First day in Thailand - Phuket

We had a great first day in Thailand.  Our "room" is amazing.  Actually it is a two-floor, two-bedroom, 2.5 bath condo with a beautiful view.  We could get used to this!
 
View out the sliding doors

First stop after breakfast, the beach! Warm water, soft sand, perfect kid-sized waves.

Ashley playing in the sand next to Dad's dolphin

Elephant.  On the beach.  Neat.

The pool.  Our building in the background.

Elephant trek.  30 minute ride up a large hill.  Usually the guide was sitting on the elephant's head, not snapping quality photos.

Ashley did not want to ride, so she relaxed in a hammock.

After the ride we fed the elephants bananas, which they eat by the bunch, peel and all.

The trunks are amazingly gentle and dextrous.

Sarah, wearing a Thailand souvenir, in front of Phuket's Big Buddha. 

Wild cat in the bazaar surrounding Big Buddha.

One example of the beautiful scenery visible from Big Buddha's perch.