The KHO News is published monthly
for friends of John and Jamal, covering
news and their life and times in Bali
February 2009
Thanks to AirAsia and their never ending sales we were off again on a Pan Asia New Year Tour.
First leg was to visit Jamal's family in Bandung, East Java to welcome in the New Year of 2009.
Jamal's nephew Erik came with us to Bandung, he was especially excited as it was his first ever flight.
Erik's very first Flight
The New Year Adventure  Continues On Page 6
Next Trip Feb 9
Feb 9 John will fly to Darwin, then Sydney to visit friend Rob and his broken foot, down to Melbourne to catch up with family and friends, then Feb 18th. we try AirAsia's new Melbourne-KL service. Feb 19, Jamal and friends Leo and Erna fly to KL from Bali, we spend a couple of days with them then on to the ancient city of Malacca, back to KL, fly to Bangkok and down Pattaya Beach. We return to Bali on Mar 3.
KHO News Late
Due to the holiday, the March edition of the KHO News will not be published until the 10th of March and  will carry a full coverage of our Malacca, Pattaya Holiday.
Whale beaches near Warung Sobat
Thu Jan 5: A whale beached on Batu Belig beach, near Warung Sobat during a rough storm the previous night. Many local people arrived and were slicing up the dead whale for meat, blood and oil. Very dangerous to consume spoiled meat from a dead animals, severe botulism could result. We were pleased to see that WHALE STEAK didn't appear on the Sobat menu.
 Rabies Epidemic
BaliDiscovery.com: In order to 
bring Bali's current rabies epidemic under control, governor Pastika has forbidden the import and export of dogs from Bali. 
A massive free Rabies vaccination program is now on in Bali for pet dogs and  humans. 
Kerobokan Home Office News - February 2009
Page 02
If you get vaccinated make sure they give you the human serum and not the canine. An extermination program is being conducted on Bali's ferrule dog population, estimated at 20,000. The Governor reminded pet owners that they are ultimately responsible for their pets behaviour - they can be criminally prosecuted if their dog causes harm or death to others.
Presidential Elections
SBY
Megawati
Indonesia's General Election commission (KPU) has scheduled the presidential election for July 8 this year, with a runoff, if needed, to be held on Sep 8. During the presidential elections, the Indonesian voters will elect president and vice president for 2009-2014 period. Two hopefuls running for the election are the in-cumbent Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and his pre- decessor Megawati Sukarnoputri. The legislative elections will be held on Apr 9, 2009 
2nd Airport for Bali
After months of uncertainty, Bali Governor  Pastika has confirmed the government's plan to build a new airport. "The idea to build an airport in north Bali did not just come from me, but also from Vice President Jusuf Kalla" Pastika said. "It's to crowded in the south and Ngurah Rai Airport can't support anymore traffic," the governor said. Northern Bali is home to a number of popular tourists destinations, such as Lovina beach, Singaraja, and the twin lakes in Bedugul.
The Current Airfield at Buleleng
We are unsure if the Governor of Bali plans to develop the existing airfield at Buleleng or at a new site.
John's new Toy
For the kid that has everything, John is now the proud owner of a 2Gb AirAsia dongle-Neat?
Indo Solar Eclipse
Jan 26: Indonesians witnessed an eclipse of the sun, some cheering and banging on drums as the moon slowly crossed the Sun's path, 
Dozens gathered  to see the spectacle, which peaked at 4:40 p.m. and lasted for 4 minutes.
We get a New DVD
Samsung P380
Our DVD stopped working while we were away in Thailand, as did our computer, (see later). We bought a new one, a Samsung P380, this model Jamal is assured is the best one for playing counterfeit  and crook DVD's. We bought the unit at Carrefour and it cost A$58.
Bali Cattle Exports
to be Reduced
The Bali administration has reduced the number of live cattle allowed for export to 55,000 in 2009 from 75,000 last year. "This reduction is to protect our declining numbers of the Bali breed of cattle," Ida Bagus Alit, head of the Bali Animal Husbandry Agency, said Friday. 
