Phuket

     I LOVE PHUKET!  It was a wonderful few days down in the South of Thailand.  My cousin had business there and allowed me to be a tag-a-long and I am sure glad I was!  What an experience!  Firstly, we stayed at Dewa Hotel and it was so awesome!  I definitely felt like I was living in luxury.  Unfortunately I have a knack for losing things, so the second I got to the hotel, this happened...

These men were sawing off my lock because I lost the keys.  = /

Entering our hotel "house".

Our own private mini pool.

Outdoor bathtub

This is the sink area.  The whole bathroom was outside.

Outdoor shower

Inside the hotel "house".

SUCH A BEAUTIFUL HOTEL!!!

     Our hotel was right above the beach, but it was a short walk to the little street of restaurants and shops in front of Nai Yang Beach.  The beach was absolutely beautiful.  The Adaman Sea was the most stunning shade of blue. 

My cousin Aom enjoying her mango yogurt smoothie.

I was enjoying mine as well.

The first night's sunset!

 First touch of the Andaman Sea.

 Footballers on their cans, I love!  Chang Export, new favorite beer.

 Getting in a little football at the hotel.

 Paradise!

 Best lunch ever!

     Most of the towns people were very nice.  A few were a bit too pushy trying to sell things.  One mini mart was incredibly over priced, but I really enjoyed all of the restaurants I went to.  What was interesting though was the fact that most of the restaurants were serving hamburgers, pizza, pasta and all sorts of "American" foods along with their Thai food.  Who the heck wants to go to the beautiful beaches of Thailand and eat a burger?  I don't know...  I guess they just have to be accommodating to all the tourists and some eat stupidly?  HAHA

 Look at that water!

 Goal of the day accomplished!  Drinking from a coconut on the beach.

 In the Andaman Sea.

 Swimming in the Andaman Sea.

 Nai Yang Beach

I love coconuts!

Gorgeous hotel pool.

Great swim!

 Second night's sunset.

 Just laying out by the beach at night.

My cousin and I before checking out of Dewa.

I know that Phuket is one of the biggest tourist places in all of Thailand, but the pictures speak for themselves!  A must go place!

"For me, our beaches have always been a source of personal inspiration". -Thomas Carper 

All Kinds of Shopping/Silk/Thai Dancing

     Today I spent time shopping in Bangkok.  Well... I didn't actually purchase anything, but I was a tag-a-long to my relatives.  I really wish that I had come to Thailand last rather than first.  The shopping here is insane!!!  So many cool things at such a cheap price!  I would have went to town here, but oh well... it wasn't meant to be!  I don't really even have a home to go back to, so what is there to buy anyway?  It is a little weird to have no place of residence!  Of course I can always stay at my mom's, but not having a place of my own is a little odd since it has been that way from 18 until now, 23.  Not to worry!  Focusing on my travels and enjoying every little part of life and will worry about a place to live, a job and all that other stuff later!  Anyways, the first place we went to was Jatuchuk Plaza/J&J Mall.

 In front of an elephant made out of driftwood.

 Outdoor Shopping

 Some cool Muay Thai statues.

Indoor Shopping

     J&J Mall had a very interesting display of how silk is made.  It was mind blowing to see the whole process.  Sometimes in life we neglect to realize how much work goes into things.  All the steps it  takes people to make what we wear or even eat.  There are so many talented people in this world!  

 Silkworms

 Where the silkworms are placed in order to cocoon.

This woman was extracting the thread.

The cooked silkworm that apparently some people eat!  (YUCK)

 Spinning the thread.

Weaving the silk.

If you want to learn more about the process of producing silk, here is a great website I looked at.  http://www.designboom.com/history/silk1.html

     Another great thing that was occurring at J&J Mall was some Thai dancing.  People from the Kalasin College of Dramatic Arts, Bunditpatanasilpa Institute, Ministry of Culture were putting on a performance in the middle of the mall.  They had such beautiful outfits!  I especially loved all the instruments that were being played.  Very unique instruments that are not frequently used in the States.  

 Cute little kids coming up to dance with them.

     

A video of one of the dances.

Below are pictures of my aunt and cousin demonstrating how parking occurs in Thailand and how one gets out of a parking spot if another car is parked in front of you.

Before

 After

Our last shopping spot of the day was a food market.  I saw quite a few interesting things here.

 Anyone care for some pig ear, intestine, tongue, other body parts?  (YUCK)

 Flowers that smell so good and are so pretty!

 All the shopping in the Thai heat gets to you, got to sit down for a bit.

I am not trying to be mean, but I saw this couple on the way home and their shirts killed me.  His says "Too Hot" and hers says "So Hot".  Couldn't stop laughing!  

Leaving for Phuket on Tuesday and am excited to get in some beach time!  Hope you guys are enjoying these Blog posts as I am really enjoying writing them and sharing my experiences with you!

xo

"In motivating people, you've got to engage their minds and their hearts.  I motivate people, I hope, by example - and perhaps by excitement, by having productive ideas to make others feel involved."       -Rupert Murdoch

Suphan Buri

     Today I went to Suphan Buri, the place where my mom and her 8 brothers and sisters grew up.  It is about an hour and a half from Bangkok.  Suphan means "gold" and Buri means "city".  I went with two of my uncles, one aunt and my cousin.  It was a great experience seeing where my mom, aunts and uncles grew up.  

 The property where my mom and her siblings grew up at.

 My cousin, my aunt (the oldest in the family), me and my uncle (the second oldest in the family).

 My uncle showing us part of the property he owns in Suphan Buri.

 My grandparents used to have rice paddy fields here.

 Beautiful Thai countryside.

My aunt decided to surprise distant relatives that she hadn't seen for almost 30 years.

 In front of a crematorium at a temple.

 Headstones at a cemetery.

 My grandmother's headstone.

 Some beautiful parts of Thailand.

Random Fun Facts:

1) Former Prime Minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, used to own Manchester City Football Club.

2) The current King of Thailand was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

     Miss all of you back in the States, but I am having such a great time!  Can't believe on Sunday it will have been 2 weeks since I have left.  It feels like yesterday honestly.  Time really does fly.  I love being in a new place with absolutely no worries or cares.  I just wake up each morning with no obligations knowing there is so much to discover.  ONWARD!  xo

"One travels more usefully when alone, because he reflects more." -Thomas Jefferson