Ko Samui, Thailand

2013 was a rough year. I will refrain from boring you with the details, but believe me, this was one of the toughest to date, if not the toughest. So 2014 is here, new beginnings, it simply has to be. We are still firming up on the “new beginnings”, which must not to be confused with new year’s resolutions, which I have had many of in the past that all withered away by the end of January. So, this is different. I can feel a sabbatical coming on… This morning we took a break from gym, had a full monty breakfast, and set off to the beach. The weather was pretty overcast but we headed to Choeng Mon again, to check whether the weather was in better shape there. We found it as cloudy and the wind was also up. We decided to stay put in any case and the weather cleared up nicely and the day turned out to be just great. One thing that we have learned here in Koh Samui is that no matter the weather, one can can head out to the beach, it is bound to change during the course of the day. Guess who we saw on the beach today, none other that Ben Color, yes, he of the “London suit” karaoke fame, building castles in the air, sorry, sandcastles, with his young son. We decided last night that it would be a great day excursion to go to the island of Koh Phangan, which is about a 30 minute ferry ride away, and can be seen from most of the north coast of Koh Samui. Koh Phangan, if you don’t know already, is where the famous, or rather infamous, full moon parties take place. So on the way back from the beach we stopped off at the pier in Bang Rak to get all the relevant information. You will not believe me, but as we were walking down the road towards the pier, the waitress from Choeng Mon Restaurant passed us on a moped with a big smile and a big wave. We saw her at the restaurant 30 minutes ago, what coincidence ! Anyway, we found out that the ferry leaves Koh Samui twice a day, at 08:00 and 13:30 and departs Koh Phangan for Koh Samui at 11:00 and 16:30. This ferry also goes ro Koh Tao after its stop at Koh Phangan. I do believe Koh Tao is very beautiful, maybe another day trip sometime ? The return fare to Koh Phangan is 500 Baht (2013) per person. If one purchases a ticket from one of the little travel agencies which are all over the place, it will cost you 800 Baht. Went back home to freshen up after which we went to Fisherman’s village for a quick walk around and a beer at the Emerald Irish pub and restaurant. We were contemplating having supper here but Adri suggested she make us a green curry, now that she has skilled up on her Thai cooking. An hour later we were munching away on this traditional Thai dish, better than in any restaurant we’ve tried !

Ko Samui, Thailand

So, the end of 2013 is upon us. We gymmed, had a healthy breakfast and generally took it easy in anticipation of new year’s eve. Later in the day we ambled off to Fisherman’s village for a look around. We had Mojitos at a street pub, had a pancake thereafter and rounded the early evening off with a Mai Tai. Fisherman’s had no electricity at this stage, only a few establishments had the good sense to acquire generators. Fortunately our cocktails did not require electricity in its manufacturing process. It would have been disastrous for all the restaurants/bars should the power have stayed off on new year’s eve, but when we passed by later the evening the power was back on and the reveling in high gear. We decided to spend new year’s eve at The Secret Garden, where we whiled away a bit of time on Sunday after Adri’s Thai cooking lesson. We got there just after 10 and the place was bopping. I was expecting live music but we had the same line-up as Sunday, we learned that the man in the “London suit”, also from Sunday doing the karaokewas called Ben Color. Tonight he had a similar cut suit on as Sunday, but with a different canvas. I use the term “suit” very loosely. Anyway, everybody was having a good time requesting songs, dancing, drinking, eating etc. At midnight everybody moved onto the beach where the fireworks were set off. The fireworks display went on for a good 10 minutes and was truly impressive. Afterwards we took a stroll along the beach to see what some of the other pubs were up to. We finally got home at around 02:30.

Ko Samui, Thailand

On the way to Choeng Mon we stopped off at the Big Buddha, again, but the piece that Adri wanted to buy was unfortunately sold. Maybe it was meant to be, I was told. Anyway, I used the time to again marvel at the steel “junk” artworks that I saw previously, simply amazing in its simplicity. When you look closely one can identify, pistons, gears, spark plugs, screws, nails, bicycle chains, nuts, bolts etc.etc I think I need one of these, even just a small one… Arriving at Choeng Mon beach we parked in the same place with the courteous security guards on duty. As we walked through the Sala Resort, with what seems to be high-end bungalows, everyone including the cleaning ladies smiles and says hello, a very friendly placek. As we reached the beach we made a quick right turn and 50 metres further we sat ourselves down on the sun loungers of Choeng Mon Restaurant and Bar. Man, this place is great. When one lies in the sun, lost in thought with the surf breaking gently on the slight sloping beach, just loud enough to simmer in the mists of one’s mind, then one can truly relax body and mind. The previous time we were here there was not much sun so, so we did not go for a swim. Today was different and after turning the body a couple of times in the sun, like a good kebab, we went for a dip. As one goes into the surf there is a quick-ish drop to about knee deep, and then it drops back ever so gently, so one has to go in about 25 metres before the water is chest high, perfect ! Choeng Mon beach is fast moving up the list to becoming my favorite beach. This is a life i could easily get get used to this, far too easily. I think i need a sabbatical. We read about the Haad Bang Po Restaurant on the internet which apparently is the best fish restaurant on the island, and apparently one of the best in the world. We just had to go there and decided that today is the day. Well, let me just say, I was totally underwhelmed. We chose the “barbecue whole fish” on the menu, we got the “steamed whole fish” with a small amount of some garlic/chili sauce. We asked for rice which was fine, how wrong can one go with rice. I asked for french fries but was told I can only get that with the dishes on the menu that come standard with it, like the burgers. Anyway, the fish was fresh, that much I can say, but the fish was tasteless, very disappointing, the worst meal I have had on this holiday, and then some. Bottom line, don’t waste your time, there are so many food restaurants on the island. By the way, Adri was not feeling too well after the meal. I googled some more on the internet and found a guy that went there twice, and both times got food poisoning.

