Today we planned to visit the island of Koh Samet which lies off the coast of Rayong and only 15 minutes away by high speed catamaran. I had booked the tickets yesterday and our friend Jan offered to take us to the pier only 10 minutes away.
So just before 9 a.m. we were already downstairs waiting for our pick up and of course Jan has adapted to the Thai way of life that you always are on time. Pintuwan came along for company and it was good to see that she’s feeling so good! At the pier we exchanged our ticket confirmation for the real tickets and agreed with Jan that I would app them to let them know the time we would be returning in the afternoon.
As we had had no breakfast, and we were early, we ordered a take away coffee and for a really good croissant and for Gerry an almond filled pastry and took everything to the end of the pier and waited till we could get on board.
Lots of fishing trawlers we’re moored along different piers
It was fascinating to watch all the activities going on but by 10 a.m. we were on the way with two screeching blasts on the boat’s horn!
Scooters and trawlers lined the piers
Various scenes at Ban Phe harbour
The trip wasn’t more than 15 minutes and as we went along the Rayong coastline we spotted the condo tower where Pintuwan and Jan live! They are so lucky to live in such a beautiful area which is easily accessible to Bangkok as well as amazing national parks
Rayong skyline
Gerry making sure that our trip went well
When we arrived at Koh Samet pier, we were greeted by a large statue depicting the story of the giantess who kidnapped a prince and held him prisoner. I’ve read about this story or actually it’s a Thai poem from the 1800’s called Phra Aphai Mani which features Koh Samet in the story – besides the wicked giantess and the flute playing prince, there’s also a mermaid who helps the prince to run away from the giantess and helped by a hermit they escape to the island of Ko Kaew Phitsadan ( Magic Crystal Island) which was the former name of Koh Samet https://www.thaizer.com/why-are-there-statues-of-giants-mermaids-and-pipers-on-ko-samet/
The wicked giantess
Of course taking pictures of Gerry in front of the giantess when we landed shows his fetish for boobs!!!
Gerry and the boobies!!
When we got off the boat, we had to pay the National Park fee of 200 baht per person. The whole island is under the protection of the National Parks of Thailand. The nature here is considered to be so unique that the authorities decided that the island should be designated as a national park. However tourist industry is allowed on the island with some geographical restrictions. Kosamet.net
We walked through “ Samet City” , as the main town is know and we saw again various statues of the great poem I mentioned earlier – well I had read that we could rent a golf caddy to go around the island but these were stopped some time ago! There were loads of motorbikes to rent but being so close to the end of our travels, I just didn’t want to jinx the last few hours!!! So we walked which was also pleasant!!
More statues depicting the flute playing prince
Well we walked up “Main Street” filled with shops, bike rentals, taxi offices and coffee bars until we came to a square with signs about the National park.
We walked down a little alleyway filled with shops and ended up on the most beautiful sandy white beach!
Silver white fine sand, turquoise blue clear sea and enough sun shades and deck chairs to ensure a fabulous day on the beach
Various views from under the sun shade
We were able to swim in the lukewarm water abd also go for a walk along the beach – today was also a fruit day for us – first we had fresh mango juice ( how I’m going to miss this when I get back home!) , then a fruit vendor came along and we bought a packet of pomelo segments and mango pieces – all this fruit and juices for a total of 220 baht!! But then we had to pay for our deck chairs – 50 baht each!!
A very interesting thing I noticed was the fruit vendor had a QR code tag – which meant we could pay with our smartphone!! I had to take a picture of this!!
On my walk I came across another sculpture on the rocks – this time of a mermaid giving up her baby ( also out of the story of the wicked giantess and the flute playing prince)
The time we spent on the beach went really fast – soon we were packing our things to start walking along the beach to get to the pier on time for our 15.45 return trip to Rayong.
We were back Arcturus pier well on time to catch our ferry back to the mainland so we stopped at 7/11 supermarket for coffee and a snack.
The ferry was waiting to take us back and once again left promptly. That’s when I called Pintuwan let her know that we were on our way and that Jan could come and pick us up.
Leaving the island of the Wicked Giantess, our fast ferry waiting for us to board and then scenic short trip passing fishing areas and trawlers
Finally back on the mainland and within 5 minutes we were picked up and by 4.30 we were back at the hotel – enough time to relax a bit, shower, write some in my blog and get ready to go out tonight for our last meal with Pintuwan and Jan!
As I was on the balcony to hang out our towels, I saw that there was a beautiful sunset. I couldn’t go down 3 flights of stairs and be on time to take a picture of the sunset. So called Pintuwan to get some sunset pictures and here they are:
Our last sunset in Rayong – by coureur of my dear friend Pintuwan
Between writing in my blog, got things ready to go downstairs and wait to be picked up by Pintuwan and Jan – we reciprocated their hospitality by inviting then out to dinner – but of course they had to find which restaurant we would go to!
The chosen restaurant – Tamnanpar – is actually set in a man made jungle
We had a great meal all together – the ambiance, the company and the food was all superb!
Pintuwan did well to choose the various dishes which included fried rice in a pineapple, shrimp fish cakes, morning glory crisps, crispy fish flakes,mini grilled spare ribs, crab meat and a dessert of sweet potato balls filled with cashew nut paste. Of course all these dishes have proper Thai names which I cannot remember but everything was delicious. Pintuwan advised us which sausje went with each dish……….
We also took loads of pictures to cherish and promised each other we will meet again! Having special friends in any country makes that country feel a bit like home! And we were leaving a bit of home behind us when we leave on Friday!
Good company and good food!
And then our final photo together – Pintuwan is very good at taking selfies!
Au revoir good friends!
Jan drove us back to our hotel and we said our “au revoirs” – till we meet again dear friends!!
Tomorrow at 9 a.m we will be picked up and driven to Bangkok where we will be spending our last night before catching our flight back home!
Good night all!!
