Goodbye Samui - Saturday & Sunday 23&24 April

Sadwadee Ka!

OMG! We are leaving Samui & Thailand today, we are devastated. I was up early I wanted to savor our last few hours in Samui. Had my last shower in the outdoors, boy am I gonna miss that shower!!!! By the time Rick got up and we finished packing it was time to head down to reception to wait to be picked up by our driver and go to the airport. We said our goodbyes to the reception staff and concierge boys who have treated us like royalty since we arrived. Its a credit to Q Signature we have been looked after so well these last 2 weeks. Our driver arrived right on time, loaded our lugguge into the car and off we headed. I luv Samui Airport, its so hip. The arrival and departure lounges are all outdoors and they have a Courtesy Corner which has free internet, coffee, tea, soft drinks, milkshakes and cakes and biscuits, ALL FREE! It wasn't long and we were boarding our Bangkok Airways flight to Bangkok, superb in-flight service as always. Our flight took only 1 hour and then we were in amongst the madness of Bangkok Airport, its a massive airport although only a quarter of the size of Changi airport in Singapore its just as busy. Once through Immigration and we were out the door to the smoking area, we had 4 hours before we got on our Air Asia flight to Kuala Lumper and as usual ourAir Asia was delayed, we managed to amuse ourselves for the 4 hour wait we must know every part of that bloody airport by now. Rick found Burger King and we were right from then on.

We finally boarded Air Asia half an hour late and were on our way to K L. It was only a 2 hour flight and Rick talked to a couple of Scottish backpackers most of the way, they were giving him some insights into Vietnam which is our next trip away hopefully in the new year. Vietnam and Luang Prabang in Laos is where we are headed next thats for sure. We arrived in K L and I thought it would be another fancy dancy airport, not so. It was pretty old and a little worn out, nothing really modern about it the people were ok but certainly nothing like the Thai people who are so warm, welcoming, friendly and always happy, boy I really miss the place already and I hadn't even gotten home yet. We had a 5 hour stopover in K L. we wandered around. smoked ourselves till we were over it and then went through immigration and into the waiting lounge to board our flight. 11.30pm and we were on the plane, a gigantic plane and it was full too. The first Air Asia flight we have caught that has left on time, the service was excellent. Rick and I once we had dinner kicked back and slept for most of the flight. The plane arrived a half an hour ahead of schedule and so we arrived in Perth at 5am instead of 5.30. We waited a fair while for the luggage to be unloaded and once done Rick was straight out the door, I asn't far behind him as I declared my wooden Buddhist prayer beads and my pills the doctor in Samui had given me. We managed a taxi straight away and even got him to stop at a servo on the way home to grab some milk so we could have a real coffee once we were home. Home safe and sound by 7am.

SO WE ARE FREAKIN HOME & GUESS WHAT! NOT HAPPY JAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WANT TO RETIRE NOW & JUST WANT TO KEEP TRAVELLING. WANT TO LIVE, WORK & PLAY IN THAILAND & SAMUI!!!!!!!!

HELLOOOOOOOO !!!!!!! UNIVERSE - CAN YOU HEAR US !!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Unpacked, slept all morning and caught up on other shit all arvo. This is madness - BEAM ME UP SCOTTY !!!!!!!!!!!

STILL KEEPING BLOG GOING FOR ANOTHER DAY OR TWO, it will probably take me that long if not, longer to work out how to get the rest of the photos off my mobile and on to the puter. stay tuned!!!!!!

Kob Un Ka!

Samui - Friday - 21-04-2011

SAWADEE KA !

Our last full day in Samui, my god how quick did our 3 weeks in Thailand go. Wow its been an awesome and sooooooo relaxing holiday. Today was no exception. Down to breakfast at 9.30, f filled ourselves up so we could skip lunch. 11am and we were at the Spa ready and waiting for our Aromatherapy massage and facial, took 2 hours and was wonderful, soothing, relaxing and refreshing, the best I've ever had. We felt so good after it was finished we took a walk down the road to the 7/11 to get some munchies and milk. Spent what was left of the afternoon catching up emails and facebook. Time for a walk down the beach for dinner for the last time, for a while at least. Had a yummy dinner, will miss that big time. Walked home, full as googs, time for a quick swim and then on the packing, done in no time, watch a movie and watched some wicked fireworks on the beaches from our deck. What a way to finish our last night in Samui.

Will keep this blog going for a few more days so when I get home I can upload the rest of the photos from my phone (once I work out how to do it) soooooo many good photos to come.

