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Cape Panwa juts dramatically into the sea at the southern end of
Phuket, providing a beautiful setting for the Cape Panwa Hotel and
its smaller sister the Bay Inn Hotel. But enjoying magnificent vistas,
cool breezes and the pleasures of a resort hotel are not the only
attractions of the Cape. It is also a wonderful place for a relaxing
day trip for local residents or those with tourist lodgings at other
venues on the island.
In addition to the Phuket Marine Biological Center with its interesting
and educational aquarium, Cape Panwa is the home of the Panwa Bay
Village: a collection of shops and restaurants for those seeking
food and casual wandering through boutique-like shops.
The Village has been artistically created by modifying and enlarging
an older building with Sino-Portuguese overtones. It undoubtedly
would have been easier to have torn down the original structure
and started with a new design, but the creators of Panwa Bay Village
wanted to retain the charm and atmosphere of the older structure.
Legend has it that before Cape Panwa was developed a man named
Nan lived at a coconut plantation on the Cape with his pet otter
named Ki. A delightful Italian restaurant has been named after him
and can be found on the second floor of the Village. Uncle Nan's
is open each evening from 6:00 until 11:00 and has a terrace providing
a romantic spot to dine and watch the sunset.
The restaurant has an extensive menu for those interested in a
complete and authentic Italian meal.
For those less ravenous, there is a wide selection of pizzas and
pastas available. The Dolphin Bar, an interesting looking watering
hole, is adjacent to the restaurant and a great spot for conversation
and a predinner drink.
The Laem Panwa Restaurant is located at the front the Panwa Bay
Village and is a good place to eat reasonably priced Thai food while
sitting under the stars and watching the world pass by. A favorite
with the island's locals, the restaurant serves a variety traditional
Thai dishes, but specializes in freshly barbecued seafood. Even
if you aren't hungry, the Laem Panwa Restaurant is a great place
to stop for a drink and light snack. The beer is cold, reasonably
priced, and the atmosphere conducive to relaxed conversation.
For those seeking a drink or a light meal before the sun goes down,
the Clock House pavilion in a courtyard garden in the center of
the Village is the place to stop. Open from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00
p.m., drinks, sandwiches, and some delicious looking desserts are
the Clock House's specialties. Mangosteen, a tropical fruit wildly
acclaimed by almost all visitors to Phuket, was the subject of a
recent promotion at the Clock House. The mangosteen cake, mangosteen
sherbet, and a magnificent mangosteen tartlet showcased the fruit's
mouthwatering flavor.
The shops at the Panwa Bay Village invite strolling and casual
looking around. They sell items likely to be of interest to both
visitors and residents as they feature the work of local craftsmen.
Handicrafts, leisure clothes, children's footwear and items for
those spending some time at the beach are prominently displayed
in the Village's ten or so outlets.
If you are looking for a spot with attractions for the entire family,
head for Cape Panwa. There's the ocean, an aquarium, magnificent
views, and the shopping and dining pleasures of charming Panwa Bay
Village. It's a place no one resident or tourist -- should miss.
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