MRT, ticket back to Harbourside $HK9, others went back we continued on to MongKok to Ladies Market, add value to ticket before leaving platform.

Halong Bay. sick, would have liked Hanoi trip but wasn't to be. Next day shuttle to town, $S15 each rtn. Very pleasant place, very laid back. Tourist market along beach. Reports from Halong Bay boat tour ppl varied.

Nha Trang. Lovely, lovely place. One of the most beautiful bays and waterfronts in the world. Also, home to the photographer Long Thanh, whose studio rated a visit on our list. He is the guy who did a lot of photos for the 'MILK' and similar books. Ship shuttle into town, but possible to walk, maybe 45 min fairly flat, but hot, not as hot as other places.

KK. Another nice place, bit more western the Vietnam and the locals not pushy. Teamed up with 2 others, hired cab for tour, 100 min, 100 ringgits.

Torrential arvo storm put paid to our plan to walk back to ship. Good port to walk in. Eat at the waterfront. Many choices and beer available. Bit worried about availability with the Muslim factor.

Kuching. City Tour, with free time at the waterfront, another nice place. Disappointed at being fed Chinese food at cheesey Chinese restaurant in Malaysia. Green tea provided, buy own beer.

Anyway, that's enough for now. I will type up my full report when I get home.

Bye for now,

Tracey.

Hi all,

We are having a lovely time so far. Bit of a storm last night which was a pleasant change from the heat.

Singapore power adaptor is the go for those still concerned to bring the right one.

Kuldalai, give me a ring if you want to catch up, 3104, can't remember which cabin you are or I could ring you. Gemini Bar 6.30pm almost without fail.

Captain's Dinner last night, didn't go, couldn't be bothered with the pomp, but from the photos today, some pax only in collared shirt, so maybe on the next leg.

We are about to begin our sail up the Saigon River to HCMC, so can't dally much longer.

We have a safe in our cabin, and we are the cheap seats, so I imagine all would have.

We are one pax less than when we sailed. Unfortunately there was a death in the early hours of yesterday morning, but he would have died a happy man. Apparently he was getting into the party at the Bangkok sail away and it must have been too much for him. Very sad all the same.

Duty free, haven't seen any confiscated, we brought 6 cans beer back on board from Pattaya. Many I have spoken to have some with them too. I know of 2 pax with irons as well!!

Can't remember anything else I need to mention. Bruce, have a good flight, see you soon.

Must get up on deck, this room is rather stuffy.

Stay well........

Tracey.

Hi,

Thanks for the info everyone, I found some good items. This one of particular interest that I hadn't seen before........... a 4 page report on the Gemini. Makes it all very real being able to see so many pics.

http://www.maritimematters.com/superstargemini1.html

Roll on Sunday!!

Tracey.

Hi Justine,

Thanks for the tip. These cruises look great. I wonder how Gemini gets back to Fremantle......... there must be a return cruise but it's not mentioned.

If anyone hears about the relocation cruise Fremantle to Singapore, I'd be interested.

Tracey.

Hi,

Can someone give me the link to this page you're all talking about please? I can't find anything about Australia on starcruises.com. Am I looking in the wrong place? Ta.

Tracey.

Well, it seems that our cruise will be sailing with a full compliment of passengers..............:eek:

Our TA contacted Star Cruises this morning to try to get us either midships or further back only to be told (with a dismissive laugh) that the ship was full. Lucky we aren't the seasick types...... Will be interested to see if this is the case once we are on board.

I can only hope that the staff and crew on board are more helpful than those on shore!! From my experience of sending one email to them, and a few others noted on this board, they aren't doing much in the way of PR.

Anyway, we'll have a great time regardless. :)

Thanks everyone for your bon voyages.

Vera, I'll see you in Singapore!!

Tracey.

We'll be on QF 5 ex Syd, Sat 19th 1550hrs. :D

And in the Gemini Bar 1830 probably every night after we sail, sounds like a good habit to cultivate..................

