Andrew and I spent our holidays in Thailand. We had a wonderful trip - eight days on the island of Koh Samui and one day in Bangkok (for New Year's Eve). This is Thailand's "cool season" and it was quite humid, but not nearly as hot as we had anticipated. Despite me being sick with bronchitis and having to make a trip to the hospital there, everything else went well. Unfortunately, due to my illness, we weren't able to do the snorkeling adventure we wanted to, but we were still able to explore almost the entire island, eat lots of delicious, inexpensive food, and meet some really cool people.
Our first bungalow at "Shambala" - not our favorite, but kind of a cool hippie-ish place on Big Buddha Beach.
Big Buddha Temple
On top of the temple
We rented a car for four days. It was a great way to explore the island while keeping cool and avoiding being soaked whenever it started pouring rain. I had fun driving once I got used to being on the left side of the road, the right side of the car, shifting with my left hand, having the turn signal on the right, and dealing with insane drivers.
When we first got the car
Andrew pretending to be scared. Okay, maybe he wasn't pretending.
Our second beach bungalow, "Jinta" - a really great place away from any crowds
Joy, the Thai owner of Jinta, with her husband. She is the sweetest person ever, so helpful with everything. She even went with us all the way to the international hospital since we didn't know how to get there. A big part of the beauty of Thailand comes from its people. Nearly every Thai person we met was incredibly friendly, warm and inviting. It felt a little different once we got to Bangkok, but especially on Koh Samui, the people have a happiness about them that you don't often find in Japan or America.
A view from "Big Rock" restaurant
The food in Thailand is amazing and cheap! You can enjoy a full meal for two people (including dessert) for less than $5. Certain places can be a little more pricey, depending on where you go, but you're still never paying anything close to what we pay in Japan. For whatever reason, the best food we had in Thailand tended to be the cheapest, and it was always fresh and homemade.
You see quite a few fishing boats around.
The viewpoint at the top of Wang Sao Thong Waterfall
Our other sweet ride!
The temples in Thailand are full of color and elaborate decoration, and each is unique.
Inside a temple - the "path" of Buddha is painted across the ceiling and walls telling the story with pictures.
Such a majestic creature. I sure hope he's not abused...
Happy New Year Everybody!
Our first bungalow at "Shambala" - not our favorite, but kind of a cool hippie-ish place on Big Buddha Beach.
Big Buddha Temple
On top of the temple
We rented a car for four days. It was a great way to explore the island while keeping cool and avoiding being soaked whenever it started pouring rain. I had fun driving once I got used to being on the left side of the road, the right side of the car, shifting with my left hand, having the turn signal on the right, and dealing with insane drivers.
When we first got the car
Andrew pretending to be scared. Okay, maybe he wasn't pretending.
Our second beach bungalow, "Jinta" - a really great place away from any crowds
Joy, the Thai owner of Jinta, with her husband. She is the sweetest person ever, so helpful with everything. She even went with us all the way to the international hospital since we didn't know how to get there. A big part of the beauty of Thailand comes from its people. Nearly every Thai person we met was incredibly friendly, warm and inviting. It felt a little different once we got to Bangkok, but especially on Koh Samui, the people have a happiness about them that you don't often find in Japan or America.
A view from "Big Rock" restaurant
The food in Thailand is amazing and cheap! You can enjoy a full meal for two people (including dessert) for less than $5. Certain places can be a little more pricey, depending on where you go, but you're still never paying anything close to what we pay in Japan. For whatever reason, the best food we had in Thailand tended to be the cheapest, and it was always fresh and homemade.
You see quite a few fishing boats around.
The viewpoint at the top of Wang Sao Thong Waterfall
Our other sweet ride!
The temples in Thailand are full of color and elaborate decoration, and each is unique.
Inside a temple - the "path" of Buddha is painted across the ceiling and walls telling the story with pictures.
Our final hotel on Samui, "The White House" - not at all what I was picturing, but very cool. We both got body scrubs and 1-hour Thai massages here. I'd never had a Thai massage before and wow! It works your entire body in ways you'd never imagined!
Choeng Beach
Our hotel in Bangkok - this is what $30 will get you. Not bad.
A very steep temple
Taking a ferry across the river
The giant Reclining Buddha
This thing is huge!
Gotta watch out for those tuk-tuk drivers
Khao San Road during the day
Khao San at night
The countdown clock
Such a majestic creature. I sure hope he's not abused...
Happy New Year Everybody!
No comments:
Post a Comment