Three flights and two layovers later we finally set our bags down in Thailand along with two other families. It was a long process to get there but we finally got some sleep! We stayed at Club Med Phuket (which I do not recommend because it was very overcrowded -- had to pretty much fight for food, drinks, a seat to eat our meals and the excursion was not what we paid for). The next day we took Hannah and Mason to kids club and us adults walked to town. What a wonderful place -- seriously, everyone smiles there!! I think because of their Buddhist culture.
Sunday was a very special for Thailand, their New Year where the Thai people celebrate the Songkran Festival (aka the water festival). The Songkran Festival is about cleaning, purification, and fresh starts. Houses are cleaned, Buddha statues are gently washed with scented water, and elders are honored by pouring water respectfully over their hands. Although the origins of Songkran are far more religious, splashing complete strangers with water has become the main attraction of the festival. Dousing or sprinkling people with water signifies the washing away of bad thoughts and actions, and brings them good luck in the new year (http://goasia.about.com/od/Events-and-Holidays/a/Thailand-Water-Festival.htm). We were armed with water guns, buckets, friends and new acquaintances. I have never had so much fun in my entire life. Witnessing the smiles on my hubby's, kiddos' and friends' faces was fabulous!
The next day Mike and our friend went on a private fishing boat and deep sea fished to celebrate their April birthdays. They caught yellow fin tuna that was instantly filleted and served right on the boat. They had a great time. Us ladies spent the day shopping and had a delicious lunch and drank some amazing wine while the kiddos played in kid club.
Tuesday we all packed into a van and went to find some elephants. The road our driver took had some deep curves and hills along the coastline where we got to view all the beautiful beaches, Buddhist offerings, huts, homes, and businesses. A fantastic drive. We arrived at a random place where four elephants were lined up ready to go amongst metal sided shacks with worn wooden plank stairs that housed the local Thai people. We all got on our elephants which was a little scary. They are so massive and you're so high up and when they walk they shift drastically from side to side. Mason was particularly nervous. They guided us through the hot jungle. The guide that was on the front of our elephant jumped off and asked me to sit on the elephant where he was. He instructed me to keep my hands on the top of the elephant's head. Cool! I was now guiding the elephant. All was well until we were greeted by an unwelcome wild dog. Our elephant and the elephant in front of us started to (what sounded like a) growl and the vibrations from their huge bodies was freakishly loud, deep and shook us (ah sh*t this is how I was going to die, by a elephant gone crazy in the jungle of Thailand!!). The guides shooed the dog and uneventfully we continued our walk (thank God!). We stopped at a clearing on the top of the hill to an gorgeous view of Phuket and the ocean. Truly breathtaking. Our large new friends then carried us back to the place where we began and the fun really began for me -- we got to bathe the elephants in a muddy, deep pond. It was awesome! The guides were in the water with us and cued them to spray us with their trunks. Hannah took to the baby elephant in the pond and smiled from ear to ear. It was time to go but I was half-tempted to stay!!
After our elephant ride we journeyed to the Big Buddha. Big Buddha holds true to it's name and stands 45 meters high (roughly 148 feet high). The Big Buddha construction began 10 years ago and is still underway. The best part for me was the chiming of the prayer bells. These heavy brass bells are hung everywhere. They are inscribed with prayers, hopes, dreams and wishes. We got to leave one as well and I smile knowing it's singing in the winds of Thailand.
Our greatest adventure and a favorite for all of us was taking a private boat to snorkel in the Phi Phi islands. Never have I experienced such warm, clear and salty water. It was amazing we zoomed to three different areas where we snorkeled, floated, and jumped off the front of the boat into the gorgeous water. We had a divine lunch right on the beach. It was an absolutely amazing day.
The time between our adventures was spent on the light sandy beach, swimming in the warm ocean, golfing and doing the trapeze. Our trip to Thailand was so amazing! The memory and the friendships we tightly bonded will last a lifetime! I appreciate the beautiful, gracious people of Thailand who helped deliver another great adventure for the Gines family.
Our serious countdown has begun to when we get to go home for the summer. It'll be a year almost to the day that we left our family and friends and the oh-so fantastic soil of the US. Can't wait!!!
As always, to be continued...
