Otter's Tales: March 2010

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Songkran – How Iced Water Can Get You Into Hot Water

The Songkran Festival is held every year in from the 13th to the 15th of April to celebrate the Thai New Year. But be warned……if you are planning to partake in the usual customs of throwing water at everyone you meet, finger-painting everything you see and throwing colored flour over everything else you could end up in hot water.

This year we have been told to watch out for two things – police officers with thermometers!

The police have issued a warning that water below 5 degrees centigrade is hazardous. The reasoning is that the cold water can turn to ice easily and subsequently be dangerous to the person at which it is thrown!!

If you are found throwing water at this temperature police will be imposing an automatic hefty fine combined with up to a month’s stay in the local prison! So if a policeman approaches you, thermometer in hand, beware!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Phuket's Weekend Market

One of the interesting things about Phuket is that the island has many markets - some daily, some weekly and some bi-weekly.

There is one market in Phuket that was once called 'Talaad Thai-Rot' (roughly translates as 'Car Boot Sale') and it proved to be enormously popular but the cars soon took up too much room! Still, the market proved so popular that it was swiftly converted into a standard affair (with no cars) - but only at the weekends. Most of the stalls open about 16:00 and they start to close at 22:00.

Take the road south from Central Festival leading towards Wat Chalong and you'll find the the market is opposite Wat Naka - you'll see plenty of people and cars so you'll know when you've arrived!

The market is a myriad of scents, people of all ages, noise and goods for sale.

There are a plethora of traditional Thai market restaurants and some are not for the fainthearted - I still find 'insects' a difficult dish - I dare you to have a go.

Remember that it is not a market specifically aimed at tourists, but that's exactly what makes it so fascinating for visitors - this is a slice of the 'real' Thailand.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Piscean Pedicures

As you know, Cape Panwa has its own spa and it is a pleasure to visit and experience the calming music, pleasant aromas and friendly staff who are only too happy to please. Along with the variety of spa treatments that are available there is a beauty salon for your hair, nails and more.

Our male clientele don’t always go for the pedicure treatment – maybe it’s not a macho thing to do – but there is an alternative with a difference. On the hillside next to Cape Panwa is a shop offering fish pedicures!

I can hear the guffaws of laughter from all you readers – but have you tried it? You place your feet in a reinforced glass aquarium with lots small fish swimming around and the fish ‘nibble’ at your feet. It’s tickly, it’s strange, it’s sensuous but it most certainly works.

Certainly different…I dare you to have a go.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Breakfast at Cape Panwa

We pride ourselves on the quality of our breakfasts at Cape Panwa and on making sure that you have enough energy for the day.

There is always a great selection of seasonal fruits, the most appealing to many being the colourfully weird dragon fruit. There are also a number of Thai breakfast dishes and international cereal choices.

The croissants, pastries and breads are always fresh because they are made in the hotel’s bakery which is managed by Chef Phudon – and I know he tastes them himself because I see him do it!

Then there are the cooks preparing any number of egg dishes whilst you wait – poached, boiled, scrambled… the list goes on.

Enjoy breakfast at Cape Panwa – “most important meal of the day”.