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Bye Bye Bangkok, Hello Koh Samui

Beautiful Chaweng Beach
Chaweng Beach

I took an overnight, double-decker bus filled with backpackers from Bangkok to Surat Thani.

The bus-ferry combination was $14, half the cost of the train-ferry option, and more readily available, so I went with it.

I got a few hours of sleep during the ride. I found the provided blankets necessary given the air-conditioning, which was kept cranked up the whole way.

I was sitting next to a nice Australian woman who was previously mistaken for a ladyboy by a drunk old white guy while waiting to be shown to the bus from Khao San road.

I witnessed the awkward exchange and felt bad for her.

Backpackers bound for Phuket
Lots of backpackers

Around 6 am, eleven hours after we began our journey, the bus dumped us off at a small outdoor cafe.

The cafe was a staging ground for people to be shuttled to various connections depending on their ultimate island destination.

After watching someone ride off on the back of a scooter, and a gaggle of people headed for Phuket pack into a pick-up, a giant luxury bus pulled up for those of us headed to Koh Samui.

I grabbed a seat in the lower-level lounge, which was fit for a rock star.

Ferry to Kho Samui
Ferry to Koh Samui

What I expected to be a short ride turned into another hour of driving. Along the way, we filled up the bus with more of the Koh Samui bound.

The bus pulled right onto the pier, so it was only a few steps to the waiting ferry. Another one and a half hours later, the ferry stopped at Koh Samui.

My bungalow on Kho Samui
Bungalow on Chaweng Beach

Next, it was into the back of one of the modified pick-ups with the bench seating. These cool contraptions are the cheapest way to shuttle yourself around on the islands.

Air-conditioned taxis are too costly, and I have no intention of learning how to ride a scooter after seeing the walking wounded upon arrival in Bangkok.

I hopped off at Chaweng Beach, the busiest area on the island.

I found a bungalow along one of the beach access roads, dropped off my stuff in the room, and before checking in, walked out to the water for my first view of a Thai beach.

It was truly picture-perfect.

Planning a trip? Go Backpacking recommends:

Kango Suz

Monday 28th of July 2008

What a great bungalo! Enjoy your time on the beach!

Kango Suz

Monday 28th of July 2008

What a great bungalo! Enjoy your time on the beach!

Nomadic Matt

Wednesday 23rd of July 2008

chaweng is a nice beach...all the action happens there.....are you on haat rin yet? ooooo i can't wait to get to bangkok next month.....you're making me excited.

Dave

Thursday 24th of July 2008

Yep, I've enjoyed Haat Rin and am on the more remote north of the island now. :)

Nomadic Matt

Wednesday 23rd of July 2008

chaweng is a nice beach...all the action happens there.....are you on haat rin yet? ooooo i can't wait to get to bangkok next month.....you're making me excited.

Nomadic Matt

Wednesday 23rd of July 2008

chaweng is a nice beach...all the action happens there.....are you on haat rin yet? ooooo i can't wait to get to bangkok next month.....you're making me excited.

Dave

Friday 25th of July 2008

Yep, I've enjoyed Haat Rin and am on the more remote north of the island now. :)

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