We went to Thailand for an entire week to celebrate that we've been a couple for (over) 10 years! The trip basically started from Singapore to Koh Samui by flight, continued to Koh Tao by boat and back the same way. However, we managed to see both islands more or less entirely on land via moped and ATV as well as most sites under water via snorkeling and diving. And it was just smashing!
By now I know not to be nervous when this is the status of my husband's packing about one and a half hours before we have to leave
We were met by a very happy taxi driver..
..who took us to a nice little hotel called Chaweng Chalet..
..which was simple but clean (had both soap, towels and toilet paper),..
..spacious with free wifi and AC..
..and very cute in general; however there was a very small beach just below the hotel and no good snorkeling in the area. In addition Chaweng was very close to the airport, which meant quite a few disturbances from flights
Breakfast was great though and served right on the beach
The first day we strolled through the sleepy little town of Chaweng where they must have had a Japanese electrician; with all the wires it almost looked like Todai by Tokyo University ;)
And there were quite a few interesting signs
I really started wondering what 'very special' meant
However, this was just outstanding
Even so outstanding, that we had to go inside to try their massages; fortunately we were neither 'lost' nor 'changed' during the visit ;)
After that it was lunch time and it is funny how you always end up at at least one Irish pub during any travel
Maybe no complete mystery; husbands tend to like the beer!
We passed a bike rental on the way back and decided to rent a small 125 cc MC, which came with free, and almost guaranteed,
bum bruises. It was OK to drive, but there was much more traffic and quite crazy car drivers (compared to what we experienced later at Koh Tao)
We almost died of laughter when we stopped for gas..
..since I thought they sold lemonade..
..until I saw this sign!
And speaking about slightly mad traffic: who needs a car with baggage space, when you have a moped?
One of the sightings we visited was the Big Buddha..
..surrounded by a magnificent temple..
..with Buddhist monks watching and taking care of it..
..along with the occasional sparkly dragon (I mean, why not? In addition, I dare you to find the actual face(s) of the dragon!)
The Big Buddha was very big (roughly 15 meters and situated on a huge podium)..
..or very small (about 30 cm)..
..depending on which version you looked at (also similar size as the latter)
The view was breathtaking with turquoise waters surrounding the statue on three sides..
..and constant ringing in the huge clocks by the path around the base of the statue; we assumed this is to bring luck or keep evil spirits away
Jonas was slightly suspicious to the wooden sticks though and the whole banging of the clocks tradition, so neither of these two Scandinavians did it in the end. We were quite fine anyways ;)
We finally drove to Discovery Divers, at Amari Palm
Reef Hotel, which overall was over priced but very fancy
Even though our beach was quite small, we still managed a short break there..
..to take sunny pics..
..have a look at the local business women's goods..
..take some sunset pics..
..and some more sunset pics (guess who is which shadow!)
The evening included an amazing fish restaurant across the street from our small hotel..
..serving the most fantastic blue mussels in wine and garlic..
..along with oysters, BBQed lobster and red snapper
Overall, Chaweng Chalet hotel is perfect for the price you pay and the town itself had good bars and restaurants, but quite a few
prostitutes. However, since we were set on diving and snorkeling, we started making plans to move to Koh Tao
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