Chapman In Phuket

Back Online

2011-07-13T04:51:00.000-07:00

Hi all, sorry been away for a while back soon to post more about Chapman in Phuket.

Film's Birthday Party

2010-03-10T00:39:00.000-08:00

We were all invited to go up for Film's birthday party. Film's Mum and Dad own and run the local shop they are a great family and have helped us many times with all sorts of stuff. Here are some pictures I took of the party you'll see the picture of the lanterns which set off into the sky, the idea is that they take all the bad stuff away, I wish!

One of my favourite photos

2010-03-09T23:19:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture of Thip and JJ at Film's birthday party.

Bang Tao Beach

2010-03-09T22:36:00.001-08:00

Another day spent on yet another beach in Phuket. One starts to feel like it's an endless holiday..... Well that was the point! I don't think I will ever get enough of this life, simply days spent on the beach enjoying all the Phuket weather, sand and sea. There was only one restaurant which took are fancy here and it was a good choice we had some great food.

Tickets For Phi Phi From Phuket

2010-02-24T06:49:00.000-08:00

What a hassle I had trying to get reasonable price tickets from Phuket to Phi Phi we ended up paying 1000THB return on our first trip. I am publishing this article so anyone searching for tickets from Phuket to Phi Phi will easily find it, let me know if you do please. The best place to get your tickets from Phuket to Phi Phi Island are from guest houses located ion Phuket Town you should not pay more than 600THB return plus they will pick you up from your guest house in Phuket and deliver you to the port at Rassida. Do not buy your tickets from Phuket to Phi Phi at the ferry terminal as these will cost 600THB one way and 1000THB return. That's my advice and I live in Phuket. Let me know how you get on.

The Visit From Allan and Tony

2010-02-24T06:32:00.000-08:00

Well we all had a great time when Allan and Tony came it was in fact mine and Thip's first proper night out since we'd moved to Phuket rather mad night out but what would you expect? Unfortunately we don't have many photos but I'll publish these and post some more when Allan gives me his lot.

Natural Restaurant

2010-02-24T06:19:00.000-08:00

We spent a lovely evening me Thip and JJ at the Natural Restaurant in Phuket town the other evening. This is a really good place for sea food and although the staff aren't as friendly as you get in most Thai restaurants it was still really good. We have pawns and soft crab and a few beers to wash it all down have to say that if Natural restaurant employed a friendlier set of staff they really would be on to a winner. Have a look at the pics and if you feel like giving me a story about your experience at Natural restaurant I'd be pleased to publish it.

added 10/03/10 We have been back to the Natural restaurant 2 more times since this post and I have to say that our first experience with the staff seems to be a one off as both other times the staff have been really GREAT. We can all make mistakes!

JJ Taking a bath in the washing tub

2010-01-27T02:42:00.000-08:00

Here are some pics of JJ taking a bath in the washing tub last night, he seems to thoroughly enjoy it.

JJ new bicycle

2010-01-27T02:36:00.000-08:00

Here is JJ on his new bicycle it even has a terrible sound when you push the button

JJ Clap Clap

2010-01-27T01:45:00.001-08:00

Here is JJ clapping to the ABC song, this is the first time JJ has clapped, very exciting!! We decided to get a few educational toys such as an ABC safety mat so he doesn't bump his head and some sing along songs. Amazing, when I was looking for sing along songs in Bangkok I couldn't find any yet yesterday in the supermarket Villa I found this great little cd part of a series of 3. You will see that JJ keeps looking in the other direction (where the music is coming from) rather than look at me.

Ice Creams On The Beach

2010-01-24T07:14:00.000-08:00

We decided to go out for the day to this very Thai beach it is only 10 mins in the car from where we live and we had a great time eating ice creams and drinking beer.

Kamala Beach

2010-01-09T22:25:00.000-08:00

Here at some photos of our day out yesterday at Kamala beach.

JJ Inspecting the sand on Kamala Beach

2010-01-09T21:38:00.000-08:00

Here is a spinet of video with JJ playing in the sand at Kamala beach.

2010-01-09T21:33:00.000-08:00

Well, Mum and Dad sent some stuff for It and Sai to make for xmas so here are the pictures to show how they got on

