Celebrating the Birthday in Phuket, Thailand

I celebrated my birthday and officially rang in my mid-30's in beautiful Phuket, Thailand this past weekend with the love of my life Brian! Life has been amazing and abundant this past year in every way. I feel extremely thankful and blessed to be in a great place and for all that God has blessed me with.

For my birthday this year, Brian and I went on speed boat tour of the beautiful Kho Phi Phi Islands, and hired a private driver to take us to Phuket's famous sites.

Some of my favorite moments from my birthday this year in Phuket:

1. Feeding a baby elephant, and getting a big wet kiss in return!

Even though I'm in my mid-30's, I can still be a huge kid at heart that loves playing with animals.

Ever since I spent several of weeks volunteering at an NGO in Tanzania this past summer and saw wild elephant families roam on a safari, I can no longer muster the nerve to ride captured elephants. Elephants (unlike animals like camels and horses) have softer backs and weaker spines, so it's not natural for them to be carrying heavy objects and tourists on their back.

So rather than ride an elephant, I wanted to play with and feed a baby elephant.

Our driver took us to an elephant farm where I got to play with this adorable baby. I fed him cucumbers, bananas, and he gave me a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuge wet kiss in return!

2. Playing with baby tigers at Tiger Kingdom

It's always been my dream to play with baby tigers. Our driver introduced us to Tiger Kingdom, where tigers are trained since birth to interact with humans.

I didn't want to take a chance being in a cage with a full grown tiger even if they've been trained since birth. So instead, I opted to play with baby tigers that are no older than 2-4 months old!

Baby tigers sleep most of the day. When they're not sleeping, they are playful and naughty like kittens.

This tiger was about 4 months old and slept the entire time.

Who wouldn't want to snuggle with a baby tiger?

This baby tiger was 2 months old! He was so naughty and kept trying to pounce and nip Brian and I.

3. Cultural Sites

No visit to Phuket is complete without seeing The Big Buddha, and Wat Chalong Temple. These beautiful sites are even more magnificent in person.

The Big Buddha

Wat Chalong Temple

Wat Chalong Temple

Wat Chalong Temple

Wat Chalong Temple

Wat Chalong Temple

4. A crazy night out on Patong Beach's Badung Road

What makes Patong Beach, Phuket the place that people love to hate is its nightlife. Patong Beach is a sleepy beach town during the daytime, but comes alive at night.

The main strip of Patong Beach (Badung Road) is filled with bars, nightclubs, live music venues, and red light districts. Tucked away in alleys are hole in the wall restaurants, like the delicious No. 6 Restaurant that I had my birthday dinner at.

Think of Badung Road as New Orleans on steroids.

No. 6 Restaurant: My favorite hole in the wall restaurant in Phuket!

No. 6 Restaurant. Popular with Chinese tourists, backpackers, and locals alike.

My delicious Phad Thai at No. 6 Restaurant

Brian showing off his stir fried veggies at No. 6 restaurant

When Badung Street comes alive at night

A typical bar on Badung Street. Go Go Dancers and tourists from all over the world congregate.

My favorite part about Badung Street: live music venues with cover bands that rock out. Many of these singers are from the Philippines. No wonder they're so musically talented!

5. Speed Boat tour of the Kho Phi Phi Islands

My favorite part about celebrating my birthday, and our trip to Phuket as a whole was going on a speed boat tour of the beautiful Kho Phi Phi Islands.

We made 6 total stops. My favorite islands were Bamboo Island, and Maya Bay made famous by Leonardo DiCaprio in The Beach.

Photos don't do justice of how absolutely stunning these islands and the emerald waters are.