08-13/12/19

Keen to get some solid zzz's due to an early start, we hit the sack around 10pm.

ROAR, Roar, ROAR we are awoken (due to the paper thin walls) by our neighbours making tiger noises????? This continues every ten minutes or so until 6am!!!!

We get a bit of sleep and get up early, leaving the apartment we creep by the security guard unsure if we have stayed long enough for our visit to be considered as "flexible". Phew we are free!

Blurry eyed we reach the bus terminus on time, and once seated try and catch up on much needed sleep. This proves rather difficult as the windows of the bus are adorned with sky-blue swags draped over lillac curtains; and seats, ceilings and walls covered in purple carpet with a golden chrysamthimum pattern. DAY GLO BUS CO.

Off the bus and on to the ferry for the short hop in to the Bay of Thailand to the island of Koh Samet.

Strange fact #1: All Thai islands are prefixed with "Koh" except Phuket.

Although only 200km from Bangkok and a 7km ferry ride from the mainland, Koh Samet is a world away from The Big Mango. Torquoise waters lap the powder white sands - stunning!

Settling in to our rustic laid back accomodation Minne Seaview; a collection of eight bungalows set 20m from the beach; we are ready to chillax and enjoy the quiet life.

David and I come prepared for "island life"; hideous rubber sandals to protect us from stumbling on uneven paths, a straw mat to use on secluded beaches, films we have downloaded to watch on our PC, but most importantly of all, ear plugs. These come in to their own, when that evening when retiring to our bungalow after a day on the beach we feel a heavy baseline pulsating right through our bungalow. There is heavy metal Thai music blasting out, but from where? We are staying in a quiet part of the island with no beach bars? Puzzled, and with ear plugs plugged we hit the sack.

On speaking with Mark (the owner) about the seriously loud music the following morning, he is intrigued saying " it's really quiet round here but I shall do some diigging and get back to you". It transpires there was a Thai festival on the mainland celebrating the King's national birthday which is where the music came from??? Aparently Thai's like their music LOUD.

Renting a moped, we head out to explore the island over the next few days. Koh Samet is 13km long, and shaped like a Thai Chilli- it has one road that loops the island with lots of coves and sandy beaches branching off. Our plan is to relax and soak up some sun for the next four days before heading off to Hue; the ancient capital of Vietnam and its' forbidden city for some serious sightseeing.

Exploring the island we find the most stunning beach, Ao Wai, and spend most our our time here. Although the single road around the island is quiet and well maintained it's extremely steep in places with lots of speed ramps. This is both a blessing and a curse. Blessing; as it stops reckless drivers. But a curse as it's a little unsettling when you slow down at a ramp and a pack of stray dogs come sniffing over, or chase the moped. Having been attacked by a pack of wild dogs in Northern Thailand a few years ago while on a moped, we are cautious, but ready with loud voices and a stick to shoo them off if need be. Luckily a "shoo" suffices.

Mark (the owner of Minnie Seaview) explains that he and a friend drive out in the evenings to feed the stray dogs with food that has been donated by local restaurants as well as an old lady who cooks fresh food daily for the dogs. Vets have been brouhgt from Bangkok by Mark to have the dogs castrated, neutered and vaccinated. This keeps the population down as well as keeping them healthy. What a nice guy.

Due to the on going celebrations of the King's national birthday and the accompanying loud music, I am still wearing my ear plugs to bed. Apart from the loud music there is a bird or some mammal that lives in the tree above our bungalow that plucks large seeds from the tree and drops them on to the roof. This happens mainly between the hours of two and six in the morning!

Having managed to sleep well most nights; I'm SO glad I brought them, but waking up at 4am one morning I realise I'm missing an ear plug. OMG. Switching on the light, and waking David in the process, we search high and low but can't find the critical ear plug anywhere. Giving up we eventually get back to sleep saying "it'll turn up in the morning" . On awakening we search the room throughly; move furniture, strip the bed and even search my hair!, but to no avail. Where could it be?

After consulting a book on local legend we believe it must be "The Phantom Ear Plug Thief of Old Samet Town"

In conclusion, Koh Samet has proved a pleasant surprise. Being so close to Bangkok we feared it would be over developed. Pleased to report dear reader that has yet to happen; nearly all of the accomodation and eateries are owned and run by Thai's which gives it a true Thai island vibe. The island is favoured by Thai holiday makers which make it all the more authentic. 'Girlie bars' don't exist. The islanders are friendly and are happy to give directions and advise - all with a smile.

However, the main beach Ao Sai Kaew although stunning is very busy especially at weekends when the "Hoi Soi", (young wealthy Thai's) come over to party from Bangkok into the early hours of the morning. "PARTY ON DUDE!"

Apart from local tourists there's an ever increasing market for the Yen. Chinese holiday makers crowd the main beach carrying significant amounts of paraphinalia. From oversized sun hats to blow up swans, and spending at least forty five minutes out of evey sixty pouting for selfies (where we spend only thirty eight out of evey sixty). The good news is that you can avoid that beach really easily!

Wildlife spotting #1; rats in Bangkok, one live and two road kill snakes, and oh, a gecko in our bin on Koh Samet.