Day 44, Sat 1 June - Biking to the Big Buddha

It was a warm one today (a mild 32 degrees) so much of the morning was spent re-hydrating from the outside in - in the pool and beach that is!

Decided that yes, today was the day to hire a couple of motorbikes (135cc) and go sightseeing for a couple of hours.  After a couple of wrong turns and one hill so steep that Lesley had to get off the bike and walk we got on the right road to Karon Bay.  Wow it was worth the effort!

    Karon beach.

   The swimmers (and the dumped swimmer) at Karon beach.

We were off the bikes and in the water pretty damn quick.  A bit bigger surf than at Patong Beach and the vertically challenged amongst us couldn't quite get out beyond the breakers and kept on getting dumped on! Even lost her sunglasses (TWICE) and found them again, not sure why she was wearing sunglasses into the surf?!?!?

Next stop the Chalong Pier for a look.  Some rather lovely boats over there and Russell checked out the price of chartering a fishing boat for the day, BHT8,500 (NZ$340 approx).

   Russell and Kim hooning along the pier.  See the Big Buddha in the back ground (next stop).

   What a motley bunch! Russell couldn't get his helmet to stay on straight!

 Now it's off to the Big Buddha, it is still a work in progress but we all agreed he is probably the best looking Buddha we have seen on the adventure.

   Wat Chalong 

  Two sculptors working on a Monk figure under the Big Buddha.

We had a lovely time up at the Big Buddha and got fantastic views over much of Phuket, unfortunately it was a bit hazy.

   View from the Big Buddha.

   A young elephant being fed, the adults were working on the hill behind.

 The dark clouds were gathering so we decided it was time to head for home.

   The wee bikes!  Not quite what Brent is used to riding in NZ!

An hour or two spent downloading photos, having a cool shower and a cold beer.... Then it was time to think about food?  We all agreed it was worth the walk to the restaurant on the beach so that's where we headed.  Fantastic meal.  Kim gave her Tom Yum Hed soup (veggie Tom Yum Goong) a 10 out of 10 so that is saying something.  We even had the chef come out to see us so we could praise him for the fabulous food.  Then a walk back home along the beach watching the fireworks and Day 44 comes to a close.