Sawadee-ka! Amazing Thailand

While most of my friends and family have been to Thailand, once, twice or many times, I myself have never had the pleasure, nor has Jonathan and definitely not the kids. We booked ourselves in at the Westin Siray Bay Resort and Spa on the east side of Phuket Island in Thailand. The resort had only been opened for one month so there were some deals surrounding it. It was about 45 minutes from the Phuket airport and about 15 minutes from Phuket town.

Jonathan booked a tour at Khao Sok national park - about 3 hours away from the hotel. There we went down a rubber dingy in the Sok river looking at the awesome karsk formations (limestone outcrops) and rode the Asian elepants - a must-do for any visitor to Thailand! The only downer was the constant rain that day, sometimes pouring like buckets, other times just a constant falling of it. However, the staff at the park framed this weather as "liquid sunshine" and it somehow changed my perspective. Man, I was on holiday and who cares if it's the rainy season, at least it's not a typhoon and we can still go out and do things!

The next excursion was to Phi Phi island and Maya beach where the movie "The Beach" was filmed. Who actually watched that movie? or paid to watch it in its entirety? I certainly didn't. Anyways, this particular excursion really didn't live up to expectations as there were so many of us crammed on a cruiser boat and then dropped off at this Monkey Island where the girls got attacked by small, terrifying monkeys who were used to people giving them food or at least grabbing them out of their hands. As soon as we kayaked from the cruiser to the island, a monkey jumped into the kayak and grabbed the loaf of bread Bella was holding for feeding the fishes. Then while we were stunned by that act of animal violence, another monkey tried to jump on Khaya and scared the bejesus out of her. She now has an intense fear and distrust of any smallish furry land creatures - including household cats.

We also rented a car and drove around the lovely island. Kata and Karon beaches would be nice places to stay if we ever come back. Beaches are clean and the town centre not too seedy - unlike Patong Beach - where there are two Thai women to every one Western bloated red neck man in a bar. Although Patong Beach was worth taking a look and there is a nice big mall there called Jung Ceylon that allowed us to get our mall fix.

One thing I must say is that the Thai love kids. During our Thai massage and pedicure, the staff at the spa kept them entertained and even gave Khaya a 20 minute hand massage - for free! She was loving every minute of it. Also the staff of various excursions we went on loved to pick up Khaya and hug her for lengthy periods of time, men and women! And Khaya just LOVES being picked up and held.

The food was needless to say, to die for. We even found a little cafe in Phuket town where they served Thai VEGETARIAN food! They also have american style breakfasts and killer coffee. The place is family owned and they had tons of toys and books to entertain the kids. If you're heading that way, give me a ring and I will dig up that business card.

We're definitely going back. And as Khaya kept saying throughout the trip - "Amazing Thailand"! - the TV adverts certainly work on little kids. :-)