Monday, 22 September 2008

Thailand: Bangkok, Koh Samui and Koh Phengan




Thailand has made such an impression because the people are so freindly, helpful and smily............all of them. We have felt like royalty

















The luxury accomodation also a reson for feeling so special.








After a hectic night in Bangkok, shopping at the all night Bazaar (markets), risking eating at a Thai restaurant we went on a tour of the temples, China town and the city itself.



Next we flew to Koh Samui and after driving through it to our accomodation we feared we had died and landed in Egypt! However, our luxurios hotel, The Kala, was like stepping into Heaven.









Their motto is, "Where time stands still." and they claim they want it to be a place which is like our own personal Art Gallery and every turn of the eye fulfills this.








A beautiful pool with its overflow creating water falls below and there is a private walk way down to the beach with a concrete ramp for you to step off. We snorkled there and although beginners, saw some beautiful fish and coral.








Our bathroom had the biggest bath ever and an even bigger circular shower.








Murray struggled with the seating arrangements but found, once down, he had to be served as it was too hard to stand up to fill ones own glass.








Happy Hour was the big event of the day.........From 4 to 7 and they had the biggest range of cocktails I had ever had! The staff were so friendly you felt like you offended them if you didn't buy/try, so me being me, I got it down to 4 favourites........Mai Tai the winner!! only 100 baht. Murray counted to 14 seconds once, awaiting his glass to be filled. Service was amazing and so was their company.








Our biggest day was centred around Murray having a Thai massage. I felt mean not having one too but I'm ticklish. Besides even Murray found lying still for an hour hard work.





Luckily breakfast runs from 5am until 11pm so we had breakfast after the massage at 1ish....only 3 hours from Happy Hour!!!! Big day.........








We hated leaving The Kala........ We took the ferry to Koh Phengan to Sunset Cove resort. More rustic but our batch's deck is right beside the pool deck which over looks the beach and the beautiful ocean










Murray settled in to watc h our first sunset.








Unlike Koh Samui we have ventured out of our Koh Phengan resort. The Manager was so proud of his new tandem bikes he followed us and escorted us to an ancient (100 years old) Temple where few go or know of. (I think he was more worried about his bike) The locals loved it............








We were honoured to be invited into the main (modern temple) and joined the Monk in prayer. He then gave us a bangle he made. It is believed to be very spiritual and a great honour to be given one. Dor and May, who took us there, were overwhelmed as they had never been given one or been in the Historic 100 year old temple he took us into next. It is all under lock and key. May got me to take pictures to show her Mum and she intends to give her bangle to her Mum.




The historic burial place where the ashes of very important people were once placed.








This building holds footsteps of the first monk to come to the island. He is still very respected and revered today.His foot print is painted gold.


After getting lost on our way home on our tandem bike (not a cross word all day either!) we sat and watched yet another spectacular sunset.



Our third day in Koh Phangan was to be a quiet day. Breakfast, swimming, sunning and snokling.
The snorkling wasn't going too well........my mouth piece was broken and a crab took a liking to Murray. I heard this strange sound and Murray called to me from the water as he could see a monkey up the tree dropping the coconuts.







The resort next door had two monkeys climbing the trees and dropping the ripe coconuts.......The lady invited me in to see the monkeys and then kindly put one back up to show us how they do it, and then gave them to me as a gift. I caught it on a movie clip.......wow!







Highlight of day 3............my coconut..but what now!!!!




The family beside us heard all the commotion and came to see as well. He bought one from the lady and I gave one of mine to the daughter who got the gardener to cut it ready to drink.


I tried to give mine to the staff at our resort but one arrived at our unit with it cut and ready to drink. They are such kind, happy people.





It was delicious. After such an exciting day so far......Afternoon nap time for Murray..

This is one of the clips of the monkey up the tree dropping the coconuts. Amazing to see the monkey following the instructions, from the man below, of which coconut to drop.

We now understand how special the homemade ice-cream served in a freshly cut coconut was.



























































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