PHUKET, THAILSLAND

March 21,  2023

Today we explored Phuket, Thailand’s largest island.  Thais don’t pronounce PH as F like we do (smile).  It is pronounced pooket with the emphasis on the second syllable.  Phuket is a resort destination island.   It features many beautiful beaches, scuba diving sites, has a year-round temperate climate and has an international airport for access.   Obviously, tourism is their main economy.   


We went to a Buddhist shrine at the southern tip of the island, a cashew plantation and the largest and most elaborate Buddhist temple on the island.   We passed many beautiful beaches along the way.   


Thailand is an interesting country.  You may remember the play and film, The King and I.   It was loosely based on the true love story of the then (1860s) King of Siam (the previous name of Thailand) and a British school teacher. 


Their king, currently Rama X, is deemed to be head of state but the military seems to have more of the power and the Thai government has suffered through multiple coups recently.    That said, ole Rama X doesn’t seem to be too worried by the tension between the military and the monarchy.  He is said to be one of the wealthiest men in the world and spends most of his time in Germany.  

 

We have now left South East Asia and are motoring the Indian Ocean on our way to Sri Lanka, a 4-day journey.   


                                The beach where our transport from the ship landed

                         An interesting fishing boat.   Note the long shaft from the motor 
                         to the prop that lets them navigate shallow water.

                                       One of the several beach/sea scapes we saw.   


                              Who is that peeking over the wall of the Buddhist shrine?

                 Many elephant sculptures and other ceremonial items encircling a shrine
                    

Telecommunication at its worst.   How'd you like to sort out which cable does what?



                                      The fruit that produces the cashew seed.

                      Maybe you can make out the cashew seed at the bottom of the fruit.   

  All of the cashew processing is by hand.   This person is cutting the shell off the cashew nut.

One of the temple structures in the Buddhist Temple complex.   Beautiful temples each with a different purpose.   
                                                              One of the temples

                                                                 Note the intricate detail

                                                                  A room full of Buddhas


                                     Shucks...we weren't allowed to hug the Buddha


  Many beautiful statues in this temple all painted in a gold color

                                      Another temple in the Buddhist Temple complex




                                      
                            Elephants play a significant role in Buddhism worship

Leaving Phuket, Thailand at sunset.  The green blobs are Thai fisherman using green fluorescent lights to attract squid.   There were at least 15 boats dotting the waters when we took this photo. 

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