Club Med Phuket

Back from two beautiful weeks in Phuket.

The trip was very long and tiring, but absolutely top with Singapore Airlines. Short layover at Changi Airport at 06:00 AM (midnight my time!) and then on to Phuket with Silk Air.

Transfer from Phuket airport down to Kata Beach is about an hour. Arrival at the village by 11 AM. Warm welcome by some reception GOs and one of my GM friends. Hot towel, refreshing tea and a gorgeous flower welcome necklace. Nonetheless, I am done. That journey is a killer.

My friends and I were all in the H building (Haadyai), very conveniently located and not far from anything. Also, one can get to the village center (reception, theater, restaurant, bar, etc.) without getting wet in case of downpours. Not sure, if they take into consideration the nationality for whatever reason, but there were no Asian GMs in our building.
The room is huge and well appointed. A large double bed, enough closet space, TV, fridge, safe, coffee and tea making facilities, two life vests and a flashlight in one of the closets. Hm... the Tsunami was here in 2004!

A nice exotic fruit arrangement and a wonderful orchid bouquet on the night table together with a large artisanal fan on the bed (most likely the Millésia gift) and a word from the CDV.
The bathroom could need some renovation though. Toiletries were regularly replaced, also the orchid and jasmin blossoms.
What I really liked is that one doesn't hear anything from the neighbours, nor from above, nor from the rooms next door. I really appreciated that, especially when you want to sleep in recovering from jetlag in the beginning.

The village is of a good size, not too large, nor too small. Extremely well kept, lots of exotic trees, plants, beautiful flowers, small ponds with fishes and frogs (!). Beautiful typical Thai architecture. Very zen!

The food is everything you can dream of. The very classical Club Med buffets plus all the Asian dishes, already for breakfast. We particularly liked the enormous choice of exotic fresh fruit, including the freshly squeezed juices (pineapple, water melon, orange).
The buffet 'Around the world' even included Swiss raclette with boiled potatoes. Given the sticky weather, resisting wasn't all that hard. Later on, Jeremy, bar man, joined us for dinner with a huge plate of raclette topped with ham. I couldn't resist to ask him for a sampler to taste. It was absolutely delicious, as was the foie gras we decided to have as a starter.

The bar was very well run and usually no wait at all, even at 'rush hour'. At the aperitif time, usually just the Europeans hanging around. Good international labels such as Baileys, Absolut vodka, etc. The hot beverages came with a very nicely wrapped small dark chocolate (out of the fridge!). I did not count how many espressi and caffé latte I had, but lots I'd say.

The village occupancy was pretty low, 50-60 % at most. Asians vs. Europeans and others (a few Australians and South Africans) was around 50/50. Age range 30-60 I'd say. Very few kids.
GMs from Europe were mainly French of which some expats. Then, some Italians, Dutch, Germans, Swiss. That's about it. We more or less all knew each other or had at least had a small chat at breakfast or so.
The Europeans would usually eat outside, while the Asians preferred the restaurant pavillons with air condition.

Two days before leaving, arrival of some 50 Chinese GMs from a company. They didn't know anything about Club Med. Consequently, lots of work for the GOs. They looked pretty lost in the beginning. They didn't know what deck chairs at the beach were for the CM GMs and wanted to pay for them...

Sports choices are enormous. Archery, circus, power yoga, zen yoga, wake-up gym, abs/thighs, Thai chi, step class, aqua gym, body bump, stretching, relaxation yoga, golf, power walk, sunset power walk, pool games, snorkelling, tennis, scuba diving with Eurodivers http://www.eurodivers.com/DivingCenters.aspx?ID=5
However, although we knew it before going, we terribly missed the beach activities such as sailing, to start with. The sea is just too rough and so is the streaming.

We had some rain, but the team is well prepared for such surprises and quickly sets up lots of alternatives. We took cooking lessons with Moka, chocolate bread baking with Nicolas, lotus blossom leaf folding, learning some words of Asian languages, played ping pong on mini tables, etc. Nonetheless, we got a very nice sun tan which comes in very hand, now that we go into summer!