We fly out at 10am tomorrow (Sat) from Samui to Bangkok, a couple of hours in Bangkok then onto Kuala Lumper, a couple of hours there then on to Perth arriving 5am Sunday morning. I guess Sunday will be a bit of a write off no doubt probably most of the day we will be sleeping. until then

Kob Un Ka

Thursday - 21-04-2011

Sawadee Ka

Not much happening in Paradise today, just another super lazy day. Slept in bigtime and down to the restaurant for brekkie. The place was packed seems to be more people arriving here everyday. Breakfast over and we headed back to our villa. had a heap of washing to do so on went the Jacuzzi, an hour later washing all done. I had it hanging on coathangers all through the Frangipani tree around the pool, but hey it all got dry.

Rick and I spent the rest of the day relaxing around the pool and swimming. No nanny nap needed today wasn't as we haven't been doing anything. Still taking heaps of photos on my mobile just hope I can work out how to get them off when I get home. 1 and a half days to go till we are back in the air to Perth, it has been a great holiday as always," BUT I STILL DON'T WANT TO LEAVE".

Tomorrow after brekkie Rick and I are off to the Spa to have an Aroma massage and facial, Wow! looking forward to that.......

Dinner in restaurant tonight, western food, very nice but soooo love Thai food and so much better for you.

Until tomorrow

la kon

Wednesday in Samui - 20-04-2011

Sawadee Ka !

A relaxing day today in Samui with perfect weather. Slept late again, wow could get used to this, no trouble. Neither Rick or I felt like breakfast this morning, still full from dinner last night. Hopped on the scooter for a ride over to Fishermans Village to have a walk around, the scooter went back to hire place at noon so had to get the last ride in. Gonna miss it, its so convenient to get around. Back to the resort for the rest of the day. Rick slept all arvo and I watched a DVD, so a real lazy afternoon. Off down the beach for dinner at one of our fave little restaurants, gonna miss them too!!!!! Walked back via the main drag of Choeng Mon and grabbed an ice cream from the 7/11 to eat on the way.

Not feeling too happy with only 2 more days to go and we fly home and then back to work on Thursday. The only good thing about work is you get to save for the next holiday which won't b.e too far down the track, hopefully.

Until Tomorrow

kob un ka

Peaceful Day in Paradise ! - Tuesday 19-04-2011

Sawadee Ka!

Another great day in the 'The Land of Smiles". Taken to sleeping in these last couple of days. Not in a hurry to do things. The pool guy came to clean our pool so thought time to head off and do something with the day , so on the scooter and off to The Temples again, can't get enough of them. It was so quiet there today, not many people around just a couple of tourist and that was it. Had breakfast of shrimp spring rolls and club sandwhich to tied us over till lunch. Bought a couple of little trinkets for me and then Rick and I just sat under a tree in the shade for a while soaking up the peaceful atmosphere, its so calming.

Back on the bike and headed off again, destination 'Lamai'. We are quickly learning our way around the island and there is so much to see and so many villages and seaviews to take in, its awesome, could just keep riding around the island all day, not good for the bum though.... We stopped in Lamai and bought a couple more childrens DVD's and a couple for Rick and I for when we are home. Back on the bike and then on to Tesco Lotus for some Kentucky Duck for lunch, feel like some more western food. This is our last day of having the scooter so trying to make the most of it, we are giving it back at lunchtime tomorrow, sucks!!

Been a pretty humid day today and quite hot, Rick's face gets burnt easily and quickly and boy is it red today, keeps putting cream on but not doing any good. As soon as we got home I was straight in the pool to cool down. Late afternoon nanny nap and then off to the restaurant here for a late Thai dinner. My camera's memory is full so these last few days I am using my phone for photos just can't upload them cos I haven't worked that part of my phone out yet and didn't bring the cable either. Dah! One day I will get my head around this technology stuff.

Only 3 days left of our holiday and as usual, " I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE THAILAND" can someone out there please tell me I won Lotto and don't have toooooooooooo !!! That I can stay and live here for the next 12 months, there are heaps of Thai houses for rent long or short term and cheap too. I really want to stay, I hope the Universe is listening!!!!!!!!!!!

Until Tomorrow

La kon!

More Photos of Todays activities - 19-04-2011

Big Buddha is enormous and can be seen for miles. It overlooks Bophut and surrounding villages


Plane having just taken off from Samui Airport

Back to Big Buddha again today, not many people around so it was good.

Monk giving blessings and prayer in small outdoor Temple.

So quiet and peaceful today. We sat for ages under a tree and absorbed the peacefullness and tranquillity. Had an ice cream as well and walked around looking at the market stalls.

No Way ! Only 3 days left !!!! Photos! 19-04-2011

The Main Temple, to make offerings by way of donations which can be
purchased at the stalls in the complex or local village shops.




A yacht sailing just off Big Buddha





The Entrance gate to Joa Mae Kuan Im which we visited again today.
Only tourists here today, Songkran over its quieter.





Buddha footprint @ Joa Mae Kuan Im - took the signs advice, left a donation and made a wish for good luck.

