Travel Reference
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DON'T MISS
CHALONG BAY RUM: THE SPIRIT OF PHUKET
When a young couple, each born into a prestigious French wine family, met and fell in love, they bonded over
booze. It wasn't the kind of booze coupling that involved indiscreet public nudity in spring break climes. Or
maybe it was, we didn't ask. The point is, they both like to drink fine rum. Which is why they became master
distillers and decided to launch their own distillery. But where?
They knew they wanted to make natural rum, rum in the French style, the kind they make in Martinique.
Which meant they would be distilling sugarcane juice, rather than molasses. This is a departure from the norm as
most rum is made from molasses, the industrial byproduct of sugar. As it happens, Thailand is the world's
fourth-largest sugarcane producer with over 300 varieties currently in cultivation. They also noticed that nobody
was distilling anything at all on Phuket. They saw an opportunity to incorporate one of the world's great islands
into their brand. So they imported 40-year-old copper Armagnac stills to their land in Chalong, where they will
soon be producing cane, and started bottling Chalong Bay Rum ( Click here ). It's a new company and their rum
is white, as they haven't begun ageing it just yet, but it has great flavour, took a silver medal at the Hong Kong
International Wine & Spirits Competition, and it makes for a mean mojito. Which you'll be sipping as you tour
their facility and learn way more about rum than you could ever imagine.
Sleeping
Ao Sane Bungalows
OFFLINE MAP
HOTEL $
GOOGLE MAP
( 0 7628 8306; 11/2 Moo 1, Th Viset, Hat Nai Han; bungalows 600-1200B) Rickety cold-water, fan-
cooled wooden bungalows sit on a secluded beach, with million-dollar views of Ao Sane
and Ao Nai Han. There's a beachside restaurant, a dive centre and an old-hippy vibe.
Pineapple Apartments
OFFLINE MAP
LODGE $$
GOOGLE MAP
( 0 7661 3372; www.pineappleapartments.com ; Th Viset; apt from 1500B; ) Freshly painted and
serviced apartments in the rolling Rawai hills. It's one of several similar options in town,
which tend to cater to visiting middle-aged men of a certain mindset. But the digs are
comfortable, clean and a good value.
Vijitt
OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP
( 0 7636 3600; www.vijittresort.com ; 16 Moo 2, Th Viset; villas from 6700B; ) Arguably the area's
most elegant property, Vijitt is sprinkled with deluxe villas that boast limestone floors,
large bathtubs, outdoor showers and gorgeous sea views from private terraces. Its stun-
HOTEL $$$
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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