5 Things to Do and Visit in Phuket

These 5 places to visit in Phuket are definitely not the only places/things to see in Phuket. They just make up some of what we managed in out short and sweet trip to Phuket - made even sweeter by our tour guide Ellie.

Fantasea, Phuket - This is a MUST MUST watch show - showing the history of Thailan with some incredible dramatics, theatre, amazing acrobatics, magic, etc. Watch out for the moment when all the livestock run across the stage! The fairground (the setting for the show) and its atmosphere make it really a 2-in-1 outing.

Phi Phi Islands - The coves, the emerald water, the snorkeling experience - wow. Includes the pristine beaches including the famous Maya Beach where the Leonardo di Caprio starrer, The Beach, was shot. Our trip included an additional attraction(???) of a hair raising speed boat ride! The trip is definitely not to be missed even if you can do without the speed boat ride...

Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island - James Bond island was made famous in the movie "The Man With The Golden Gun". The famous table top island forms a must backdrop for "I visted Phuket" snaps. The trip to James Bond Island is through the Phang Nga Bay. There was a stop to explore the rock formations and the mangrove islands by a canoe (thankfully steered by local experts). The stop at a floating Moslem fishing village for lunch completed the amazing day.

Floating Fishing Village

Simon Cabaret - If you have been to Thailand and not taken in a Lady boy show - you really have missed one amazing event in life. The Simon Cabaret is a classy muical extravaganza with a difference. the performers are all transvestites. Though looking at the exquisite ladies performing - one is hard pressed to believe it.

Phuket Island Tour and Patong Beach - many people dont prefer the Patong beach because of the crowd. Thats the many reason - the bustling beach is so attractive. A great place to just relax with a massage as one takes in the sights, sounds and smell of Phuket.

Oh there are a great many other places to visit in Phuket. But I did say i will talk about just 5 of them!

Holiday Bingeing Vs Holiday Diets

Every fitness site I have come across in the past few days seems to be concentrating on advise to keep the holidays calories down. Blogs like "How to have a calorie free holiday" or "holiday diets" to tips on "Holiday Eating Do's and Don'ts" are rampant online these days.

Why?

I mean I have been at it throughout the year, swimming, gymming, dieting, running...cant you just leave me alone these last few days of the year? Starting the new year, I know I will have to go at it again - so just sh$$#@ off.

So what have I had these last few days?

Plates of Biriyani (ummmm)
Cuttack Chaat (an awesome mix)
Samosas
Gujrati Mixture (funnily, a speciality of Cuttack)
Dahibara Aloodam
Gupchup
Avada
and loads of true oriya home cooked food like bhaja, khatta, mahura, santula

Who cares about the scales?

Unfortunately like all good things in life this culinary extravagance has to come to an end soon - when I leave home after the kids holidays:-( ...and back to checking where the scales tip...

James Bond Island Phuket

The famous table top rock at the James Bond Island, phuket, where Man With the Golden Gun was picturised.

Running a 10 km Race

I am preparing to run a race the coming Sunday. So many doubts and questions arise. I started hitting the gym seriously just a couple of months back. I was just a lazy lounging mom - before deciding to do something about my fitness. After roughly 7-8 weeks of gymming intermittently - I really do not know whether I am fit enough to do a 10 km - 10 kms of carrying my considerable body weight early in the morning with thousands of determined runners at a jogging pace.

Today I have been surfing for last minute preparations. I had some rough idea of starving myself the next 2-3 days to get my body weight down an extra kg or two - so as to run better. That seems to be a no no. All advise seem to suggest to eat proper (and not to think about weight now). The best I have run so far has been 3 odd kms on the treadmill at a stretch. That seemed to me an achievement last week! 10 kms? Will I cramp up mid stretch and an ambulance need be called. I am truly getting nervous! My calf and knee muscles also protest when I put in a bit of extra effort. At forty - and 15 - 16 kgs overweight - with flat feet - what else did I expect???

The best advise I found online was to run from telephone pole to pole and walk the next. Maybe I can cover the distance then. Walk, run, whatever - I want to finish the race, provided my knee, legs hold out.

So a week more of anticipation and nervousness. Wishing myself all the best! Will post update if I overcome my nervousness and get to the starting line.

PS - I still can't believe it! I completed 10 kms in 1 hr 25 mins odd and felt I had some to spare too!!! The couple of months of gymming and burning calories seems to have helped build stamina! As also the bootcamps!

All in all Adidas King of the Roads 2011 was an awesome run. The route was great and smooth with just the right gradient to make it interesting. The road was choc a bloc with colours befitting the theme. The pink, orange, yellow, blue Adidas vests all pounding away together made it really beautiful. Cant wait for my next run. Yoo Hoo!