Monday, July 27, 2009

A sunset cruise for you

The Cape Panwa Hotel values guest loyalty and nothing demonstrates this more than their popular Privilege Card Program, available exclusively to repeat guests. Privilege Card membership entitles the cardholder to a host of privileges including free meals, excusive invites to cocktail parties, rooms discounts and more.



A new addition to the privileges available a free sunset cruise on the hotel’s new yacht, The Panwa Princess. Available to guests who have stayed at the hotel 10 times or more, the cruise is an unforgettable Cape Panwa experience.

Privilege Card members Chaz and Beth were the first couple to take advantage of this offer having stayed with us at the Cape Panwa Hotel every year for a month and now choosing to stay at our sister property Kantary Bay for three months every year.



Chaz and Beth chose to share their cruise with their daughter and her family, who have stayed with us before as well, and a group of their friends.

Their sunset cruise set off from the beach at Cape Panwa and it took them around the Cape Promthep. 

 

It was full of fun, laughter, hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine – the sunset almost did not make it, due to some inclement weather, but we could not help that!


 

Click here for more photographs of their trip

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Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Ed and Karen's special day

Karen (the bride) had thought about all those very important little bits; table and tree decorations, cocktail and wine tasting, sun loungers, flower colours and more – thank you it looked wonderful!

In fact Karen had done sooooo much I think that I should have joined Ed’s (the groom) example and played a game of golf!

I do remember that Karen left 2 things at home but with Blackberries (technology) and frantic hand waving between strangers at the airport they managed to arrive.... what did we do without technology?

Ed’s mum fulfilled her motherly duties by ironing Ed’s shirt for his wedding – all be it 20 years after the last shirt she had ironed for him.

It was a lovely day and what was talked about finally came through on that day, the flowers, the dress, the words, the balloons and the friends.


For those who were able to get up the next day (not everybody did) there was a boat trip on the Panwa Princess.








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Monday, July 6, 2009

A visit to Wat (temple) Chalong


Wat Chalong is the biggest temple in Phuket Town. I recently took some guests to visit it. We took the scenic route along the costal road where we could see Big Buddah in the distance and at other points could see the tide splash against the road.

When we arrived Wat Chalong was quiet and milling with people UNTIL BANG BANG…….. there were some firecrackers lit and although they were lit inside a honeycomb of bricks it was loud and it was a shock – have a look.

After this shock we visited the main temple. We purchased some temple packs that contained; three incense sticks, 2 candles, a lotus blossom and some gold leaf. We then respectfully did the following:

1: Candles were lit and placed outside - showing respect to the Buddhist doctrine and teaching
2: Shoes were removed – to show respect to the sacred ground that we were entering
3: Lotus flowers were placed in the monk bowls – the lotus is a revered flower in Buddhist culture because even though it grows in mud it can be perfect when it is grown.
4: We carefully sat down and held our offerings in front of us, formed a wai, and made a wish. We watched some people shake containers with sticks in until a stick fell out - this stick would mean something to them – usually an answer to a wish.
5: Three joss sticks were lit - this symbolises the Lord Buddha's wisdom, the second his purity, and the third his kindness. I did find out that you should not blow your joss stick out but wave them in the air – however in my readings I could not find a reason……….please send me your ideas.
6: Gold leaf is carefully peeled from the paper and placed on a Buddha image – this is to pay respect his teachings.
7: We politely made a wai to the images and left the temple.

We walked around the temple grounds sampling the food, the fresh coconuts and enjoyed the ambiance – maybe I should begin to practise Buddhism?


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