Grooving on the Thai Coast

We spent a wonderful 5 days in Koh Samui, and are now in Phuket on the other side of the peninsula. We have been treating ourselves to some pampering in the form of massages, fancy drinks and fine dining.

In Koh Samui we stayed in a beautiful villa overlooking the ocean. We cashed in all the Marriott reward points we had been saving over the years and it was worth the wait! We made a commitment to just stay put and relax, which can be a challenge for us!

To have some freedom, we went against our better judgment, and rented a motor scooter to get around. It really was the best option to see the island; otherwise taxi’s can cost a small fortune!! More temples to been seen, of course, but each one remains unique in its own history and beauty. The quaint “Fisherman’s Village”, Bophut, offered a glimpse of the fishing industry in the area, along with some eclectic shops and cafes. This is a tourist area, and the main towns reminded us of the smaller border towns of Mexico with souvenir trinket shops and street vendors. Been there, done that!!

In Phuket we have been staying in a very unique resort/hotel recommended by our friend DB who has been to Thailand and other parts of Asia quite frequently. It was designed and built by people who were involved in the tin mining industry. Everything, down to the toilet paper holder, has some association with tin mining. Quite fascinating!

Yesterday we went on a snorkeling trip. We had not yet been out on the water and thought it would be great to see the area from this vantage point. Keep in mind that it is still the rainy season, and in Phuket, very windy as well! We had an hour drive to the pier to get on the boat and then a 2-hour boat ride to get to the island that we would snorkel from where we were promised healthier reef hence better fish to be seen. Hmmm, nightmare on the high sea!! The winds picked up over the course of the day and, I kid you not, we literally had to hold on to something in order to not get flung from the boat!! It was a long trip back to the pier enduring 6-foot swells!! Think “The Perfect Storm”!! Valentina, in her somewhat panicked state, asked a staff member where the lifejackets were. She received a blank, bemused stare in return, affirming for us that things are a lot different here than in the states!!

                          

                        

Today we are headed back to Bangkok for another 2 nights and will be departing on Tuesday to return home. We will post a few more times to share some other interesting facts about Thailand so stay tuned!