Legend of the Seas Cruising 101- What I Learned From My First Cruise Day 3: Elephant Safari

After another  leisurely breakfast at Windjammer, we explored the ship. There were a lot of interesting sculptures and paintings around the ship. We chilled at the Solarium because we did not like to soak in too much sun. The sea was calm, its deep blue hues quite relaxing.

Taking in the sun and sea in airconditioned comfort

Day 3: Shore Excursion to Phuket

After lunch at Romeo and Juliet, we went to Patong Beach. Since the bay was not big enough for a cruise ship, we transferred to what they call tender boats. No, they were not soft.  Couldn’t resist the corny aside. These double decker boats took us to the beach.  The sand was off white, the shoreline dotted with beach chairs and umbrellas. 

Patong Beach in Phuket: Very close to Leo Di Caprio's Beach?

I saw a couple of beach-side massage tents, and food carts from where whiffs of roasting meat wafted. 

That's me with the shoulder tattoo (in my dreams)

Its pretty impressive how the place had been rebuilt after the Tsunami  of a few years ago.

Great to know there's a Tsunami Evacuation Route

 The highlight of the excursion was the visit to Island Safari for an elephant ride, something we had not been able to do during our previous trips to Bangkok.  It was an interesting experience, the site being in a jungle-like setting.

At Islands Safari

What was it like to be a golden girl riding on an elephant for the first time? Well for starters, it was good that I brought my hat and fan because it was hot that afternoon. This, coming from someone who lives in sun-scorched Manila. I had to hold on tight to the railing of the elephant seat because the ride was quite bumpy. Other than that, it was kind of fun. I collect elephants, and it was nice to finally experience riding on one. We were at the tail end of the “safari”, so we could see the others in front of us, and it gave me a kind of a nice feeling, seeing all those pachyderms ambling down the path. Whenever I travel, I buy an elephant figurine. But for this trip, my souvenir is our picture and the experience of the ride itself. I think it’s even better that the Thai elephants I have at home from previous trips. 

We took pictures of our co-travelers during the ride

Of course, I am so grateful that my daughter was with me, and she volunteered to hold the umbrella for the two of us. However, she said that she was never going on another elephant ride again because she pitied the elephants. We were told to step on the head of the elephant the moment we mounted what looked to us like a baby elephant. We were supposed to use the elephant head as a footstool during the ride that wended through a rough path lined with trees and shrubberies! Instead, we tried our best to keep our feet on the air during the ride. Quite tiring, but at least it was a good isometric workout.

A small temple in the Chalong Complex

Next, we visited  the Chalong Temple, the largest and most sacred temple in Phuket. We also went to the Cashew factory. The Nori flavored cashew was very tasty. My daughter liked the wasabi flavored variant.  The ribbon of well maintained roads around Phuket impressed me a lot. I know I should be more patriotic, but I could not help but feel sorry for the miserable roads in Metro Manila. To think that Manila is our country’s capital, while Phuket is merely a province of Thailand.

At the Cashew Factory

My daughter and I had looked forward to the Ballroom Dancing Show on Day 3 which we considered to be the show of shows.  She is an avid viewer of Dancing with the stars, and I, for one go ballroom dancing with friends occasionally. That was why we hurried back to the ship after the Phuket excursion, instead of staying behind to shop. Can you believe, two women passing up the bargain delights of Thailand? We had a quick dinner then went back to our cabin to freshen up and rest. We set the alarm to 15 minutes before showtime so we can leave early and get good seats.  Imagine our surprise when, on our way to the Theater, we met people leaving! Had the schedule been changed? Would there be a second show? Alas, No, and No. We missed the show of shows because we used my daughter’s Iphone as an alarm clock., and while in Thailand, it automatically shifted to Thai time, which was one hour behind Singapore time which was the one used in the ship.  Better luck next time. Sadly, Learning No. 11 is check your watches and alarm clocks. Beware of time differences.

We were so disappointed, but hey, we were on vacation. So we tried to make the best out of it, and watched an aerial performance. Then, as usual, we went to the Solarium to vent our frustration on cheese pizza: hot off the oven, with gooey mozzarella.

Coming up: Day 4 Sailing in the open Seas