Thailand- Part 2

Here's a recap on the second half of our week in Phuket, Thailand:

 

New day, new boat. We took a speedboat tour of the Phi Phi Islands.

 

Our guide playing rock, paper, scissors with G.

First stop: Maya Bay. This beach was featured in the Leonardo DiCaprio film "The Beach". It is now a very popular tourist destination and very crowded. It was still beautiful! 

We walked across the island. Add another national park to our list!

This is Lah Samah Bay on the other side.

 

We couldn't get a great family pic but we tried...

 

The gap in the cliffs was digitally altered in the movie.

 

 

Love this picture and love that these aren't the type of boat Brent booked for us.

 

 

 

Next stop was Pileh Lagoon for swimming.

The twins wanted nothing to do with this!

Beautiful, salty water.

Hayden made a friend. The crew members spoiled our kids once again by carrying them on and off the boat and playing with them so Mom, Dad & G could snorkel.

Monkey Island.

Pictures taken from the boat again- not like these tourons (tourist+morons, a term we picked up working in Yellowstone). They are wild animals people.

Our lunch stop Ko Phi Phi Don. It's not in the picture, but they made a big plate of fries for the American boys.

Checking out the vendors.

Up next- snorkeling.

 

Grant loved snorkeling! It's like a whole new world was opened up to him. We even swam through a cave behind us.

 

And our last stop was for a little beach time on Bamboo Island, which the twins loved.

 

They even got mobbed by Chinese tourists. One lady literally scooped Hayden up to take a picture with him. Kinda ironic I posted a picture without him in it.

The next day was a pool day so I didn't take many pictures. Brent had read about a good local restaurant down the street from our hotel so we decided to check it out.

 

The atmosphere was so pretty.

Proud of my little boys for trying new foods. And my big boy was in heaven.

Lots of geckos. See them on the letters?

And another beautiful sunset.

When we returned, the hotel was having a complimentary cocktail hour.

These little divas took advantage of the free massages. (I did too).

On Friday we hired a driver to take us around Phuket for the day. Our first stop was Wat Chalong buddhist temple. Look at those street dogs just chillin'.

A view of the entire complex.

A view of Big Buddha- more on that later.

Cuties.

"Mom! Take our picture with the dragon tail!". 

Here's a better picture of the outside.

Hayden always makes friends.

We shopped around a bit and decided to try a coconut. 

Can you see Colter nearly gagging in the background? Glad it was only $1. Five thumbs down from us.

Next up- Big Buddha. This statue made of concrete and marble sits atop a hill and can be seen from all around the island. There are great views from this point. Technically, it's still under construction.

 

It was windy and bright. Love those faces!

Another Buddha statue next to the big guy.

I thought seeing a Christmas tree there was a little odd, no?!

The King of Thailand. His portrait is EVERYWHERE. And his face is on all denominations of the paper currency. 

 

I missed the elephant safari so we stopped at one as we headed down the hill so I could meet this little baby. 

Grant held my camera and took lots of close-ups.

 

Daddy found another "dive" for us. It was actually featured in Lonely Planet.

The restaurant was called The Pad Thai Shop & mine was delicious! Entire meal with drinks, ice cream for the boys and some of the best Thai food ever, was a whopping $6 for all! Happy daddy.

 

We were due for a dip in Karon Beach to cool off. Here we are shamelessly having our boys pose with our YNP Association magazine so they can be featured in it next month.

 

Next- the old town area for a little souvenir shopping.

 

Besides souvenirs, there were several textile shops.

 

We found some great goodies.

And last, we surprised the boys with a little taste of "home". Had to get a pic with Ronald doing the wai (the traditional Thai greeting).

I don't even want to know- but couldn't resist a photo op.

Back to the hotel and a quick dip in the pool to get all that sand off ;).

 Last day. Going down for our last swim. Wah, wah.

I still don't see how they work outside. I was literally melting.

The boys spent a little time in the kids club making crafts.

For our last dinner we checked out this restaurant. I met an American family earlier in the week at the pool and they recommended this place. I was a huge hit and I was stoked to have added something to the trip!

Also perched on a hill with amazing views.

This chicken satay was a-maz-ing!

The Thai flag (& no breeze while dining al fresco!).

We had read about their iced coffee on the internet. Brent and I agree. Best. Coffee. Ever.

We got to see the sunset one last time.

We saw several shrines inside and outside local businesses.

I wish I could have brought this home.

Time to head to the airport.

Another example of the shrines.

What do you do when your flight doesn't leave until 11:30p.m.? Eat ice cream of course!

Boys didn't even make it to takeoff.

 We flew home through the night and poor little Colter passed out later that day waiting for his dinner.

 

Reminds me of that first night in Korea.

 

We loved our first vacation. We needed a little break from Seoul. But being away confirmed that Seoul feels like home. Home enough. We're settled and looking forward to more adventures. Our next is a visit from Grandma & Grandpa!!!