Similan Islands

Our boat.
These rocks were beatiful to snorkel around

the rock that Ted, Laela and Bern climbed to for a photo shot. I stayed below and looked under the sea.

Bern on top of the "rock". A hot climb up.

After lunch political discussion in the crystal clear

Photo op on the white sand.

A multitude of sail boats and other boats enjoying the vast underwater gardens.

Yesterday was a day of snorkelling at 5 different sites around the Similan Islands. These islands are about 65 km west of southern Thailand. We took a speed boat to the islands and saw more fish and choral than I have seen anywhere else. Ted and Laela state it's not quite as good as The Great Barrier Reef near Australia, but a definite 2nd place. For Bern and I it was definitely some of our best snorkelling. The clarity of the water allowed you to see for meters under water. We saw a sea turtle wending it's way accross the underwater garden. Then we saw so many fish that it felt like we were in an underwater aquariam. Unfortunately we didn't bring an underwater camera, so all my posts will be above water. Ingrid, I know it was your birthday and I know you would have loved to be here enjoying the snorkelling. Happy belated birthday!

Southern Thailand, the island of Phuket

The view of the sea at sunset
Our hotel. We are on the 2nd floor, facing the sea.

Reading in the sun around the meandering free form pool.

Our Thailand Pool boy.

Hello all,

Phuket is a beautiful, hot island. The temperature is around mid 30's and sunny. It is beautiful and crowded here (which seems the norm for most of the Thailand). We are accross the street from a beautiful beach that stretches for about 3 miles. The water in the Andaman sea is warm and perfectly clear. We have some wonderful snorkelling right off the south end of our beach. We have seen so many kinds of fish that I don't know the names of. I need Carter to do some research for me. We are spending our days downb south in a more quiet manner. Playing in the ocean, going for walks, eating wonderful Thai food, reading our books and visiting.

Thai Cooking Class

What a neat experience. We cooked 5 dishes. I learned so much. The only disappointment is that they only had us signed up for a 1/2 day course. I hope to share my cooking experience for anyone who might be interested when we get home. I just have to figure out where to get the ingredients from.
Don't they look like great chefs? I wish I had a knife like this to chop vegetables. Also I love working with a gas stove.

Choosing the ingredients for our Thai feast.