Ko Samui, Thailand

Ouch, now you may not believe me, but I am being forced to go drinking beer again today. You see, Adri has now decided what she wanted to buy so we headed back the Nathon for drinking, I mean shopping. I grabbed the same seat as yesterday at Max Murphy’s Irish pub and settled down with my Ipad, sport, music, beers… I’m happy. After a couple of beers I ordered an Ashanti, you know, that Japanese beer I had yesterday. The waiter smiled slightly and replied, “I will bring you an Asahi, sir”….

Ko Samui, Thailand

Lazed around the house, slept in, read, had breakfast, in fact, we were so “lazed” we did not even get to the gym which was on the agenda. Another shopping day was developing as the morning moved into early afternoon, as the plans for the day were being firmed up. We soon found ourselves in Nathon on the east of the island, having a cappuccino at a restaurant in the centre of town. Adri was going to be doing her “shopping” thing again with me doing my “beer drinking while Adri’s out shopping” thing. After the caffeine fix I settled in across the road from where we had our cappuccino, at an Irish pub called Max Murphy’s where the wifi was first rate, the chairs comfortable, TV screens with sport all around, the music good and the beers ice cold. Above the door on the way out there is a sign that reads “If you’re lucky enough to be Irish, you’re lucky enough”, just loved that ! While ordering my first beer I remembered an Irish colleague called Eamonn who used to say, after every beer we’d have, “Oi’m toisty (I’m thirsty)”, and would promptly order more beers. You gotta love the Irish ! I started with a draft Hoegaarden, then a Japanese Asahi, then another draft Hoegaarden, then a Leo, then… oh hell, I don’t remember… Adri completed her shopping recce and joined me for a Hoegaarden. It was now already dark and time for supper, so we decided to stay at Max Murphy’s for that deed. I had the traditional fish and chips and Adri had the Thai yellow curry, both delicious. I handed the keys to Adri to drive us home, I was tired ;-).

Ko Samui, Thailand

Adri’s birthday has arrived and today she calls all the shots. Spent a good hour in the gym and then had a healthy breakfast of fruit salad containing watermelon, pineapple, litchis and banana. This was followed by strawberry yoghurt with whole strawberries, followed by a croissant with cheese. Now we were ready for the day. Adri wanted to go back to the little shops at the Big Buddha to further streamline her eventual purchasing frenzy which will undoubtedly follow at some stage. As we parked I saw a shop that sells steel statues made of scrap steel and old auto parts, which come in sizes that range from a few centimeters to like two and a half meters. I may not want one in my home, but they are incredibly unique artistic masterpieces in their own right, I just could not stop admiring the perfect detail on these pieces. Check out the photos, zoom in and check the detail ! Anyway, I was told by Adri that she wanted to shop unhindered of being hurried on, so I must go and drink beer… OK, I can live with that. I found a lovely little shop that sells clothes, jewelry etc., but also doubles up as a restaurant come bar, with a lovely view over the water. Wifi is also available. This shop, it seems, as many on Koh Samui, is used by the family as a shop, restaurant/pub, and is also their home. As you walk in there is the shop, then you walk through their kitchen/ living area on to the restaurant/pub. Adri spent a good couple of hours shopping while I put my time to much better use. Tired from the “shopping” we retraced out steps back towards Bophut. We stopped off for a few things at the Tesco Lotus Express, as opposed to the superstores, on the way back. There are only a few of these on the island, unlike the ubiquitous Seven Eleven and Family Mart mini supermarkets. It is not uncommon to find three of these within a hundred metre stretch of road, all around the island, very convenient. Not sure how they make money with so much competition, but they all seem to be doing fine. We needed some waking up and went across the road for a coffee of some sorts. The restaurant had a lovely setting, overlooking the beach with plenty little fishing boats on the beach, with plenty of yachts, both sail and power, anchored off in the bay. We sat down, looked through the menu and both ordered a cappuccino. The waitress informed us that she does not serve cappuccino. Huh ? We did not wait to find out whether she, or the restaurant, does not serve cappuccino. Adri decided that, for her birthday supper, she wanted to go back to the Greek restaurant, called Fi, we went to last Saturday evening, which was really a great experience. It was Friday evening and they just happen to serve a Greek buffet. Now I am not one for buffets at the best of times as the food normally is sub-standard. Well, was I pleasantly surprised. The food was excellent ! The place was packed to the rafters and we found out that we actually have to book, this way they get a good idea of how much food to prepare, the owner informed us. Anyway, he remembered us from the previous Saturday and organized a table for us. There were chicken souvlaki, pork souvlaki, beef souvlaki, Greek salad, Moussaka, Greek meat balls, pita bread with tzatziki, grilled potatoes, little filo pastry pies with grilled feta cheese and chillies… The list goes on. And they kept on filling the dishes as they emptied out, fast. Man, this was amazing, guess where I will be next Friday. With supper we had some beer and wine, and we ended supper with a Metaxa, a wonderful Greek brandy. The owner, a Greek from the north west of the Greek mainland, who has been on Koh Samui for some eight years, came over to chat to us again. We also asked for the bill which he forgot to bring to us for a while. Once the bill arrived it was accompanied by a complimentary ouzo, ostensibly because we had to wait for the bill longer than what was required ! Great place ! Got home at about 10:30, tried to read for a while but the eyes refused to stay open so we turned off the lights for a good night’s sleep, or so we thought. In the early hours of the morning a car alarm went off in street in front of the complex with the most irritating beep, beep, beep… 34 of those, then it stopped… Then it starts again for another 34 beeps, and so it carried on for hours. In reality it was probably only about 45 minutes though. Looking out from our balcony, at some stage during this fracas we saw people mulling around the car and heard them muttering 这该死的&#36710 ;子和阿拉&#2298 2;, or something like that. Shortly after this it stopped…. and then it started again… until it finally stopped

