Today i want to talk about the Thai people. Jaruwan and Orn have become our absolute favorite people at the resort. They embody everything I'm learning the Thai people are - warm, kind, genuine, and trustworthy.


Last night we went off campus to Five Islands restaurant. Leaving the resort gives us the necessary reality check on Koh Samui culture. Two things I cannot get over. The number of people on mopeds and the endless amounts of open air markets. And I'm not talking single riders on scooters. They're packing entire families onto one bike. Literally I saw a four person family with two young children sandwiched between their rents. And the markets are endless. I'm dying to peruse Anthony Bourdain style and throw together a Thai dish with the local fresh ingredients. dining detour style Krissy:)


Five Islands is known for their views of the five neighboring islands, their long boat tail rides, and incredible sunsets and al fresco dining on the beach. Rick and I sat with our toes in the sand by candlelight for dinner and our waiter basically shared that while their was a menu to select from, we were free to basically make our own dish. They're Especially known for their grill, and I selected grilled seafood and Rick chose a crab curry. All of the food was delicious and service amazing. It's amazing how genuinely eager to please the Thai people are. While we didn't get to see our sunset as the clouds rolled in last minute, what has become predictable is the kind nature of the thai people.


Today we took a day trip to Anthong National Marine park which is essentially a series of islands and rock formations about an hour boat ride from Koh Samui. The van picked us up at 7:30 and we were on the boat on our way by half past 8. First we went to a famous snorkeling spot where we dived off and did some snorkeling. Honestly, after snorkeling in much of the Caribbean we found it to be only ok, but more enjoyable was the views around us of emerald green water and amazing rock formations. Next we went to another island where we hiked up a mountain to see an emerald green lake the park is famous for. It reminded me of volcanic lakes I'd seen when I visited Santorini. For lunch we stopped in a small fishing village on another island where a couple of restaurants were set up in lean-twos on the water. There wasn't much else on the island other than the restaurants and I'm wondering if the people just come in for the day to entertain and feed tourists or actually live in these villages. They served us super authentic Thai cuisine and it was a really charming, personal, and memorable experience. Finally they took us to a remote beach on a private island where we had a chance to swim, kayak, and cliff dive in the crystal clear waters. Don't worry mom and dad, no cliff diving for me! Ok is my limits at this point:)

The group on the boat was a schmorgasboard of different cultures - German, Israeli, Austrian, Brazilian, etc. What I find amazing always when I travel is that all if these cultures come together and speak one language - English. They're all bilingual and many speak three or even four languages. When I spoke about how I found this fascinating and honestly how I feel it makes Americans look so one dimensional and ignorant, the German man said "you call someone who speaks three languages trilingual, two bilingual, and one, American. Makes me feel like I have a lot to learn!!

All I know is Rick and I have the travel bug!! And life is good.


More tomorrow...