Phuket, Thailand

Here we come - we are so looking forward to this - for me this feels like a real vacation. While we loved Xiamen, it was 'work'-related. In Phuket, I have no other obligations except to rest and rejuvenate. But really, the whole summer has been great......

Small islands sprinkled throughout the region on the way to Phuket, Thailand - we took Tiger Airways - they had a promotion - 16 cents per person - yes this is not a misprint, though airline taxes were high - $125 per person in Singapore dollars.

We booked a tour package where the room, breakfast and round-trip airport transportation were included - we went during monsoon season as costs were affordable.

It suited us just fine to come during the monsoon season - as you can tell, the beach is not crowded at all....

The sand here rivals that found on Lake Michigan - wide open beach!

We were thrilled....

First evening at the beach - it was so refreshing

Always finding things - guess what David found this time...

You can tell we were glad to be here....

I love this picture of daughter and Mom...

Perfect sunset on our first day at Phuket. We were told it rained all weekend before we came.

Dinner by the beach - it was around dusk - it was perfect temperatures with constant sea breezes and good Thai food...


Thai Green Chicken Curry.


Thai Pork Stir-fry with Green Beans.


Nice hotel lobby - so typical and very Thai - we loved it at first sight....

Fit for royalty...

Where breakfast was served....



Lunch by the Pool Restaurant.....


Thai Set Lunch - Green Shrimp Curry by the Pool Restaurant.


They are really glad to be here - as you can tell from their genuine smiles.

The 'regular' pool - the other one snakes around the hotel - cleverly designed, see below.

This pool snakes around several buildings - the first floor hotel rooms can access the pool from their bedroom. There is also a private balcony area with pool chairs for relaxation - you don't have far to go to enjoy the pool.


Another view - these rooms are appropriately called the Pool access rooms.....



Like fish to water....

The watering tower....

King David's throne/bed.....

Another interesting design - this time in the bathroom where one can access from the bedroom....

The next day, after breakfast, we decided to do some surfing....

Learning to surf for the first time - now I have great respect for surfers on 10 foot waves....



As the video shows, I didn't make good progress but that's ok since I had fun....

After surfing, we relaxed a bit more in the pool and later did some shopping in around town - there were jeepneys everywhere...

Almost like a convertible......

The Prata lady - this snack/food originates I believe from India and is very common in Singapore - surprise to see a Thai vendor preparing this snack by the roadsde.....

On the third day, together with two Aussies, we chartered a private boat to take us deep-sea fishing and snorkeling...

Gerda starting out detailing our fishing and snorkeling expedition....

We first bumped into them in Singapore at the airport - later on the streets of Phuket - and together chartered a boat to go deep-sea fishing and snorkeling. These guys are high-energy to say the least....


Our young skipper...

Relaxing and enjoying the breeze before the big strike....

The Big Strike - I caught three big ones on a single line.....

Live action - see video...



More actions....



And then some....

So this is not another fish story - proof of my catch....

The Skipper got one....

These smaller fishes eat anything - fried chicken, watermelon, and anything edible you throw at them and then see them in a eating frenzy.....

Lunch break - David thinking about feeding the little fishes with some of his leftover chicken drumstick and fried rice.



Using his toes to feed the little fishes...



Hannah starting a feeding frenzy....

Dinner and a show - I meant lunch and a show - he is a man of many talents - what do you think he is going to do?

We docked at this island for a break - the water reminded me of those in the Caribbean.



Live action of our snorkeling....

Snorkeling - the water was clear and we could see the bottom quite clearly.....

Dinner is taken care of tonight.....

Fruits of our labor - I meant our catch of the day - a local restaurant vendor took our 'loot' and prepared several dishes - shown here is Spicy Red Curry with Lemongrass.

Deep fried fish steaks Thai style.

Lime flavored Steamed Fish.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Phuket - we will come back again - to the same hotel and do the same activities - maybe not the deep-sea fishing since the waters were choppy. Also we were sun-burned - so our Vitamin D quota for the year is reached.....

This photo pretty much explained our conditions at the end of a three fun-filled days in Phuket.....