I am happy to say I am safely back in Australia. Quite the experience! If you had asked me five years ago about my plans for the future, I would have never imagined being in Thailand riding elephants and experiencing Thai culture with my classmates. Like many of my other experiences here during my study abroad semester, words, pictures, and videos do little justice in explaining my time here. Quite frankly, I am incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to do these wonderful things.
We flew from Perth, Western Australia to Singapore to Phuket, Thailand. All in all, we flew for about 6 hours or so. With layovers and transportation, the entire way there seemed to take all day. Flying and adjusting to new culture can really take a lot out of people. Once we landed in Phuket, we were tired and hungry, but ready to get the week going.
We stayed at an incredible hotel- The Marriot Beach Resort. One of our friends has a time share there, so we were able to get a good price. 100 dollars for all week! Five star hotel! The closest thing to Heaven I have ever experienced. First arriving, we were greeted with lays, virgin mojitos, and warm smiles. Very, very friendly people. Our place was beautiful.
We did so much! I will try my best to list it all.
- Rode elephants
- Rode oxen
- Played with monkeys
- Ate Thai food
- Met awesome Thai people
- Toured James Bond Island (the James Bond film in the 1970s was filmed there). Tour consisted four separate islands.
- Toured Phi Phi Island. Tour consisted of three separate islands
- Canoed in caves
- Snorkeled
- Went to Big Buddha Temple high up on hill overlooking Phuket City. Incredible view.
- Shopped at markets and bartered with workers.
- Rode in taxis on crazy Thailand roads. Seems like they literally do not have any road laws.
- Went to Petong one night for the clubs/bars. Very crowded, very different, and very fun.
We had some very long days. Woke up at 6 in the morning and returned to the resort around 10 at night sometimes. On average, we got about 4 hours of sleep a night. There was just way TOO much to do. None of us wanted to sleep.
Without a doubt, Thailand and Southeast Asia was quite different than Australia and the United States. Although the Marriot was very Westernized, the real Thailand was quite different than what we were used to. Very Easternized culture.
Please feel free to look my my pictures on Facebook. That will do a little more justice.
Take care everyone! :)
