The day started like every other day here in Koh Samui, that is, breakfasting with various members of the family, chinwagging about the night before and other important topics such as what shall we choose from the buffet today. We all then went our separate ways – the others to pack as they were all flying home or on to other destinations, and us to explore downtown Chaweng, such as it is.
We had driven through Chaweng on the night we arrived and recognised it for what it is, a beachside tourist town with restaurants, sports type shops, market stalls and souvenir shops lining the road for a few kilometres, and at 10.30pm they were all open.
So, we went, we explored, and we saw pretty much what we expected to see, but we enjoyed the people watching, the chocolate frappe (Len) and iced tea (Sue) in the cafe, the lunch (grilled pork chop for Len’s somewhat sensitive interior) and Panang Chicken (for Sue’s hardier one), and the taxi drive back with a driver who, after saying it was hot, suggested it would rain in the afternoon. We weren’t sure whether that was a positive thing or not because rain here doesn’t really cool. Upon our enquiry, he laughingly said the rain was good for taxis! We liked his honesty!
And then we could put it off no longer. After all, we both had brand new swimmers and knew we couldn’t come home from a Thai resort without christening them. So, determined not to be wusses, we donned our swimmers (and Sue, her sarong – thanks to Kate for reminding me to take it) and, with towel card in hand, set forth. We swapped our towel cards for towels, found two side-by-side sun lounges to deposit said towels, not to mention Sue’s sarong, and got into the pool.
Well, that was a non-event! As we’d been warned, it was so warm we needed no bravery to achieve our mission. So, having conquered that challenge and not really knowing what to do with ourselves after that, we turned our thoughts to the big one, the sea. What an anticlimax! Again, as warned, we just walked in. No creeping in, letting the chill rise up the legs to the waist and then chest. Indeed, the biggest challenge was running the gauntlet of the beach vendors. It was so warm, and so calm, that not even an ounce of steeling ourselves was required. What to do? Nothing really, so we got out again.
Hmm, pleasant and non-stressful as it all was, we realised, yet again, that beach-focussed holidays aren’t really our thing. During the day and evening, while out shopping, or dining, or reclining on the sun lounges at the pool, we met people who, like Helen and John, come here regularly (including a couple from the Gold Coast and another from the Sunshine Coast. These surprised us, until one couple said they come here to escape the Victorians going north to their place!). If you love beach holidays as many Aussies do, then Koh Smaui is a lovely place to have one. Meanwhile, we have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and wouldn’t have missed it for anything.
Anyhow, the excitement was all too much, so back to our room we went for some down-time, which for one of us translated to down-and-out-time. Once recovered, we made our way across the road to have a cocktail at the family-friendly bar, where cocktails cost 99 baht (or less than AUD4). We then moved on to the well-recommended, by family and Trip Advisor, Spirit House where we had a tasty Thai meal in a delightfully peaceful environment. It felt about as far away from the noisy, crowded Chaweng Beach Road as the Daintree.
Shopping, swimming and dining …
And the proof ….
The level of envy I feel over $4 cocktails is too much to bear.
Thing is, it costs quite a lot to get here!
Excellent, now you’re ready for Tasmanian swimming conditions when you come here. I was disappointed to note that you didn’t appear to have visited the tattoo parlour en route to the various water venues on offer. Or perhaps you had, but had your tattoo in a place not for general viewing?
None of that deserves a reply, Mr Terry Jr. Tasmania should be so lucky to have swimming water like this! Still, you are not I believe discouraged from drinking Tasmania’s water from a tap and that is a plus.