Emily had been missing her mom a lot. And I have been missing the islands a lot. Needless to say we were thrilled to head to Phuket. We were excited to have a week all together somewhere quiet which is ironically also the biggest party island in Thailand. I looked for the calmest beach in Phuket and we ended up somewhere that was actually chill.

Emily’s mom found a direct TUI flight from London. One long haul. Not appealing, but efficient. She arrived before us.

We left Bangkok on Thai Lion Air. Emily doesn’t like that airline. The flight was fine and we got there without issue, other than my shattered fingers from Emily squeezing my hand like it was the only thing keeping the plane in the sky. 

After landing we took a cab to the apartment. Emily’s mom couldn’t check in yet, so she went next door and booked a massage. When we arrived she was already settled. Hammock. Pool. Nap in progress.

The resort itself was large and spread out. Lots of pools. Lots of places to sit. Easy to disappear for a while without trying.

We ate at Monkey Beach, which claimed it was a top 50 restaurant in Mai Khao according to Forbes 2005. There are probably fewer than 50 restaurants total. Still decent food.

There was a local food stall down the road which was cheap and delicious the first night we ate out, however we tried to go later and it was closed every time. We never figured out when it was actually open.

One night Emily’s mom took us to La Sala, a Bib Gourmand restaurant. Dramatic entrance, fire, lotus pond. Over the top and excellent food. 

Emily and her mom did Thai massages on the beach a few times. Open hut, ocean right there. I skipped those and used the sauna instead.

Emily and I used the gym most mornings and cycled. We’re trying to keep that habit while traveling. Some places make it easier than others, but sunrise stationary cycling was nice. 

Most nights we stayed local. We played video games cards and swam around our pool. I built Mario courses for Emily to run. Her mom joined in a couple of times and we all had a good time. 

One day Emily and her mom went into town together to dress shop. I stayed back and used the pool, sauna, and jacuzzi on loop until Emily found me that evening. 

Every day we swam in the ocean and watched the sunset. It was pretty incredible. 

On the last night we sat in the jacuzzi facing the horizon and watched the sun go down. 

Dinner that night was at a place with live music and traditional dancing. On the beach. I asked for my food “regular spicy” the waitress sweetly told me that may not be a good idea. I stuck to my order and it was great! I added the chillies on top after I was done to give the illusion of insanity. Emily laughed at me but the confused look from the waitress to seeing the cleared plate of peppers was worth it. 

The next morning we packed, had coffee, and said goodbye luckily a short one this time. 

Then we left for Kuala Lumpur. (Not on lion air)