Travelers love the island of Phuket, Thailand for its dazzling white sand beaches and turquoise waters, but there's plenty of greenery in the interior that's worth checking out as well. Just a few minutes from the sand and surf of the coastline is Khao Phra Thaew park, a lush, tropical jungle of tall trees, dense undergrowth, and gibbons. That's right, gibbons. Gibbons, of course, are small apes with long arms, expressive faces, and the amazing ability to rapidly swing from branch to branch at distances of up to 50 feet using an impressive form of locomotion known as brachiation. Gibbons used to be prevalent on the island, but their numbers have fallen over the past several decades due to development. Fortunately, Thailand's Gibbon Rehabilitation Project is now helping populations of white-handed lar gibbons recover, and visitors to the Gibbon Rehabilitation Center, located at Bang Pae Waterfall, can get a chance to see, interact with, and even adopt these amazing animals. (No, you don't get to take them home with you, as gibbons are happiest in their native forests.) Coming face to face with these fascinating creatures in such a beautiful setting is an unforgettable experience for any traveler, adding a meaningful new angle to an already amazing vacation. Phuket is increasingly becoming an eco-destination, with plenty of things to do to help conserve the environment and have fun doing it. Starwood has three properties in Phuket: the Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket, Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort, and Le Royal Méridien Phuket Yacht Club, which has been spreading environmental awareness across the island's tourism industry and offers guests a variety of ways to get in touch with Phuket's natural side.