River Rovers a day out on a canal boat

2009-12-26T00:49:00.000-08:00

Thip and I and J all went for a day out with Gordon and Luk on their river boat the River Rovers. I was told that if you enjoy getting away from all the tourist traps then Gordon and Luk's trip on the River Rovers was the answer.
We started off at the end of Chalong pier, note that Chalong pier is quite a walk so allow a good 10 minutes, however as Gordon told us when the tide is in he is able to collect people off the beach.
Once we had settled on the boat we were off at the turn of the key. For those who are looking for simple boating River Rovers is one of the best as they is lots of deck space and hardly any ropes to trip on. Having enjoyed a fresh glass of juice we made our first stop at one of the real fish farms. Here we were able to take a look at all the fish that have been caught by the local Thai fishermen, what surprised us was that it was not just fish for eating but also for aquariums. Gordon told me how they had first come to stop at the Thai gypsy fish farm. 'They always used to wave to us when we passed and then one day they just called us in and ever since we always stop by and let our clients buy any fish, crab or lobster, also we buy our food for the days trip there.' This is a very rare opportunity to see a real Thai fish farm and not a tourist’s fish farm.
There were 10 of us on the trip not including our 6 month son J and although this was more than was usual we had plenty of room and LOTS of great food all cooked by Luk who appeared to be cooking and serving food for most of the trip.
Our next stop after the fish farm was Ao Yon bay here we were able to enjoy a nice swim and some kayaking, until recently Gordon had 2 kayaks for guests to enjoy but unfortunately one got pinched.
We moved away from Ao Yon and I enjoyed a little sun bathing on the roof of the boat until we arrived at a wonderful little island with a white stretch of sand with nothing but water around it.
After this we went to the entrance of the river where there was an abandon beach for us to enjoy all to ourselves, here we had a magnificent lunch all cooked by Luk.
The main highlight of Gordon's trip is the ride up the quite river to see all the monkeys. Remember this is not a tourist route so it is only the local Thais who normally have any contact with these monkeys. We all had great fun feeding the monkeys bananas although they would pinch anything that wasn't tied down, we lost our sun cream to one such intrepid monkey.
After this Luk took all those who wanted on a tour in the kayak to see more wonderful wildlife that isn't accessible via the boat.
All in all this was a real treat firstly because of the hospitality of Gordon and Luk but also because of not seeing any other tourist at all.
With the River Rovers you will see a side of Thailand that not many people get a chance to see and with Gordon’s vast boating experience of over 50 years, 6 of them here in Phuket he knows these waters like the back of his hand, you are in safe hands.
Many thanks Gordon and Luk for your trip and all the lovely food.

For those of you who would like a trip on the river rovers click here boat trips phuket

Opening Presents before Xmas

2009-12-15T01:01:00.001-08:00

Well I really shouldn't have but I couldn't resist as I had a suspicion it may be a new teddy and indeed it was, JJ now has a Mr Spencer and Paddington Bear to chew on. Thanks Mum and Dad we have saved the other presents to open until Xmas.

Lazy Day in Kamala

2009-12-14T17:55:00.000-08:00

Well I decided to sneak off yesterday to take a look at Kamala, I was told that Kamala is just like Patong use to be 15 years ago. I have to say I rather like it the beach is very clean as was the water. There are a number of nice restaurants and bars on the beach and you can also enjoy a massage for 300THB (£5).

JJ Crawling

2009-12-13T16:47:00.000-08:00

We manage to get a short video of JJ crawling, he started just last week.

JJ is Now Crawling

2009-12-11T17:12:00.000-08:00

JJ has now started to crawl all though I'm not sure he has realised quite what freedom this could bring him. I shall put a video up as soon as we can get one.

What a Perfect Morning

2009-12-11T16:55:00.000-08:00

Well here in Phuket it's 7.30 am and what a glorious morning it reminds me of those summer mornings back in the UK. As you can see from some of the photos it is a cloudless start to the day.
Today is going to start with the traditional Tesco shop, stocking up for the week ahead is such fun don't you think guys?! You just can't beat a bit of shopping to start the weekend.
Anyway once the shopping is out the way we shall head down to Leighton's place by the beach. We are planning to have a BBQ and also check out JJ new inflatable ring photos to follow.

Finally we're here in Phuket

2009-10-08T08:07:00.000-07:00

Well I arrived in Phuket just over a week ago back on 26th September. Having searched on the internet for the last 6 weeks I pretty well knew what house I was going for and luckily it was still here. So we are now settled in a 3 bedroom house with office and 3 water features in the garden, I will show pics later but for now take my word when I say I have arrived!

Jon Bangkok 08-09 (18)

2009-08-22T08:33:00.001-07:00

Jon Bangkok 08-09 (18), originally uploaded by itsmeewan.

Another smile from Jonathan caught on camera

Jon's first food Bangkok 17-08-09

2009-08-22T08:29:00.001-07:00

Jon's first food Bangkok 17-08-09, originally uploaded by itsmeewan.

This is Jonathan having his first food which was bananas and oats seemed to go down quite well.

Sai and Jon Bangkok 22-08-09

2009-08-22T08:18:00.001-07:00

Sai and Jon Bangkok 22-08-09, originally uploaded by itsmeewan.

Sai helping to rock Jonathan to sleep but seems to have put herself to sleep instead.

Jonanthan laughing for first time on video

2009-08-22T00:48:00.000-07:00

Jonathan with hic ups about 1 month old

2009-08-22T00:22:00.000-07:00

Here is a video of Jonathan with hic ups a 1 month old. It seemed that Jonathan had the hic ups at least once a day until he was about 7 weeks old.

Let's Welcome it and Sai

2009-08-22T00:08:00.000-07:00

It and Sai are Thip's, my girlfriend's 2 small children 9 and 7 years old. It has been staying with us for about 18 months and Sai has been with us since April 2009.
This is Jonathan's first week back at home after spending 3 nights in hospital.

Welcome all to my new blog

2009-08-21T23:58:00.000-07:00

Well it is a little premature calling this blog 'chapman in Phuket' as I am still based in Bangkok at the moment but roll on October when I finally make the move back to the beach. Having lived most of my life by the beach I only consider it correct that living in Thailand should involve living at the beach. Having found myself in the very fortunate situation of working from home I felt there was no good reason to stay in Bangkok hence I'm off to Phuket.
Another good reason for starting this blog is the new arrival of Jonathan Jon Atip Chapman who was born on June 8th 2009 at 1.08pm.
I shall start this blog by posting some of the very early photos of JJ and gang.