Koh Samui Khap Kun Khap - Thank You Koh Samui

Ok, so perhaps Koh Samui is not the most authentic Thai experience. Most of the towns on the island are filled with touristy bars and cheap taliors who will knock out a knock-off "armani" suit for you in an afternoon. Chawang and Lamai, the major towns, are overurn with starbucks, boots, 31 flavors and host of english pubs. But, the beaches are beautiful, the weather fantastic and the people friendly. Our original plan was to rent a bungalow for a couple of days in the smaller twon of Bohput and then move on to a more secluded resort to pamper ourselves for a couple of nights. Well, sometimes plans don't work out - all the bungalows we wanted were rented out already. So, straight to the Tongsai Bay Resort and Cottages for us.

The Tongsai was to be to our big induldance this trip (we were not aware of how opulant the E&O was when we booked) and it lived up to our expectations and then some. We have small cottage up on a hillside about 300 feet above the sea. Our balcony has two lounge chairs and looks out over the sea and the hills on the other side of the bay; there is even a large bathtub out there so you can lounge in the tub while you contemplate the sea. This a family run place with a big focus on the environment. All public spaces are open air, there is only air conditioning in the rooms and in a few of the offices. Animals are allowed to live on the gounds and mice are never killed, just captured and released in the hillls. The property is largely a self sufficient place, recycling rain water, and generating its own power much of the time.

Our balcony after a rainstorm

Having said all this, it is a resort. If it were not for the (fantastic) Thai food, the teak wood furnishings, or the wondeful Thai staff, one could be anywhere. It feels a bit like Hawaii, or some other tropical paradise. All of the guests speak English but we appear to be the only Americans. Perhaps that has something to do with the Dollar. So, we decided to simply enjoy the weather (mostly sunny and high 80s, but there have been a few really dramatic thunderstorms) and the facilities at the resort and get our culture later in Bangkok and Chaing Mai. On Samui, we simply relaxed in the sun and enjoyed the perfectly warm pools and ocean.

We did get out to see the Island a couple of times. It was fun to wander the streets of Bophut and then sit on the beach and watch the sun go down while sipping a Chang (Thailand's #1 Beer!). We also took a snorkeling tour to some other islands. I think that the resort folks were kind of surprised we wanted the lower budget tour that uses a more traditional long boat and songtao for transportation, but we were looking for something a bit less fancy. The tour was great. We ended up being the only people on it. A long ride in the back of a songtao (basically a pick-up truck with benches in the back) and then a trip to a few smaller uninhabited islands and reefs for some snorkeling. The snorkeling was only OK, but the experience was lovely- lounging on the beach of a deserted island while the boat driver took a nap and his 14 year old helper sang Thai pop-songs to himself before falling asleep on the bow of the boat.

Sunset from Bophut beach

We are sad to be leaving today as it has been so relaxing here. It may not have been the most authentic Thai experience, but we have really enjoyed ourselves. I haven't felt this relaxed in years. Ho hum, I suppose we have to move on.

Next stop: Bangkok. Chaos here we come.