Happy Birthday Sunshine Village!

In the midst of the furor and heat of Cape Panwa’s very own ‘World Cup’ the Cape Panwa Team took a day out and went to Phuket Sunshine Village’s Third Anniversary Party.

We took a big cake – thanks Chef and his team – Tim and the children just loved it.

The Cape Panwa ‘Party Team’ – aka Suradech and Assaree arrived armed to the teeth with games to play for the children – ranging from the impossible, the simple and the purely entertaining.

Happy birthday to the Phuket Sunshine Village and ‘thank you’ for helping so many children!

              

World Cup Fever visits Cape Panwa

The girls edged the boys / management out 4 - 3 at the start of the Cape Panwa World Cup.

So where did it all go wrong for the lads?

FIFA experts came to the conclusion that some of the boys enjoyed being ‘tackled’ a bit too much by the younger female staff. They shall remain nameless, but our new Front Office Manager seemed to relish getting tackled (or hugged?) by the Spa Manageress AND the driver enjoyed dancing with the ball and encouraging the girls to get up close and personal to ‘get it off’ him!

Foghorns blew, spectators hurled both encouragement and abuse in equal measure and chanting rang throughout the massive stadium: and this, before the ball was even kicked. Sounds exciting? Watch this space for more…

              

Community Spirit - NOT Mekhong!

We were invited by the Vichit District Governor of Cape Panwa to help in the replanting of mangrove trees near to Cape Panwa.  This was clearly something that would help to preserve our environment so we participated.

But why are mangroves so important?

The mangrove tree plays a vital part in the ecosystem of the planet. The mangrove's bacteria break down the detritus and fallen leaves releasing nutrients for the marine animals - that is why there is always a 'rotten egg smell' in a mangrove forest.

The dense root systems also provide homes for marine life that will shelter there whilst they mature. Also the forests are home to a number of birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals.

The mangrove forests are essential and should be protected.

  

              

'Yoo yen bpen suk' and Uncle Nan's Restaurant

Claude first introduced the fortnightly manager's cocktail party in December 2008.

Just last week at the party Tim got posed a strange question.

An observant guest asked Tim to tell him what the large blue Thai script said above the balcony of Uncle Nan's restaurant.

Tim was flummoxed and was saved by a guest (Peter) who told him that the script says "Yoo yen bpen suk" which means roughly 'Happy and smiley' or 'Happy from the inside' (Tim, make sure you buy that man a drink.)

We hope you experience yoo yen bpen suk when you have dinner at Uncle Nan's Italian Restaurant.

              

Phuket Town - going underground

Imagine my surprise when I strolled down Thalang road in Phuket Town and my eyes drifted skyward.

Where had all the wires/TV cables/telephone cables gone?  

I could actually see the sky…

Removing all the unsightly cables has been a vast improvement on the quality of your visit - Phuket Town has so much to explore and now you can view the inherent beauty of the structures. The area’s Sino-Portuguese buildings can be seen in all their former glory.  This simple aesthetic change transforms this atmospheric and historic part of Phuket – and there is a lot of history in Phuket Town.

Phuket Town is steeped in history – mostly relating to the Chinese who came to work the tin mines over 200 years ago but I have yet to find an opium den or played a game of Mahjong with Shanghai Lil but there is a lovely museum and lots of restaurants to discover.

The current Governor of Phuket indicates that this ‘clean-up’ project does not stop here – there are more roads to be done – Yaowarat, Krabi, Dibuk and Phang-nga roads are on the list and due for an overhaul – watch this space.

Cape Panwa has an air-conditioned bus which runs twice daily to old Phuket Town for 80 baht one way OR you could try the local buses which run from the bottom of the hill.

It is certainly an improvement.