DAY 1
Phuket is an island about the same size as Singapore was and is connected to mainland Thailand by two bridges. As Malaysia, it once derived its wealth from tin and rubber. Today, rubber and tourism are the basis for its economy. Phuket is the largest of Thailand’s islands and is mostly rain forested and mountainous however the coast suffered extensive damage during the 2004 tsunami that killed 250 locals and tourists. Forest, rubber and palm oil plantations cover 60% of the island. The island’s population is a half million but over 10 million tourists visit here annually. Fortune Magazine in 2005 proclaimed Phuket as one of the world’s top 5 retirement destinations. It lies in the Andaman Sea with beautiful beaches on its west coast. The island is home to many high end resorts, spas, and restaurants.
We visited Phuket in 2013 on our Beijing to London-Regent cruise.
WHAT WE DID TODAY:
Didn't know if I would be able to do our tour today or not due to my big toe. It was really hurting last night but this morning so far it isn't. Very tender and nasty looking black and blue however. I was talking with the ship's general manager while have my morning coffee and he told me to go see the doctor and have it x-rayed. I got there at 9:00 am and did not see the doctor until 10:15. I told him I had a tour at 10:45 so to expedite. X-ray was negative. Later this morning my right arm started hurting if I moved it. Can hardly raise it. More pain than the big toe ever was. Guess I was more badly injured than I thought. I guess time will heal.
We arrived at pier in Phuket at 10:00 am. Our tour this morning at 10:45 is "Scenic Phuket and Elephant Camp". Elephants are an important part of Thai history and culture, regularly featured in Buddhist art and architecture. Wild elephants used to roam Phuket Island but as rubber plantations and tin mining changed the natural environment the wild elephants slowly disappeared. Elephants were used in Thailand's logging industry hauling heavy logs out of the remote forest to roads not accessible by truck. In 1989 most elephants and their mahouts (handlers) were forced out of work when the Thai government banned virtually all logging of its quickly dwindling teak forests.
Departing the pier, we drove for a "rubber tapping" demonstration. We had seen one before and good thing as this was not good one. Then we drove to a cashew nut factory, curiously named Sri Bhurapa Orchid Company. There we saw see how mouth-watering cashew nut products are made as skilled workers create a scrumptious variety of snacks and sweets. I love cashews so bought some. Next, a short stop will be made at Chalong Temple. The Thai word for Temple is “Wat” so this sight is referred to locally as Wat Chalong. This is by far the most famous of temples on the island of Phuket. Next stop was at a local rubber plantation before arriving at the elephant camp. It was pouring down rain so we stayed on the bus and missed the Thai cooking demonstration. I stopped raining finally so we caught the last 5 minutes of the elephant show. Don't think we missed much!! There was also a ride in an ox cart that we opted out of doing. After re-boarding the bus we made short stop at the local huge jewelry factory and store before returning to the ship. This store was amazing IF you wanted to buy some very nice blue sapphire jewelry and other precious stone jewelry.
When we got back to the ship at 3:30 this afternoon the internet was not working. I STILL have not been able to complete yesterday's Penang photo uploading. Now I have today's photos to do also.
Ok, it is 10:00 pm now. I just posted the Penang photos. I will post this Phuket posting now also so be sure you check the Penang photos and this. Tomorrow I will try to get today's photos posted. Cancelled tomorrow's tour. We are making phone calls to our friends tonight. We are 12 hours ahead of everyone in the central US. So is Monday morning there and bedtime here.
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