ISSUE 3 July 2009 - Cape Panwa Hotel · ISSUE 3 July 2009 Welcome to this month’s edition of...
Transcript of ISSUE 3 July 2009 - Cape Panwa Hotel · ISSUE 3 July 2009 Welcome to this month’s edition of...
ISSUE 3 July 2009
Welcome to this month’s edition of Otter’s Tales! We have so much in this issue,
including a wedding, a trip to the Big Buddha, octogenarian Easy Riders, Thai traditions
explained, splashy fun at Thailand’s Water Festival and more. If you want to learn about
Thai fruit you’ve come to the right address and here is where to check to see if you’re a
lucky winner. Unfortunately this month we have found no adjectives to describe Tim’s golf
expertise – apparently the Oxford Dictionary ran out of adequate words.
LifeguardsMany return guests have told us that one of the
reasons they do so is because of the calming
effect of Cape Panwa Beach. But not all of Phuket’s
beach life is so tranquil. Phuket’s west coast beaches
are tempestuous from April to November with crash-
ing waves and deadly undercurrents.
From this summer on lifeguards will be on
duty at 12 of the most popular west-coast
Phuket beaches. New signs have been
erected here alerting tourists to the
dangers of swimming during the
‘summer’ season.
So watch out if you are on a west coast Phuket beach from April to
November: those lovely green waves don’t always mean that the sea is
welcoming.
The Cape Panwa tides may be low but they’re much safer than
the west-coast summer maelstroms.
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What’s on in Phuket
- Rain in Phuket
Hotel Happenings
- Happy families
Wedding
- Ed and Karen
Thai Traditions
- Wat Chalong and
Big Buddah
- Cape Promthep
- Thai Fruit
Thai Traditions
- Jai Yen Yen
- Thai age
- Thai feet
Quizzes
- Quiz on Thailand
Cape Panwa
Happenings
- Songkran
Meet a guest
- Octogenarian Easy Riders
Guest fest
- Sue
Meet a member of staff
- Kanchit
9 Questions
- Natee
Up and Coming
- More privileges
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The newsletter is named Otterʼs Tales after Bobby the friendly Otter who was a resident of the Cape Panwa Hotel for nearly 10 years
Illus
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Cape Panwa Beach
Cape Panwa Beach
– 2 ––– – 2222 ––
W h a t ’ s o nI N P H U K E T
Ed and Karen’s Special Day
Ed and Karen had a beautiful day – blessed beneath the tree
next to Panwa House. Dinner and drinks shared at Panwa
House followed with Spirit Balloons released on the beach.
Congratulations. Click here to see a recent wedding at Cape
Panwa Hotel posted on youtube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=N32s6gZoG9k
The Ladies
Rain in PhuketHere’s a thought: If the Earth was made for Man – as some claim – why is 75% of the
globe underwater and why don’t we have gills or dorsal fins? And, on another note,
why do Tim and Claude stay away from the swimming pool so much? Still, there’s
nothing quite like a tropical downpour, is there? Watching the rain pouring down is
somewhat therapeutic and because there’s so much of the stuff, there’s no shortage,
right? Wrong: Phuket has only one dam – Bang Wat Dam, in Kathu – and although the
island has various craters from its tin-mining days that are sourced for water they are
gradually disappearing, victims of the island’s ‘development’. So please bear this in mind
and stay conservative in your water use during your stay.
Happy familiesRochidee (our famous, in Cape Panwa
anyway, Room Divisions Manager)
welcomed a new member of staff to the
Cape Panwa Hotel family last week – Khun
Kriengsak, our new Front Office Manager.
Our lovely ladies at the front take care of
him and now Rochidee is dreaming of
a holiday in a far away place – Australia
again?
Kriengsak and staff
H o t e lH A P P E N I N G S
Panwa Princess Yacht Trip
Ed and Karen
Tim and a game of Golf
Tim got 5 bogies last week…… But lost
6 golf balls. Did you know that Tiger
Wood’s mother was half Thai?
– 3 –
Fruit of the month:
Mangosteen (Mongkut)
Tarty, sweet and with a soft inner texture and a tough purple
exterior, the Mangosteen has been named the Queen of exotic
fruits. To open, simply press the fruit in your hands and the thick
skin will crack, making it easy to expose the delicious interior. Be
wary of the purple skin juice as it can stain clothes permanently.
