Phuket: Indigo Cool

On Boxing Day, we flew to Phuket. We decided to stay away from the major tourist area (Patong and Kata) and stayed in Indigo Pearl - a blessed 10 minute car ride from the airport. The hotel's decor is based on the tin mining concept so there were elements of metal and tools. We had a room with its own plunge pool that came in handy when cooling off from the heat of the day.

One time while we were lounging at the main pool, ladies from the spa offered me a free neck and should massage. Of course, I said yes, thank you! Lauren and Emma were also offered this service and with lots of shy yeses from the girls, they also were massaged. They enjoyed it immensely that they had a full body Thai massage later that week.















We also did white water rafting (Category III-IV) and elephant trekking in the forest. We also got a smooch or two and a quick and gentle massage from a baby elephant.


























































We squeezed in a quick snorkeling trip near the hotel.
























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2009 Xmas

We celebrated Christmas in cool Hong Kong. Lauren and Emma woke up (very) early and started singing carols in Emma's room. That was our wake-up call. The girls had a grand time opening presents and we had a chance to play Rock Band before leaving to the cinema to watch New Moon.

Santa knew Emma and Lauren were in Hong Kong.














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Xi'an

We decided to visit the warriors. The famous Terracotta Warriors in province of Shaanxi. The weather promised to be very cold so we bundled up to see them up close. The life-size pottery figures were discovered in 1974 by farmers digging a well. We visited Pit 1 first and it was amazing to stand before these figures in a space as big as a football field. Each figure is unique apparently modeled after their real life counterparts. The excavation and restoration are on-going.




























We also visited the wall city of Xi'an. We entered the wall at the South Gate and had an option to walk on top of the wall or rent a bike. We opted for Plan C: hire a golf cart and be driven around the 14km wall. Being off-season, there was not alot of foot traffic and we had great time zipping around on the wall. The heavy fog/haze made it more ghostly and eerie.











































Of course while in Xi'an we had to try the local favorite. We had lunch at De Fa Zhang Jiaozi Shop famous for its dumpling feast. Dumplings filled with different meats and vegetables made a cheap, yummy lunch.















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HK Thanksgiving

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Although we celebrated Thanksgiving (turkey, stuffing, etc.) on Sunday, we would have committed a serious infraction if this was missing.





**If you don't know what this is, read 2007 Thanksgiving post for explanation.