Day 10 – Rash Decisions & Redemption Arcs | Thailand Travel Diary

Thursday, Nov 7 – Day 10, Phuket (Cape Panwa)
Location: Kanary Bay Hotel, Cape Panwa, Phuket, Thailand
Mood: Sweaty, rashy, but weirdly content

Here’s a fun question:
Who are these women with baby-soft bikini lines?
And how?

Because no matter what razor, cream, or cosmic intervention I try, I’m always two degrees away from a chemical burn. It’s a perpetual state of irritation — both literal and emotional.  WTF?

So yes, today began with what I like to call the Rasher Rash Recovery Program. A little aloe, a lot of denial.  And the resignation that I’ll be walking around looking like a plucked rotisserie chicken with regrets.

But here’s the twist — my second impression of our resort?
It’s actually lovely.  Lovely enough for my first edited photo of this entire series, because I couldn’t resist…

Breakfast Redemption Arc

Breakfast was a total surprise — easily as good as (maybe even better than) the flashier resorts we’ve been hopping between. And without the usual chaos of people jockeying for position at the omelet station.

I started the day like a feral fruit goddess: dragon fruit, papaya, watermelon, pineapple — my daily ritual at this point. And because Thailand is lawless in the best way, I followed it up with cashew chicken topped with a fried egg. For breakfast. 10/10, would recommend.

That’s the thing about Kantary Bay Hotel: it’s not flashy, but it’s got this quiet confidence. Like the kind of place that doesn’t need to prove it belongs in your Thailand itinerary — it just does.

Getting Our Bearings at Cape Panwa

We decided to explore a bit and took a long morning walk to get our bearings. There’s a pretty promenade just out the front door, lined with restaurants, massage spots, and the occasional cat who clearly owns the place.

You can see Koh Lon from here — a small, lush island that sits off the coast — and a stretch locals jokingly call Plastic Beach (less glamorous name, beautiful view). The Phuket Aquarium is literally around the corner from us, though we skipped it in favour of sweating our way through what I can only describe as “The Hill of Doom.”

Cape Panwa, if you haven’t been, is a tiny peninsula at the southern tip of Phuket. It’s the part of the island that feels… removed. Fewer crowds, slower pace, more locals. Even the trucks seem to take a deep breath before tackling the hills. It’s a workout just watching them.

Sweat, Spas & Sister Resorts

We climbed over the hill to check out Panwa Hotel, the sister property to ours, and wow. She’s a stunner. Private beach, infinity pool, perfect postcard vibes. The best part? We have full access to the amenities, so we’ll be back — ideally in less sweaty form.

By the time we arrived, we looked like we’d completed a triathlon in a sauna. Thankfully, there’s a free shuttle that loops between the two hotels until midnight. You better believe we took it back.

The rest of the afternoon was lazy (in the best way possible) — pool, sunshine, and a half-hearted attempt to plan an island-hopping trip. The tour operator down the street pitched us everything from coral snorkels to full-day sails, and while it all sounded tempting, a nap won.

Later, we discovered a rooftop pool we didn’t even know existed. The longer we stay, the more hidden corners appear — little gardens, quiet decks, tucked-away spots that make this place feel like a secret you almost (or entirely) misjudged.

Satay, Singha & the Big Boss

Lunch was accidental perfection. We ducked into a tiny local spot — part pub, part eatery — and ordered chicken satay, pizza (don’t judge us), and two enormous Singha beers that could double as hand weights.  This is the kind of place you definately don’t look too closely at, but the food that came out of the little kitchen (which looked like nothing more than a little closet) was actually so good.

Dinner? Same restaurant as last night. At this point, we’re regulars. Two-for-one margaritas, turmeric chicken appies, and the kind of curry that makes you believe in love again.

The staff were in rare form tonight — joking, laughing, and calling Steve “the Big Boss” while giving him a shoulder massage as he paid the bill. The woman running the show doesn’t speak English, but she’s absolutely hilarious — cool, masc-presenting, and totally over everyone’s bullshit in the best way.

Last night we asked her about the squid. She just looked at us, nodded slowly, said, “Good, yeah…” and then mimed sawing through something rubbery like she was reenacting a crime scene. Brutal honesty, zero hesitation. We’ve trusted her judgment ever since.

Travel Truths

The longer we’re here, the more I realize how easy it is to get travel fatigue — to overanalyze, compare, critique. But some days are just meant to be simple. Good food, nice people, a walk that turns into a workout, and the kind of heat that leaves you delirious but happy.

Turns out, the resort I’d mentally written off yesterday is seriously growing on me.
A little rough around the edges, maybe — but aren’t we all?

📸 Photo(s) of the Day

A full-blown food photo dump — cashew chicken breakfast, satay skewers, pizza (don’t judge), and the green curry soup that made us regulars. Proof that Thailand could feed your soul and your unresolved emotional issues in one sitting.

 Missed an entry? Catch up here:

👉 Day 1 – The Uber Ride from Hell
👉 Day 2 – The Lounge Life & the Struggle Bus
👉 Day 3 – Hot, Hotter, & Really F*ing Hot
👉 Day 4 – Floating Markets, Boat Noodles & the Great Coke Zero Explosion
👉 Day 5 – Heaven, Hell & the Hands at the White Temple
👉 Day 6 – Hill Tribes, Hard Truths & a Side of Curry
👉 Day 7 – Who Needs Guardrails, Anyway?
👉 Day 8 – Elephant-Sized Moral Hangover
👉 Day 9 – The Great Decaf Drought

Travel Tip of the Day

Don’t judge a hotel on arrival. Give it 24 hours — some places unfold slowly, and the best ones usually do.

Let’s Talk About It

What’s your “misjudged it at first but ended up loving it” travel story?
Drop it in the comments — I love knowing I’m not the only one who’s ever side-eyed a place before falling for it.