Phuket Island

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Hello all,

We have been having a great time in Phuket (pronounced poo-get) hanging on the beach, eating out etc. Yesterday we swam in the Andaman Sea which is part if the Indian Ocean. Steve rented a boogie board and I sat under an umbrella and read for awhile. Early in the morning we went on a safari where we got to ride elephants, meet some monkeys, learn about rice farming, Thai cooking and rubber tapping, went canoeing by a fishing villiage and at the end they served us a fabulous Thai lunch. Overall, it was a great Thai experience and we learned a lot. When we got to meet the elephants they had a soccer goal set up and I played goalie while an elephant kicked a soccer ball at me a few times. The a guy had Steve lay down on his back and shoved a banana up his shorts. (Steve didn't know about the banana) then an elephant came up to him, put his foot on Steve;s chest and stuck his trunk up his shorts to eat the banana. It was hilarious because Steve had no idea what was going on.
Today we are going to take a taxi to Phuket town on the other side of the island and then a ferry to the island of Phi Phi. (pronounced pee-pee) It is a more remote island and less touristy than where we are. A Thai gentleman that we met in a Buddhist Temple recommended it to us so we thought we would check it out. We plan to stay there for two days before heading back to Bankok and then on to Cambodia. So far all of the people here are very friendly and we have felt so safe everywhere we've been. There is nothing to fear here. The food has all been great (and so cheap, every meal is about $8 for both of us and we haven't been ordering the cheap stuff) and we haven't seen anything too crazy yet, just seafood like jellyfish that we've never thought to eat before.

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Photos

Elephant Soccer
I played goalie while an elephant shot soccer balls at me. He had good aim, The first one hit me right in the stomach

Monkeys
I got to meet the cutest monkey!

Karon Beach
We had to pay $3 a day for these chairs and umbrella, a cheap day a the beach!

Karon Beach
The best sand ever

Our room in Phuket
Our room here was $16 a night, only a short walk to the beach and very clean! Great staff and b-fast too!

Comments

[Karen Smith]

bananas
Hope you took pictures of the Steve, elephant banana thing!! Sounds funny! We miss you and are so glad you are having the time of your life. We are jealous! Love you The Smiths

[LaVerne Kaufman]

Kids
Hi Guys--sounds like you are really having a great time. I'm so glad. I never dreamed it would be that senic and safe over there. Thanks for keeping us informed and for the pictures. Great!! It's cold, dark and gloomy and kinda of rainy here--enjoy yourselves. Love ya, Mom

[LaVerne Kaufman]

Elephants
So glad you two are having a good time--better enjoy it cause the weather back here is pretty yucky. Today was cold, rainy, and a little sleet or snow coming down. Love the pictures--keep on keeping us informed. Love You! Mom