Bali Floods
Jan 11, while we were away in Thailand Bali suffered extensive flooding from monsoonal rain leaving 2,000 homes under water and tourists shut in their hotels. Rain continued for 8 hours non-stop.
Jamal get a new Kitten
Our house cat population had dwindled from 9 last year to only 2. While we were away in Thailand "White Lucy" disappeared and only "Yu Yum" the original house cat from 10 years ago remaining. Our Bali Police friend Lieutenant Yoga came to Jamal's rescue when he found a kitten who's mother had been killed by a car. Jamal has called the male kitten "Joy" short for
enjoy.  I said to Jamal "why don't you use the Indonesian word for enjoy - nikmat, then you could call it "Mat" - a far better name for a boy?"
"Joy"
Kerobokan Home Office News - February 2009
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"There really has to be a better way"
Just after we got back from our holiday we turned on the main KHO Computer - NOTHING!
I couldn't believe it - after doing all the standard checks we came to the conclusion that the mother board had chucked it in - less than a year old. We are quite used to that in the tropics, usually computers only last two years before corrosion, power spikes or lightening wreck them. Computers are very cheap here and that's half the problem, we are sure all the second quality product is dumped in Indonesia by China. Good marketing the poor locals can't afford anything else. The old story of the rich get richer and .....
After the tremendous success we have had with our Acer Aspire One we decided why not make that the heart of our computer operation. 
At least being a laptop it's a known product and we might get some more life out of it. (see diagram). We have opted to use the extended keyboard to extend the life of the Acer keyboard, often the first thing to go in a laptop. We'll use the larger monitor to make sure the graphics for the KHO news are perfect. And an USB/IDE adapter so we can use our DVD ROM. We can also plug in IDE or an SATA Hard Disk, expanding the data storage to lots of Gigabytes.
Our Hairdresser Fendi
Before travelling we always get a haircut, the best in Bali and we have been using him for over 10 years is FENDI, near Warisan on Jalan Raya Seminyak. Fendi is married with a wife and daughter. Price A$1.35.
We Get Another
Acer Aspire One
We are so wrapped in the Acer Aspire One, that we have been planning to get
a second back up machine, especially now we want to use one as the KHO central computer. We paid A$380 for our first one in Thailand in September, but that was when the AUD was almost the same as the USD. We checked in Thailand recently $730, the story same in Malaysia $640, Dick Smith
in Australia $630. Then I thought I would check ebay. After bidding a couple of times I got a brand new, never opened, unwanted Christmas gift Acer Aspire One for $428.
We Get Some New Chairs
For ages we have been looking for some weather proof chairs for our upstairs balcony, we finally found some aluminium café chairs. 
Before                   After
We have corrosion proofed the chairs aluminium against the tropical climes with military aircraft quality zinc chromate protective coating.
Painting the Chairs
Kerobokan Home Office News - February 2009
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Mid January in a blaze of publicity KL's AirAsia released plans to build a new private airport 8 Km east of the existing Kuala Lumpur airport. The Malaysian cabinet hurriedly passed the project. Ex-Prime Minister Mahartir, said it was ridiculous when KL's existing airport was under utilized. Jan 31, the Malaysian Government reversed the decision and now a new Low Cost Carrier Terminal capable of handling 20 million passengers a year will be built at KL International Airport. Tony Fernandes CEO AirAsia has been very critical of high airport fees charged by Malaysian Airports, operator of KLIA. Will Tony now get cheaper charges by agreeing to cancel his airport project? Mmmm
Nyepi-Balinese New Year
known as Nyepi, will take place from 6am Thur 26 March to 6 am Fri 27 March 2009. Local custom requires that all people in Bali observe a day of silence and stay indoors, make no noise and switch off all lights for the duration of this period. The Balinese consider “Nyepi” to be the most important day on the religious calendar and the prohibitions are taken very seriously. During this period, tourists must stay in their hotels. People leaving their homes or hotels during Nyepi are are at risk of being forcibly returned to their homes or hotels by Balinese traditional village level security personnel (Pecalangs).
