Koh Samet

I got a package tour to take me to Koh Samet. This incorporated a tuk-tuk, train, bus and ferry and having the lot of them included in one price made life easier on me which is always important. It all started with the tuk-tuk to the train station at 5 in the morning where I got the train to Bangkok and then switched to a bus to Ban Phe whereupon I got a ferry to the tropical island of Koh Samet. So by the time I get there its after a lunch and im clueless as to where to go next. Looking online threw up nothing really but I was assured that there were plenty of places to stay on the beach. So I made my way there and found the average price to be 500 baht which is more than I was used to paying so I baulked at paying it. Then I found a place that was 300 and was pretty happy with myself. I should point out that all the rooms that seemed to be available were doubles or twins which is not ideal for a solo traveller like myself. I'd also like to note that this island doesnt really have roads as such, they are more like dirt tracks with big craters in them. Getting about the place required either a big truck/jeep or a motocross bike to be honest. Some people also used quad bikes. Anyway once I get settled into my little bungalow I head straight for the beach for the afternoon. Let me tell you that the beaches here on Samet are amazing. Crisp white sand that squeaks underfoot, beautiful clear water that gets slightly blue as you walk out and of course a glorious day to top it all off. Not a bad little place to relax for a few days ;)

Tonight was the first night of the World Cup so I swiftly found a bar that was showing it on a giant projector screen and sat down with a few beers to enjoy the first game between South Africa and Mexico. There wasnt many people there and the commentary was in thai but those of us that were watching had a laugh and enjoyed it. I didnt wait up for the second game as I had been travelling all day and needed to get some sleep. But I soon found out why my room was cheaper than the other places. Naga bar is part of Naga bungalows and it is the party bar of the island. It is also across the road and my bungalow is slightly err wooden thus making it less than soundproof. Oh and the bar is open and blaring music till 4am. So I spent the night tossing and turning and getting no rest whatsoever. Naturally I was up late the following day and spent it lying on the beach seeing as I had no rest from the previous night. This set the pattern for the next few days since there is little else to do on the island but what a beach to do it on. So while on the island I lay on the beach a lot, did some swimming in the beautiful water, played around with my new camera and read a lot. In the evenings I would dine in one of the restaurants on the beach and listen to the waves gently lapping at the shore as I had a delicious meal. Sometimes there was a fire show to entertain me as well. After dinner I would retire to a bar showing the football and drink some beer. The second night I planned to stay up (if you cant beat em join em) and watch the England game against the USA. There were a good few people around interested in the game so it was a fun one to watch, especially the shouts of horror when the keeeper let in that howler! Once the game was over it was time for the bar to shut up shop and everyone to go to bed. This night I got a little bit of sleep.

Once up in the morning I checked out of Naga and moved way down the beach to another place. It was more expensive but for that I got stone walls, ensuite, a fridge and a tv, none of which I had in Naga. Here I would actually get some sleep. It was midweek by this point and the island was pretty quiet so I just relaxed for another two days. The troubles with the redshirts were also responsible I think to the lack of tourists. The trouble was well over by this point but people were still reluctant to travel to Thailand in general so I think it will be a good 6 months before tourism in this country recovers. Anyway that was my stay on Koh Samet, lying on a beach, good food and footie. Jealous much?