Regarding the excursions, I just did Phi Phi Islands by speed boat, since I had been in Phuket before. The trip was nice, especially the beach of 'The Beach'. Our boat arrived always the first and we left, when the others arrived. Snorkelling was fine. We saw some cute 'Nemos'. Monkey feeding at Monkey Island. We had brought some bread, bananas and water melon. They just loved it and we could take nice photos.
However, I had seen similar, if not better sandy beaches before, mainly in the Caribbeans (mainly the Grenadines), so the wow factor was a bit limited with regard to myself. Phi Phi Island itself was extremely crowded and I found it just too touristy and slightly tacky. My friends seemed more thrilled though (Thailand first timers). Anyway, been there, done that (Price THB 3,800 full day).

Other excursions:
Phang Nga Bay by junk: THB 3,600 (full day)
Elephant ride: THB 1,900 (half day)
The route of the lost temples: THB 3,400 (full day)

Golf green fees:
Range between THB 3,250 and 4,000

For shopping, we went to Patong. Taxi was THB 400 one way. I recommend the shopping mall Jungceylon http://www.jungceylon.com. A pretty new, large mall with A/C, very clean and convenient to do the shopping at one single place. The very recently appointed basement is mainly for typical artisanal Thai stuff. You can also have all types of massages, in case you need a rest.
Kata village is nearby, including a Starbucks (just in case). However, we did not get anything there. It was probably just too hot and we were not not in shopping mood.

For massages, we did not use the CM spa itself. We found it just too expensive, but went to a local place right outside the village recommended by some GMs. A one hour oil or Thai massage for THB 300 roughly US$ 10) including a beverage at the end. A very clean place with nice background music. When you go back for the second time, you'll be greeted just like an old friend.
We just loved it and really got hooked.

We mainly hang out with the European and Mauritian GOs. It was just easier to communicate. The Asian GOs do not really stay around the bar a lot and have dinner too early for us.
When we headed to the restaurant around 08:00 PM, they had already finished and left.

The shows (start at 09:30 PM already) were of good quality, usually followed by some crazy signs (Li Tourné, Abdel Kader and other classics) in general animated by Christelle or Bazz.
Crazy signs were also done after the aqua gym in and at the pool. Pretty funny to do, when you're in the water.

One of the best events was the presentation of the different home countries of the GOs. They had set up stalls around the bar, at the pergola and in the lounge and presented their countries in local costumes in a brilliant way (things to do and visit, food, music, etc.). We mainly stayed with the Mauritians for the ti punches, but also for the live performed Sega music we love so much. It was a superb evening. Thanks guys!

The Asian show was mainly dancing and acrobatics followed by a snake show. King cobras and alike. We decided to have a seat on the balcony in safe distance.

Since circus is the main activity - around 12 GOs being trained under Adam - lots of circus shows that seem to please especially the Asian GM crowd. Also, easy to understand. Unfortunately, no café theater for the francophones. I would have loved to see one.
On the other hand, some kara

Kiki, you are sooo cruel! Reading your description just made me want to go back, and here I am looking out the window at cold Lake Michigan.

That is really one of my favorite clubs. I always found the food to be super. Were the litchees, rambutans or mangosteens in season? I so miss those.

Funny that you would mention "Beaches". When I was there the last time they were filming it. After an archery tournament Colin, the Aussie instructor, sent me into Kata to get some Mekong whiskey and Coke (I realize I should know better than that), while he went into town on his motorcycle to get some goodies to eat. He was late coming back. I asked him why. He said they were shooting some movie in there and he nearly ran over some Yank Bloke. I asked him who he was. He said, Leo Capio, or something like that. I said, Was it Leonardo di Caprio? He said, That's the bloke, who is he? I just said if you had hit him every teenage girl would be after your head.

It sounds like it is still quite an international club. That is one of the things I liked about it. There were so few Americans there, the GO's simply referred to me as The American.

I always found the Thai people to be genuinely friendly and lovely people.

You didn't mention going to the "Bamboo Bars" outside the club. Did you make a visit to them. I don't remember much of my visit when the GO's took me over there. Of course, the fashion models from Paris went over too, so I'm not complaining.

I'm glad you had a great time. That trip really is a tough one, isn't it?

John

Good morning from Kani Kiki!

Glad to know u had a great trip as i bet...for sure in Thailand especially by our Club Med.

Reading your review,all good old days flash back in my head...i'm sure i were there in one of the best team ever plus,with my first Greatest CDV,Alessandro C.

So,did u feel better from the trip? take care

Good day





<< KANI >>
paradise,right here

John,

Sorry for being cruel.
But I too know what's it's like to read a feedback about one's favourite village(s).

