Melissa Hauschildt and husband Jared, Luke McKenzie and Beth Gerdes and their tiny daughter Wynne, Belinda Granger and her husband Justin took a day trip on Friday far from the elegant resorts of Laguna Phuket to see the real Thailand - a small farm on the island of Koh Yao Yai in Phangnga Bay. There was also a quick stop on a small island for a scenic background for pre race interviews with the Challenge video crew overseen by famed sports director Peter Henning.

While this year's excursion passed on the famed limestone stacks seen in James Bond films, the thrill of skimming on the Andaman Sea under dreamy Thai skies and the visit to the warm owners of the small rice, banana and coconut farm on this gem of an a eco-tourist island was reward enough.

A trip like this two days before a race is of course impossible at high pressure events like Kona. But at an end of season race at Paradise such a relaxed trip is a welcome diversion for athletes, their families and a few lucky triathlon media types.

All photographs © Timothy Carlson

Melissa Hauschildt enjoys a fresh-cut and most refreshing cool coconut drink.

The talent - the Challenge Laguna Phuket athletes and their families enjoy the scenery on the prow of a smooth and powerful boat.

Pure pleasure - watching the receding wake on the blue waters of Phangnga Bay under the heavenly skies on a 90-degree day.

A small Thai fishing boat leaves the harbor .

Riding in the back of a small truck, our convoy passes a mother on a scooter traveling with her baby on her lap.

A water buffalo in the rice fields.

A close-up look at the rice field.

Banana tree at the farm.

Belinda Granger takes two coconuts (one she cut down with a long pole).

Granger gives her coconut to the woman with a handy knife who will prepare the bounty for consumption.

The master of the knife prepares the coconuts.

(L to R) Belinda Granger, Beth Gerdes, Luke McKenzie and daughter Wynne dig in to the delicious coconuts.

Jared Hauschildt watches as wife Melissa eats the sweet fruit of the coconut.

After the excursion to the farm, time to walk the dock to the boat.

Jared and Mel and Belinda on the ride to the small island for the video shoot.

Beth Gerdes took a swim while Luke McKenzie watched Wynne.

Luke McKenzie carries Wynne on the peaceful shore.

Luke McKenzie with daughter Wynne rest on a blanket in some shade.

Jared and Mel Hauschildt on a local swing in the shade.

Peter Henning asks the questions, Melissa Hauschildt answers them and the Challenge video crew records it all.