Elephant Rides, Phuket

As both their daddy & mommy were busy working end of last year, the boys got their 'flying' holiday only recently during the 1st semester mid-break. Though Daddy was not crazy about another beach holiday, he was not adverse to Patong, Phuket given its reputation as a 'happening' place!

We lazed at Patong for the 4D/3N, except this one time when we took the boys for an elephant ride.

We wanted to take a tut-tut, as the boys thought it was cool, but accidentally took a taxi instead (Lesson no.1: Never assume that the new shiny tut-tut that the driver is standing next to is his. Cos our driver led us to his parked vehicle a couple of meters away, sigh!).

About 10 minutes later, we came to this place just out of Patong (on the way to Karon Beach). The boys were really excited, which made Daddy & Mommy excited too...until they showed us the price tag. For a half hour ride up a small hill, 800Baht for an adult & 400Baht per kid!!! Double if it's an hour ride right up to the top of the hill, with scenic view overlooking the sea.

What!!! That would be equivalent to RM240 for the 4 of us!!! (Lesson no. 2: Always enquire/research beforehand the cost, never assume that inflation has not caught up with the elephants. Or whichever animals u are thinking of riding.)

But since we were there, we had to have a go, rite ? Cannot disappoint the boys, rite ? So with mommy doing the talking & daddy taking on the 'bad guy' role & trying to walk away, we managed to get some good discounts. (Wink!)

So, up the elephants we went. They took us half way up the hill cos we only took the half hour package, which comes with glimpses of that scenic view overlooking the sea. But that's ok, cos it's not important to the boys anyway. Why would they, when they can enjoy this 'scenic' view. The elephant was peeing. It was like someone turned on the hose full blast for 60 seconds or so...

Before we turned back, the elephants handlers asked whether we wanted to take a photo. I thought that was real nice of him till he asked for 100Baht.

What!!! 100Baht just to take a photo of us with OUR OWN CAMERA!!! I wanted to ask him whether we look like 'sui yee' (guileless tourist who thinks everything is so, so cute!!!), but thot better to zip up my mouth. From ahem... the look on his face. (Lesson no. 3: Always ask "How much?")

Going downhill was tougher. Felt like we were slipping off, so needed to hang on tighter to the seats. While we were hanging on to our dear life (exaggerated), Di-Di suddenly dozed off. Thank god, Daddy's reflexes were quicker or Di-Di would have crashed landed. Kor-Kor & I had a good laugh at the way he was swaying precariously. That baby of mine can really sleep..if he wanted to.

After the 'adventure', our taxi driver recommended lunch at Kan Eang Restaurant at Chalong Bay, about 20 minutes away. He told us it's 'good-good, locals like' (We later found out that it's high on the list of most tuk-tuks or taxis to take tourists. So not so local after all). But the restaurant is beside the beach, so scenery & ambiance was great. Food so-so, or may be we didn't know how to order. But then, how to be really adventurous with 2 kids in tow.

While Daddy was picking up the tab, the boys had a chance to 'khau loi' (pick up girls)! Just kidding...they were watching Ben 10 in Thai.