Ines - Villa Up-Date
Ines has announced that her Mega Villa will begin construction soon, with road and drainage now done.
Plans A1Top-Secret
Ines' actual Villa plans are A1 Top Secret, even the KHO couldn't get a plan copy through the Indonesian Freedom of Information Office, however from what she has told everybody in Warung Sobat we envisage it will look just like this:
Overall General Impression
Note the imported slate roof.  Ines tells us that although the Villa is now 2 weeks behind schedule, she will fast-track it by bribing the workers and  "it will be" finished by August.
Indonesia is Still the Best Value Holiday
As we found on our recent trip to Malaysia and Thailand it was expensive, the finance team at the KHO got this graph together that shows why. The Australian dollar has depreciated severely against the US dollar and almost as badly against the Thai Baht and the Malaysian Ringgit, but as you can see your Australian dollar still has value in Indonesia.
Feb 01  USD=Rp11,403/AUD=7,252
Air Tickets to Bali Ex MEL
Feb Return Departure
Jetstar DIRECT   844
Virgin v PER v ADE   870
AirAsia v KUL 1076
Prices include all taxes but don't include extras. baggage, etc.
Kerobokan Home Office News - February 2009
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To Jakarta
Dec 30 We celebrated New Year with our Bali friends and Malcolm from Sydney at Warung Sobat. The next morning departing the KHO at 7am for our 09:45am AirAsia flight to Jakarta and then travel to Bandung by train. AirAsia don't fly Denpasar - Bandung. 
We took off on time at and the aircraft was 3/4's full with a mix of western tourists and locals. We got a good price because all the planes were flying to Bali full for new Year but not many wanting to travel in the reverse direction.
New Air Safety Regs
After so many air accidents in Indonesia in the past years and the banning of Indonesian registered aircraft flying into European airspace, Indonesia is trying to lift it's game and adhere to IATA 
safety regulations and even making some new regulations of their own, namely making it mandatory to assign seats. AirAsia normally doesn't assign seats, they say passengers load a whole lot faster with unassigned seats. We were surprised departing Denpasar to find that Indonesia now insists on seat allocation on AirAsia flights departing Indonesian airports. When an Indonesian air safety regulator was asked how does this help air safety he replied "After a crash it is easier to identify the burnt and mangled bodies."
Anti-War Demonstration
We took a bus from Jakarta's SOEKARNO-HATTA airport to Gambir rail station in Jakarta. As we came close to the Monas area there was huge demonstration, thousands, protesting angrily against the war in Gaza. The bus was held up and we were surrounded with protesters hitting the bus, more to make noise than anything. Hundreds of police were  in attendance all decked out in riot gear. Being the only "bule" (white man) on the bus I thought it prudent to pull the curtain across so the protesters could not see me. 
Eventually the bus made it through the crowd and we arrived safe and relieved at Gambir station.
Due to the demonstration we missed our Executive class 12:30 ARGO GEDE train to Bandung and Jamal had to book on the Parahyangap. It was full and there was standing room only for the 3 hour journey. It nearly killed my legs". Jamal found a spot in the passageway where we could sit. Our fellow squatters were in good humour and they made the time pass quickly.
Train Squatting
After three gruelling hours we arrived in Bandung and were met by Jamal's grand nephews Dede 
and Martin. We stretched our legs and had a drink, then caught the local 20 minute train out to Jamal's village of RANCA EKEK. We were at Jamal's house by 6pm, after almost 12 hours, but infinitely better than 26 hour A$23 bus ride from Bali- Bandung. By Air had cost A$118.
