Golden's Empire

Thailand day 11 It’s my last day here in Thailand and its dedicated to preparing for my next stop. On the agenda is shopping! I need clothes for my next destination. But first, SPA DAY!  Ive never been to a spa before so this is a completely new experience.  Just within the center of town my taxi pulls to tiny wooden building surprising surrounded by nothing but quiet. I’m greeted and told to remove my shoes and replace them with straw flip flops. Once inside I’m given a sheet to fill out any specific details I want to be apart of my Japanese onsen bath and massage. I choose a bath gel that is meant to smooth and soften the skin; accompanied with a medium massage that focuses on my feet and shoulders.  Minutes later I’m served green tea and a yukata to change into. I’m lead to a changing room where I’m assigned a locker to store my belongings and told to remove my clothing. After changing I’m escorted to a private room with a large wooden bathtub, two mini stoo...

It’s Monday and in a few hours I have to catch a flight back to Bangkok. I wake up just in time for the sun to be fully out on the beach. I have about an hour to spare and of course I spend it ocean side. With a quick dip in the water and slight sun bathing my hour is up and I head back to the hotel to catch my flight.

Day two in Phuket is spent with a full day tour to James Bond Island.   The tour van arrives around 8 with 5 other individuals, a couple from Australia, and a group of friends from Spain. The drive from Patong beach to the Ferry port, is about two hours.  First stop on the tour is the Monkey Temple. Always remember to cover up before entering a place of worship. If a temple was ever on my agenda for the day I always packed a scarf to cover my shoulders and a pair of pants. Lucky enough this temple hands out saris at the entrance as well as they assist you in tying it in an appropriate manner.  The temple was filled with gold shrines and prayer stations, however no monkeys. This was a tad bit disappointing however on our way out we were able to see them swinging above the trees, further up into the jungle.  Our second stop was a boat ride from the pier to a small Village that sits on the river. We were served a lunch of, seafood soup, calamari, stir frie...