I dedicated my first full day on Kho Samui to exploring Chaweng, writing, and reading " Do Travel Writers Go To Hell"? by Thomas Kohnstamm, a book I came across in Bangkok. Published earlier in the year, it chronicles the experiences of a first-time writer for Lonely Planet on assignment in Brazil.
The beach was perfect, soft white sand, multi-colored water with light green in the shallows, and turquoise fading into darker shades of blue near the sections of reef. It was far cleaner than what I saw on Kuta, Bali, and the Thai people in town were much more laid back in regard to trying to sell tourists on tailored suits and taxi rides.
In the early evening, I went for a sunset walk minus the sun (which sets on the opposite end of the island), drank a Singha (Thai beer), and read some more while comfortably lounging on one of the free beach chairs. It felt like I was in a Corona commercial. I then followed the electronic music to Ark's for dinner on the beach. I had a delicious tuna steak with baked potato and salad.
Wanting to save the end of my book for another day, I joined a few Dutch girls at an adjacent table. They were spending a month in Thailand, and like me (and thousands more), headed to Kho Phagnan for the July 19th Full Moon Party. We talked over a few drinks, and as it got dark, more and more kids came around selling Styrofoam and flower leis, games of Connect Four, and various other novelty items.
Chinamatt says
Wish I had made it there. We opted for the closer destination of Ko Samet. I hated it there, it was just a tourist trap with rudest people in Thailand. I was actually happier in Bangkok.
Dave says
Mental note has been made....so many islands....the 6-7 weeks I've earmarked for them hardly seems enough!
Chinamatt says
Wish I had made it there. We opted for the closer destination of Ko Samet. I hated it there, it was just a tourist trap with rudest people in Thailand. I was actually happier in Bangkok.
Dave says
Mental note has been made....so many islands....the 6-7 weeks I've earmarked for them hardly seems enough!
Christine Gilbert says
Man, I am so jealous.. I've been wanting to go to thailand for so long!
Christine Gilbert says
Man, I am so jealous.. I've been wanting to go to thailand for so long!
Shane Duff says
Hey I had that exact same dinner when I was at Ark Bar for dinner on the beach back in June. I got really excited when I saw 40baht for a tuna steak, and then the waitress informed me that it was the price/100grams with a 400gram minimum. Excellent food with a fantastic atmosphere. I hope you are having fun in the islands and if you need any suggestions for places to stay or that kind of thing let me know as I was just there a month ago.
Do you need help planning your finances? says
Their is lot of rush on this beach.
Shane Duff says
Hey I had that exact same dinner when I was at Ark Bar for dinner on the beach back in June. I got really excited when I saw 40baht for a tuna steak, and then the waitress informed me that it was the price/100grams with a 400gram minimum. Excellent food with a fantastic atmosphere. I hope you are having fun in the islands and if you need any suggestions for places to stay or that kind of thing let me know as I was just there a month ago.
Do you need help planning your says
Their is lot of rush on this beach.
Samui Villa says
Dave,is that a triple e pc you're writing on? Linux or Windows? 8" or 10"? Looking good. Will follow. Heading down to Samui tomorrow.
Steve
Dave says
Yes, it's an EEEpc by Asus running the default Linux. 7.5" screen. 4gb memory. The stupid AC adapter keeps shorting out from power surges though. It happened once in Nepal, and just recently on Kho Phangan. Since I'm in the islands, I won't likely be able to get it fixed or a new one until I'm back in Bangkok. Grrr.
Suz says
Other than the power adapter, how are you liking it? I'm considering getting eitehr an EEEpc or a Wind but I've not yet decidecd...
Dave says
Besides the power adapter, I'm happy with the computer.
Samui Villa says
Dave,is that a triple e pc you're writing on? Linux or Windows? 8" or 10"? Looking good. Will follow. Heading down to Samui tomorrow.
Steve
Dave says
Yes, it's an EEEpc by Asus running the default Linux. 7.5" screen. 4gb memory. The stupid AC adapter keeps shorting out from power surges though. It happened once in Nepal, and just recently on Kho Phangan. Since I'm in the islands, I won't likely be able to get it fixed or a new one until I'm back in Bangkok. Grrr.
Suz says
Other than the power adapter, how are you liking it? I'm considering getting eitehr an EEEpc or a Wind but I've not yet decidecd...
Dave says
Besides the power adapter, I'm happy with the computer.
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