Jamal & Dede - Hangin' On to Ranca Ekek
We were surprise to find the local train to Ranca Ekek is brand new diesel sprinter and made in Madiun, Java, Indonesia. Maybe Australia should order some rather than import from France and Germany.
Ranca Ekek and it's proximity to the railway station
Kerobokan Home Office News - February 2009
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Home at last-Jamal, Teteh, his elder sister, Atep, second oldest brother, Erik, Teteh's grandson & Lina, the second oldest sister.
R. Ekek 15Km East of Bandung
As usual Teteh excelled herself and produced a great authentic Indonesian meal, food totally different to what you might find in a tourist restaurant in Bali, but I'm sure delicious to most palates. Although I must say I politely refused the fried chicken feet, probably my loss because Jamal said they are so crunchy and 
mouth watering when fried. After dinner we settled down to some new year celebration drinking. Jamal's brothers like beer mixed with a port like wine called Anggur Tuah (wine old). Although Jamal's family are Muslim, they all enjoy a drink in moderation on a special occasion, even Jamal's mum Amih.
New Year Fireworks
As midnight approached many of the local people started letting of fireworks and huge skyrockets. The local joke is that the fireworks are paid for by people trying to get rid of corruption money before 
Jan 1,  tax time in Indonesia.
New Year's Eve Dinner Ranca Ekek - Dadan, Yuni, Teteh, Amih (Jamal's Mum), Lina, Dede, Jamal, Elis, Ivan
Ranca Ekek Fireworks
John's Foot Massage
Erik's Mum Ani - Jamal's niece, is a professional masseur. She has taught Erik the art and he is now very good.  In Ranca Ekek she massaged John's feet for nearly two hours on two evenings "What relief
for train tired feet" said John. She taught Erik the foot technique so he could do the same back in Bali.
Ani Massaging -  Erik Learns
Kerobokan Home Office News - February 2009
Page 07
Erik & younger brother Martin
John's Bedroom - Ranca Ekek
Note: Wallpaper was bought at the Bendigo municipal dump Australia.
Jamal, Eriks bros. Aldi & Kiki
We caught up with Kiki who stayed with us in Bali for six months.
After four relaxing days it was time to leave Ranca Ekek and travel back to Bandung, Dede and Ivan accompanied us to Bandung Station
Jamal, Ivan, Dede & Erik
On arrival in Bandung New Year's Eve we booked tickets on the Executive class Argo Gede with reserved seats, not wanting to relive the standing room only experience.
Onboard the Argo Gede
We took the train back to Jakarta, bus to the airport, then our AirAsia flight back to Bali, which was unusually two hours late. We only had 32 hours in Bali before Jamal and I left again, this time, Malaysia.
Writing the KHO News - "On The Run"
The KHO News gathering office is now fully portable and goes with us on the road as we travel from one end of Asia to the other.  As well as our Cannon Press  Camera, we now have our Nokia 2 Megapixel 
camera phone for up to the second photos. It also has a 3G high speed broadband 
The On-road Kit - Acer Mini Laptop, Nokia 3G phone, Canon Camera & Short Wave Radio
modem connection to our Acer Mini Laptop for when we are trekking remote jungle out of WiFi range.
Correspondent John
This entire edition of the KHO News was produced on our Acer Aspire One.
Thousands of doubting Thomas' said impossible, we proved them wrong. So much faster writing and editing on the run. Fills in those boring hours waiting at airports.  The Acer Aspire One performing perfectly all the way, pity we can't say the same for the writer.
Kerobokan Home Office News - February 2009
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Never again will we fly
out of Bali on AirAsia's 06:00am flight to KL - the torture we put ourselves through just to save  money. As is widely known one must check-in for AirAsia flights 2 hours before departure, allowing time to get to the airport meant a 03:15am departure from the KHO.
Fiskal Tax
Few Westerners are aware that
for more than 20 years, Indonesians who depart Indonesia must pay Fiskal tax at the airport of 1 Million Rupiah (A$130) as well as the normal Rp 150,000 departure tax.
