Koh Samui - island paradise

Cliff still wasn't feeling 100% but we were flying from Bangkok to Koh Samui on 22nd January so he took the route of eating nothing but drinking lots. Before our flight we went along to the Shangri-La hotel (beautiful place right on the river) to meet our friends Su and Pete, who had flown into Bangkok for a long weekend to celebrate Su's birthday. We enjoyed some tea and chat and then it was off to the airport. Here's a pic of the boys in the taxi on the way, catching up on some missed sleep.










Koh Samui airport. Wow. It reminded me a bit of that tv show Fantasy Island and must win the prize for most beautiful airport. Liam was very impressed by it, asking why didn't we come here at the beginning of the trip and just stay here.

We were staying in the top half of Sarah's place at Bang Makan near Nathon on the west (and quieter) side of the island. We had two massive separate bedrooms, both en suite which were divided by a big terrace with great views of the sea through the coconut trees.


It's fair to say that we spent a very tranquil two weeks here. It was great catching up with Sarah and because she was working hard during the day we amused ourselves by getting around to the rest of the island, swimming in the jungle pool and generally lazing around quite a bit, although Liam did get a bit of school work under his belt. Well, Liam and I lazed around, Cliff started his marathon training, completing 13 and 15 mile runs in 30 degree plus heat. Liam found a new friend in Max, Ian and Bonnie's boy, and was kindly invited to Max's birthday sleepover on our first night so that was pretty much the last we saw of him for a couple of days!
















We took a boat trip out to the Ang Thong National Marine Park, where we went kayakking, attempted some snorkling (but it was too murky) and swam in the pouring (hot) rain. Cliff climbed up to the viewpoint to see the forty islands of the marine park and we all climbed up to see the inland lagoon (again, in the pouring rain). We spent the return boat trip on the very top of the boat at the front (think of that bit in Titanic) and it was like being on a rollercoaster. A great and exhausting day out. And as you can see, it only rained for about 30 minutes.










On another day we took Liam and Max and climbed up (there seems to be lots of climbing to be done) one of the two waterfalls on the island, but didn't actually manage to get to the top as the path seemed to have got overgrown but we splashed about at the base for a while. And saw some massive spiders. Great.

Sarah told us about a little place called the Art Cafe in Nathon which did really good bread and home made houmous., which we'd bring 'home' in a little plastic bag. There are a few dogs living on the estate, some have owners and some just flit between different houses. One is called Andy Ecclesley and he deserves a special mention, he's standing behind Liam in this picture. He got his name from Fiona, who lives on the estate because he's ginger like a UK footballer called something Ecclesley (but not Andy). We haven't got to the bottom of this yet. Andy followed us down to dinner on our last night at one of the beach restaurants. At the end of the evening, Ian (Sarah's brother) had joined us for drinks and offered us a lift back up to the house. Andy followed on foot. Liam and I were concerned about leaving him behind but it turns out he's pretty fast and he actually beat us back, running in front of the car, so we couldn't get ahead. Smart dog. They don't really have devil eyes as shown in this picture though.

We had a jeep for a few days so we did a couple of round-island tours and visited Chaweng, Bhoput and Big Buddha beach. There's a pic below of Cliff, Liam and Sarah enjoying the easy-listening music at the beach. But don't ever mention chicken floss to Sarah (unless you want to see a woman vomit). It was described on the menu at an otherwise fairly good cafe in Big Buddha beach as shredded chicken, 'ooh that sounds a nice combination with rice' Sarah thought. Wrong. It was hideous in every way. I think the term 'chicken floss' says it all really.








All in all we had a wonderful island stay and it was good not to have to pack every couple of days. And we left Sarah with her newly adopted baby (puppy) - Wilma - on Liam's lap in the above pic.