Koh Samui - Thailand Island Paradise (well it's getting there)

Sat, Jan 6: Arrival
Our home for the next five days is the small island of Koh Samui off the Eastern coast of Thailand in the South China Sea. It is a place where the fair skinned folks from Russia, Australia, and New Zealand instinctively flock like Californians to Hawaii, New Yorkers to The Bahamas, or the Salmon of Capistrano. We flew in to the local Hawaiian style airport directly over Big Buddha and were greeted at the plane by those old school Disneyland parking shuttle buses. It was all very quaint and tropical.

Before heading out to our hotel, we took the opportunity to visit the Buddha of which we just did a fly-by. We have decided to rent a car here in Koh Samui, which ought to be eventful. At least they drive on the right, which has officially become my instinctual side.

This photo was to illustrate my incredulity over the rats nest they call power lines that run down the streets. 

If we are indecisive, may we wear such clothes? 

But alas, our first day in Paradise hasn't exactly been storybook (unless you're in the part of the story where the characters are hit with a little turbulence).

After 27 flights, it finally happened, Zane's bag decided it no longer wanted to be with us. We're a bit surprised it took this long (especially given how we had to get around in Africa). We're now anxiously waiting for it's return.

Autumn is sick. Not hospital sick, but definitely not well. A spot of fever and quite lethargic. Let's hope it passes quickly.

We've learned something about using booking.com. Despite entering 2 adults and 3 children in the search criteria, they still return accommodations for four people (happened in Singapore too). We arrived at the Varinda Garden Resort in Lamai and were presented with a bungalow that didn't quite meet with our expectations. After some haggling, we're now in a slightly larger accommodation with more adequate places to slumber.

But like one of the thousand inspirational signs all over this resort says, 'Don't give up. The beginning is always the hardest'.

Let's have a chat about this resort. When we booked this place, we knew it would be quirky, and it definitely did not disappoint. It's like the Winchester Mystery House or a Rube Golberg type resort that has been slowly built over time by what I must assume are hippies of the highest order. The bungalows are built in a scattershot manner throughout a tropical hillside, the pool is multilayered with a concrete waterslide, and there are words of wisdom covering nearly every square inch of available surface. The color palette is frenetic, and getting around is a maze of tripping hazards, and head knockers. It's probably not for everyone, but it should work fine for us.

Nicole's Thai Iced Tea, which I guess in Thailand is just an Iced Tea

If I have one main suggestion, the dining area needs fans. Not decorative fans like this (note the hanging spoons impeding the blades), but fully functional air moving devices. 

Back to mozzie nets

I particularly like the top sign. It's kind of exactly what I was teaching people at work back at home. 

Sunset from our bungalow porch.

Stairs that go down to go up.

Zane and Bryce are in heaven, and have already spent three hours in the pool.

Sun, Jan 7: Just Lounging Around
Koh Samui is definitely a place to chill. A place where the heat and humidity force a slower pace. We're not tuned for that, but once you have succumbed to the fact that your day must include hours upon hours of sitting by the pool, it becomes liberating (sort of like Zanzibar). We're in detox today and it's starting to feel just right.

We woke up leisurely, paced our breakfast intake, and mused about the day. Our initial plan of going to the beach was nixed because, well, the ten minute walk seemed insurmountable and Zane was worrying about the plight of his luggage. Autumn is still under the weather.

This is pretty much all we did today. Which ain't bad. 

The best news of the morning came as an email: 'Your luggage has reached it's destination'. We could only assume that meant Koh Samui, but pondered whether the luggage had other plans and ended up in Hawaii. But alas, this afternoon it sat looking forlorn in the hotel reception area with a look of, "hey guys, whatja go and leave me like that for?" Zane was relieved to be reunited with his flip flops and sleeping blanket.

So things are looking decidedly positive now. We took a quick grocery trip to stock up on fruit, snacks and water, and I plunked down $18 for a one hour Thai massage. Autumn just dipped her toe in the pool, which simply means she at least has the energy to be vertical.

Nicole liked the sauces aisle

Bryce was adamant about getting a dragon fruit. Sure is pretty when sliced open. It's like a mild version of a kiwi.

Not in bed.... so.... progress

Tonight we head to the Lamai Night market for dinner and people watching.

Cheers!