phuket

So I know it may seem like I am on a two-year-long vacation over here, but I do in fact work a bit too. I have gotten really good at maximizing my vacation time, holidays and weekend time and managed to see so much of Europe and for that I am very happy. The last week of April included 1.5 days of public holidays, so I decided to take the entire week off - my first full week vacation since I moved here that wasn't spent back in the US or with family here in Switzerland. It was amazing. The entire week I was so relaxed and almost 100% "unplugged" from work, something that doesn't typically happen for me.

 

Besides relaxing, Phuket was amazingly beautiful. The food was delicious (albeit sometimes too spicy for me to be able to really enjoy) and the people were so nice.

 

Surin beach:

 

I read four books during the vacation :)

 

We watched several people do this jet ski thing that rockets you into the air. It was entertaining especially when the "professionals" did it and did tricks.

 

Piotr and I played some volleyball. It was really fun. I'm out of practice though and my arms got bruised from playing too much.

 

Our first excursion was to Phi Phi islands. The tour took all day and took us to 4 of the 6 islands. It is so popular because it is so beautiful.

 

Maya Bay:

 

We went to another cove and went snorkeling. It was really cool!

 

Monkey beach - can you see them?

 

"paradise island"

 

Next day we went to Patong for a few hours. I guess its something to see, but not someplace you would want to spend more time.

 

 

It rained while we were there, so we took shelter in a couple different bars :)

 

Tuk-tuk ride back to the hotel

 

 

We went back and forth about riding elephants, which is a popular thing to do in Thailand. However, many of the elephants are extremely mistreated. We inquired at the hotel about an elephant sanctuary/conservatory and they gave us the information on Siam Safari. After some research and seeing the place, I'm glad we went. Each elephant has its own trainer that takes care of it night and day. Our guy was so sweet with his elephant - singing to her and talking to her. They have been together for many many years (our elephant was 48 years old, used to work in a logging camp). They are truly amazing creatures.

Feeding her by hand after our walk: 

 

She liked it all!

 

Here is a picture of us with the "baby" elephants:

 

I was so happy to be able to go stand-up-paddling in the ocean. After doing it on lake Zurich, I wanted to see what it was like in the ocean with waves. The board I rented was different which made it easier with waves. It was so much fun. While paddling out there, you could look down and see jellyfish and other fish all around. Really fun!

 

Last day - another boat trip, this time to Coral Island.

 

Big Buddha on top of the hill: 

 

We went paragliding on coral island. It was my first time doing this. It was a little scary when they "dipped" you, but really fun!

 

It was so hot, I decided it was better to "lay out" in the water.

 

 

 

How about this for a gas station?

 

Best dinner we had was from this little family-run stand.