Saturday 7th February - leaving Sairee Cottage

We've really enjoyed our stay here at Sairee Cottage and are getting better and better with our luggage.

Both up, showered and packed in 40 minutes! Breakfast then lounge by the pool until 8.45am when the taxi (pick up truck) picks us up for the boat.

Left Koh Tao on the 9.30 Lomprayah ferry/ high speed catamaran at 9.55(bit late). Headed straight for the vip lounge. It may not be so rough this time but don't fancy sitting outside for 2 hrs in the sun. Also bought our taxi tickets for transfer to Fairhouse villa 150 baht (£3) each

Ferry arrived at Koh Penang at 11.00 for arrivals and changes for other islands including Krabbi. Koh samui next.

Arrived at 11.50 and unloading the cases was very impressive to watch. Perfectly lined up along the walkway though I'm sure chaos will ensue once everyone gets off. They did, however, throw the cases down off the boat onto the floor! Good job we haven't anything breakable in there

The boat then backed up giving a long walkway so everyone could see their cases. Surprisingly it did work well.

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The taxis / bus at first sight looked a little chaotic but the system worked fine. When we paid on the ferry we got another sticker, they love their stickers, and as we came off the boat, we're directed to the relevant bus No. 14 which took us to our hotel.

First sight of Koh Samui - beach looks fabulous . More waves than we had on Koh Tao and it's quite breezy.

Taxi 12.20 then Sea deng bungalow 1st stop 12.29, 12.34 second stop - don't know where that was

12.37 fairhouse down a long road.

We got our welcome drinks in glasses with rolling wobbly bottoms! Very funny. The girl was giggling too and we kept thinking they were falling off the tray. We can get into our rooms at 2pm so we went to check things out. Think we will avoid rooms 'with lovely view's' from now on. Memories of Ban's - big hill! Wasn't to bad though really. The buggy came up a different route so it seemed worse. Room is lovely with a big veranda and jacuzzi on it and yes, those beautiful views.

Had a swim in the sea then the pool which seemed like a bath after the sea. And sipped a couple of cocktails.

Had our meal in the restaurant and it was lovely. Definitely a cut above what we've had so far. Sam just checked the rate here and at £300 a night (special offer) it should be! Thank goodness we got a VERY special offer on Travelzoo 3 nights for less than the price of one. Ours was even better than that though as it included a massage each and 20% off our food and drinks!!! It's very quite here in the evening though so we had a stroll along the beach hoping we might find something but settled for a lounge in a hammock. We're missing the fire performers and live music from Koh Tao. We did see a fabulous firework display across the bay though.

Sunday 8th February - Fisherman's village and Chaweng beach

Lovely buffet selection for breakfast and you could also get omelet and the like cooked to order. Got a taxi after breakfast to fisherman's village 300baht, as we'd been told it's a must do. We weren't very impressed really. Had a little walk around the town then got a taxi to Chaweng beach 400baht There's a big shopping mall there and a shop that looked like a Debenhams. Sam was looking for the blue cross sale signs.

There were lots of waves at this beach. Not really seen that before. We Intended to stay there until the evening but after a delicious lunch on the beach of thai green curry, and a lay on the beach, we got a taxi back 400baht. £8. Had our meal in the hotel and got chatting to a chap and his son. Small world isn't it. He has houses in Croston, where Geoff lived, knew Peter Chandler our old business landlord in Leyland, and Amanda, Geoffs partner did his conveyancing when he sold his house!!

We Intended to go back to Chaweng beach but after chatting it was too late so called it a night.

Monday 9th February - Maenam

After breakfast we walked along the beach as far as Maenam village about 45 minutes, where Mike and Gill stayed when they came here about 7 years ago. We looked for their bungalows but couldn't find them. There is lots if building work going on along the beach so we thought it may have been one of these properties. When we came to a road where we could see a temple, we headed up to take a look. Would you believe it, a sign was right in front of us showing the way to Maenam Beach Bungalows which is where they stayed. We went and looked for the hearts they had made and left by reception but they weren't there. Gina and M who owned the place before, left about 3 years ago. It was in a great spot though. Right by the chill out bar and walking pub street.

Back to our hotel in time for happy hour cocktails, a swim and sunbathe before our massage (included in our offer but should have been £24 each). Nice posh spa area. Sam got the Thai and I got the aromatherapy one. He said his was nice and gentle in comparison to some he'd had. They do take you a bit by surprise sometimes though. I was just getting into having my head rubbed when she suddenly gave my hair a tug by the roots. That certainly woke me up. Then a few more of the same and a nice relaxing foot massage then a pull of your toes until they crack and a twist and poke of your ankles. All in the name of relaxation!!

Back at our room and hotel booked fortomorrow (2) nights at Wiriya house Chiang Mai. Ah how the mighty fall £12 per night!! But that doesn't include breakfast, lol.

Taxi booked to go into town tonight at 9pm (Chaweng ). supposed to be really lively there but we'll have to see. Don't think we'll be too late back though as we need to be up just after6am for breakfast before heading to the airport.

Well we didn't bother to go out afterall. Don't know if it was the walk, the swim (not very likely as more floating than swimming) the massage, the cocktails or a combination of all if those but during our meal I suddenly became really tired so we cancelled the taxi and had an early night.

Leaving for Chiang Mai tomorrow.