Koh Samui - 18-04-19

My time in Hong Kong went by very quickly and was very intense. I really liked the city because the mix of modernity and Western influences is well balanced with the local culture. The city captivated me and I will fondly remember what I saw and experienced for a long time, and it will definitely take some time for me to process all the impressions. I think I will travel to Hong Kong again someday. It is definitely not a city for a one-time visit.

Speaking of time ... I will dedicate the next 10 days of my trip to rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. And I will spend the time on the Thai island of Koh Samui. I chose this island because whenever I think of Thailand, after Bangkok, Koh Samui always comes to mind, ever since my time in the tourism industry. It has always been a dream of mine to travel to Koh Samui. Since I am more inclined towards seeking peace and quiet during my vacations, I couldn't imagine any other destination for my first trip to Thailand. While Koh Samui also has places where there is more of a party atmosphere, it also has many peaceful spots.

Since I was too exhausted to pack my suitcase the night before after my sightseeing tour, I woke up relatively early today to organize my luggage. Since I have a baggage allowance of 30kg on today's flights, I can pack more in my suitcase and less in my carry-on. Since the baggage allowance is not the same on all of my flights, it always requires a bit of juggling. But so far, everything has worked out well. The journey back to the airport went smoothly, just like the journey into the city. I had allowed myself enough time at the airport and quickly realized that I would need it. Not because of long queues, which were really limited, but because of the long distances. The airport is huge and my flight to Bangkok, where I would have a layover on my way to Koh Samui, unfortunately departed from one of the furthest gates. For the flight to Bangkok, I would be flying with Cathay Pacific and then continue with Bangkok Airways from Bangkok. Boarding took place on time and we left the gate relatively quickly. But then we stood on the tarmac for a relatively long time. Unfortunately, the weather had turned for the worse and the departures were delayed and could not take place in the planned short intervals. When, after an hour, we heard 'Crew prepare for start', it was nice and all, but it meant that it would be very tight for me to catch my connecting flight in Bangkok, as I only had 90 minutes for the transfer. During the flight, it became apparent that we would land in Bangkok when my connecting flight was already beginning to board. Onboard, they assured me that they were aware of us on the ground and that they would wait for us (there were 9 passengers in our plane affected by this) at our arrival gate and guide us. So, after arriving in Bangkok (37 degrees Celsius outside), I sprinted through the airport slalom-style, squeezing through the other passengers, pushed my way through Immigration - which also had to be done by transit passengers - and the security check, and miraculously managed to catch the flight to Koh Samui. Apparently, several flights were delayed or the distances were too great, in any case, I was not the only one who took a seat in the plane all sweaty and out of breath. As they say, those who travel a lot, experience a lot ... There are still a few flights to come, let's see what else happens. Apart from the delay, I have nothing negative to say about Cathay Pacific. I would especially like to mention the food on the plane, as it tasted very good and there was even a small cup of Häagen-Dazs ice cream for dessert. The flight to Koh Samui was short and painless. After 50 minutes, we were already descending. For the Koh Samui airport, the motto should actually be 'When I grow up, I want to be an airport'. What a small, charming airport. The airport buildings are small, covered wooden houses, and there is a small baggage carousel. This airport exudes a real charm, and you already get into a vacation mood at the airport. It is unusual and really great that instead of being transported from the plane to the terminal by buses, the transport here is done with small trains. I left the plane with 33 degrees Celsius, bright sunshine, and a light breeze, and my feet were begging for flip-flops. Since I had already struggled through Immigration in Bangkok, I could go directly to the baggage carousel here. I was completely amazed and surprised that my suitcase had made the transfer in Bangkok. It would have been terrible if it hadn't, because my flip-flops were in there. The pickup by my hotel went smoothly. A very friendly Thai person received me, who even had chilled water with him. On the way to the hotel, I already got a first impression of the island. When I arrived at the hotel, the Passage Samui Villas & Resort, a small, sweet Thai woman welcomed me warmly, assisted me with the check-in, provided me with important information about the hotel, and took me to my room and showed it to me. I am more than satisfied with the room, it is spacious, typical of the country, and brightly furnished. I quickly put on a pair of shorts and flip-flops and took a quick walk through the hotel complex because I wanted to get a first impression before it became dark. The hotel meets my expectations and the descriptions and pictures perfectly. I wanted a resort that is not too big, has a beautiful, traditional garden and pool area, is right by the beach, and is not a hotel block. FOUND IT! It is stunningly beautiful. Perfect for relaxation and for those seeking tranquility. So, perfect for me ;-) For the next three days, I have banned sightseeing and will only spend time on the sun lounger with my book, take a dip in the pool or the sea to cool off, and enjoy a massage here and there. I have heard that they are good and inexpensive here. I will now relax ;-)