отпуск с детьми holidays with children

Going on vacation with two small children, I rummaged through the entire Internet in search of advice, but unfortunately I did not find anything sensible. Therefore, after returning from a trip, I decided to share my experience of relaxing with children. We have two boys - Andrey, 5 years old and Dima, 2.5 years old.
Phuket (3.04. 2011-16.04. 2011)
A week before the holiday, a cyclone hovered over Thailand and in the south of the country there were heavy rains, uncharacteristic for April. "Washed away" the island of Koh Samui, and according to weather forecasts, the element was heading towards the island of Phuket. I had terrible panic. Negotiations with the tour operator (Pegas Tourist) about changing the resort or departure date did not lead to anything. Despite official warnings from the Ministry of Tourism to refrain from traveling to Thailand, the tour operator offered nothing but a complete replacement of the tour package with a 100% fine. Friends said: "Leave the children at home, and bring down wherever you want. " Panic smelled in the media and forums. But soberly realizing that it was time for the cyclone to dissipate, we set off with the whole family: me, my husband and two children. Looking ahead, I’ll say that throughout our vacation the weather was wonderful, and it rained 2-3 times and then late in the evening.

Planning a vacation and looking all over the Internet, I thought what places to visit in Phuket with small children? At a minimum, this is a water park, a zoo, an aquarium, a beach. And here is the maximum. . .
The first day. (03.04. 11)
Pegasus worked (met) honestly, despite the fact that the first meeting with his representative happened at the airport in Thailand (booking and paying for the tour via the Internet). At the exit from the airport, the Pegasus counter is clearly visible, behind which its employees quickly distribute arrivals to buses. Here at the airport, you can take a free SIM card, which is not expensive to talk with your homeland, as well as exchange currency (the exchange rate is unfavorable). Several buses were already waiting for us in the parking lot. Local guides are surprised by the news from the media writing about the flood: “What flood? We had rain. "
Our Bamboo House Hotel is located on Karon Beach. We were greeted with iced drinks at the hotel. The hotel building is 4 floors, small, well-groomed. The territory is practically absent, it is clamped by the pool. We were settled on the first floor, in two neighboring double rooms (the tour operator did not find budget four-bed offers). The first floor is a big plus in a hotel without an elevator. The windows overlook the neighboring hotel Centara. There is a TV in the room, a Mac connected to the TV. Snow-white sheets and towels (towels were changed every day, bedding every other day or two), beach towels in a convenient bag (change at least every day, dirty towels in the bag were put out in the corridor, clean ones were taken away), shampoo, shower gel, hair conditioner , everything is as it should be, only there are no usual combs and dental accessories. There is a safe and a small chest of drawers in the closet. Pleasantly surprised by two umbrellas, which were never needed. Every day replenished: 2 bottles of water, tea, coffee, sugar, cream. If you need to iron something, an iron and a small ironing board will be brought to the room. Free internet in the room! It was possible to rent a stroller for Dima, but he is an independent guy with us - he went everywhere on foot. Cons: uncomfortably low beds and lack of armchairs with a table (they managed with an ottoman); lack of balconies (things were dried on the crossbars outside the window).

We checked into the hotel and went to eat. We had lunch at a nearby eatery (some cafes are closed during the day) chicken noodle soup, spaghetti, sandwiches with french fries, juice, tea - only 480 baht.
We immediately went to the sea, the children enthusiastically ran from the waves they saw for the first time, swam. The sand really sings.
In the evening meeting with Pegasus guide. Valentina was very successful in selling tours to beginners at prices 2-3 times higher than local market offers. Since we had already studied the market of excursions at home, we already knew approximately the prices and did not fall for her proposals, which we did not regret at all. So a one-day excursion to Phi Phi Pegas offers for 3300 baht per adult. We, without much bargaining, paid 3.500 baht in a local tour shop for two adults and one child (for two-year-old Dima, all excursions were free).