Anyway, yes, we truly loved all the exotic fruit. There were plentiful, mainly: lychee, longan (smaller, but similar to lychee), rambutan, mangosteen, but also the ones we know a bit better like mango, banana, papaya, pineapple, melon and water melon. One evening, we even had the most juicy strawberries, probably quite pricey in Thailand.
I found a nice web page with most of the Thai fruit incl. photos.
http://www.thaiflyingclub.com/linkthaifruit.html

BTW, I forgot to write about the chocolate fountain! Yumm, yumm. We used to generously decorate our fruit and ice creams.

As for the 'Bamboo Bars'. Been there, done that before in Patong. I didn't feel the need to go back (4th trip to Thailand!).
There were quite some single French GMs (males!) in the village. We believe, they came for those bars, since they were hardly around in the evenings...

As for 'The Beach', I believe I'll watch it again, when I see it on the TV programme, even though the story is weak and nor Di Caprio and even less Brooke Shields aren't among my preferred movie actors.

Yes, that village is quite international, especially when you see all the Asians (GOs and GMs).
AFAIK, no American GMs while there. There is just Fawn, GO circus. A very nice young woman with a beautiful smile.

Yes, the trip IS tough, similar to Turks BTW, speaking for us Europeans. In winter, we do have direct charter flights though. Takes about 12 hours. Will have to think about that.

Aube,

Yes, it was a suberb holiday. I absolutely loved the village and the team. I can understand about your excellent memories... and then with Alessandro.
But I assure you, Karim is doing an excellent job as well. Some French couples who had known him before came just for him (and to play golf, also).

Hope, you're having a good time in Kani, too.

Hey Kiki,

Great to read your review and I'm so glad you loved it! To hear about all those lovely GOS was great. Did you meet Benny (NZ), Wes (Sth Af), Daniel (Aus), Dane (Aus), Fawn (US) or Alil (Sing)? They are all in the Circus team and were so lovely to me when I was there. Benny, Wes and Daniel in particular... they really made my holiday.

Brooke Shields wasn't in The Beach... it was a French actress called VIrginie Ledoyen. The book is a lot better than the movie!

Kiki, you have been to so many CMs so you will be able to answer this for me now you have been to Phuket. What other CM have you been to where both the air temperature and water temperature are similar to Phuket? I like it hot!

So glad you had a nice holiday. Hope we can continue to chat through this site.... it's looking seriously low on energy as nobody is making any donations.

Cheers
BEL

Bel,

As mentioned before, we hanged out almost exclusively with the European and Mauritian GOs. First for the language issue, but also because we had known them before (speaking about the Mauritians in particular) and because we and all the Europeans (mainly the French and Italians) had our meals later than the English speaking folks (not before 1 PM nor before 8 PM).

Can't remember Wes. Maybe, he had left already.
The others I do remember, yes, but we didn't say much more than 'bonjour', etc.
IMO, it's just not possible to get to know everybody, especially given the turnover period (olds ones leaving, new ones coming in).
There was also Gid (Australia) in the circus team. Probably arrived after you'd left.

And you're right, Brooke Shields wasn't in 'The Beach'.

As for the villages I've been to, just check this thread (What's your story?) and you'll find it out.
http://www.clubmedplanet.com/forum/topic.asp?topic_id=335&whichpage=3

If you like it hot (dry and not humid), I recommend Tunisia, Morocco or Turkey in July-August. You'll have both, hot air and water temps. However, it will be quite of a trip for you and you're likely to be sort of an exotic bird.
However, there's still Mauritius (hot Nov-March). La Pointe is pretty similar to Phuket with regard to everything.

To you all,
Pleeeease, if you want to get information about the villages, dress codes, GO teams, do not forget to donate to keep CMP alive!
Thanks and merci so much!

BEL,
If you like it hot, go to Bali. No place is more hot and humid than Bali. I now have a point of reference. If it isn't Bali hot, it isn't hot.

John

Kiki
Now I know why the Aussies pronounce it lye-chee and the Americans pronounce it leet-chee. We spell it differently. According to the Websters American Dictionary, lychee is a spelling variation of litchi.

John

Aha, I see, John.

CMP is not only entertaining, but perfect to make progress in English/American/Australian!

BTW, the South Africans and Aussies talked to me as if I was a native English speaker.
Sometimes, I wouldn't understand much more than just the general sense...
Luckily enough, I always figured out when to say yes or no!

