At last, we arrived in Phuket. The flight was shorter than the taxi. The Kee Resort in Patong is exactly what we wanted and expected: nice, easy, and most importantly near the action and the beach. The rooftop bar is sadly not as cool as it looks, but it’s nice to have.

It’s in an outdoor mall of sorts that is linked to the famous and infamous Bangla Road where many a ping pong balls trade hands. Imagine Bourbon Street but add Thai hookers and really drunk South Africans with questionable facial hair. Also, they’re really into coozies here.

I was so happy to finally see the beach, get some street food (so far our favorite is a Muslim stand that makes pad Thai and chicken wings), and we even found a wish lantern on the beach. OK, I did two wish lanterns. They are fun, real magic, and totally not fire hazards nor pollution. No judging. I mean, that’s two more wish lanterns than you lit, mmm hmmmmm. That’s a read.