Ko Samui, Thailand

We needed to get some vitamin D so Boxing Day found us on Lamai beach at our favourite restaurant with sun loungers and wifi. We had brunch here, Adri had a banana pancake and I just had to have the bacon and cheese burger with chips which I ogled the previous time we were here. The pancake was great, the burger was ok. We spent a very pleasant time in the sun, went for a couple of swims and after being sunned out, we packed up and was homeward bound. On the way back we decided to check out Crystal Bay, which lies just south of Coral Cove on the east side of the island. Crystal Bay seems to double up as Silver Beach as we saw resorts of both names along this stretch of beach, although. I may be wrong about this. Anyway, there seems to be plenty of seaweed on the beach, and in the water near the beach, not sure wether it is always like this. The beach is pleasant enough but we will probably not visit this beach again anytime soon.

Ko Samui, Thailand

Ko Samui, Thailand

Decided to tale it easy today, spent time at home resting, reading, listening to music etc. We planned to have Christmas eve supper in Lamai, at a restaurant on the beach where they have a barbecue of chicken, ribs and fish every night. Christmas eve was one night where they do not have the barbecue, we were told on our way in. Quite miffed, we walked through the restaurant and out the other side and continued our search for a beach restaurant, of which there are plenty to choose from. Walking along the beach and searching for a restaurant is thirsty work so we sat ourselves down two restaurants up, to have a couple of cocktails. We looked through the menu and was quite impressed, and made a mental note to come back there if we do not find anything better. Half an hour later we were back there, ordered fish, chicken cordon bleu, pizza, and ended off with a sticky mango rice pudding. A very pleasant evening indeed.

Ko Samui, Thailand

Decided to tale a drive to Nathon which is on the west coast of Koh Samui, and from where there are ferries that ferry you to the mainland. We have been toying with the idea of taking a side trip to the mainland i.e. to Krabi, and also to take in Phuket which, as an island, is linked to the mainland by a bridge. Thus this trip to Nathon was ostensibly to find out the details of such an endeavor, i.e. taking our rented car with us on the ferry to the mainland. What we could find out was that the car ferry leaves Nathon for Donsak several times each day. If you book ahead, your place in guaranteed but if you arrive on the day and want to ferry the same day, you need to go to the Seatran ticket yard, which is about two blocks inland, to check whether they can indeed accommodate you. Best to book in advance if at all possible. Had a cappuccino and went on a stroll through the streets of Nathon. One’s first impression of Nathon is not much, but it surely grows on you very quickly. Once we did our strolling we were hooked. The little town just seems more organized and ordered, the shops a bit more like real shops, the prices generally seem a bit lower than in the north, east and south, and one does not get harassed by hard selling store keepers as much as in some other areas. All in all, this was a very pleasant experience, we will be back. We were making good progress home when we happened upon a little reggae beach bar, at the western end of the north coast, it’s the one with a German flag flying outside. The beach bar ambience was great, good music, good wifi, cold beer and the best french fries I have had on Koh Samui. We will be back.