The Indonesian Government announced very late December that from January 1, 2009, the tax would be increased to Rp 2.5 Million Rupiah (A$ 330), however if one signed up for an Indonesian Tax File number (NPWP) before Dec 31, one would be exempt from Fiskal.
Indonesian NPWP Card
Naturally the Fiskal tax is a very unpopular one amongst Indonesians, especially businessmen
who must leave the country frequently. Also ASEAN have been very critical of the tax, in that they are trying to make all member countries a level playing field for trade. The Fiskal tax is effectively an import tax.
Indonesia has made a commitment to ASEAN that it will totally abolish the tax January 1 2011. Meanwhile the Government is using it as an incentive to get people to sign up for a tax file number. Before the campaign only 2% of Indonesians were registered with the tax department and only half of them ever bothered to file a tax return.
Air ticket DPS-KUL A$   50
Fiskal Tax A$ 330
Airport Tax   A$   20
Total
 A$ 400
Facing this crisis and considering we have 3 more international trips booked for 2009, Jamal decided to apply for a NPWP tax file number. This he did and it was ready in 2 days. We were told that Jamal would have to have the card for 1 month before it could be used for a Fiskal Free departure. We accepted for this time we would have to pay. However much to our surprise the officer at the Fiskal counter at Bali airport cheerfully accepted Jamal's NPWP card. A saving of A$ 330.
900 SEATS PER DAY
AirAsia is now the 2nd largest carrier to Bali with 5 x 180 seat Airbus 320 flights per day to and from Kuala Lumpur. Singapore Airlines is number one with 4 Boeing 777 flights per day.
Many budget conscious Australians are now opting to fly AirAsia to Phuket and Bali via KL from Perth, Melbourne and the Gold Coast. Fares including the extra distance can be up to 30% cheaper.
We were exhilarated with our good fortune. However the unknown factor is how will we fare now we are in the Indonesian Tax system. Jamal's income is below the taxable threshold, but will they see it that way? Time will tell. Stay tuned.
Our 06:00 AirAsia flight to Kuala Lumpur arrived in KL 15 mins ahead of schedule. We had breakfast at the low cost terminal, currently a chaotic building site with the new extensions, the caught the AirAsia A$3.75 bus into town.
The Daily 7-9am China Town Back Street Junk Market, KL
Kerobokan Home Office News - February 2009
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The Back Market
Next day were up early in KL and went and did the daily 7-9am China Town Back Street Junk Market. One could assume the market operates before the police come on duty. Lots of second hand mobile phones, car stereos and small electrical goods for sale.
Shall we say "Recycled"
Old laptop computers, gadgets, shoes, jewellery, tools, swords, knives and very realistic fake guns. We never seem to buy anything but it's an interesting brows.
Kings Café Moved
Well known Kings Café my favourite breakfast spot in Kuala Lumpur's China Town has closed. A charming Swiss backpacker lady we met, told us she heard  it had moved to Central Market. 
We will check this out next time we are in Kuala Lumpur.
After breakfast it was back to KL airport to board our one hour flight to Phuket Island. Thailand.
We again were surprised how many Australians were on the flight. The ones we met had flown overnight from Melbourne with AirAsia and were continuing on to Phuket. They were old Phuket hands and said it's great now that AirAsia fly to Melbourne. They said they paid a fraction of what they use to pay with JetStar or Thai International.
Transport services at Phuket airport, like most are a ripp-off and charge A$23 to Patong Beach or A$18 to Phuket Town. We know about and use the local bus to Phuket Town only A$ 2.50ea. We checked in at the ON-ON hotel,  Phuket's oldest and famed from featuring in the movie "The Beach".
