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Part 36: Koh Samui......
I loved absolutely everything about Chiang Mai so far. From the people, the food, the ambience, through to the scenery and wildlife. Its certainly a place that left a huge impression on me.
Even though I'd not stopped from the second I got off the plane - there was far more that this beautiful district had to offer, and so much more exploration to be had.
Admittedly my few days were no way near enough, and perhaps I should have booked more time here.
Having said that its not such a bad thing to leave a few places and things to see for my return visit. I had some unfinished business with Chiang Mai and would definitely be back.
My last evening was spent with my really cool friends I'd met from before - It turns out they'd all decided on the far less adventurous day of Thai cookery classes - which, incidentally worked out brilliantly for me.
All of them brought back a huge selection of Thai cuisine, which they had prepared earlier. That was my supper for the evening sorted - It was really delicious and expertly cooked with lovely fresh ingredients too.
We were all far to bloated to hit the town after all that, so decided on chilling at the hostel for the night with a few beers - not to many though.
A wise decision, especially for me as I had quite a lot of travelling the next day, and an early morning flight to catch.
Another evening of cool conversation with lots of laughs beckoned before finally getting off to bed.
I was fully packed, prepped and ready to head off soon as I woke, and first thing after breakfast I was on my way to the airport. It was just as scenic on the way back to Bangkok as it was getting here, with exactly the same breathtaking views.
When we landed I took the convenient free shuttle bus across the city to Suvarnabhumi Airport for my connecting flight to Koh Samui.
It was in early morning rush hour and seemed to take forever, and whilst sitting there in the heavy traffic I was beginning to wonder what would await me in Samui.
It can be difficult sometimes, moving on, leaving new friends behind, especially these ones - I was missing Chiang Mai a lot.
But thats what backpacking is all about - I loved meeting new people, comfortably introducing myself to fellow travellers became the norm for me now. Taking any opportunity to make conversation with locals broadened my social skills more than at any stage of my life, even though I'd been in the music industry for many years. All the shackles of my social awkwardness were well and truly gone now - I was learning fast.
My flight was delayed by 2 hours so it was just a case of waiting patiently and reading my book as there was no airport wifi available to keep me distracted. Then I noticed in the middle of this uber modern airport, a huge shrine depicting Vishnu, stood high on a mountain, with Asuras and Devas pulling on the serpent kings tail wrapped around the mountain base, with Vishnu on top, painted in electric blue.
Seeing this ancient mythological scene here looked awesome. Not the normal thing you see in an airport I have to say - It was almost inconceivable that such an ancient myth could be placed in such a modern backdrop, but I really liked it.
Anyway the time went quickly and I was soon on my 'boutique airlines' flight, heading south to Samui.
And whilst I was enjoying the scenic views of all the small green islands through the window, the air hostesses were quickly scurrying down the isles literally throwing the passengers their packed lunches before the plane landed.
My fruit salad and ham sandwich were actually not to bad - If only to break the journey up. I always look forward to the airplane food for some reason - even if its mostly disappointing slop, I waste nothing now, taking any left overs with me, even tissues.
The airport was more or less just a tiny hut when we landed, and again within minutes, I was in a cab and on my way to the accommodation in Chaweng where they welcomed me with a nice ice cold drink.
The lady in reception was eager and could not stop smiling at me, which was beginning to make me feel a little paranoid. After showing me to my double room, she gave me a long list of tours and places to visit - it would at least give me plenty of information on the surrounding islands, and list of things to do.
Even though there was no other company or common room to meet other people, I guess it was nice to have my own room and space for a change, compared to the usual places I had been staying in, this was more of a hotel.
By now it was early evening and time for a little exploration to find my bearings into the centre.
Samui was more set up as a resort destination with dozens and dozens of hotels, restaurants, bars, cafes, shops and chains that went on for a good 2 kilometers.
I could not have been better situated - close enough to walk and far enough away from the loud bars to have a bit of peace and quiet.
