Once again I had set the alarm for 7 am as we had ordered our pick up for 9 am and I cannot rush Gerry to get ready on time – hence 2 hours should be sufficient! Actually I was up before the alarm went off and that was good as I could finish writing and updating my last blog!
Well by 7.30 , we were downstairs and were the first guests for breakfast – as everything was still so pristine, decided to take a few pictures!
We were the first ones to choose from the breakfast buffet
Back in our room, just the last few things to pack and called Reception desk to have someone come up to collect our luggage! We were on the second floor and no elevators!
Our pick up van arrived on time and we travelled luxuriously to the airport! We decided to get to the airport somewhat earlier as when I wanted to check in yesterday evening, we were put on the “standby” list. Anyway once at the check in desk there weren’t any problems – we checked in and then went through security.
Koh Samui’s airport is small but it’s had an upgrade in recent years and it’s pleasant to hang around as it’s all open air with good shading all round!
Boarding time was somewhat delayed but once it commenced, we were transported by an elongated caddy car to our propeller airplane!
When we lifted off, I was looking for the Big Buddha, but we had a different route in which I managed to capture two scenic spots – the Golden Temple and the sparkling white sandy beaches of Cheweng
Our Thai Airways flight was just over an hour and just imagine we were treated to a wam lunch in that time with coffee or tea! I do t believe that KLM offers such services on a short flight – you’re lucky if you get handed out a cookie with your bottle of water – or perhaps coffee or tea if they are feeling generous!
I’ve noticed this service minded Thai mentality during our travels – it’s just incredible how delightful it is to be greeted with a warm smile and “Sadaweka”.
Once we landed, our luggage was quickly on the transport belt and we were outside were we were greeted by our driver who was to take us to Rayong’s Makmai Villa Horel on the beach!
However, it seemed that our driver was taking a round about road which took us to the forest instead of following the coastline from Pattaya Airport to Rayong. According to my Google maps, our driver had a completely wrong route and instead of the travelling time was decreasing, it was increasing!!
To cut a long story, short, our driver had a route to another Makmai Villa in the Rayong Region and this was up in the mountains. To make matters worse, his GPS failed so he had to navigate on my smartphone!
After two hours we arrived in Rayong and we quickly got settled into our room at Makmai Villa – across the beach – and on the third floor without any elevator! We’re back to walking up and down quite a few flights of stairs before we leave Rayong!
I called Pintuwan that we were finally in Rayong and she asked us over! It was good to catch up with Pintuwan and Jan again!
Finally we could admire the view from Pintuwan and Jan’s terrace – a view we have often seen on FB!
Pintuwan was very attentive to Gerry’s craving for vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce and whipped cream – and as he had had no ice cream for the last couple days he gladly accepted!!
Gerry was spoilt when we went round to our friends, Pintuwan and Jan!
We made a dinner date for the same evening and Pintuwan’s Dutch Thai friends would be joining – in her own words, Pintuwan felt she was so lucky to have so many different friends visiting at the same time in Rayong!
The views on the backside of our friends’ condo
Back at Makmai Villa, we showered and got ready as Jan and Pintuwan were to pick us up at 6.30 pm to drive to the seafood restaurant.
This was our first sunset in Rayong – the colours were magnificent even though the sun was hidden by the clouds
We had a tasty seafood meal – all the Thai women knew exactly what to order and the dishes kept on coming……. We had shrimps, clams, crab, rock lobster, steamed fish and other dishes of which I don’t know the names
A collage of the various dishes
And the best of company
And it was hard work!!
Everyone having a good time
And this is what was left behind on our table – am sure the cats had a feast!!
Tuesday, 7th February
Our hotel is a very simple one with minimal requirements in the room but at least there’s a good bathroom with shower, airco, coffee and tea, and a balcony overlooking the tree line along the beach. But we were a short distance walk from Pintuwan and Jan’s condo.
Anyway, as I was up earlier, I decided to check the ferries to the island of Koh Samet which just lies off Rayong. We had talked about making a trip to this island on Wednesday and Jan had offered to bring us to the ferry just 10 minutes away. I did manage to get return tickets for us – and we were going to have a speed boat connection which only took 15 minutes.
The view from our balcony
So first things first, Gerry had to have his coffee and roll his cigarette to have his smoke on the balcony – it was not yet 8 am and the sun was already scorching!
Gerry deep in his thoughts while having his smoke!
Well we got ready – got our swimming gear with us as once we left our hotel room we were not planning to get back till after spending time on the beach – and went for breakfast. As this was not provided in the hotel, we walked outside and a few meters to the left, as Pintuwan had explained the evening before, there was a restaurant, Pama, who would be open for breakfast. Apparently lots of the expat community went there for their meals!
Breakfast with a view – American fried rice – not to be ordered again!
We did not make the best choice as the American fried rice was, according to my taste, just rice with tomato ketchup! But the coffee was good!
Anyway as we were finishing our breakfast I WhatsApped Pintuwan and she invited us to come over and have our second coffee at their place. We walked over the beach to reach their condo and at this time it was quite deserted!
The picture on the right show Koh Samet in the background and the one on the right just the endless beach!
At Pintuwan’s she made us a very good cappuccino and it was good just to chat about everything. Although it was a busy evening with friends, Pintuwan was up and about preparing our coffee. Before we left for the beach, we had to take a group picture on their balcony!
No worries – that’s a fake snake that Gerry had in his hands – Pintuwan has it lying on the terrace to scare birds away!!
The beach in Rayong is very long but to get to it, you just cross the road, walk through the slither of forest where some deck chairs and tables are set up by restaurant owners or even food trucks and then you’re on the beach!
Obviously there is enough choice where we can relax – only a few expats were there and the Thai people come down in the weekend!
This is where we sat under the trees where there was a cool breeze
And this was the neighbouring set up by a food truck!
As we had a late breakfast and then also a filling cappuccino at Pintuwan and Jan’s place, we did not need any lunch. I was enjoying my e-book and Gerry was catching up with the Ukrainian war news! However we did order two fresh mango juices from the restaurant – once again we had a liquid lunch!!
Mango juice – a healthy liquid lunch
While we were relaxing, Pintuwan and Jan came down to check on us! It was good to see Pintuwan on the beach and of course we had to have a picture of us both together on the beach!
The two diva’s!
After our friends left, Gerry and I went into the sea for a dip – and the water was warm!! It was like getting into a bath or actually a jacuzzi as there weee some small waves!
Different stages of Gerry on the beach!
And of course a selfie!!
By the time we had our swim the tide started ebbing away and it was interesting to see all the patterns and holes that the tiny transparent crabs made in the wet sand!
The intricate passageways and tunnels created by minuscule crabs on the wet sand when the tide ebbed away
After our swim we packed our things and made our way back to Makmai Villa by walking on the beach – all in all a great relaxing day and there were moments to cherish especially the ones with Pintuwan and Jan!
Back at the hotel, it was time to get ourselves coffee / tea and to shower! It was still too hot on the balcony so Gerry took his chair out on the veranda running at the back of the building – and it was cool here – it took the airco quite some time to bring the room to a comfortably cool temperature! By the time we left the hotel we had missed the sunset but the colours were still amazing.
Twilight over the beach
This evening we were having dinner together and I had googled where best we could eat within walking distance – found a couple of restaurants one of which was Nee Na . We walked further to see if there was anything more interesting but decided to go back to Nee Na. We had a simple dinner downed with beef for Gerry and Coca Cola for me!
We strolled back to the hotel after dinner and we did not stay up late as tomorrow we have an early start when Jan will pick us up to drive us to the ferry for our trip to Koh Samet!