The  Celebrity ON-ON Hotel
ON-ON Interior
Reception at ON-ON
John in Main Street Phuket Town
Kerobokan Home Office News - February 2009
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Phuket Town - Originally settled by the Portuguese
Our comfy room at the ON-ON
The ON-ON is a little spartan but the upstairs floorboards creak with history. Rooms cost from A$8.30 for single with fan to $16 for the double
air conditioned rooms. The ON-ON has everything, on the right inside, is a kiosk selling tours and transport, next to it is a small shop with internet @ A$2 per hr. FAX , laundry and ironing service. To the left a nice old lady runs a bar from 2-8pm daily. Next door to the ON-ON is the popular ON-ON Café open for breakfast daily at 8am.
Off The Tourist Track
Few tourists ever see Phuket Town, they go straight to touristy Patong Beach and stay there. A blessing!
Phuket Town-  many interesting old buildings
Venice of Asia, maybe not - one of Phuket Town's many canals
Kerobokan Home Office News - February 2009
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Cheap Eats-Phuket Town
Phuket Town has many nice restaurants if you want to splurge. There are also some very good cheap eats too. The best one we found was called Café Lotus.
Café Lotus - Phuket Town
We had fried rice with seafood $1.25, fried rice with crab $1.25, mix stir-fry vegetables $1.87, banana split $2.08, and a large beer $3.33, total $9.88. Very reasonable.
Our $9.98 feast
Next door to the ON-ON is the ON-ON Café where they serve breakfast, lunch and early dinner - 8pm close. Their full American Breakfast for $4 is good value. 
ON-ON Café - Good Breakfast
Al Fresco Food Court
Just across the road and down a bit is the open air food court. The have Thai, Japanese and Italian food.
Smoking in Thailand
Thailand has one of the world's most successful anti-smoking campaigns, with initially no laws just consumer education. Now they have introduced smoking bans in restaurants and bars. 
No ads are allowed, shops cannot display cigarettes, they must be under the counter or in a closed cupboard. Packet warnings graphically gruesome.
After staying two nights in Phuket Town we took a A$1 Songthaews out to the very touristy, expensive, but fun - Patong Beach.
The Mini-Bus to Patong
Jamal just loves busses
Conductor hangs off the back
Since the World financial crisis Thailand has become more expensive for Australians with the Baht now only B 24 to 1 AUD. When we were there last September we were getting B 33 to 1 AUD. Effectively making everything 39% more expensive. This time we really had to hone our budgeting skills.
Mobile Addict
Poor Jamal. before we even found a hotel in Patong Beach, he was in a mobile phone shop checking out the latest Nokia model. He dreams of a Tv satellite phone so he can watch soccer live from the UK.
Kerobokan Home Office News - February 2009
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Our Hotel "Connect" in Patong Beach - Phuket
On arrival in Patong we went to the Paradise area next to the Royal Paradise Hotel, had breakfast, then it was Jamal's turn to find a hotel - most wanted A$ 60 - 35, apologizing for the price because it was high season - crazy because Thailand are having the worst high season on record due to the political problems. We were expecting to pay around $35 and though we would stay 2 nights. Jamal returned with the news, then the waiter said we have rooms here. Jamal went and saw the manager who turned out to be a middle 
aged, very plump transvestite. She  was very nice and offered us a double room with a/c, Tv, fridge free LAN  internet for only $22.
Our Bargain 5-Star A$22 Room at Connect Hotel
Huge Patong Beach Shopping Mall with Robinson's and Carrefour
In the late afternoon we headed down to the Patong Shopping Mall frequented mainly by Western 
tourists who seemed to be buying up everything from Polo shirts to very expensive Sony laptops.
Kerobokan Home Office News - February 2009
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Thai Tourism Crisis
Patong Beach is normally wall to wall German folk lounging on the wide beach. This year at least it is not so crowded and there is room to move. But it is sad for the local peope who have had their incomes cut so drastically after the closure Bangkok and Phuket airports. World wide publicity of the events has caused thousands to cancell their holiday. TAT the Thai tourism Authority have just announced the re-introduction of the BIG BANGKOK SALE this comming European summer season. The government have also slashed airport landing fees in the hope that airlines will pass on the saving in cheaper air tickets, encouranging more people to come to Thailand.
