Time in Thailand

Stephanie had a dream of going to Thailand - it's kind of an expat thing to do around here.  So she and Ben planned a trip and invited Bob and I to come.  We used a soon to expire RCI week and booked a place to stay on the southwestern end of Phuket Island.  Leaving behind the cold dry winter of Seoul to bask in the heat and humidity of the tropics was heavenly!

The first couple of days we lounged around the resort and rode a short shuttle to their private beach.  We took a taxi into Phuket town to visit the weekend market and enjoy delicious Thai cuisine.  We were amazed that a $20 meal tab would feed five of us and that we could purchase items at the market for next to nothing! (Need a pair of $2 "Oakley" sunglasses or Disney DVD's?)

Our first big adventure was to head north off the Island to the mainland.  Along the way we stopped at a pineapple plantation and saw how they grow the bushes between rows of rubber trees for a dual harvest.  We boarded a traditional motorboat to tour Phang Nga Bay.  It was absolutely stunning! 

We stopped at the famous "James Bond Island" which is the filming place for the movie "The Man With the Golden Gun". 

Continuing our adventures, we climbed aboard some canoes for a guided paddle among the caves and mangrove trees. (Yes, we actually went through all those tiny holes in the rocks!)

 On the way back to shore (where we caught a view of the twin "silicone peaks") we visited a small village built on stilts, and then enjoyed a nice seafood and rice lunch back at the dock.

On our private van ride back to the resort, we stopped at a Buddhist cave shrine and monkey village.  (Can you depict the "king" formation in the cave?)

 We were worn out by the end of the day, but had a great time being tourists!