We went to Phuket, Thailand in early November.  Phuket is surrounded by the Adaman Sea and is located approximately 890 km (550 miles) south of Bangkok on Thailand's Western coast.  It is roughly 49 km (30 miles) long by 21 km (13 miles) wide.  The island is hilly with a few peaks reaching 500 m (1640 ft).  Approximately 10% of the island is forested.  In the center of the island a primary forest is still found.

PHUKET, THAILAND

Evan, Grandma and Grandpa Ewald enjoying a scenic elephant ride

Nobody knows for sure when the first humans settled on Phuket Island.  About 40,000 years ago hunters and gatherers lived in caves along the eastern side of the island.  The sea level at that time was low enough for a walking trek across what is now 34 km (20 miles) of open ocean to Phi Phi Island.  Many of you may have already seen Phi Phi (pronounced pee-pee) Island in the recent movie titled "The Beach".  It is said that the Greek geographer Ptolemy depicted Phuket on his map during the 1st century AD, based upon writings from the ancient manuscript "Traveller's Tales".  In the 3rd century AD, Tamils from nearby India settled the area and began trading spices.

Is that the Beverly Hillbillies?  Nope, just some ordinary Hillbillies from WV!

Written history first mentions Phuket in 1200 AD in the "Kedah Annals of Malaysia".  It is interesting that Phuket is mentioned very early in Malaysian literature since there is no evidence of Malaysian inhabitatian of the island other than the Malay names bestowed on it (Phuket and Ujang Salang).  17th century European sailors used crude maps to find an island identified as "junkseilon".  It is thought that the name was a corruption of the Malay words "Ujang Salang" or "northernmost island".  The Malays also gave the island the appropriate name "bukit" or "hill" which later became Phuket.

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