Koh Samui for R & R  

We arrived on the island of Koh Samui, Thailand, very travel weary and tired. We haven’t had a break in traveling since our 5 days in Saigon and we needed some R and R. Plus, we had some problems with our Visa for India that needed attention, and didn’t end up getting our passports back until 10 minutes before we boarded the plane in Chiang Mai for Koh Samui. However, that’s another story that will best be told when we get back and it may cost you a couple of beers!!!

After arriving to our hotel in Koh Samui in the early evening, all we could think of was sleep but by the next morning we were anxious for a few days of doing nothing. Our hotel was small with a lot of lush vegetation on the grounds and an intimate feel, plus it was only a few steps from the beach. Just what the doctor ordered! The weather was perfect, the water was warm, the bay very calm and the lounge chairs were very comfortable. We talked about taking a tour to see a National Marine Park, which is on another island, for some snorkeling and kayaking but in the end it was all about the sun, the water and those lounge chairs. And with a good book as well. The people walking by on the beach and the vendors selling everything and anything gave us our daily entertainment.

The city came alive in the evening with the sounds of music, horns honking, and of course, vendors offering to sell us everything at a ‘special’ price. We found a couple of restaurants with great food and traditional Thai music and dancing entertainment. We spent several very enjoyable evenings with the glow from the day’s sun.

Although we were only on the island for three days and didn’t see much of the island or surrounding islands, we were finally revitalized and ready for India. But (here we go again) getting there involved 7 segments of travel from Koh Samui, Thailand to Delhi, India. We were picked up at 6 am for a taxi ride to the other side of the island where we would catch a ferry to the mainland, then a bus ride (another one!) to the airport. We then flew to the domestic airport in Bangkok but had to catch a city bus to the new international airport (one hour) for our flight into Delhi. Once we arrived in Delhia and waited for over an hour for our luggage, we then took a taxi to our hotel. Our cab ride is a story in itself that we will tell you about in our article on Delhi, India. We arrived at our hotel about 1am the next morning (with a 1 ½ hour time gain). The good news is that we made all of the segments. But yes, it was a very long day.

Wait till you hear about India……

Where’s Pat and Mike?