Kiki writes--

"BTW, the South Africans and Aussies talked to me as if I was a native English speaker.
Sometimes, I wouldn't understand much more than just the general sense..."

I was in Moorea at the club one time, and I, some Aussies, and some Southern Californians had just played beach volleyball against the French Foreign Legion (this is true). Afterwards I went to the bar to get an Hinano and came back to the bar area where two of my Aussie friends were sitting opposite three Legionnaires. The only seat available was between the two groups. Unintentionally, I found myself translating from Australian into American English or French, because I do speak a little French. When the Aussies left, one of the Legionnaires asked me, "Monsieur, what is the language that they speak?" I said, English. He waved his finger at me and said, "No, monsieur, you speak very, very good English, but these people, I do not know what they speak" with the typical French shrug. I did laugh. BTW, the South Africans say that I have a very pronounced American accent.

John

John,


Well, just called my CM agency and they told me, that as from October, they will offer direct charter flights Zurich-Phuket (some 11 hours, similar to the Mauritius trip). That will be a lot more human! Frankly, I wasn't too crazy about the excellent shopping opportunities at Singapore Changi airport. Once it was early in the morning (still sleepy), once late at night (already sleepy).

Yes, we'll try to go back. The village is just too splendid and I don't even want to mention the excellent team!

Crossing my fingers here!

Kiki,
I'm not sure what times of the year that you have visited Phuket in the past, but the first time that I was there in January the weather was ideal--not too hot, not too humid. When I visited the second time in April the weather was definitely hotter and more humid.

I swear that Changi is not an airport, it is a shopping center--a very upscale shopping center. That is the best airport that I have ever been in in my life. KLIA (Kuala Lumpur) is also very excellent. Much to my surprise, when I was on my flight to Florence, Italy, this spring we had a layover in Munich. I was very impressed with that airport--much better than Frankfurt.

John

HI Y'ALL

The season in Thailand just like this,

Actually Every part of Thailand during Nov - Feb is winter / Mar - June is Summer and Jul - Oct is Rainy season but only South of Thailand (Phuket,Phang Nga,Krabi etc) is half year hot and half year Hotter!

Well John,u been there twice in Jan and April that's why it was different...sometime it 's better rain so that the temperature cool down a bit (humid).

But where s more incredible is in Kani...u could get everything in one day...Sunny,cloudy,windy,shower rain and then storm...i was in front desk ,watching the weather outside i can't believe my own eyes - - it was funny thought when the French G.M left after came indoor during it rained and he said "A la prochaine pluie" ^_^

GOOD DAY!

<< KANI >>
paradise,right here

John,
I actually always went to Thailand during the hot and humid season. It's a huge price difference and I am just not willing to pay the prices Nov-Feb, especially not with CM! Also, air faires are a lot higher during 'high season'. I only paid some CHF 800.- (not even US$ 800!) and this with Singapore Airlines.

I only remember the trip to the Golden Triangle (North of Thailand) where it was absolutely fine and perfect to visit (in October that was).

Anyway, we are having hot and sticky weather right here in Switzerland, comparable to what we had in Phuket. Apparently, some hot winds from the Sahara...

Aube,
At least, with all weathers in a single day, your days aren't boring.

OK, I've finally added quite a nice number of photos, incl. some GO photos!

More to come, but it's kind of time consuming...(doing that at work!)

Alright, the 'more to come' is done. Enjoy!

Kiki, well done on the photos! I see that the club hasn't changed that much, which is a good thing. I only wish that I could take all of the GM's from the American zone to this club. The beauty of the place, the lovely GO's and Thai people, the culture, and the wonderful food, all of it would just blow their minds.

It's nice to see that they are still doing the ice sculptures and fruit carvings. But where is the picture of the chocolate fountain!

On a personal note--it was nice to see a photo of Robin and the kids. I just got a postcard from her yesterday. Thanks.

John

Oh, John, once at home, I realized that I had forgotten to take a photo of the chocolate fountain!
Terribly sorry. Next time!

I found the ice sculptures most amazing given the hot and sticky weather.
And the fruit and vegetable carving has been fascinating me for a while already.

Yeah, Robin is well visible on the two photos.

There have been some buildings closed (on the spa side) for renovation.
Also, the buffet building went through some works.

will never return to phuket. old rooms.. bad food, the worst i ever had in club med. the club is loud, between to streets. i like to got to bali, its even better.