Phuket for Thanksgiving was just what the doctor ordered.  Beautiful beach, sea breeze, swimming, family time and a little break from the hustle and bustle of city life in Bangkok.

We stayed at the Le Meridien.  Everything we needed was right there.  A private beach, baby elephant and some different restaurants to choose from.  Although we could have taken a taxi into town to try a restaurant or explore Phuket, we chose to keep it super low key and never left the resort.  There’s always next time to do some exploring!

Le Meridien coordinated a ride from the airport to the hotel.  When we arrived we were greeted with a seriously delicious fruit juice and the flowers (pictured below).

Le Meridien Beach Resort in Phuket, Thailand | Life's Tidbits

Le Meridien Beach Resort in Phuket, Thailand | Life's Tidbits

Le Meridien Beach Resort pool in Phuket, Thailand | Life's Tidbits

Le Meridien Beach Resort pool in Phuket, Thailand | Life's Tidbits

Le Meridien Beach Resort private beach in Phuket, Thailand | Life's Tidbits

Le Meridien Beach Resort in Phuket, Thailand | Life's Tidbits

Le Meridien Beach Resort in Phuket, Thailand | Life's Tidbits

Le Meridien Beach Resort in Phuket, Thailand | Life's Tidbits

Our first dinner was at Portofino.  The food was delicious and dessert did NOT disappoint.  Yum, chocolate!

Portofino Food at the Le Meridien Beach Resort in Phuket, Thailand | Life's Tidbits

Portofino Food at the Le Meridien Beach Resort in Phuket, Thailand | Life's Tidbits

Le Meridien has a private beach, which is a great perk to this resort.  GAHHH just looking at this picture makes me want to go walk in the sand and dip my toes in the warm ocean.

Beach at the Le Meridien Beach Resort in Phuket, Thailand | Life's Tidbits

Le Meridien Beach Resort in Phuket, Thailand | Life's Tidbits

Raise your hand if you aren having a good time!

‘Meeting’ the baby elephant was fun … or really just viewing it from afar since Jellybean was petrified to get close too the elephant despite her initial enthusiasm and saying {or really screaming, because that’s the only volume a toddler knows — wink wink} ‘ellie’ over and over again.

Baby elephant at Le Meridien Beach Resort in Phuket, Thailand | Life's Tidbits

We went to La Fiamma every day for lunch … if it ain’t broke don’t fit it, right?!!!  The pizza from the wood oven was so yummy and the view wasn’t too shabby either.  Oh, and they have mango-mojitos.  Go ahead and order one.  You can thank me later.  ;)

Wood Oven Pizza on the Beach at the Le Meridien Beach Resort in Phuket, Thailand | Life's Tidbits

The food was all amazing, but our favorite was the seafood restaurant next to Portofinos.  Our Thanksgiving dinner, while not traditional, was absolutely the best meal of our whole vacation.

Food at the Le Meridien Beach Resort in Phuket, Thailand | Life's Tidbits

On our last day in Phuket the hubs took Jellybean to the beach and gifted me some alone time.  I sat by the pool, had a drink, read The Boston Girl on my kindle and generally just soaked up the beauty {and quiet} around me.

Le Meridien Beach Resort in Phuket, Thailand | Life's Tidbits

Le Meridien Beach Resort in Phuket, Thailand | Life's Tidbits

Le Meridien Beach Resort in Phuket, Thailand | Life's Tidbits

Le Meridien Beach Resort in Phuket, Thailand | Life's Tidbits

The sunset on the last night was particularly beautiful.

Beach sunset | Le Meridien Beach Resort in Phuket, Thailand | Life's Tidbits

beach sunset | Le Meridien Beach Resort in Phuket, Thailand | Life's Tidbits

I want to go back!  We had a fabulous time at the Le Meridien in Phuket and would highly recommend it!!

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A few weekends ago the family took in the sights and went to Wat Pho for the morning.  It was beautiful and truly felt good to finally ‘see the sights’.  The best part was I didn’t feel rushed or forced to see everything all at once.  When we couldn’t take the heat anymore we stopped had lunch and headed home.  It was SO nice to know we can always go back … we have 2 years (or really t-minus 22 months)!

We took the BTS (which I can’t stop calling the Metro – thanks DC!) down to the Chao Phraya River and then took a boat up the river to the stop closest to Wat Pho.  Next time I would have taken the smaller boat (see picture below) instead of the big touristy passenger boat, but we weren’t really paying attention and bought tickets to the first place we stumbled upon.

Bangkok River Boat | Life's Tidbits

Less than a 10 minute walk later we arrived at Wat Pho.  It was HOT, which shouldn’t be a surprise anymore!  Admission was 100 BHT per person and you must have exact change.  We just happen to have exact change, but I was definitely surprised by the requirement.  We wandered around for a bit and took some pictures along the way …

Wat Pho | Bangkok, Thailand | Life's Tidbits

Wat Pho | Bangkok, Thailand | Life's Tidbits

Wat Pho | Bangkok, Thailand | Life's Tidbits

Wat Pho | Bangkok, Thailand | Life's Tidbits

 

As I’ve mentioned before, Jellybean is a bit of a celebrity around these parts and as we walked around her photo was snapped many (many!) times.  The most interesting was when we were visiting one of the Buddha’s, pictured below, a young man asked to take a picture of her.  My husband graciously agreed at which point the man’s iPhone was aggressively pushed in the hubby’s face.  Faster than either of us could comprehend what was happening the man gently grabbed Jellybean, plopped her on his lap and smiled for the camera!  I couldn’t help it and started to chuckle.  The husband gave me the side eye to stop it.  I couldn’t help, but smile back.  I don’t think I will ever get used to people we don’t know taking Jellybean’s picture (with or without our consent).

Wat Pho | Bangkok, Thailand | Life's Tidbits

Wat Pho | Bangkok, Thailand | Life's Tidbits

The last thing we saw was the Reclining Buddha.  It was truly amazing.

Wat Pho - Reclining Buddha | Bangkok, Thailand | Life's Tidbits

Wat Pho - Reclining Buddha | Bangkok, Thailand | Life's Tidbits

Wat Pho - Reclining Buddha | Bangkok, Thailand | Life's Tidbits

A few tips when visiting Wat Pho …

  • Bring exact change for entrance fee – 100 BHT (mentioned above)
  • Wear comfortable shoes, but if they easily slip on/off easily that’s for the best.  You can have to remove your shoes to visiting many of the Buddha’s so it will make things a little easier.
  • You must cover your shoulders and knees to visit the Reclining Buddha and some of the other Buddhas in the area as well.  There are skirts, robes and scarves available to wear while visiting specific temples, which is very useful.  If you are apposed to wearing the provided clothing I definitely recommend wearing short-sleeves and pants/skirt/dress that covers your knees.
  • Bring a bottle of water!  Near the Reclining Buddha you can redeem your entrance tickets for a bottle of cold water, however we were thirsty and hot while walking around.  I was glad we had water on hand prior to the seeing the Reclining Buddha.

Have you been to Wat Pho?

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