Mel's Me Time

Today we hired our own car and driver for the day. It only cost us about $50 for the whole day and he waited for us everywhere we went!!!!! We went to Phuket Zoo - had our photo with the same Tiger as the one from The Amazing Race. Saw a great elephant show and a scary crocodile show. Brayden even got one of the paintings that the elephant painted! We had lunch at a beautiful seafood restaurant...the waiter entertained Brayden...as all of the Thai people do. Jason and I had Tom Yum Lobster-very yummy! We also had Tamarind Prawns. We went to a Cashew Orchard - saw how they shell cashews, one by one!! Tried some yummy cashews with all different flavours. Went to a jeweller.....some beautiful pieces of jewellery....I didn't end up with anything!! A great day!

We spent the day at Khai Island. A wonderful day!!! We got on a speed boat and headed out to the island about 25mins offshore. Picture perfect island with the most beautiful sand and water. We swam with the fish.....went snorkelling and saw beautiful fish and coral and Brayden loved feeding the fish. Brayden took very easily to snorkelling and just wanted to do it all day. The speedboat ride back to Phuket Marina was a little rough on the way back.......to say the least! A very relaxing day.

We had a wonderful night at Phuket Fantasea. We had dinner at the world's largest buffet - food was yummy and every type of food, from every country.......there were about 100 staff just to welcome you!! The lights were beautiful and Brayden got to play some games at the carnival. We saw some 'he-she' dancers.....very interesting!!! We saw a white tiger and finally when it was 2100 we got to go and see the show. The show was a music, dance, drama, lighting spectaular telling the story of the beginnings of Thailand (I think-not much English). Brayden loved the elephants and all of the animals in the show - there were even trained chooks.....don't think we could train our chooks like that!!! Can you believe that before you enter the foyer of the theatre you had to surrender any recording devices - cameras/phones.....we got them back at the end and they were very well looked after!!!! A fantastic night! Jason and Brayden The Theatre!

We are all well. We have had some quiet and relaxing days here. A Phuket Sunset from our room! It is currently 2:15pm and I have left Jason and Brayden in the room to have a sleep as we are going to Fantasea tonight - it doesn't start until 9pm so it will be a late night!!! Brayden had his face painted as Batman today whilst he was at the kids club. He also made the most beautiful aquarium candle. We are finding it very hard to drag him away from the kids club. He loves it so much........at least he isn't complaining as we walk around shop after shop, market after market finding the best deals. It is not me that has the shopping addiction it is Ja......he just wants to shop all of the time! Batman!!! Aquarium Candle!! Have been to a tailor and are having a suit made for Jason and I am getting a dress. Will show you when we get home unless you will be going to Kayla and Scott's wedding - you will hve to wait till then!!!! Love to you all

We have the most exciting day today. We left at about 8:30am this morning on a "Safari Truck" as Brayden called it. We felt as though we should be in our army attire! We went on a safari tour for half the day in the jungle. We saw how coconut milk and oil was made, rode in a cart pulled by a water buffalo and Jason sat bare back on the buffalo. We were entertained by a gorgeous and cheeky monkey that demonstrated how they collect coconut from the trees. We had a Thai cooking demonstration and saw a rubber tapping demo. They tapped the trees for rubber (it stunk!!) Then we went to the Baby Elephant Training Centre. We watched the very clever baby elephants.....they were soooo cute!!!! One of them brought over a soccer ball for Brayden to take. He was very unsure. Some people received elephant kisses. We got photos with the elephants and Brayden got to feed them fruit. He loved it!!! After that we went on an elephant safari.......a ride on an elephant. Brayden loved it so much

Well yesterday we left the beautiful city of Singapore and made our way to Thailand - Phuket Airport. The first thing we noticed was the difference in living standards to Singapore/Australia. We are beginning to appreciate just how lucky we are in our beautiful country. It took us 50 mins to arrive at our resort....we were greeted and treated like kings and queens (and a prince - handsome boy!) Of course once settled into our room we explored the resort. Brayden -of course- went straight to the pool. We went straight for a Movenpick coffee and cake combo!!! Can you believe they don't have low fat milk........ To satisfy the handsome boys needs we went to the pool for a swim. Brayden has been down the waterslide 1 million times already!!!!!! We are yet to drink at the in pool bar (how does that work)!!!! Dinner was complimentary....entree, main, dessert, cocktails but NO wine - not because they don't have it but because a bottle of Rutherglen Estates costs 2850THB (AUD $105.50).

Hello Everyone, We are having an absolute ball here in Singapore. Obviously we got here OK and are safe and well. All flights and details have gone very smoothly - Libby has done a wonderful job!!! Motel here is exquisite - Swissotel The Stamford. Have had a Trishaw tour of town - have seen Little India and had dinner last night in Chinatown. Some of the menus were rather different i.e.bullfrog, intestines etc but we chose very carefully and subsequently ended with a beautiful meal. Been to Raffles Hotel - will return for a Singapore Sling. Lots of very expensive items to purchase........not for us!!! Weather is very hot here...nearly died when we arrived in our jeans!!!! Spent the afternoon either lazing around by the pool in banana lounges yesterday OR sleeping (we were all exhausted after the flight!) Had lunch by the pool and a cocktail. The shopping is unbelievable.......we might keep our spending for Phuket but walking around the centres is amazing.......Jason spotted a new watch

We are finally through customs and the security check in and are waiting to board-----in another 2 hours. Brayden is tired and just can't wait to get onto the plane. He doesn't understand that we have to wait. It is boring for us let alone a 4 year old. So....our next post will be from overseas. Love to you all