On my way to the main strip I was stopped by indian tailors trying to sell me made to measure suits.
They didn't seem to listen to my 'no thanks' - instead doing their best to bundle me into their shops with their clever use of stealth salesman, conversation techniques. Before you knew it, the tape measure was out as he sized me up.
Next it was the turn of the massage girls.
'Hello, massaaaaaaaaaage' they smiled.
Or the restaurant staff trying to force me into their establishments.
This was a little more full on than I was initially expecting, although they stopped just short of harassing me.
I guess with it being out of main season they were doing their best to squeeze whatever little extra they could out of the few remaining tourists.
Still I'd seen enough to know my stay here would not be in the least bit dull.
Finally before nearly collapsing with hunger, I stopped at a small local cafe for food.
The prices in general were a lot more expensive than Bangkok. It would most certainly test my resourcefulness and prove somewhat of a challenge, especially with nearly 2 weeks here, I had to set a daily food budget straightway.
The huge grills right outside the restaurants were a clever way to tempt people in. The chefs were barbecuing freshly prepared seafood and meat, it looked amazing sizzling away but I stood firm in the face of some serious temptation - only good old vegetable noodles for me tonight, the cheapest thing on the menu.
I was actually surprised at how quiet the streets were, almost expecting it to be flooded with tourists. Yes its a very touristy Island, but with the season being low it was actually very laid back, apart from the pushy locals trying to sell me goods of course.
Its Thailand's 3rd largest island with infrastructure and roads only in place since the early 70's, but has clearly thrived since then, with tourism, exporting rubber and coconut as its main income. Loosely translated Samui means 'safe haven' and it definitely has that feel about it as an escape from the mainland. Mountainous, cloaked in luscious rain forests, and surrounded in perfect blue coast line with small uninhabited islands in close proximity.
There are around 40.000 inhabitants on the island measuring
25km long and 25km wide - plenty big enough for some serious exploration, with it being relatively easy to get around too. It was just a case of how.
There was also lots of street food on the main strip - a backpackers necessity.
Wandering around up and down a few times people watching was amusing. Most of the people I had seen up to now where Russians and Australians, they seemed to be easily tempted by the massage parlours.
After getting my bearings and walking around for a few hours I headed back to the hotel for some much needed rest.
It was only the next day that I realised breakfast was included in the price for the accommodation, which was fine by me on my paltry budget.
I tried a few times to make polite conversation with some of the other guests, only to be completely ignored - this was going to be hard work, especially with most of them being Russian - they were all tourists, not travellers, and unlike me, they were here for more of a getaway than to meet new people.
It was time for a quick escape to the beach, which luckily was only 3 minutes away down a narrow path way. When I got there it was practically deserted apart from an early morning jogger and a guy walking his dog.
The sea was completely calm giving it an even more relaxed feel.
I spotted a beach cafe and sat down at a table right on the sand with the calm waters gently splashing my feet, and ordered an ice cold mango juice - I was in no rush to move.
Finally after making my drink last as long as I possibly could, it was time for a stroll along the coast line. I walked for a fair few hours, stopping occasionally in the calm sea for swim to cool down from the heat.
This was not exactly what I was expecting after my previous travels, so it was time for a slightly different approach here because based on what I had seen so far, making friends was not going to be easy.
Do I stay or move on to the next island? but after all the walking exploration and trekking, maybe it was time to kick back and relax and take advantage of the deserted beach.
I was surrounded by sand, blue sea, mountains, rain forests, palm trees, beach barbecues, plus it was really sunny and quiet. Seeing all that just about made my decision for me.
I was going nowhere.....
- comments
Gino good blog bro sums samui up spot on
Laura Could use a nice quiet beach with palm trees and beach barbecues right about now.....tempting to say the least! The beach calms the soul!
Vman Cheers bro. :-)
Vman Hey Laura. It was just what I needed after all the trekking :-)