Some segments have a soft stone in them.
Phromthep to undergo a faceliftThe stunning Phromthep Cape at the southernmost tip of
Phuket is one of the most visited and photographed sites of
the island. It attracts about one million visitors a year. But,
let’s face it; it’s all a bit run down. Grassy areas have been
trampled by Canon-and Nikon-toting tourists, the car park’s
as full as a DIY centre on a Saturday afternoon and the cape’s
signature Palmyra trees were hit by weevils this year, killing
off several of them.
To tackle all of this, local
officials have started a
restoration project with
replacement Palmyras
and an irrigation system
installed to keep the
grass healthy and green.
A public planting will
take place later this year and visitors will be discouraged from
walking on the green sections.
Let’s hope it doesn’t suffer the same fate as Nai Harn Lake,
where dozens of monks and officials, accompanied by a
large crowd of well wishers, congregated three years ago
to plant lakeside and beachside palms along with a whole
gamut of exotic plants. Then they simply let them die off
because no one had been appointed to water them.
A trip to see Big BuddhaIt seems that every time a
Buddah image is erected
it’s ‘the world’s biggest’.
Well, to put the record
straight, Phuket’s Big Bud-
dah, at the top of Kata Hill
and overlooking most of
the south of the island, is
not. The biggest, that is.
Still, the huge white statue
and its lesser golden
companion are a pretty
impressive sight and one well worth paying a visit to. The
image is six kilometres from Chao Fa West Road and quite
a steep climb in parts. Park down at the base, where a
makeshift marquee stands accompanied by a host of dona-
tion boxes. Some people stop to
pray with the Buddhist monks
there and there’s a background
of chanting while a monk deliv-
ers a sermon. If you’re feeling
sprightly you can bounce up
the 72 steps to the images and
ring the bell up at the top – if not then take
it in stages, there’s plenty of opportunity to rest on the way up.
The views from the top are magnificent: you can gaze along the
mountainous backbone of Phuket, look down upon Chalong Bay
and the neighbouring islands, peek out over the Andaman and
even see the Racha Islands
to the south of Phuket. It’s
blessedly cool up there and
the ideal spot to take pan-
oramic photos of the island.
See you up there!
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W h a t ’ s o nI N P H U K E T
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ring the bell
– 4 –
T h a iT R A D I T I O N S
Jai Yen, Jai Yen! Keep Cool!There have been a couple of recent ‘cultural misunderstand-
ings’ between visitors to Phuket and the island’s authorities
that we really wish hadn’t happened but nevertheless did – so
let’s learn a few lessons from them.
Simon Burrowes
Simon came to Phuket a few months ago to help train a Thai kick-boxing champion.
However, things went awry when he was checking out of the country. An immigration
official decided to take a closer look at his passport photo and discovered that: a) on it
Simon was not wearing a shirt (an offense under Thai law) and: b) the photo had been
trimmed out of a larger one (another offense).
Simon lost three important things: His non-refundable flight home, (his plane left during
passport inspection); his temper… and subsequently his freedom. Three months later and
a spell in jail it’s all over, thanks to anonymous Thai donors who paid his way back to the
UK, but Simon says he’ll never forget his experience.
Annice Smoel
Annice was celebrating her mother’s birthday in Patong’s Aussie Bar where, she claims,
two friends rolled up a rubber beer mat (approx worth – AU$60 and weighing more
than three kilos) and placed it in her bag. As she left the premises the bar’s security
apprehended her. She lost her cool and ended up leading the local chief of police
through a brief, but in-depth colourful romp through the dictionary of Australian
obscenities that resulted in a charge of robbery and a large iron door slamming behind
her. Annice pleaded guilty and was freed, mostly due to the Phuket Governor’s timely
intervention and the threat of one year in prison hanging over her.
The Lesson: It’s best never to display open anger in Thailand, or for that matter in any
Buddhist country, and least of all to people in authority. Most Buddhists interpret raised
voices and open insults as the lowest form of
communication and it is the angry person
who will lose face.
The Afterthought: Annice Smoel, rather predictably, sold her
story to an Australian magazine and tried to use the proceeds
to finance a flight for her and her kids to Miami’s Disneyland.
