Daytrips In and Around Phuket

There are many interesting things to do in Phuket as well as go to the beach. The Phuket Fantasea show is extremely well done and definately worth a visit. In addition, Dulwich International College runs a summer school for about 2 weeks every year in July with sports activities and training, games, art and crafts. Check the Dulwich school website for details (http://www.dulwich-phuket.com).

Idea

Pencil Box From Thailand

Whilst you are in Thailand get your child to collect tickets from places you have visited, brochures from the hotel and pictures from tourist magazines. Once you are back home, they can start the new school term with a lasting reminder of their trip (or even make one for their best friend).

To do the project you¡¦ll need:

¡E Scissors
¡E Clear-drying craft glue (such as PVA glue)
¡E Water
¡E Small pie pan
¡E Cigar or chocolate box

Mix together 1 cup of glue and 1/2 cup of water in a small pie pan, and put it to one side. Ask your child to cut out various shapes from the items, which they have collected. When you have enough pieces, dip the paper cut outs into the glue mixture, thickly coating each piece. Then press the pictures onto the box, overlapping the cutouts, if desired. Continue gluing the cut outs onto the box until it is completely covered. When the box is dry, paint the shapes with an additional coat of the glue. Let the box dry thoroughly before filling it with pencils, erasers, markers and other school supplies.

You could even consider bringing a box, scissors and a small pot of glue with you. The hotel could lend you a suitable container to put the glue in and some newspaper and you could keep this as a surprise rainy day project (just in case there is one).

The following "child friendly" trips have been given icons for whether they are:

 = Fun for all the family
 = Focusing on younger children
 = Something which your teenagers will enjoy

The Beaches

This is a lively beach with chairs to sit on and water sports to try out. Steps away there is great shopping and good night life in the evening. You can walk to this beach from the Amari Coral Beach Resort.

A long beach, Karon is the perfect place for a long stroll along the perfect white sand or to sunbath. There is also only limited beach front development. However, there is not too much shade on the beach so if you plan to be there all day you may consider investing in a beach umbrella. Also, swimming must be carefully supervised as there is a shelf which suddenly drops to deep water.

Palm-lined, this is one of the most picturesque beaches Phuket has to offer. The sunset here is a tropical clich? in the best sense of the word. The beach has many restaurants and plenty of beach vendors so you don¡¦t have to move too far if you fancy a drink or a snack.

In the shadow of Phrom Thep, Phuket¡¦s southern most sunset viewing point, this 800 metre beach was largely underdeveloped until 2001. The south part of the beach is still totally undeveloped. There is good surfing here but swimming is not recommended in monsoon season.

This is a good place to go and watch the locals enjoying a day at the beach, plus there are some great seafood available at the beachfront restaurants. Swimmers should take care as there is a sharp drop off only a few metres out and quite a strong riptide.

The Laguna Complex dominates this stretch of Phuket¡¦s west coast and there¡¦s lots to do here. The hotel complex offers horse-riding courses and nearby eateries provide good seafood. Cherng Talay, 10 minutes away by car or motorbike, has a good fresh market.

Also a turtle destination between November and February, this deserted beach is a great place to chill out, only 20 minutes from the bustle of Patong. Casurina trees line the shore and you¡¦ll hardly see a soul.

12 km in length, Mai Khao (meaning white wood) is Phuket¡¦s longest and least developed beach - it is both breezy and beautiful. Part of Sirinat National Park, Mai Khao is also the yearly destination of sea turtles that come to lay their eggs.

Activities

Elephant Trekking

The wild elephant population of Phuket was wiped out last century but has been replaced in recent years. Since logging was banned in Thailand, hundreds of Thai elephants have been out of work and the tourist boom has been a blessing for this work-loving creature. Riding an elephant is an experience not to be missed. Suprisingly, elephants are incredibly agile for their size and can negotiate slippery slopes that even humans would falter and slip on, all this while carrying three people on their backs! There are many elephant treks to choose from in the hills above Kata, Patong, Chalong and dotted around the island. Also, learn about how to help elephants at the Siam Safari, telephone 076-280116.


Mini Golf

Dino Park, between Karon and Kata beaches, is a great venue for families. The mini golf course is complete with realistic-looking dinosaurs and a "live" volcano spewing steam. There¡¦s also a bar and a restaurant serving some of the best hamburgers around. Telephone 076 330625.

The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project

Learn how to help the plight of gibbons in Thailand. To take a baby gibbon out of the wild, it¡¦s mother is shot out of a tree and the baby will not necessarily survive the fall. For every gibbon you see in entertainment areas, 10 will die as a result. Visit a center where these animals are resuced and cared for on the east Side of the Khao Pha Taew national park. There is no charge, but donations are gratefully accepted. Telephone 076 260492

This is a relatively new sport and requires a bit of nerve. Not unlike water-skiing, participants are coached to perform spectacular aquatic maneuvers. It¡¦s so much fun that many come back for more. Open 9 am to 9 pm, follow the Kathu Waterfall road. Tel. 076 202 525.

Another option is to ski from behind a boat which is actually easier - check out the Wake Up Villa, telephone 076 264031, email : info@wakeupvilla.com www.wakeupvilla.com

A new English language cinema multiplex has just opened in Phuket Town. The"Paradise" is situated above the U.F.O. clothing shop next to Robinson¡¦s Department Store. For more information telephone 076 220 174-5

Go pedal-to-the metal on the eastern side of Patong Hill at Kathu. Lots of fun!

Phuket Fantasea

Hollywood glamour and eastern mystique comes to Phuket nightly at this magical extravaganza. This is a truly excellent show and well worth the money. Plus the biggest buffet in Asia. E-mail : info@phuketfantasea.com or telephone 076 385000

The Jungle Bungy Jump (formally Tarzan¡¦s), in Kathu, is a real test of guts. Fight the internal struggle that every jumper experiences when standing 54 metres above the ground. Look for the crane peeking out over the palm tops in Kathu, telephone 076 321 351

It¡¦s right out of a movie - riding along a prefect white sand beach. Experience a horse riding adventure in an area of hills, palm trees, lagoons and sandy beaches. For both beginners and experienced riders. Phuket Laguna Riding Club is the largest club in the South and you can select from over 35 different horses before embarking on a fantastical journey along the best trails imaginable. For more information visit www.phuketdir.com/lagunariding or call 076 324 199.