Eating In Patong Beach
Patong like most tourist resorts has it's ripp-off tourist trap restaurants, but some are ok. In the cheap eat department we found it difficult, due to the low Australian dollar a Burger King Whopper will cost you more in Patong than in Australia. However we did find a few reasonable places. PIZZERIA HUT 1, a Patong institution is still good value with excellent Pizza and Pasta at reasonable prices.
John listing at Pizzeria Hut 1
Pizza's cost A$ 8, Pasta $7-10, 500ml red or white wine $16.
Another western cheap eat is 
Jamal listing at Forno a Legno
FORNO A LEGNO, slightly cheaper than PIZZERIA and a better selection of pasta's. John  had is all 
time favourite ravioli spinach, but sadly it was not very good. The best local eat we found in the main street where they had Thai food.
They had a pet cat in the restaurant called Meow which Jamal befriended. 
Fortunately cat was not on the menu. We shared fried rice with crab and seafood, beef asparagus and a large beer. A$11 for all.
Kerobokan Home Office News - February 2009
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We had pre-dinner drinks at the Patong Mall where they were promoting Chang beer $3.33 lge bottle plus a singer to entertain
Patong Nightlife is Legendary - Drag Queens Outside My Way Bar
Bangla Road, running from the beach to the main street has at least a hundred girlie bars, often with 6-10 girls per lucky customer.
Jamal out on the town
Another Bar
Jamal and Yet Another Bar
We eventually ended up staying four days in Patong, one reason was that we had such a good hotel rate, the second, we decided to not go to Ko Samui as originally planned and go direct to Krabi, but before that we returned to Phuket Town for a further two days.
Are Thai Plumbers
All Girls?
In every single hotel room we had in Thailand, the toilet seat would not stand up. 
Does one perfect one's aim 
or just sit down like a girl?
Kerobokan Home Office News - February 2009
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Krabi's Signature Obolisques - The Gate to the interior
The next leg of our trip
was to the Thai province of Krabi and Krabi Town 158Km by local airconditioned bus from Phuket.
Waiting for the Bus Departure
Bus Route Phuket to Krabi
Exterior and Interior - The City Hotel Krabi Town
We departed Phuket Town at 09:15 and arrived at the Krabi bus station 7 Km out of town at 12:20pm. The fare was A$ 4.79 per person.
From there we got a Songthaews in to Krabi Town, cost A 83¢ each.
Songthaews
Where we got off the Songthaews there was a hotel, Jamal checked the price, $20, really grotty. It was my turn to find a hotel, I left Jamal at a coffee shop and walked for 
over an hour. All I found were unpleasant guest houses $18-38 and a very nice hotel $63. I started back thinking the first hotel we found maybe the best deal after all – then I spotted the City Hotel. I nearly didn't walk in, thinking it expensive. They had rooms at all prices, we got a nice budget room with fan only $18, I took it. immediately.
Our Room-City Hotel, Krabi
Kerobokan Home Office News - February 2009
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Wat Sai Thai in Krabi houses an impressive reclining Buddha.
Krabi is a small city population just 18,000. Located  upriver from the coast, it has no beaches and most tourists make a beeline for Ao Nang Beach. Nevertheless, Krabi Town is a relaxed place where you can experience the real Thailand.
Krabi Floating Restaurant
Neanderthal Krabi Traffic Light
Night Food Market
The Night Food Market is one of Krabi's musts, genuine Thai food authentically cooked by local people for local people. Beat That!
Staff at our Favourite Stall
We ate at the Night Food Market almost every night. Most dishes are around A$1.50 and a large beer only costs A$ 2. We enjoyed crab, prawns, fried rice, Tom Yum soup, beef asparagus and kangkung. All in a nice friendly atmosphere right on the romantic Krabi river bank.
