Hotels here range from 300 Baht (9.00 US$) a night to 20,000 Baht (645.00 US$). Most hotels can be had for 25.00 to 50.00 US$ a night. You'll be across the beach at most of them. No hotel is more than a short walk from the beach. All hotels are clean and safe. All of the upper end hotels are guarded and all guests must sign in. The hotels will come pick you up and drop you off at your ship or the airport. There are good deals to be had if you search the internet at www.phuket-info.com and www.phuketdir.com and www.phuket.com. Check with the hotel to see if guests are allowed in without an extra charge! Most hotels require that ALL guests at least sign in and leave their ID card, it is for your protection.

The nightlife in Patong Beach is awesome! Music, cold beer, good entertainment, dancing, live bands, the Nail Game (a 16 penny nail driven into wood with a chipping hammer), Pool (English and American), remember, you play by Thai rules here! Jenga, Connect Four, Dominoes, Dice, and cards. Sex shows are going away. If you want to see a show, come to the bar and we can recommend the good ones and the ones to stay away from.

If you cannot find what you are looking for in Patong Beach, let us at the Bar know and we'll do our best to find it for you.

There is some great scuba diving here. The natural coral reefs and hundreds of fish that call this home make for some wonderful pictures. With visibility up to 40 meters (125 feet) you can literarily see for what seems to be miles. You can get scuba qualified/certified during your visit here. Most hotels offer courses at a good prices. For those of you that are already basic qualified, you can get your advanced ocean quals, they offer all levels of certification. We can book you a 4 day/3 night trip including airfare and transportation to the Similan Islands for 385.00 US$, all you do is board a 75 ft Dive Yacht and dive, the crew does everything else for you and the price is all inclusive (i.e. gear, food, lodging, etc.). If you book through the Crows Nest, you get a 20% discount on your dive. The assessment of diving after the tsunami is minimal at both at the Similan Islands and Phi-Phi Island. You can go to www.santanadiving.com or www.warmwatersdiving.com to see when and where they are diving during your visit.

For the sport fishing enthusiast, Marlin, Tuna, Grouper, Red Snapper, Shark, and about anything else that swims in the sea can be found off this coast. Fully loaded boats and crews are available for a very reasonable price. Pretty much all you have to do is stand there and catch fish, the crew does everything else for you. Prices start at 13,500 Baht person plus 200 Baht person for food and beer. Fishing is still a great way to spend an afternoon. Go to www.thai-boat.com for further information.

If eating is your thing, nothing compares to the seafood to here. Thai food is very good, utilizing a various combination of spices for a great taste and some heat that will knock your socks off!! The street vendors are the cheapest and best places to eat. The food is safe and clean. You WON'T get food poisoning from them. For those that don't know any better, YES, there is McDonald's, Burger King, Pizza Hut, and KFC here, too.

ALL RESTAURANTS ARE SAFE AND CLEAN. THE FOOD IS PROPERLY PREPARED AND COOKED. STAY AWAY FROM ANYTHING RAW.

REMEMBER, DRINK ONLY BOTTLED WATER. DO NOT DRINK THE TAP WATER!!!!

Gold and Gems are naturally mined and processed here. The prices for most pieces can't be beat anywhere. Thai gold is normally 22 carat and English gold is 18 carat. There is a shop on every corner, offering exquisite work at affordable prices, and of course, haggling is allowed. You'll find all birth stones here. Gold, Platinum, and Silver are all offered here. Patong Beach has the largest jewelry shop in Asia called Gem World. Every piece is handmade there, handcrafted to perfection, you can even bring your own finished stones and they will set them for you in another setting.

If you like to collect ROLEX's, we have those here too. Ask us at the Crows Nest before buying one though, otherwise, you will get a ROLEX with Thai insides, in other words the watch will last about 2 days before breaking.

