Kickin' back in Koh Samui

This past weekend, Jill, Kristen, Nicole, Lisa, and I went down to Koh Samui island. The adventure started when we received a call from Ilda and Louis right after school on Friday . . . . they were also planning to come with us. They had heard that there was a TYPHOON headed in the direction of the island! After hearing the news, Ilda and Louis decided to cancel their flight and wanted us to know. We spent the next 30 minutes surfing the internet to find out the details, we had a thai teacher call the weather hotline and we even contacted the hotel where we were booked. The result was that there were thundershowers in the forecast, but no typhoon-like weather. So, we decided to go anyways . . . . and, I am SO glad we did!

Our flight was delayed 2 hours, but we were in the fabulous airline lounge – Bangkok Airways . . . . a great way to travel! The new airport in Bangkok is really beautiful – the largest in the world?! We arrived in Koh Samui at midnight. The airport is so tropical-like, it’s really cute and quaint. There was even a Christmas tree all lit up! We stayed in little bungalows right off the beach. On Saturday, we spent the entire day on the beach. It was fabulous! Kristen and I went for a walk along the beach and were amazed at some of the resorts along the way. The water was a beautiful turquoise, and the waves were so much fun to play in! We hung out at the cutest beach-front restaurant, where we were able to use the lounge chairs and air mattresses for free. I was such a nut in the water . . . . I felt like I was wrestling a crocodile while trying to get on one of those things! It reminded me of being at the lake with the tubes.

On Sunday, we caught some rays for a few hours of the morning and then we went on a 6 hour tour of the island. It only cost 450baht (about $13 cdn). There were 8 stops which included some neat sights. We hiked up the Namuang Waterfall, went to a coconut plantation where monkeys are trained to harvest the coconuts, we saw a mummified Monk that died in a meditation position, we saw the 12m high Big Buddha, we visited the Plai Laem Temple – over 100 years old and saw a statue of the Chinese Lady Monk (she had 18 arms, each holding a symbolic object). That evening, we had a nice dinner and then went to a Reggae Pub that had a great band – they sang so many covers!

On Monday, the weather wasn’t that great; quite overcast, but we toughed it out on the beach anyways. We luckily missed some rain as we ate lunch. Last night, as we waited for our flight, we wandered the streets, checking out the market.

So that’s about it! I really can’t believe it’s the middle of December already. It definitely doesn’t feel like Christmas is on its way! Maybe it’s the heat?! Though, the school has been playing Christmas carols in the morning, and Tesco (the Thai version of Walmart) is decorated and plays carols as well. It just feels so weird not to see snow, see mom’s winter wall hangings, hear dad’s sled, watch Christmas movies with Leah (though I am planning to see Elf – but it won’t be the same!), or watch Soda play with her special Christmas toys. I know it will hit me soon . . . the fact that I’m so far away from all of you.

Anyways, I’ll stop my babbling. I hope to check in before Christmas (we are heading to an island) and New Year’s (we’ll be soaking up the sun on a beach).

Thinking about you and missing you!