Day 17 – Pink Skies, Bad Bellies & Beach Chair Philosophy | Thailand Travel Diary
Friday, Nov 14 – Day 17, Phuket (Cape Panwa Area)
Location: Kanary Bay Hotel → Cape Panwa Resort
Mood: Resting beach face activated; stomach on strike.
The Stomach Strikes Back (But Gently)
Well… it finally happened. Seventeen days in Thailand without a single belly issue, and this morning my digestive system said, “Let’s spice things up.” Not dramatic, not dire — just… noticeably not normal. For context, I don’t have an iron gut to begin with. She’s a sensitive lady, at the best of times.
Still, breakfast was the usual fruit feast. I know you’re sick of hearing about breakfast, but listen: papaya, dragonfruit, pineapple and watermelon have become my entire morning personality, and I’m still trying to sort out how I can fit this into my budget at home. My naturopath would be so proud of how “slippery” things have been moving.
Brent had an exam (that he’s been studying for this entire trip). He’s in his Master’s program, and wild horses (or Thailand vacations) couldn’t keep him away from good grades — so I headed for the beach to give him some space.
The Shuttle, the Shade & the Sunburn Crisis
If you’ve never ridden the “shuttle” between Kantary Bay and Cape Panwa, picture this: a truck. An actual truck. Open back, two benches, zero seatbelts, and the unspoken instruction to grab something and pray. It’s both chaotic and charming — a perfect metaphor for Thailand.
Once at Cape Panwa, I found my favourite palm tree and claimed a beach chair like a feral little raccoon. Their beach setup is elite: soft cushioned loungers, tons of palms for shade, and umbrellas everywhere. It’s one of the few places where you’re not forced to choose between “sunburn” and “heatstroke.”
Meanwhile, I remain deeply confused by the fair-skinned sunbathers who are actively roasting themselves. Not “oops, I got a burn,” but “lobster red and still oiling up.” It’s almost 2026 — how are people still doing this? Sun-damaged beetroot skin isn’t a vibe. It’s just concerning. I’ll never understand it. And the whole “oooh, I like tanned skin” isn’t a good excuse. Meanwhile, we’re all sticking to the shade, lathering up with SPF 60 all day and still brown as little berries. Spoiler alert: direct sun exposure doesn’t = a nice tan. You look like an overcooked hotdog.
Steve ordered boozy iced coffees because on the sly, which was a welcome surprise, and we headed back for a slow afternoon.
Exams, Flatbread Pizza & A Betraying Stomach
Brent finished his exam with an 89 (because of course he did), and immediately declared he was starving. We went next door to Kantary Café for flatbread pizza — not Italian, but surprisingly great when you want something quick and light.
My stomach was still playing games, so I only picked at it and we took the rest home. Not me entering my “mysterious Victorian child with digestive troubles” era in Thailand.
The afternoon was spent hovering near home… and near the bathroom. Sexy stuff. Try and resist.
A Quiet Day, A Loud Stomach & A Ridiculous Sunset
I almost skipped dinner, but the group decided on Uncle Nan’s again — and since it’s right next door, I figured if disaster struck, I could sprint home in 90 seconds.
Brent and I shared the burrata pizza (unreal again). I ate like a cautious little mouse. Meanwhile, the sky exploded into the most ridiculous sunset we’ve seen yet — bright pink, silhouetted palms, sea haze glowing behind them. One of those moments where you look around and think, “Yeah, OK. Worth it.”
For the last few nights, we’ve also been getting lightning storms that are absolutely unhinged — full-sky flashes and thunder so loud the buildings literally shake. Then every morning? Blue skies. Sunshine. Not a storm cloud in sight.
Nova Scotia could never.
It was an early bedtime for me — belly in hand, hoping for a peaceful night.
Photo of the Day
📸 The pinkest, dreamiest sunset of the trip — like the sky decided to apologize for my stomach. Completely unedited (and the photo still doesn’t do it justice).
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 | Thailand Travel Diary
👉 Day 10 – Rash Decisions & Redemption Arcs | Thailand Travel Diary
👉 Day 11 – The Calm Before the Chaos
👉 Day 12 – Islands, Introspection & the Illusion of Luxury
👉 Day 13 – Fruit, Foot Rubs & Family Conversions
👉 Day 14 – Flip Turns, Weed Bars & Pet Peeves
👉 Day 15 – The Myth of Paradise
👉 Day 16 – Betting on Butter Chicken
✈️ Travel Tip of the Day
If a beach chair is fully in the sun at noon, assume the previous occupant is currently in aloe vera–related crisis.
Let’s Talk
Are you a shade-seeker or a sun-roaster when you travel?
And be honest… does your stomach always behave on trips, or does it betray you at the worst possible moment?
