It was an unexpectedly early start for us on our first day in Koh Samui when Len set the alarm for 7.30 in readiness for us to meet his sister Helen for breakfast at 8.30. A few minutes after rising, Sue, working on her iPad, noticed that the time was only 6.40am! Apparently, our el-cheapo travelling mobile-phone had not updated to Koh Samui time. Oh well …
The breakfast spread here is impressive and, again, well-suited to Sue’s tastes with lots of Asian options. Len, on the other hand, plans to range across the various options over the four breakfasts we will have here.
Then, it was off on a personalised tour of the island with Helen in a local taxi driven by the ever patient Mr Singh. Koh Samui is not really known as a sightseeing destination, but as you will see in our collection of photos there are sights to be seen.
We saw:
- Natural sights, including Elephant Rock, and Grandpa and Grandma Rocks (Hin Ta and Hin Yai)
- Villages, some of course with little markets
- A Butterfly Garden
- The Elephant Gate
- The Mummified Monk at Wat Khunaram
- The Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai) … What Asian location doesn’t have a big Buddha after all?
Elephants (or white elephants, specifically) are, as you probably know, sacred in Thailand and symbolise royal power.
Anyhow, we also enjoyed driving through the less developed western side of the island where the views across the bay are quite different from those on the east.
Helen had sussed out a cafe called Sweet Sisters that she wanted to attend with her “sweet” sister-in-law, which was very sweet of her. We were thrilled to discover when we got there that it was also a very sweet place and well worthy of our custom!
For lunch we went to the Golf Club in the hills as recommended to Helen by her menfolk. She hadn’t been there before, but it was a perfect recommendation as the food was good value and the view was just gorgeous.
We didn’t get back until after 4pm, so it was a quick rest and refresh before heading across the road to first drop in some laundry at the travel agent (!!) and then to join all family members for a pre-dinner drink in a family friendly and very cheap little bar. From here we split up, with the two families with younger children heading off to do their thing, while the remaining seven of us caught a tuk tuk to Dr Frogs, a Thai Italian restaurant (why not?), with a gorgeous view of the bay that we just caught before the dark closed in.
Some images from our day …
Some highlights of our day trip around the Island of Samui …
And family dinner at Dr Frogs …
All so very interesting and so very different from your other travels in the last 12 months (or is it less?). The butterfly garden I assume is under netting – were you inside with them or observing from outside. You’ve seen some wonderful gardens on this trip and it has been lovely ‘sharing’ them with you. We can almost imagine we are there.
Enjoy your next two days.
All of your pictures are so beautiful. Enjoy your time with the family and keep the photos coming.
Yes, LL, the butterfly gardens under netting and we were inside with them. We weren’t though inside with the scorpions!
Thanks Carolyn, we will, for a couple more days anyhow!
Fun video! I wish I was there with you all. Have a blast!! xoxo
You would have enjoyed it I’m sure Hannah … glad you enjoyed the video.
Great pictures as always and I loved the videos.
Sue’s and Helen’s moments when “gonging” were very fluid and rhythmic. Of course Helen struck the best gong but then gave Sue the last laugh. Very well done! =)
I loved the pictures at the Sister’s café. Great choices.
I think I saw marigold and butterfly weed with the lovely butterflies – always beautiful.
Was that gold leaf on the inside of the mummified monk enclosure?
Where was the scorpion collection?
It was also nice to meet Mr. Singh. Nice touch.
Helen’s photo at the golf club was beautiful, she helped make up the lovely view.
Thank you for including us in the family dinner! So fun to see and hear everyone and what they were eating for dinner. certainly looks like ya’ll are having fun.
Sue, I saw the orange rose on your stir fry – I will have to try to make you a brooch to match! =)
Enjoy yourselves and continue to enjoy one another. You make me smile!
Haha Trudy … we exaggerated our fluidity when the cameraman complained that we’d moved too fast down the first row of bells! I think there was gold leaf in there though I wasn’t overly conscious of it at the time as we were all focused on the face I think.
The scorpions were in a cage in the Butterfly Garden.
It was a pretty cool “orange” on my plate wasn’t it?
Thanks for your comments Trudy – always happy to make you smile!
What a great place! Lovely to see the family photos and dinner video too. You all look as though you are having a wonderful time. Enjoy!
Thanks Mary. It’s a lovely place and we are having an enjoyable and comparatively peaceful time.