New Phuket international airport terminal

Supposed new things should be better and much improved for the future 10-20 years.  Unfortunately this long awaited new Phuket international terminal doesn't show it.  The terminal is about 3 times bigger than the old one (which is still in use for domestic flights).  The airline counters are more spacious and the air-conditioning is a lot better than SUV.  That's it.

The most important part is the processing time of the passengers clearing thru' the customs and immigration.  It takes almost an hour to get it thru' - twice slower than the old terminal.  Once again, I really don't know why the computer system can be that backward or worse than the 80's.  The airport lounges are even worse.  The lounge is the same size as the old one but serving more than 20 airlines.  I couldn't stand it but found the public area much more spacious and relaxing than the lounge.  I heard some passengers furiously complain to the staff of the lounge by claiming "the worst lounge ever had...etc.".

Bye Cape Panwa, SE Phuket

Quite strange that I somehow miss this place because of the local charm of a fishing village port.  Perhaps it's all about a childhood I grew up from a fishing village.  Wish this place could still be it.  No need to get too commercialized. 

Cape Panwa Hotel, SE Phuket

I believe this resort could have been one of the very few resorts which offer an extreme room range from standard room at US$50-60 to a pool villa at US$2,000.  Ended up that super expensive pool villa called Panwa lodge (photo 7) is left rusty.  If you wanna spend over US$2,000 for a pool villa, you wouldn't wanna stay in a place set with big compound of hotel buildings all around.

Photo 4 is the famous Sri Panwa on the cape tip of Cape Panwa.

Blue Wave restaurant, Cape Panwa, SE Phuket

on the first night when I checked this place, it seemed not to be quite busy.  On the 2nd night, I noticed some customers seemed to be repeaters.  I decided to go in for a try.  The next day I came back here for another lunch and dinner.  I became one of those repeaters.  Their chicken wings were so good that I couldn't resist for repeated orders.  Also, their stir fried squid was very good too.  Their green curry and Pad Thai were not to be missed.  They didn't marinate the seafood much.  The service was good too.  Price wise, it's even much cheaper than that Sawasdee 1 and most other places in this area.  Got 5-6 dishes plus drink, it's just about THB500-600, vs THB1,000 in the other restaurants of the same area. Also noticed this place isn't on the high "hit" or "checked in" spots on the forums.  However, on the last night when I was here, it was full house with all repeaters.  Simply the word-of-mouth.

Sawadee 1, Cape Panwa, SE Phuket

Noticed it's quite crowded most of the time.  No harm to give it a try.  On the food stall trolley, it was written "we are not fast food.  Food won't wait for you but you wait for the food.".  This seemed to tell you the food must be fresh.  After I looked at how it was served on the table.  They should say "because of our slow service and only one chef...".  Though the dishes aren't too bad, the service made it not so worth trying.  

Pullman Cape Panwa, SE Phuket

As usual, browsing other neighbouring hotels and resorts is always on my agenda.  This time it's Pullman Cape Panwa just on the left side of Amatara, within 8-10 minute walking time.  The interior is quite some standard of Accor resort.  The beach in front is quite well maintained and clean too.  However, if the room rate is about US$120-150, there should be some other better choices.