THERE is only one surefire way to know whether Phuket is set for a good high season or a bad high season. Visit the Small View Point Restaurant and Bar on the road from Cape Promthep to Kata.
It seems hard to believe now, but the Small View Point Restaurant began early this century as a space just two metres by four metres with a great view of Kata Noi beach below. It was perfect for sunsets.
There are those who say the After Beach Bar opened almost at the same time. Back in 2009 along came the Baan Chom View, even bigger and more modern.
Virtually each year, the bars grow in some way. If there is no extension, no additional stretching out towards the sea, no growth for extra customers, we reckon that Phuket is destined for hard times.
On the basis of this year's enlargement into the airspace above Kata Noi, Phuket seems set for another good high season.
We've been in touch with the spirit of Mr Bob Marley, who is known to have moved to Phuket after dallying at every beachfront around the world from Barbados to Bali.
''Mon, I love it here, looking down on Phuket,'' he told us. ''Buffalo soldiers everywhere, taking in every sunset. No Phuket, I cry.''
These days, Mr Marley's spiritual home away from home continues to attract more visitors each year.
Chart Panai, almost as much a feature at the After Beach Bar as Mr Marley, told us that the bar now has 40 tables. More are probably on the way.
At the lower end, The Baan Chom View is more modern and, as a parable for Phuket, tends to attract travellers who like everything to be an improved international version of the traditional island thatch and bamboo model.
With the tenth anniversary looming soon, there is noparty planned because not even the spirit of Mr Marley can recollect the precise day the first bar opened. Phuket was like that back then.
Among our favorite memories is of an early menu, where rice was misspelled as ''rich.'' So we ate fried rich with egg, fried rich with mixed vegetables, and a particular favorite, fried rich combination with shrimp.
For misprints and Mr Marley, this strip of sunset beach joints takes some beating. These days, you can even buy wine, although the old faves of pina colada in a coconut or mai thai in a pineapple are unlikely to disappear off the drinks list anytime soon.
Peak times are brunch and sunset, and the bars are open from 10am to 2am. Tell them Bob sent you, and expect a big night on the countdown to New Year's Eve this year.
After Beach: tel. 089 5947475. Baan Chom View: tel. 087 6280126, 087 6278368.
It seems hard to believe now, but the Small View Point Restaurant began early this century as a space just two metres by four metres with a great view of Kata Noi beach below. It was perfect for sunsets.
There are those who say the After Beach Bar opened almost at the same time. Back in 2009 along came the Baan Chom View, even bigger and more modern.
Virtually each year, the bars grow in some way. If there is no extension, no additional stretching out towards the sea, no growth for extra customers, we reckon that Phuket is destined for hard times.
On the basis of this year's enlargement into the airspace above Kata Noi, Phuket seems set for another good high season.
We've been in touch with the spirit of Mr Bob Marley, who is known to have moved to Phuket after dallying at every beachfront around the world from Barbados to Bali.
''Mon, I love it here, looking down on Phuket,'' he told us. ''Buffalo soldiers everywhere, taking in every sunset. No Phuket, I cry.''
These days, Mr Marley's spiritual home away from home continues to attract more visitors each year.
Chart Panai, almost as much a feature at the After Beach Bar as Mr Marley, told us that the bar now has 40 tables. More are probably on the way.
At the lower end, The Baan Chom View is more modern and, as a parable for Phuket, tends to attract travellers who like everything to be an improved international version of the traditional island thatch and bamboo model.
With the tenth anniversary looming soon, there is noparty planned because not even the spirit of Mr Marley can recollect the precise day the first bar opened. Phuket was like that back then.
Among our favorite memories is of an early menu, where rice was misspelled as ''rich.'' So we ate fried rich with egg, fried rich with mixed vegetables, and a particular favorite, fried rich combination with shrimp.
For misprints and Mr Marley, this strip of sunset beach joints takes some beating. These days, you can even buy wine, although the old faves of pina colada in a coconut or mai thai in a pineapple are unlikely to disappear off the drinks list anytime soon.
Peak times are brunch and sunset, and the bars are open from 10am to 2am. Tell them Bob sent you, and expect a big night on the countdown to New Year's Eve this year.
After Beach: tel. 089 5947475. Baan Chom View: tel. 087 6280126, 087 6278368.
So that's where Marley's ghost ended up? How very seasonal...
Posted by Sam W on December 9, 2010 15:36