Motorbike taxi driver relaxes in a hammock in his taxi, while waiting to ferry Night Market diners home.
Kerobokan Home Office News - February 2009
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Final Night In Krabi
On our last  night in Krabi we treated ourselves to Viva Pizzeria Restaurant.
Famous for it's authentic italian Pizza's, however when I saw my favourite Ravioli ala Cream Fungi, I couldn't resist, with this places reputation the ravioli had to be better than the horrible one I had in Patong. Jamal ordered, yes you guessed it! - Spaghetti Marinara. We were not disappointed, the ravioli, perfect. Jamal said the marinara was
What a Great Menu
excellent also, I had 1/2 litre of imported Italian red wine and Jamal a large beer Heineken beer, the bill came to $39, worth every single cent. 
Jamal rating the Wine
The Ravioli and Marinara
If you are ever in Krabi Town, this one is worth checking out.
Authentic Italian Ambience
Beautiful Ao Nang Beach. The local government have done an excellent job of landscaping the foreshore with trees all along, a paved pedestrian only road and buildings set back a good distance from the beach.
Kerobokan Home Office News - February 2009
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Tourists enjoying Ao Nang beach
Thailand's best kept secrets-Ao Nang Beach.
Ao in Thai means Beach and what a beach it is. Totally different from Patong or Pattaya, this place has no girlie bars or sleaze it's an exclusive, expensive, family orientated resort. When we say expensive we mean there are no cheap hotels, all the accommodation is high class, but not actually expensive for what you get. Hotels range in price from A$ 40 - $200.  more if you want. We found the restaurants reasonable and very good quality, fresh seafood a speciality. We noted the lack of fast food chains. Of course there is a Mc Donald's, but they claim to be a restaurant don't they?
Jamal at Ao Nang Beach
John at Ao Nang Beach
One of the many resort hotels
Beach front Restaurants
The paved beach walkway
Beautifully Landscaped
James Bond Island
In the 1974 film, 'The Man with the Golden Gun', James Bond comes to Tapu Isl, which contained the 'Solex Agitator' This island near Krabi now known as "James Bond island" is a must see for tourists visiting Krabi.
Jamal's Contra Deal
Jamal bought many souvenirs at the
Ao Nang Gift Shop - the manager gave him a 20% discount for a mention in the KHO News.
Kerobokan Home Office News - February 2009
Pagen 19
After 2 weeks in Thailand it was time to head back to Kuala Lumpur and then Bali. Before leaving John had a 1 hour foot massage in the Krabi Town street market, what a relief for those much used feet.
What Podiatric Hell
Desolate Krabi Airport
Krabi Airport is only about 10km out of town. All the hasslers in the street were trying to sell us a ride to the airport for $15-30, however the day before we found where the local airport min-bus departs from, we got to the airport for only $2 ea.
Krabi International Airport is quite new and only has 5 flights per day, 3 operated by AirAsia, it has a full length runway capable of handing a Boeing 747.
Jamal Ready for Take-off
Our flight time from Krabi to Kuala Lumpur was 1 hr 10 mins. We took the AirAsia bus into town and checked in to the China Town Inn. After freshining up we headed to the China Town street restaurant wher our meal was pleasnatly interrupted by a parade through the street for Chinese New Year,
Jamal trying to eat dinner
Kings Café
Next morning we set off to find King's Café at it's new location in Central Market. We found it but sadly it is now just a cake shop, so much for what use to be the best breakfast in Kuala Lumpur.
Low Yat Centre
Later we took the MAS Aboriginal art Australia promotion mono-rail from Central Station to the Low Yat Centre, six amazing floors of computers and Electronics. 
KL Mono-rail
Low Yat Computer Centre
Next day to KL airport for our 3 hr AirAsia flight to Bali a total of 7.596 Km for the 3 weeks, that makes us .006453333 seconds younger than when we left, according to Mr Einstein's theory of relativity.
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