- Koh Samui -

After a fast, almost criminal drive with the minibus, we reached the U-Tapao Rayong International Airport near Pattaya well on time.

The small airport was full of construction work. The taste of sweat filled the entire waiting area. Of course, our flight was delayed, so we could fully enjoy the aroma. The turbo prop plane of Bangkok Airways safely took us to our next destination, Koh Samui.

In Koh Samui, we checked in at the beautiful Chaweng Bay View Resort. The resort is built into the hillside and the view of the sea is accordingly breathtaking. Thanks to our early planning, we only paid about one third of the normal overnight rate.

On the first day, we rented scooters and drove around the island. While Eastern Koh Samui is bustling with tourists, the western part has many quiet beaches. We enjoyed a day away from the hustle and bustle. It must be said that we had imagined the tourist crowds on Koh Samui to be much worse.

In the evening, we visited the night market by the Chaweng lake. We enjoyed local delicacies: fish, vegetables, rice, noodle dishes, etc. After that, we strolled along the main street. In typical Asian style, everything sparkles and glows everywhere. In the numerous shops, you can buy all sorts of things. From clothing stores to tattoo studios to cabaret shows with ladyboys, there is something for every taste.

The following day, we spent at the busy Chaweng Beach. The beach is beautiful, but there is a lack of shaded areas. Fortunately, we found a protected spot in the shelter of a restaurant. We splashed in the sea - for once, there were even waves - and dedicated ourselves to our books. In the evening, we enjoyed raw shrimp as an appetizer. Apparently, we also succeeded in choosing the right restaurant on this evening, as no one reported any stomach problems after this adventure. Fortunately, we have been spared from stomach problems in general. :-)

The journey continues to the neighboring island of Koh Pha-Ngan.