Joa Mae Kuan Im - Lady Buddha

Monday - 18-04-2011 Samui

Sawadee Ka! Woke up this morning feeling great after a good nights sleep. Went to breakfast at the restaurant and it was packed, must have had lots of guests arrive over the weekend, mostly Australians. Breakfast over we got on the scooter and headed into Chewang, I had my Dr's appointment at Samui International Hospital for my check up, all was well, Dr happy pills worked no more back or stomach pain, still gave me another week of pills, just in case. Rick went to dentist in the same hospital and had his 2 teeth out, all good with him too. Cost us next to nothing which goes to show what a rip off the Australian doctors and dentists are. The service and treatment here is so much better and the cost much less so why go in oz at all. That over with we jumped on the scooter and headed to the other end of Chewang to a shop that sold everything for the buddhist temples and we picked up some great chinese laterns and other nic naks, wicked shop and I wanted to buy just about everything, Rick wouldn't let me, Bugger! Back home and a bit of a nanny nap. Woke up in time to walk down the beach for dinner, decided to have a break from Thai food and go for chicken burger and fries, pretty good too, a lovely friendly thai family own the restaurant and the whole family run it, they all live at the back of it as well as own and rent out a couple of holiday houses out back as well, no wonder they work 24 hours a day. Its Full Moon tonight so everyone was out and about. There is a big Full Moon party on the Island Koh Phang nanh, which is the party island not far from here where all the backpackers go. As we were walking back from the beach we could hear the fireworks from over there. Back to our villa and it was time for a swim there's nothing more refreshing than a swim before bed. Would love to have a pool like this in our place in Queensland for when we retire. Anyways thats it for today, have posted more photos. Until tomorrow. La Kon

More Photos of Choeng Mon - Samui

Our Pool at Night- Had a lovely swim after dinner.. It's so cool and peaceful swimming at night The resort at night looking up from the beach The Full Moon Again

The restaurants along Choeng Mon Beach

Monday - 18-04-2011 Choeng Mon Beach by Night

Full Moon - 18/04/2011 - Samui

Sunset over Choeng Mon Beach

Rick walking along Choeng Mon beach for dinner

Calm water & Fishing boat

Sunset at Choeng Mon

Sunday - 17 April 2011 - Samui. Thailand

Sawadee ka! What no photo's. Yep, no photos. Memory card full and netbook has no disk drive to put them on a disk. Using my mobile phone for snaps. What Tha! Another excellent day in Samui. On the scooter at 9am and off round the island. Started here at Choeng Mon then to Bophut, past Fishermans village further on to Mea Nam, Bang por and then on to Nathon (Nat hon) stopped to give our bums a rest (roads not flash here, lots of bumps and pot holes) and besides Rick was hungry and wanting breakfast so we stopped at a nice little restaurant opposite the ferry terminal, we know this place well as we have eaten there many times before, the food is good and the price cheap. Rick had breakfast and I opted not to as had a crook stomach this morning so thought I would lay off food for a while today, just a soda for me. Back on the scooter and we headed further south past the Elephant Gate at Taling Ngam, down to Pang Ka and Thong Krut (The Beach) Hua Thanon and then on to Lamai. Next to Choeng Mon, Lamai is my second most favourite place on Samui, beautiful beach, good shopping markets and Tesco Lotus (shopping Centre) Ricks favourite cos it has a Kentucky Duck (KFC) so I actually had some fries and coke, by then I was starving and willing to take the risk at eating, glad I did. Get this its Sunday and every bank in the shopping centre was open, can you imagine that in Australia, even more so Perth !!! From there we headed around the outskirts of Chewang and then back to the resort. By this time we had been out 5 hours, saw plenty, got plenty of sun, sore bums and necks and I had a massive headache, time for a nap. Slept for hours, woke up, ordered room service pizza's for dinner and then back to bed, think I got too much sun, my head was throbbing. Great day out! Saw lots and enjoyed being out on the road. Time to go! kob un Ka

