Body Surfing at the Renaissance Resort and Spa, Hainan, China

A few waves managed to catch me at the beach in front of the Renaissance Resort and Spa in Hainan, China, propelling me to the shore.

Reader Feedback: My Bicycling Accident in Phuket

To recap: My Phuket Challenge to not gain weight during eight days and nights staying at five star resorts and eating breakfast buffets and dining at gourmet restaurants came to a crashing halt on my third full day on the Southern Thai island.  Readers of the Accidental Travel Writer reacted to the news in various …

Reader Feedback: Thai Kick Boxing Posts Draw Keen Interest

My three posts on Thai kick boxing seem to have attracted quite a bit of interest. A sampling of some of the comments I've received follows. My shins hurt watching you kick his pad in your video.  Ouch!! H. in Palo Alto, California (via Facebook) Accidental Travel Writer Responds: Actually, the trainer is so skillful …

Phuket Challenge: Learning How to Windsurf – Not as Easy as It Looks!

First yoga on a terrace. Then an all you can eat buffet breakfast. My first meal of the day on my third full day in Phuket was followed by my first ever wind surfing lesson on the beach at Siray Bay. When I arrived on the beach, I was a bit surprised to find that only …

Phuket Challenge: Muay Thai – Check Out My Video

  To recap: Michael Taylor was going to spend eight nights in Phuket, staying mostly at five star resorts, and each of the hotels he was booked into offered all you can eat breakfast buffets. He had also been invited to dine at some restaurants serving haute cuisine most nights. He wanted to see if …

Phuket Challenge: My Thai Kick Boxing Lesson at Paresa

Thailand Michael Taylor's 2 night stay at Paresa, an exclusive 5 star resort on Phuket's Millionaire's Mile, includes a kickboxing lesson in the hotel's well-equipped gym.   As planned, I did laps in Paresa's beautiful infinity swimming pool for an hour. Then I headed to my room to work on my blog. Skipping lunch, I …

Phuket Challenge: How I Became Interested in Kickboxing

I got my introduction to Thai kick boxing 10 months ago at Indigo Pearl Phuket, where I had my first two lessons. This was followed by two lessons with Khun Nan, the fitness instructor at Paresa. Upon my return to Hong Kong, I discovered that kick boxing was offered at Physical, the gym I work …

Phuket Challenge: Let the Adventure Begin

I arrived at the hotel well past midnight. I was happy to see a bottle of white wine on ice and a basket a fruit awaiting my arrival. A couple of glasses of wine later, I was off to bed. Oh, what a comfortable room to fall quickly asleep in! As usual when staying at …

Paresa Resort REVISED

Paresa Phuket is located atop Kamala Point. It has 42 suites and villas. I arrived at the hotel well past midnight. I was happy to see a bottle of white wine on ice and a basket a fruit awaiting my arrival. A couple of glasses of wine later, I was off to bed. Oh, what …