Phuket is off our list! A quick plane ride (1.5 hours) and we were in Thailand’s Island paradise.
Off to Changi Airport (yes, Jack came too, he was just being camera shy)
Customs in Phuket … so. chaotic. 1.5 hour wait.
We stayed high on a hill above the infamous Patong Beach. We took advantage of the pool and were constantly in awe of our surroundings.
Maggie Lou has embraced the “jump” into the pool. She had mastered the cannonball by the weekend’s end.
Poolside bevis — yes, please!
We were prepared … the trailer for “The Impossible” (which we never saw) kept flashing through my thoughts all weekend.
We took part in a day long, island hopping speedboat tour. We hit Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Lei and Kai. Our favorite .. Phi Phi Lei with the beautiful Maya Beach.
Our Happy Snorkeler!
Swimming with the Fishes
His giggles were heard all over the islands!
Maya Beach
Monkey Bay
Viking Cave … with a birds nest mining operation set up. Birds Nest is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine … mama will post more on this later.
That night we had Thai food overlooking Patong Beach. We took in the fireworks, savored the lemongrass and chilies, and kept looking at each other in disbelief that we were in Thailand.
Tom Yum Goong IN Thailand … Pinch us, we must be dreaming!
Papa could not get over the fact that mama ordered Pad Thai, as so many other amazing dishes were offered. However, this mama wanted to see how American Thai (and our family recipe) stacked up against the real thing. Not far off!
Our third day we hired a driver to take us on a sightseeing tour of the island. First stop Old Phuket town for shopping and to check out the architecture.
Old Phuket Town
Sino Portuguese Shop Houses
Kid art graffiti in Old Phuket Town
Too small for any of us, but pretty darn cute!
Mini Stop: Sri Burapa Orchid Cashew Nut Factory
Second stop, Wat Chalong – Buddhist Temple and Monastery.
Fire crackers are set off by Buddhists when their prayers have been answered. The children spent a lot of time with their ears blocked.
Third stop: Big Buddha. Still under construction. Enormous. Awe inspiring.
The Phra Puttamingmongkol Akenakkiri Buddha – to give it its official name – is 45 meters high and 25 meters across at the base.
After our excursion we headed to the airport to fly home to Singapore, but not before the kids got their “fish spa” and we had a chance to ride a tuk tuk (open taxi). Photo of tuk tuk coming soon to a blog near you …
Fish spa in Phuket
Somewhere in Phuket?!
Aldous Family Adventures 
This looks awesome!!! Love it!! I am so jealous!!
looks gorgeous! did you try the fish spa?
Living the dream! Love the photos and excellent commentary! Xoxo