Next step in Thailand for me, had to be Koh Samui.  So many people had told me to head over to the Gulf side of Thailand and head to infamous Koh Samui.  Of course, everyone who thinks Samui, thinks Full Moon Party.

Well, dammit, the full moon in July was the 21st – one day after I was expected in Bangkok to pick up a very important package – my parents, who are visiting from New Zealand!  As much as I would love to paint myself neon and drink from a children’s pail – this will have to be some other time in my life!

Hence, I found myself laying on the “quiet side” of Samui, drinking a Leo beer from my blow up floaty ring instead:

I’m starting to think all these rumours everyone hears and spreads and about Thailand, and these islands, might be from people who have never been – as each time I’m surprised at how different they are from what I’ve heard.

I booked a transfer from my hotel in Ao Nang (฿400/$US11 each) which included the bus transfer to the ferry port leaving at 11am, and the ferry to Koh Samui.  The whole thing was extremely simple, and the ferry arrived into Na Thon pier at 5:30pm, only half an hour later than scheduled.

The ferry was, as expected, packed full of other backpackers – so as soon as the boat starts moving, the bar is open, and the Chang is flowing.  Some of the greatest people watching ever can be done on the sundeck of these ferries with the sun bathing, drinking and excitement that goes with being on holiday in paradise!  There is always a sense of anticipation on these ferries as well – what’s it going to be like, where’s good to go, and which bar will offer the best drink specials…

Scooters were hired from the Na Thon pier in Samui (for ฿150/$US4 per day), and we rode the 15 minutes to our resort, the Lipa Lovely Beach Resort (how great is that name!).  This place is right on Lipa Noi beach, and is absolutely beautiful.  I love any resort where I can wake up, roll down the sand and into the ocean!  It’s west-facing so the absolute best place for sunset watching too.

How much does the sky look like a painting!?

We spent one entire day scooting around the whole island, stopping periodically to cool off with a swim at the closest beach – doesn’t that sound like the best way to spend the day!?  Especially when you pull up to beaches like these:

All I can say for this place, is 2 days is not enough!  One day was spent out exploring, the next laying by the beach enjoying the sunshine and swimming whenever I felt like it.  Everyone tells me how great other places area this area as well: Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and the Ang Thong Marine Park – all of which a short boat ride from here, and all of which are going on the list of places I haven’t had a chance to get to this time around.  That list is annoyingly long actually – but that is one lesson I have learned over the past 4 months – you can’t see everything!

For now,

Nat x

Have you been to Koh Samui?  Are there any other places in the area you can recommend for when I return!?

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