Thailand - part 2

The one time we left the resort as a family was to go on an Elephant ride and see a temple.  We were picked up at the hotel early in the morning and loaded into the back of a pick up truck with benches along the side.  There was no gate in the back, no seat belts, but it was covered so you were protected from the sun.

Looking out the back of our ride.

Electrical wiring running through Phuket, Thailand.

Kids enjoying the ride.

Our first stop was to an area where they had a variety of animals and a bit of a tourist trap.  We took a short ride on trailer pulled by two oxen.

Kids in front of our second mode of transportation.

Girls enjoying the ride.

Picture of the surroundings.

Hailey on an oxe, I think, or maybe some sort of cow.

Aaron's turn...

There was a short monkey show.  This monkey was a little temperamental.  You can see the rope a person, I don't know if I would go as far as trainer, was holding when the monkey would get upset.  It would put its hand in your hand but if you put your thumb over his hand he would get made and bite himself.  Not exactly comforting when it is your child up there!

Sydney and the not so nice monkey.

Before we went on the elephants you could buy bananas to feed to the elephants.  They elephants loved them and if they knew you had some there trunks would be right up next to you looking for them.

Do you have a banana for me?

They also put on a little show and finished by giving everyone who wanted one a massage.  I kindly volunteered Randy for an extra special massage.  His massage included a "trainer" putting a banana up each of his short legs for the elephant to get with his trunk.  We all got a kick out of it and had a good chuckle.  Randy still gets squirmy when he thinks about the hairy trunk getting the banana!

Hailey getting her massage.

Aaron getting his massage and a kiss at the end.

Randy getting his "special" massage.

Last stop before heading back to the hotel was a temple.

Temple in Phuket.

Entrance to the temple.

Kids in the bell outside the temple.

Randy took Aaron golfing on the golf course at the resort.  He loves to golf and hasn't had many chances since we moved to Switzerland.  It was a great Daddy and Aaron outing!

Aaron on the 2nd tee.

Sydney ready to head out for her first open water dive.

Here is the video montage I put together of the kid's show and our elephant ride.

It was a great vacation and the kids did great on the 12+ hour plane ride.  The kids keep wanting to go back and Aaron even asks if we can move there.  We are very fortunate and blessed to be able to travel and expose the kids to so many different cultures.  It has opened their eyes to the world and it will be interesting to see what impact this has on them as they grow up.