We recently sailed on an 11-day segment of the 2014 Seabourn World Cruise from Singapore to Mumbai, India.
Phuket, Thailand was our first port call.
Since there were six cruise ships in Phuket on the same day, our Seabourn Sojourn delivered us to Kalim Bay north of Patong Beach on the west side of Phuket.
While we originally planned on taking a boat tour to Phang Nga Bay to see James Bond Island, we changed our minds once we heard of the long bus ride each way.
Instead, we signed up for the Thai Gastronomy Tour at the Blue Elephant Restaurant and Cooking School. As soon as we got off the tender at Kalim Bay, we headed to a van.
After a very warm tender ride, we were excited that the van had good air conditioning, as well as a great guide who tried to teach us a few words of Thai during the drive to the cooking school.
Within about 25 minutes, we arrived at the Phra Pitak Chinpracha Mansion, the location of the Blue Elephant Restaurant and Cooking School in Phuket.
First, we were greeted with a cool drink. The bar area of the restaurant and cooking school features elephant art.
Next, one of the chef led us on a walk to local market, where he and our tour guides pointed out key ingredients in Royal Thai cuisine.
Chili peppers, lemongrass and fresh lime juice are all important ingredients in Royal Thai cuisine.
This pineapple is a little different — it is not very sweet. This woman could carve these pineapples like an artist.
Much of the fruit looked unique. The red, bell-shaped fruits are called rose apples, and I enjoyed them on the breakfast buffet in Singapore.
Asian vegetables are also similar and yet unique.
Garlic and shallots are both important in Thai cooking.
Dried fish and chili peppers — two more key ingredients.
While we learned how to make curry pastes, you could also buy a variety of types pre-made at the market.
This motorcycle with a sidecar was the typical transportation for locals to and from their market shopping.
Well versed in the local ingredients, we headed back to the Blue Elephant to begin our cooking instruction.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of our Thai Gastronomy at the Blue Elephant Cooking School, where we begin cooking.
In Part 3 of our Thai Gastronomy Adventure, we eat what we’ve made.
Have you ever attended a cooking school? Please share where in comments below.