Trip to Phuket Thailand

The girls school has a week off for fall break so I thought it would be a good opportunity to head somewhere.  With Singapore being a small island anywhere you go is an international flight even if it's just like flying from Virginia to Florida.  I have not done a lot of international trips and Singapore has so many rules about what's allowed to be brought in, I have become nervous about crossing the boarder.  Will I get checked, will they find that pack of gum.  Gum is illegal but for personal consumption so my personal pack is ok, but I still get concerned.  I decided taking a nearby family trip and having Fred with us would be the right first step in venturing outside of Singapore.

After some research, talking with other people's favorite spots, and checking prices I settled on Phuket.  It's a 11/2 hr flight and the beaches are supposed to be beautiful.  We got a great deal at the Marriott Vacation Club- 2 bedroom condo with a private plunge pool.

The resort pool wasn't too shabby either.

The beach area was completely desolate even though we saw lots of families from the girls school on the airplane and at our resort.  The pools seemed to spot to hang out for most families.

The highlight of our trip was a boat ride down to Phi Phi Island.  Phi Phi island has 6 islands one area is where a James Bond movie was filmed and then The Beach with Leonardo Dicaprio was filmed at another.  The below shots are from where "The Beach" was filmed.  Almost every sightseeing boat stops here for their tourists to see this beach.  The sand is amazingly soft, the water perfectly clear, and limestone formations make an beautiful backdrop.  Nowadays, if you visit, you will be there with 1000 of your closest friends!

Phi Phi Island is actually pronounced PP so as you can imagine on a boat trip there is a little joking around about that name.  The real laughs came however when our tour guide pointed out this is #2 pp island.  So juvenile - you'd think I had sons.  

Our boat excursion included snorkeling opportunities.  The girls and I had never done this so we were super excited to try it out.  We jumped off the front of the boat into clear water to look at beautiful coral and colorful fish.  The guide brought bananas because the fish love them and will swim up to you while you hold one in the water.  Having fish swarm all around you was a little unnerving to me, so I quickly passed my banana to someone else for a try.

 

Our trip was a complete success, now that we gave it a try and it worked out we can start looking into where to head for our next adventure.  

Wish you were here!!!!