Still on vacation from traveling

In the great restaurant from last night, interesting tours of Koh Samui were offered, but my gut feeling tells me that I still need to relax (literally, sea) muuuuch more. Yessss! So, I am extending my stay here for a total of four nights and heading directly to the beach. Tschaka!

On the way to dinner (this time Fried Chicken with Cashew Nuts), I discover a small Buddhist temple next door. And although I have seen many Buddhist temples in my life, the Thai ones are different from their counterparts. The decorations are extremely rich and lavish. The eye doesn't know where to look. Such splendor!

In the travel guide, I read that there is a night market in the center of Mae Nam on Thursdays. Of course, I want to see that. The center is at the other end of the bay, so I decide to take a leisurely beach walk there. But the distance is much longer than expected. It's getting dark and I see the beach sparkling. Then I realize that these are mini jellyfish and I remember hearing Spanish couples talking about them yesterday without really thinking about it. In fact, during the past two days in the water, I have felt pinching sensations in all sorts of places. But since I never saw anything, I thought I had just imagined these mini electric shocks. Obviously not! The next day, I also notice the huge sign at the pool warning of the current threat from jellyfish, urging caution, and explaining the rules of behavior. Furthermore, it mentions that last month there was a dramatic incident involving a local boy and one of the highly dangerous box jellyfish, and that the boy could fortunately, but only with great difficulty, be saved. Oh my goodness! How good that I didn't know that, otherwise swimming wouldn't have been so enjoyable.

I walk for more than an hour to get to the night market. By now, it is pitch black on the beach and there is no one around. This is not really the relaxed stroll that I had imagined. It's rather creepy. I am relieved when I finally arrive. The market itself consists of only two small streets. There are all sorts of food stalls offering everything from sweet coconut balls to insects.

However, I don't feel like trying grasshoppers or maggots, so I simply stroll through the alleys, eat Pad Thai, and watch an old grandpa carving soap into flowers.    

I decide to take a taxi back to the resort, but a local offers to take me on his scooter for 100 Baht. Great, that's cheaper. He even has a second helmet. I jump on and gesture to him to please make a quick stop at the 7Eleven so I can buy water. That works fine and I fall happily and contently into my soft bed. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed the 4 days here on Koh Samui, even though or maybe because it wasn't a backpacker accommodation. I briefly considered extending my stay for a few more days, but after the jellyfish information, I am very glad that I have booked the ferry to Koh Phangan for tomorrow. That works out perfectly!