She was refused a tourist visa to the
USA because of her Thai fracas.
The FeetAs mentioned in the last edition, touching
a Buddhist’s head is considered rude in
this society as it represents the highest-re-
spected part of the body. Proportionately,
the feet are considered the least-respected
part of a Buddhist’s anatomy and there-
fore to point your foot at anything and
anyone – especially to someone you are
referring to – is not acceptable. Likewise,
to wear shoes in a Buddhist’s house is akin
to parking your SUV on your host’s lawn,
back home. Please remove your footwear
when entering a Buddhist institution,
office or house. A good hint: If in doubt,
when you see a rack of discarded shoes,
The Elders Elders take predence in Thai society. If you,
even in your early 50’s are referred to as
‘Papa’ or ‘Mama’ this is a sign of respect
and you should revel in it. In later life,
elders are traditionally taken care of by
their offspring, resulting in (without, as yet,
social security) a tight-woven society. If you
are invited into a Thai family’s habitat you
are indeed privileged. Bring a modest gift,
take off your shoes before entering and be
prepared to be the centre of attention for
the rest of your stay. If you, however, are
referred to as ‘Papa’ or ‘Mama’ in your 40’s
it’s time to hit the fitness room.
o
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Sud
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– 5 –
Win & Prizes: Please post or email your answers to us and we will announce the winners in our next Otter’s Tales. Prizes
include T-Shirts, baseball caps and more and can be collected on your next visit or email Tim to have it posted out to you.
1) How many heroines are celebrated at Phuket’s Heroine’s
monument?
2) How long is Phuket from north to south?
3) Multiple choice answer: What country was the source of
thousands of emigrants to Phuket during the tin-mime boom
of over 100 years ago? a) Australia b) Indonesia c) China
4) Multiple choice answer: In Thailand, people (should) drive
on what side of the road? A. a) Left b) The quickest route to
the next noodle stand c) Right Left
5) What is the name of the present Thai Prime minister?
6) ‘Bhukit’ – one of Phuket’s earlier monikers means what in
Malay? a) Hill, b) mountain?
7) Which Phuket town was the previous seat of government?
8) In which season do the red flags fly on Phuket’s west
coast?. a) November to April b) April to October c) All-year
round.
9) How do you say “How are you?” in Thai?
10) How do you say in Thai, “Oh my God, I’ve just stepped
on your feet, rubbed your head (see Thai traditions in this
issue) and driven on the wrong side of the road all the way
back to the hotel.”
Wet, wild and wetterCape Panwa celebrates Songkran 2009.
CROSSWORD & QUIZ
Down1. Bell shaped with a green or red waxy skin.2. Pink skin with green scales and the juicy fl esh has small edible black seeds.3. Circular fruit with a purple tough shell but with white fl eshy fruit segments inside.4. Circular with a hard green skin - eat with sugar salt and chili.6. This smells!!!!7. Red and brown pods covered with soft spines (my fav).10. A grapefruit but no bitter taste.
Across5. Best eaten with sticky rice.8. Red or orange skin when ripe - usually cylindrical in shape.9. Small brown sweet balls with translucent fruit inside.11. Circular, red and is covered with soft green spines.12. Pink or red brittle bumpy hard skin with white fruit inside.
Cape PanwaH A P P E N I N G S
Songkran –
G U E S TF E S T
THE WINNER OF
– 6 –
On my last visit to Cape Panwa, on a
Friday gathering under the beachside
palms, I overheard the most extraor-
dinary conversational snippet. What I
thought I heard and eventually turned
out to be true was: “Beth and I clocked
3,200-plus kilometres on a rented
Honda Dream last year but this year
we’re taking it a little slower as Beth just
turned 80 and has trouble cocking her
leg over the back seat.”
Understandably, I was instantly drawn
as a moth to an altar of lit candles.
Tim took Chaz and Beth to a
seafood buffet and asked them a
few questions
Q Is it true that on your last visit to Cape
Panwa you clocked over 3,000km on
your rented Honda Dream?
A Yup; Beth and me did 3,234 kilome-
ters on the Honda Dream.
Q What on earth did the owner of the
bike say when you returned it?
