PALM-FRINGED POOLS:
LL I knew of Thailand was tales from my friends: Full Moon parties on the beach in Koh Phangan; clubbing in Patong’s Bangla Road; snorkelling off Phi Phi island. One copious adrenaline orgy.
My own Phuket adventure, however, would not mirror their experiences. My suitcase contained no party frocks but was filled with practical “mommy shorts’’, flip-flops, Panado syrup and plasters. The bulk of the luggage belonged to my 11-year-old daughter Nurah and 6-year-old son Yusuf. Luckily my husband, Ghalieb, found space for two T-shirts and deodorant.
As we left the airport, we waded through the humid air like wooden spoons through hot syrup. Night had fallen when we checked into the openair lobby of the Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Mai Khao Beach.
Mai Khao is on the west coast of Phuket, within the confines of a national park. The beach, stretching for several kilometres, is serene, vendor-less and spotless.
As the staff greeted us with a “Sawadee,” their hands together and their heads bowed, Yusuf chirped in Japanese: “Konnichiwa ”. Thank goodness they had a hearty chuckle.
It was clear they were accustomed to all sorts of juvenile antics. The resort, where children under 12 stay and eat for free, is ideal for families. We saw incidents of foot stomping as hapless parents struggled to get their toddlers away from the Kid’s Club and its toys. The infinity pool overflowed with neon water wings and parents could swim to the bar in the pool to sip mocktails or the real thing without losing sight of their brood.
Hubby and I feasted on exotic fruit while we watched the chefs at five stations in J’s Café & Restaurant work. As the aromatic steam filled the air, they looked like deejays working the decks in front of smoke machines.
Ornthira Rattana, the supervisor and star of the resort, was quick to step in when the children made faces at their coconut water — which we were all drinking out of the shells.
“I love children. It makes my heart happy when they are happy,’’ she said. And icy chocolate milkshakes appeared on our table.
For amusement, there were cooking lessons, paddle boarding, sea kayaking and yoga on the beach.
Often communication with staff was a hurdle but we managed.
“Hurry, it’s going to happen now!’’ a security guard called me as I played tourist on the beach.
He pointed at a board: “Sunset 18:36.”
Aha! So I waited as he proudly watched his mother nature paint the heavens red, orange and yellow.