Creating Memories Phuket Day 1: Arrival and Jungle Extreme

It was very impromptu; I finally realised that the global meeting was one week before the school holidays, which meant that we could go on our quarterly holidays! The flight price to Phuket was decent. I jioed Auntie S and Auntie SL. The next moment, tickets were booked and we were heading to Phuket! Hoho.

The days before Phuket was a haze bcos I was so busy at work, which was a good thing so that my neck didnt have to grow longer from the pinning. In a blink of eye, the bag was packed and we were on the way to the airport!

To maximise time in Phuket, we had booked the 8am flight, which meant checking in at 6am and into the taxi at 5am. Yesh, we were up at freaking 4.15am, panda eyes and all. The ride to the airport was a very quiet one; the kids were catching up on the lost sleep.

The excitement started the moment we met up. Checking in and baggage dropped were easy peasy. Immigration was a breeze too. Woohoo!

Bcos it was budget airline, it was important to fill the tummies before boarding. The kids had their usual run at the little playground before and afer bfast. Apparently some things dont change for a long time even when the kids looked too old to be playing at the playground.

Group picture before boarding.

Monkeying around as we waited to clear the gate.

Checked again on the plane.

We bought allocated seats bcos Daddy Lim insisted that he needed seats with extra legspace. I ended up sitting with both kids with Auntie S behind me, followed by Auntie SL. The kids were making so much noise and soon swop seats such that they were split by gender. All were good once they settled down and were plugged into the downloaded movies on our phones.

No food on board = tummy filled preboard and Mummy Lim who brought a lot of snacks. Hoho. No entertainment = self prepared with pre downloaded movies. It was a short 1hr 45 mins flight. Before long, we had touched down to the land of sunshine... a lot of sunshine.

The boy was very excited and it meant a lot of fustration and whinning when met with a looooonnnngggg immigration Q.

It took us a while to clear the immigration and then to join another Q to exit the airport. We had booked a private van transfer from Klook to the hotel only to realise that it was another wait. It was fustrating to wait without knowing what we were waiting for, especially when it was nearing lunch time and our tummies were starting to growl. The communication was bad; "mam, wait there, wait there, shirt, shirt". What?!! Zzzzzz.

We saw my name waiting alongside with us but on the floor with the agent.

Then got "upgarded" to the side.

As per the previous groups, we knew that it would be our turn when it was finally picked up and handed to the driver.

We took the time to take pictures and buy snacks bcos we were bored and HUNGRY! Roar.

After like forever, the driver finally appeared. It was a comfy 10 seater van with ample space for luggage. The hotel was 1 hr away but a lovely ride bcos the boys were still occupied with the movie. We chatted and joked on the ride and it was such a pleasurable ride except that we were growing hungrier and hungrier. 

Kokotel Phuket was where we would spend the next 3 nights. It was like a stone throw from the Patong Beach. The iconic sheep. Blaaaa...

And the slide that provided the kids with much entertainment while waiting. 

The rooms were not ready. We left our luggage in search of lunch. There was a huge eating place right opposite our hotel but was more catered for dinner; many of the stalls were still closed. We walked and walked and walked to look for an "Auntie SL approved" eatery. She is like the group's eating guru ok, dont play play. 

We did find a Thai food place along Patong Beach only to realise that Patong is a totally touristy place and cheap food doesnt come by in touristy place. However, the pad thais were to die for when we were that hungry. The kids had their 1st exposure to the Patong Beach though in the totally wrong attire; we were still dressed for the chilly plane ride. They only got to stroll on the beach and wet their feet.

We had to head back soon after lunch bcos we were melting and also bcos we had booked the Jungle Extreme (JE) zipline park; the pickup was at 1.30pm. It was a pleasant surprise to know that the rooms were available. Hurray! Our triple beds room was huge though a tad old. I couldnt help but noted how much prettier the room pictures on website looked. Lol. 

The transfer came on time. For a while, I was worried that park would play us out. It was a good 45 mins drive to the park. This time, we were all knocked out - the early morning and the aircon comfy van provided the perfect setting. 

It was the perfect nap before the physical workout.

We opted for the 40 platforms instead of the 62 one bcos the boys were not tall enough. They had to be at least 1.5m tall. 

Then, the 1st real challenge came - the staff who confirmed our booking assured that payment could be made in cash or cc but we were told that only cash was accepted. While we had enough on the spot, it reduced greatly the spendable amount left for the trip. 

Once the "hurdle" was cleared, we prepared for the zipline. 

As part of the prep, we had to watch this very long video on safety precautions. The demonstrator was very naggy, it became especially bad when we were all raving to go. 

Finally, it was time for action. We had to climb a few flight of stairs before the start point. By then, we were panting and huffing, joking that that was the actual obstacle course. 

Bcos no phones were allowed, we had no picture as well, except for the group picture that Auntie S bought. 

The 40 platforms were not as tough as I had expected. The initial platforms were more physically demanding; the last few were mainly ziplining. Chill leh. Some of the obstacles were tougher and required some height so it must be really challenging for the little ones with short hands and legs. Haha. The most challenging one in my opinion was the tree climbing with wall climbing studs, largely bcos it was a vertical climb. My arms were literally shaking from exhuastion by the end of the tree climb. I still thought that the zipline park in Bali was better; there were more varieties and the obstacles were more challenging. 

By the time we arrived at the last few ziplines, the kids were experts already. We conquered the 40 platforms and returned to the reception for ice cream as a reward.

The same van sent us back to the hotel. What did we do? Knocked out again after the workout. Lol.

It was the perfect time for dinner by the time we arrived back at the hotel. Poor Zaky had fallen into a deep slumber and couldnt wake up. He continued to sleep at the table while we dug in to delicious fried maggie mee, mango sticky rice, satay pork, banana prata... woohoo! 

The boy was finally awake when dinner was done. By then, his tummy started rumbling and he was happy to settle for instant noodles in the room. Lol.

With the setting sun, it was the perfect time to hit the beach. 

While the weather couldnt be any better, the fading daylight also meant that the kids couldnt stay in the water for too long. We needed to make sure that we could eye power them and it got harder by the minute. 

We headed back to the room and it was 8ish by the time we showered and settled down. By then, Lil Shauna had alread6y quietly crept under the blankets to lala land. Lol. 

We were all beat and sleep came so easily, even for Zaky who had a long nap that lasted through dinner. 

Mummy Lim