satureday in Samui - 16-04-2011

Sawadee Ka! WOW ! What a day! I was up early as usual to watch the sunrise, Rick slept in until much later which meant I got to use the netbook to catch up on the blog, emails and facebook. Rick and I thought it best we sorted out our stuff and packed before breakfast, that out of the way we headed down to the restaurant for our buffet breakfast and ate just a little too much. It's just so nice sitting there looking over the beach and the gulf of Siam its too good to rush away from. Rick went down to reception to hand in the key to our room and pick up the key to our villa. We are in villa 7 11, how funny, since thats where we go to stock up on our drinks and munchies every couple of days. The concierge came and picked up us and our stuff and drove us a little further up the hill to our new digs. Wow ! What a surprise, its awesome as any one who has been reading the blog and checking out the photos will see, its lavish and pretty freaking big. It has a loungeroom with TV, DVD, and Stereo, a kitchenette, huge bathroom and then an outdoor bathroom with an outdoor shower and a Jacuzzi, wicked ! From the loungeroom you walk downstairs into the bedroom which is massive with windows as walls all around and french doors that open out onto the deck and private pool, its amazing. The bedroom also has a tv. We still have our sea views over the Gulf of Siam. Its pretty flash , we have stayed in heaps of 5 star resorts here in Thailand but this has got to be the best so far, and it cost us nothing thats even better. We spent the day hanging out here. Later this arvo we managed to drag ourselves out of the place long enough to get on the scooter and head down to the 7/11 to get our usual supplies of drinks and munchies then took a walk down Choeng Mon beach to our little restaurant for some Thai food for dinner, the only thing now is we have a big hill to walk up to get to our villa, not that we are complaining, its worth a little exercise. It was time then for a night swim in the pool, perfect, in long enough to cool down and hit relax mode. Had a bit of washing to catch up on so thats where the Jacuzzi came in handy, fill it up, washing powder in, turn on the jets wamo instant washing machine, how cool ! I remember doing that before in Samui at the Cliff View resort when we stayed there when we backpacked around Thailand for 3 months, so now the deck outside looks like a Chinese laundry. Doesn't matter, its so private no one can see, only the housekeepers when they come to refresh the place tomorrow. Tomorrow we ARE going to drag ourselves out of here and get on the scooter and go around the island, do some sightseeing and hopefully some shopping, still got to get some more clothes to fill my backpack. Until Tomorrow! La kon

But WAIT !!!!!!!! There's more !!!!!!!!

Looking over the pool to the bedroom

The pool, Deck & Chillin Area

The Chillin Area

The stairs down from Loungeroon to bedroom area.

Our New Digs - How Tuff is it!!!!!

Our own private pool - Our view from the bed and bedroom The bedroom looks out over the pool + Ocean views as well The bed + bedroom you walk down stairs from the Loungeroom The kitchen with views over the ocean

The Loungeroom with TV, DVD, Surround sound and Hi Fi System. This is Upstairs

Satureday - 16-04-2011 - OUR NEW DIGS

The Indoor + Outdoor bathroom Outdoor Jacuzzi & Shower Jacuzzi Outdoor Shower Walking down the stairs to the entrance doors

The Entrance

Photo's - Friday

Offerings for Songkran @ Big Buddha Ferry Terminal to Koh Pha Nagha & Koh Tao Looking over towards the airport runway Plane flying directly over the top of Big Buddha

Joa Mae Kuan Im - Lady Buddha

What ! More photos!

Am Gonna have a go at this when we visit next week.

Rick & the scooter

Brunch - Big Buddha. Restaurant on the water. Great views!

Sunset over Samui

Friday - 15 April 2011 - Samui

Sawadee Ka! OMG ! Another great day in Samui, it just gets better & better. Slept in this morning and if we were any more relaxed we would be moving backwards, or as the kids would say we would be in coma's. We decided today to give Chewang and Songkran a miss and visit Big Buddha instead. Rather than catch a taxi or songchaew there we thought why not hire a motor scooter for a couple of days, there are so many places we want to go all over the island and we want to go to Naton to do some shopping, so why not, our own transport is cheaper and gives us more freedom to go where we want, when we want. We have hired a scooter before on holidays in Pai and Phuket but this is our first time we have in Samui. Transport taken care of we headed off to Joa Mae Kuan Im, we always manage to miss this one and its only next door to Big Buddha, it was awesome as it shows in the photos, the only thing it was packed as during Songkran the Thai's make prilgrimages to all the Temples for good luck. So another visit is called for next week when it is a bit quieter and Songkran is over, from there we went on to Big Buddha, first stop 'Brunch' at a small restaurant there that we have eaten at many times before, the food was just as awesome as before. More market stalls have been opened since we were last here and it was packed with people, so another visit is called for during the week. Still tryiing to find some 'Big Mama' bathers so I can go swimming. Could take a while!!!!! Our first test run on the scooter we headed back to Q Signature for an afternoon Nanny nap which went for hours, this relaxing business certainly is tiring. We headed of to The Royal Siam restuarant here for dinner for the best 4 course Western dinner ever, and we were the only ones there, probably had something to do with the fact it was about 9 o'clock and being the last day of Songkran most people would have headed in to Chewang for the last nights partying and festivities. Back to our room to watch tele and of course, more sleep. i could really get used to this.... Can't wait for retirement. Tomorrow we move into our Private pool villa about midday and seeing as we have kinda made our room our home since we have been here we have shit loads of sorting and packing to do to move, ho hum! can wait till the morning after breakfast.......which will probably be around lunchtime knowing us... More photos to come... Kob Un Ka

Even more photos