{Day Six Continued}

After landing in Phuket we caught a shuttle to our hotel, explored for a bit, booked a reservation to see some elephants the next day, and then got ready to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

Of course we stopped for a cocktail or two on the way to the beach, but the celebration there really was the highlight. When we arrived hundreds of people were lighting and sending off paper lanterns with a wish for the new year. After a few failed attempts and with some help from the locals we managed to send one off successfully. Fireworks started at midnight filling the lantern spotted sky. The crowd was an odd mix of foreign families frantically avoiding  the drifting fiery lanterns drunken college boys failed to send off successfully, and locals celebrating the new year, and surely enjoying the entertainment brought by the crowds.  While the beach was swarming with people, the experience was still somehow surreal. Celebrating NYE in Thailand with close friends is something I’ll never forget.

We closed out the evening with one last cocktail on a beachside bar, a crape from a charming little street lady, and a scooter taxi back to the hotel.

{Day Seven}

Day seven in Thailand, which was also the first day of the new year, was all about elephants. We left in the morning and made our way along the beach to attempt elephant trekking. So here’s the deal with elephant trekking. We were assured that the place recommended by the hotel treated their elephants nicely, and the people who worked there were kind enough and treated us well, however I can’t say it’s something I’ll ever do again. It was incredible to be so up close and personal with the animals, but seeing them all geared up takes away any warm and fuzzy feelings the experience could bring. For anyone looking to spend a day with these creatures, please look for an elephant sanctuary rather than an elephant trekking encounter.

A late flight out of Phuket meant we had the afternoon to explore. For me that was a fish pedicure, one last Thai massage, and a very indulgent lunch. A few hours of blissful relaxation before heading back into the city.