Phuket, Thailand

After months of extensive traveling, we were in extreme need of rest and relaxation.   We spent most of our time in Phuket walking along the beach in the evenings and relaxing at the pool at our hotel.  On one of our evening walks along the beach, we stumbled upon an unusual sight.  A baby elephant, complete with a peach-fuzz hairdo, was being walked along the beach by his trainer.  Unfortunately, that was the evening that we chose not to bring the camera to the beach since we had already taken pictures the night before.  It's not like we were going to see an elephant on the beach, right? 

Kata Beach, Phuket, Thailand

Local food stall

Jeff and the women preparing our meal

Pad Thai with shrimp

Koh Phi Phi, Thailand

Koh Phi Phi Don (the largest of the Phi Phi Islands)

The ferry to Koh Phi Phi was 2 hours from Phuket, Thailand.  It was a large boat, but it was definitely filled to maximum capacity. The ride started out pleasant on the top deck.

 Seeing the storm clouds in the distance, we made a wise decision to go below deck before the rest of the crowd. Once the rain started, all chaos ensued.  Fortunately, we arrived safely at our destination.

The view of the shacks outside our hotel window.  In the distance you can sort of see the ocean.  

Long-tail boats

Birdcages

Low tide

The beaches were covered in little sand crabs. 

Our favorite beach on the island was Long Beach.  It was about a 20 minute hike through the jungle to get there, but well worth it.  

Long Beach

Hiking to Long Beach

We spent every evening eating Pad Thai on the beach from our favorite food stall on the island.  It was the perfect way to watch the sunset. 

Malaysia; Tea, Strawberries, and Mouse Deer, Oh My!

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The National Mosque- the "blue folded umbrella" shape symbolizes the 5 pillars of Islam and the 13 states of Malaysia

The orchid garden

While in the garden, we got stuck in a tropical downpour.  Jeff is waiting for the rain to subside.

The garden more varieties of orchids than we had ever seen. There were several orchids that we did not even know existed, such as the one above.

Is it a mouse?  Is it a deer?

It's a mouse deer! The smallest hoofed animal in the world.

Museum of Islamic Arts and Textiles

On a side note, if you have been watching the news lately (28 April 2012) the riots in Kuala Lumpur are occurring right outside of this building. 

We left Kuala Lumpur and spent a couple of nights in the Cameron Highlands. A mountainous area in Central Malaysia famous for its tea fields. When we arrived we found it is also famous for their Strawberry farms. This place was made for Shelly because it has two of her favorite things; Tea and Strawberries. We visited a hydroponic Strawberry farm and Shelly had Tea and scones with fresh Strawberry jam.

...and a Strawberry Muffin.

...and another Strawberry Muffin.

In fact, Shelly ate so many Strawberries that she turned into a Strawberry herself. 

We found this huge moth in the parking lot. It was the size of a softball.

After Shelly recovered from the Strawberry farm we made our way to the famous tea fields. 

We had some delicious Strawberry tea on a terrace overlooking the fields.

The white dot is a person caring a huge bundle of tea from the fields.