Phuket, Thailand: Part 1

While living in Asia I really wanted to go to Thailand.  Thanks to my hub and my parents we fulfilled my dream.  Phuket is a hot travel spot for a lot of the expat families in Korea so we had plenty of recommendations.  We had a couple must do items on our list which included hang out at the beach and pool, eat lots of Thai food, ride the elephants and go on a boat/kayak tour.  Check, check, check and check.  It was great to travel with my parents.  The trip was a true vacation.

Day 1 was spent hanging around the resort at the pool and the private beach.  The private beach was a short ride down the road on their shuttle truck.  That evening we went into town to a Weekend Market held on Saturday and Sunday nights.  It was crammed full of booths selling DVD's, clothes, shoes, bags, food...you name it.  It was so crowded and hot and pretty chaotic.  We picked up a few things and enjoyed some great Thai food at a nearby restaurant for less than $20 for 5 people.  Excellent.

Around the Resort

Beach Shuttle

Resort's Private Beach and Restaurant

Weekend Market

Day 2 we laid low around the resort and enjoyed resting...mostly at the pool.

Day 3 we went on a tour of Phang Nga Bay which is on the mainland of Thailand, just across the bridge of Phuket.  We took a traditional boat ride to 'James Bond Island' where the movie Man with the Golden Gun was filmed.  The scenery was amazing and pictures can do it no justice!  From there we got hooked up with a kayak tour around some of the sea caves and mangroves. We then went to the Floating Village which is a village built on stilts against the side of a rock.  When we returned we had lunch at the dock.  From there we saw the laying Buddha (and monkeys), then went home.  It was a super busy day.  On the drive up we passed a pineapple plantation.  We picked up some pineapples for less than $1 each...and they were delicious!

James Bond Island

Kayaking

Floating Village (not too impressed...dirty and a tourist trap)

Lunch

Buddha and Monkeys