Tracey.

Hi everyone,

Seeing as there have been no other suggestions for our first on board meeting, let's agree to Bruce's suggestion of pre-dinner drinks 6.30pm in the Gemini Bar, first 'at sea' day from Singapore and HK.

We're into the 'this time next week we'll be in.......' mode, but I must say, I'll be glad when we're on board and all the dramas of the past few weeks are behind us. We had another stressful moment when our TA 'realised' that I didn't have a Vietnam visa in my new passport!!! I should be a TA!! I had to explain the process to her and alleviate her stress!! :cool:

Man, do I need a holiday!!

Tracey.

Hi Frank,

When we went to Phuket, our TA booked our trip thru Venture Holidays and they had a Rep visit us on our first morning in Phuket and she booked us on a couple of tours.

We went on a tour with the Sea Cave Canoe people, ph/fax 076 210434, (that was 5 years ago) They were very good, they timed everyting with the tides, the lunch was spectacular and the guides were excellent and humourous too.

We didn't go to Phantasea, but everyone who has been recommends it. Maybe next time.

We did another tour which incorporated a paddle in a canoe, a visit to a rubber plantation, cooking class and eating (fairly hot stuff but good), sitting on water buffalo, elephant 'tricks' which is now not so P.C. and elephant ride. Can't remember the name of that tour group.

One day we hired a tuk-tuk to take us to Phuket town, we wanted to go to the lookout, which was good. Of course there is the obligatory visit to the jewellery shop, which was massive..... biggest in the world, no pressure to buy, and the driver gets a kick back, but what the heck, he was a nice guy, so it was a 50/50 sort of tour, bit for him, bit for us. But he took us around town, showed us stuff we wouldn't have known about, drove past his house, told us about his family, and delivered us back to our door. Pleasant way to pass the time, once you get used to the traffic!! Eeeck!! glad I wasn't driving!!

Vera, I remember the supermarket in that side street..... Big One supermarket. I thought of those poor people in there when the tsunami struck, they wouldn't have stood a chance. Bought some of the best ham we have ever had there and some nice bread too, and also a big meat cleaver.

Frank, you may not be too impressed with the place when you get there, we weren't for the first day, it was dirty and smelly up our end of the beach, but by the time came to go home, we didn't want to leave. The little shops along the beach serve great food, breakfast, lunch and dinner, and sooo cheap!! Be careful if you swim at the beach, there is quite a strong rip which runs from south to north, if you can get up onto the headland you will see it.

If you don't want to be harassed by the street vendors, just put on your sunnies and hat and walk straight past, they will probably pick you for Aussie, but just say non or nien or no in any other language you know and just keep walking.

Always take something with you in a fairly clear plastic bag that you bought already, it's good leverage for haggling. They will always ask you what you have in the bag, and how much you paid. We plan to go back next March and after the tsunami, I don't think I will haggle very hard, the poor buggers are doing it tough still.

Just wander around Patong, it's a very interesting place, people watching is a great way to spend some time. And the place is so different from day to night. Trevor works for the local electricity supplier, so the street wiring amused him no end.

Don't drink the water............. besides, the beer, even imported stuff is (was) super cheap!! We were there in May and it was hot and humid, and ocassionally wet.

Trip Advisor have a terrific Phuket (and just about everywhere else) forum. Have a great time!!

Tracey.

Hi all,

My passport (the new one) arrived today!! 4 working days!! :eek:

So Bruce, sorry, your friend can't go.......... besides, it would take a very special person to share with Trevor... LOL !!! :rolleyes:

17 days to go, I think now I have my passport, I'm gonna start to get excited!!

Tracey.

Have just had an email to say my new passport has been 'produced' and it is on it's way.

After what I paid, I was hoping for it in 5 business days, could possibly be even less!! Wouldn't that be something!!

Tracey.