Ko Samui

We took a short trip to Ko Samui in late November. It was my first visit there and I was expecting that it would be not too different from Phuket, Krabi our Hua Hin. It turned out to be quite different. I think it is one of the nicer resorts I have been to in Thailand. Definitely worth a re-visit.

We flew SilkAir and I must say it beats all budget carriers (rightly so) and even full service airlines hands down. Although it was a short flight, the inflight entertainment is impressive. I had my iPad and was able to stream movies directly to my device. The picture and audio quality was great too. Frankly, it is better than what full service airlines with entertainment systems offer. I guess nothing beats a retina display :p Some passengers were watching the movies through their smart phones.

Audio and Video streamed to my iPad

When we arrived, we were greeted by a quaint and rustic airport. I love the thatched roofs and the resort feel about it. There were no aerobridges and we were transported to the arrival hall in a tram car, it reminded me of Disneyland.

Are we in Disneyland? Love the tram cars

We stayed at the Chaweng Regent Beach Resort. It is a very nice resort located by the beach and at the same time, literally across the road from "action". I understand that Chaweng offers the best beaches in Ko Samui. The sand is fine and the gradient is very gradual. The resort had two decent sized swimming pools. The reception counter was charming and the rooms were very nice.

Beautiful swimming pools - 2 of them :)

Reception counter looks like a throne

Our abode for 3 nights

Feeding frenzy at koi pond

The hotel sits right smack in the middle of the action in Ko Samui. There are shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, a boxing ring, cabaret shows (including Tiffany Shows), massage places, pharmacies, etc. Incidentally, medication is much cheaper in Thailand compared to Singapore.

Shop and eat till you drop

One lobster, please.

There are many stray dogs in Ko Samui. I met a few of my "best friends" at the beach and also at a fresh market. Some were overly friendly.

He came over and posed for me :)

Playful fella

We visited a fresh market and the sights were awesome. I could have stayed there all day taking photographs.

This scene reminds me of a time gone by

Soaking in the atmosphere

They pass the packages of vegetables like they are playing volleyball

Pak Cik grating coconuts

Thai desserts, anyone?

The seafood was great and inexpensive. Typically, you pick your fresh seafood and they cook it according to your preference. The presentation is great.

Check out the presentation

Pick your indulgence

Oh, we also had our required portion of vegetables

Barbeque by the beach

The beach was very nice. Managed to take a couple of interesting photographs.

Roasted corn

Boats are home for the day

Lonely out there

A storm's brewing

He is reading a book !

The trip would not be complete without photographs of the sunrise. These were some of the better shots.

Our first sunrise at Ko Samui

The boats complete the sunrise 

Saw this coconut and made it a part of the scene :)

Sunrise - Day 2

Love that red sun

As with all good things, they come to an end and soon, it was time to return home. I arrived in Ko Samui expecting it to be like Phuket but was pleasantly surprised. It was much better. It is interesting to note that there were quite a number of service staff who come from Myanmar and Philippines. I did not expect this as I felt that the Thais are extremely service oriented. Looks like they too have their fair share of foreign workers :)

This is one destination I wouldn't mind going back to. I hope it does not get too commercialised over time.