Now Boarding Flight to Phuket, Thailand

I am finally unjetlagged enough to post some pictures of our trip! We had such a great time. I miss our daily adventures. Before joining our Explore group in Bangkok, we spent a few days relaxing in Phuket. We stayed at the Katathani Beach Resort located in the Southwest coast of Phuket Island in secluded Kata Noi Bay. The secluded beach was essential as Phuket beaches can get quite busy. I posted pictures of the resort back in September. December weather in Phucket is great (~30C every day).

Well deserved holiday!
Kata Noi Bay
By the beach...

By the pool...

We did a 25km bike tour. It's a great way to discover the island. The resort is great, but it could be anywhere on the planet and it would make no difference. Our guide was Piti from Biketours Thailand.

Local people making chili paste. Just watching made my eyes water!

Rubber trees. Eh oui, rubber comes from trees just like maple syrup! People collect the liquid around 2 am every day otherwise it gets too hot. They bring dogs with them to scare the snakes away.


Actually making rubber. One third rubber liquid, one third water, and one third unknown chemical. It's unbelievable the amount of work involved in making rubber. Thai rubber is exported to China. It is used to make all sorts of things including condoms and tires.


Having homemade iced coffee. Thailand has a small Muslim population (2 millions).

Action Shot!

Resting


Taxi!



We had dinner on the beach one night. I forgot to put mosquito repellent. I paid for it. Fifty Thai mosquito bites the next day. Ouch.


He. He.

This was Phuket. Stay tuned for more...

Recommendations:
Accomodation: Katathani Beach Resort
Dining: Wine Spectator Award restaurant Mom Tri's Boathouse & Villa Royale. Great food, extensive wine list, beachview.
Activity: Bike Tours Thailand
Miscelleneous: Mosquito repellent at night