Once again, we had a free day and it’s Saturday morning – our only commitment was to get to breakfast on time before the kitchen stopped serving. We thought of having a beach day today after our hectic day yesterday visiting the marine National park. However, by the time we got to the breakfast room overlooking the pool and the beach, practically all the sun beds were “reserved”! I must mention that there are many Germans ( young and old) staying at the resort……….
At 9a.m. the sun beds had already been “reserved”
By the time we had had breakfast, gone upstairs to change into our swim ware and brushed our teeth, the weather started changing – the blue sky was hidden behind menacing grey clouds which were quickly moving toward the beach. Anyway we had made ourselves comfortable on a couple of empty sun beds and had ordered our drinks when big rain drops started pelting down! We moved up to the terrace under the awning but we couldn’t keep ourselves dry – was this an example of a monsoon?
The skies turned grey and soon the rains came
So much rain – it looks like monsoon time!
We were really drenched but we finished our drinks before going up to our room to change into dry clothes and watch the rain from our balcony.
Luckily I had downloaded some new e-books so I started on a new book while Gerry caught up with all the news about the Ukraine. For me right now, I feel so distanced from the war going on in Europe and perhaps it sounds selfish, but I’ll catch up with in when we’re back home!
As we had had no lunch, I suggested an early dinner and by this time it was dry and mist tourists were out and about again. We decided to go back to the Kitchen where we had been a couple of days back and where we had a lovely dinner.
This time Gerry took the mixed skewer I had last time while I ordered grilled tuna ( rare) and salad to share with some appetizing crostini with Parma ham. This time no dessert for me but I wanted a double espresso while Gerry took one scoop of vanilla ice cream
Gerry thinking “how do I tackle this skewer” while I was ever so glad of my choice!
Finally we were served with our coffee and ice cream – and we had a right giggle!
I mentioned that I had ordered a double espresso so what did I get? Two espresso cups with coffee – that makes it double, right?
That’s my double espresso which I shared with Gerry even though he got his vanilla ice cream!
By the time we left the restaurant, it turned out to be a busy Saturday evening – so we went for a short walk and saw that a Thai Boxing competition was to be held later that evening – many spectators were expected as there were quite a number of chairs set out!
Anyway, we were not going to this event ……..
Sunday, 5th February: private trip to see Samui’s highlights
This morning we had set the alarm for 7 a.m. so that we could leisurely wake up have our coffee and get ready for breakfast so that we would be on time for our 10 a.m. pickup by our private chauffeur who would be driving us around the island for the next 6 hours!
With nearly an hour’s delay our chauffeur turned up – he had been given the incorrect pick up time ( 12 noon) but the company tijd us not to worry as our 6 hours started from the moment that the chauffeur picked us up!
Our first stop was at Lamai’s view point high up on the mountain where there was also zip lining. We took the cable car up the steep mountain but by then we had already walked some 150 meters uphill to reach the cable car station. The view when we finally arrived at the top was breathtaking!
YOLO – You only live once! That’s why we’re doing what we are doing!
The cable car squeaking up hill as we waited to go down from the viewpoint and the Valentine Rocks standing below.
Back at the parking area, our driver was waiting for us and he informed us that the next stop was the Snake Temple about 15 minutes away.
Various scenes at this temple complex which was built right at the seaside shoreline
Our next stop – also about a 10 minute drive – was at the Lord Warrior Temple built by the Chinese when they emigrated to the island.
I thought we were done with walking stairs today but we had already climbed some steps to reach the viewpoint cable car and now there was also a set of stairs on each side of the Lord Warrior outside the shrine.
Apparently Chinese – Hainan migrated to Koh Samui around 1872 and settled down at Baan Nakai, a little village outside Lamai. The Chinese migrants brought with them a small wooden statue of Guan Yu and had a shrine built for their prayers. In 2008, the wooden shrine was replaced with the current shrine by collecting donations from the Samui people abd hence a 16 meter bronze statue was built.
Another place of worship – Guan Yu Shrine revering the military general beliefs of being loyal, righteous and brave
How appropriate of us – today being Sunday – we are visiting so many places of worship! Fir such a small island , Koh Samui does have a concentration of temples.
Our next stop was at the temple of the mummified monk with sunglasses – Wat Khunaram – who died in 1973 . The mummified monk, Loung Pordaebg, is kept in an upright glass casket and surrounded by flowers, candles, incense sticks and fruit offerings.
Worshippers still bring offers to the mummified monk who apparently is believed to answer their prayers
By this time we had had enough of temples and needed to be safe n natural surroundings – and yes our prayer was answered – we were on our way to the Na Mueang Waterfalls.
This is a pretty waterfall gushing down some 18 meters to form pools among the rock formation. It was very busy with visitors all clambering over the boulders and even dipping into the pools ( didn’t like the colour of the water so we opted out of taking a dip?)
It was refreshing to sit fir a while here and just listen to the waterfall
Our driver was waiting patiently for us and actually it was good to get into an airconditioned car. It turned out to be quite a hot day!!!
Our next point of interest was the Big Buddha which was about 45 minute drive to the northern tip of the island. This is one of the star attractions of Koh Samui , standing 22 meters high abd to be reached by a wide staircase!
Actually this shrine – Wat Phra Yai – is more than the Big Buddha golden statue built in 1972. There are outbuildings, areas for prayer and contemplation and of course the necessary tourist shops. The large wheel was added a few years back and represents the Buddhist wheel of life.
Well when Gerry saw the big staircase, he had enough of stairs and stayed downstairs resting under a shady tree! The picture of him in front of the staircase proves he’s been to Big Buddha!!
The big staircase leading up to the Big Buddha with its back to the sea – hence my selfie overlooking the ocean
By the time we had finished we were running an appetite so we asked our driver to take us to a nice spot for a quick bite and asked him to join us – however he had already eaten while we were at the waterfalls!!
As we were driving, we noticed that the north eastern part of the island was more luscious and quieter than where we were staying in Lamai – if we come back we would prefer to stay in these parts of the island!
Well our driver came with the idea to take us to “Koh Kun” – or at least that’s what I understood!! He said we would really like it as there were picturesque views and the food was good. I tried to locate the place through Google maps but couldn’t find it – and anyway I know that Koh is an island in Thai language…….
Anyway our driver took us up a winding road and indeed the views were breathtaking ……… and we stopped at a restaurant called “The Cocoon”!!
What a lovely place to have a late lunch!
Spectacular views overlooking the airport and Chaweng Beach – but we also saw rain clouds gathering!
Back in the car, we would have enough time to stop at the Chaweng viewpoint for our last pictures of the day before returning to our resort in Lamai
Viewpoint at Chaweng – the hilltop in the background is where we had lunch!
After having been sightseeing for the past 6 hours, it was good to get back to our resort and relax. As we had a late lunch we weren’t hungry yet so we only went out after 8 pm for a stroll and a visit to the family or stalls down the road to listen to some music and have a bite to eat. Also it’s full moon and lots of tourists have made their way to Koh Phangan for the Full Moon Parties!
Tomorrow we will be saying goodbye to the islands as we fly to Pattaya and drive down to meet up with our dear friends Pintuwan and Jan before returning back home!
Full moon over Lamai Beach
