Phuket

Phuket Harbor early morning
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3.30.2007 Phuket, Thailand

Phuket is the largest island in Thailand with 215 square miles (about the size of Siongapore). On 12/26/2004 Phuket and other nearby areas oThiland’s western coast suffered extensive damage when they were struck by a tsunami caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. More than 5300 were reported killed in Thailand with as many as 250 , including tourists, killed in Phuket. Because of the importance of tourism on this island most of the resorts were back in business by Feb. 2005 and today tourism which drives the Phuiket economy has almost fully recovered. In addition to tourism, Phuket benefits from being the center of tin production in the country, with rubber, coconut, seafood and cashew nuts adding to the island’s prosperity. The majority of the tourists come to enjoy the many beaches which we think are as fine as any we have ever seen. We had seen them once before as this was one of the five cities I conducted workshops in back in the late 70’s at a time the world was just discovering this paradise for beach vacations. It has certainly developed since then and there is little evidence of the damage caused by the tsunami in 2004. Our son, Andrew’s wife, Usah was born in Thailand and this fall they are planning a trip here with the children. It will be a great experience for them.

Capt.and Igor with Pilot in tight space
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The West’s elected to take a tour offering rides on an elephant and having ridden an elephant in Africa we took a tour which included a visit to a nut factory, a tour of The Wat Chalong Monastery and a drive through three of the beautiful beaches. Of course, the tour ended up with a stop at a huge new shopping center offering one of the biggest displays of jewelry we have ever seen under one roof as well as a duty free shop offering almost anything you would find in a big department store.

Model of Cashew Nut
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Few people realize why cashew nuts are so expensive. We now do. The Monestary included Phuket’t largest and most sacred Buddhist temple. The enclosed pictures will give you and idea. Also the pictures of Karon and Patong Beaches will give you an idea why we think they are as fine as any in the world. On the way back to the ship we stopped for a panoramic view of Phuket Town, the capital of Phuket.

The four of us had accepted a dinner invitation for tonight at Le Champagne from Cynthia and Mike Kenneally without knowing what to expect. Everything on the ship is included in your fare except dinner at Le Champagne, a very special small room on the ship that serves even more exotic wines and food then offered in the Dinning Room or La Terrazza. Because it is not cheap and everything else is, we like most haven’t used it although thanks to a gift from Joy “Nadine” Cottril,our friend and travel agent,

Labor intensive at Cashew Factory
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we are looking forward to celebrating Sallie’s birthday at Le Champagne. In any event,

we discovered that the Kennally’s had invited a total of 24 to join in celebrating his 53^rd birthday. That’s as many as the room can hold. All four of us agreed that it was a very special dinner beautifully served starting with champagne and including four different fine wines. They are a lovely young couple that I mentioned earlier in the blog. Both had very successful careers and are now celebrating retirement and their son the Princeton graduate now at Harvard Business School.