A The owner of the bike was an em-
ployee of the Cape Panwa at the time
and was not at all fazed.
Q Your favourite Phuket destination?
A We love to visit Promthep Viewpoint
and around Chalong.
Q Any hairy moments?
A In general, Phuket’s a great place to
discover by bike but we were in line for
a license check one time at the Chalong
roundabout but the Duty Police Officer
recognized us and waved us through
and smartly saluted us as we jumped
the queue. Then there was the blind
man crossing the road. we did see an
accident and when we made the deci-
sion to slow down this year I must admit
the family was happy.
Q Is there anything like a Honda Dream
in Australia?
A Not really, but I did have a Tiger
1,000cc 56 years ago.
Chaz and Beth
M E E T A
G U E S T
Chaz and Beth – Born to be Wild
Octogenarian Easy Riders
Kanchit – a friend foreverKanchit started working at the Cape Panwa
Hotel over ten years ago and the changes
that he has seen are too many to mention
here.
He started as a porter in the kitchens and
was swiftly moved to the beach and is now
a Boat Attendant.
He is married to Wantana who also works
with us at the Cape Panwa Hotel and they
have one little boy…….
He is also a successful fisherman in his spare
time – but he will not give up his day job.
from the last edition of Otter’s tale were
Please contact us as to how you would
like to receive your prize.
Lynne Price and Paul Easton
Kanchit
t th C P
Kanchit at work
MEET A MEMBER OF
S T A F F
Well done Sue
Sue is a regular guest of the Cape Panwa
Hotel. She recently ran 5k in the ‘Race for
Life’ in the UK to raise money for Cancer
Trust in her home town in the UK. If you
have anything that you would like us to
put in our Newsletter please send it to us.
– 7 –
Which is easier – being at work or at home?
A) Easy answer – being at home is so much harder because there are so many things
that I have to do – here I have just one – to take care of the guests.
How did you meet your wife?
I met my wife here!! And now we have two precious little boys
How come your English is so good?
We learnt some at school but I wasn’t much good at it there – in the hotels was the best
place to learn and I have worked in quite a few.
Man Utd or Liverpool?
Manchester United – (a chorus of singing sounds across the beach) no problem. And Eric
Cantona is my hero (the singing starts again).
Your favourite restaurant in Phuket and best beach??
Easy 101 just outside Phuket Town; they make the best Som Tam in the world. (With a
smile) Cape Panwa Beach – my children like to swim on Ao Yon Beach because it is near
our home – Patong is also fun because it is busy and really long.
What do you like to do on your day off?
Fishing in my friend’s long-tail boat and playing takraw (Thai football).
Who is your favourite singer?
I like soft rock and most of all Elton John.
Who is your favourite movie star?
Pierce Brosnan – as James Bond.
Best place for a massage in Phuket Town?
For a relaxing massage we go near my house – to Panwa Beach Garden Spa.
You can contribute, too! Please send us your holiday photos and we’ll post them in
Otter’s Tales. Please post to [email protected]
›› Thai Traditions - Loy krathong
›› Thai Traditions - Thai fruit
›› Quizzes
›› What’s on in Phuket
›› Meet a member of staff - The Band
›› Hotel News - Play pool in the Lighthouse
›› Hotel News - Suites
›› Meet a guest
Cape Panwa O N L I N E
Be sure to check our blog at www.capepanwa.blogspot.com for the very latest happenings
at Cape Panwa
U p &C O M I N G
PRIVILEGESC A R D
with Khun Natee
u e s t i o n s
Natee works on the beach and the boats of the Cape Panwa Hotel. Natee was voted the staff member of the month for April using the Cape Panwa Blog.
Guest Loyalty Program
With the introduction of our GM cocktail
parties we have also introduced a Guest
Loyalty Program for all of you who have
visited us previously. We would like to say
thank you to the great many people who
choose to come back.
There are two cards (gold or silver) and they
have different benefits, from a dinner at
Uncle Nan’s Italian Restaurant to a Siamese
Massage at the Spa. If you are lucky enough
to have a gold card you can visit the Cape
Lounge everyday during your stay. And
every guest who has been here 10 times or
more will receive a free cruise on our brand
new Panwa Princess Yacht!
More details of this Loyalty Program are
available from the website
www.capepanwa.com.