Aaron D. Allen » Phuket Elephant http://aaronallen.com Global Restaurant Consulting Thu, 19 Apr 2012 02:26:39 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Phuket, Thailand http://aaronallen.com/blog/travels/phuket-thailand/ http://aaronallen.com/blog/travels/phuket-thailand/#comments Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:02:42 +0000 Aaron Allen http://aaronallen.com/?p=596

Fishing vessel in a local village near Laguna, Phuket.Small restaurants on wheels are a common sighting. This one specializing in chicken.This crazy horse nearly killed me. You can see “crazy” in his eyes. He started a violent fight with another horse while I was on him. The bridle broke and he charged down the beach – everyone went for cover in the water or vehicles. No injuries, fortunately.Cattle are often found in fields relaxing, but they can’t go far – see the rope through his nose?Wearing my theme shirt for the trip – “Life is Good”.The water taxi at my hotel travels around the Laguna, Phuket district. Even from check-in you are taken to your room by boat.The two story villas on the lagoon are the best bet for your money. Mine is the one on the farthest left, just under the tower.Downstairs view of my villa at the Grande Sheraton Laguna Phuket.Day-dream beds are found throughout the property. This one is large enough to lay in any direction and still be fully on the bed (cocktail service is from 10AM – 1AM).Thrashing fish in one of the dozens of relaxing water features around property.There are 35,000 elephants in Thailand. This one is around 8 years old (she’s retired after several years in the circus).Yes, I do still have time to work. Here was my office for the month.My Thailand adventure included lots of interaction with elephants and a full-day ATV safari on deserted beaches.This photo really sums up the tranquility of the area.Diners taking a water taxi to an upscale Thai restaurant.My favorite restaurant in Phuket is the Green Leaf. I had dinner here for a couple of weeks straight every day at sunset.Eventually they stopped bringing me the European food menu in the photo – aside from an occasional Mexican beer, my choice was always for Thai cuisine.The flavors and spices of Thailand are distinct and delicious.Three courses of Thai food at sunset right on the beach will run you around $12 including tip.A relaxing night in, I order the from the “tub menu”. With 30-minutes notice, attendants will draw your bath, light candles, set out flowers and aroma therapy and bring any food or beverage your heart desires. The view above is of the night sky.My upstairs bathroom has an open air tub and shower – great for watching the moon and listening to the fish jump below my villa.The ingredients are fresh and flavorful.Waiting for my water taxi on my private dock. The nightlife is around 30 minutes from Laguna, Phuket.While I would recommend a villa over the water, there is also a main hotel with access to Asia’s longest continuous pool right out your back door.It was love at first sight. Here comes my Lilly!We played together and walked on the beach every day that I was there. Twice a day actually. As soon as she saw me, she’d drop whatever she was doing and rush right over to give me a hug and a kiss.As part of a three month tour, I spent two months in Asia with half of that in Phuket, Thailand. Of all the places I’ve been, Phuket was the best for a spiritual renewal. I arrived with empty tanks and left with a new best friend (Lilly the elephant), a new favorite restaurant, an amazing culinary adventure of the island, and most importantly, a glimpse of what life really is all about – valuing experiences over things.

During my month in Thailand, I came face to face with the reality of how many things about American life are not conducive to true happiness.

This is the closest thing to paradise on Earth I have experienced. I wanted for nothing, except possibly a wife to share it with. I will be back. I hope you too will experience the magic of Phuket for yourself.

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