At the Manhattan Suit Store, all suits are hand made and are done in 3 days, delivered to you at your hotel or to me, if you prefer. They can even make Dinner Dress Whites and Blues!! All they need is a picture and it will be done. All your measurements are kept on file. If you desire something in the future, you can visit their website or email them and they will make your clothes and send them to you. Manhattan has been serving the fleet for many years with a quality product and outstanding service. They have all brands of clothing. Brooks Brothers, Versace, Armani, Louis Vitton, at Thai prices, not store prices. Free transportation is available at the Bar to and from their shop for your first and second fittings. You can contact them ahead of time at: manhattanphuket@hotmail.com

Every golf course in Patong and Phuket is of championship caliber. All have caddies, required, (both male and female) and the courses are very affordable. It is a great way to spend the day and most of the courses are in the heart of the jungle, so you just can't beat the beautiful scenery. Most green fees start at 2,200 Baht. The golf courses are beautiful all year around. Contact the Bar for the best rates.

We have the oldest Tattoo Shop in Patong Beach . Sid Siamese was the first to tattoo here. Everyone is invited that is wanting some ink to check them out. The Ship's HMC/HM1 are encouraged to inspect the shop. Our artists use only the latest in sterilization techniques. New ink, needles, barrels, and rubber gloves are used for every customer. All materials are cleaned and sterilized with an atomizer system and then ran through an autoclave for the required time set by the local hospital and the city health board. He is the ONLY licensed tattooist in Patong.

The Crows Nest offers a driver to anyone needing to shop, buy, sight-see, play golf, run the paint ball range, shoot just about any caliber of weapon legal in Thailand, ride ATV's on a 2.5Km course, go to the Zoo or the Aquarium, ride an elephant or grab the FantaSea Show. The driver will take you where you want to go, unlike the taxi's and tuk-tuk's that may take you to travel booths and offer you other tours, even if you did not ask. If you need accommodations or just someone to show you around the island, there isn't anything we at the Bar can't get or arrange for you and your families.

Everyone coming to visit the Bar is encouraged to bring your own music, whether MP3, CD, or any programmed format, we have one of the only computerized sound systems in Patong Beach and we can download your music to the system and it will be here forever for your enjoyment. Nearly all formats can be converted.

Whether your ship pulls in, or you fly to Phuket, please feel free to visit us at my Bar. We can pick you up at the airport, if you desire and book your hotel. We can arrange fully catered parties (any size) for your Divisions, Departments, Retirements, or for just you and your friends. We'll make sure that you have a great time here and get the best deals. The Bar prices for parties vary on your liquor and food requirements. A basic party for 25 people with roasted chicken, lumpia (Thai style), fried rice, fruit, sandwiches, and 6 beers per person (Singha and Heinekin) start at 20,000 Baht, this is only a guideline, let us know your requirements and we'll give you a price quote.

Hotels on the beach that are open; these are low season prices, prices may vary for MWR.

Normal Price - 1,700 Baht for dinner and show, 1,200 Baht for show only.

Mini Vans for rent for shopping

1,500 Baht a day, 0900-1700. Each van can carry 9 people. Air-conditioned.

Travel to Phuket Town for:

Suits - Manhattan Suit, Gold - Gem World.

Other places of interest:

• Seafood - restaurants are on the beach in Chalong.
• Electronics - any of the 4 major Shopping Malls; Big-C, Tesco/Lotus, Central Festival (Duty Free), and Jungceylon (located in Patong Beach).
• Ride ATV's - 800 Baht for 30 minutes, approximately 2.5 km course.
• Phuket Shooting Gallery - price varies on what you shoot.
• Paintball Range - 1,180 Baht for 100 rounds and gear.
• Ride the elephants - 800 Baht for 1 hour.
• Phuket Zoo - 400 Baht.
• Phuket Aquarium - 100 Baht.
• Cobra Show.
• Ride the Go-Carts - BE CAREFUL, YOU BUMP EACH OTHER, YOU PAY!!!
• Deep Sea Fishing - 13,500 Baht per person plus 200 Baht for food and beer, 0900-1700, 45 foot boat with crew, you simply stand there and fish, the crew takes care of the rest.