Samui

Hired a guy to show me around the island all day after spending the first half on the beach. Specifically wanted to target the waterfalls, the port town of Nathon, a couple unique temples, and the Secret Buddha Garden.

Unfortunately they had quite a bit of rain the night before and the road up the mountain had washed out, so no Secret Buddha Garden this time.

We started at the Big Buddha temple which sits on a peninsula near the airport. Views were amazing.

Next was a visit to Chaweng, which is the busier beach town on the island. Very tourist focused. Bars clubs, jet ski rentals, etc. Found a little beach bar to have beers at though. The next set of pics are of the viewpoint at the end of Chaweng Beach.




Next was visiting the mummified monk. The Monk actually died while meditating in the position below, and was left that way. He wears sunglasses because they eyes aren't in too good of shape supposedly. ew.




Last stop were the waterfalls on the mountain. extremely tall, the pictures don't do it justice.

Leaving Phuket and on to Samui

Little bitty plane for this 40 min flight.



But we landed at the most beautiful airport I have ever been to.




It was almost night so I took it pretty easy. Quick walk on the beach and dinner. Ate at a beach restaurant on stilts. All the fresh catches laying out there.



View out of my cabana below

Phuket Day 2 - Phi Phi Islands

I was able to find a boat and tour guide for the whole day for a reasonable price, then found a Chinese and Indian couple at the hotel who went in thirds on it with me. This made for a much better experience then cramming 100 people on a boat, but cam out to about the same cost after we all split it up. Great Day exploring Phi - Phi Islands. They are gorgeous, all of them have cliffs jutting out of the water made of limestone. We went to a few different islands, one of them had monkeys who would jump from the trees onto the boat to be fed then jump back off and swim back to the trees and cliff to climb up. The island felt like i was watching Jurassic Park. Hills to beach with deep valleys. Also pictures of caves down there called the "Viking Caves." The Thai people harvest the nests of the Sea Swallows and sell them for Bird Nest Soup.

Phuket - Tambon Rawai and Nai Harn Beach

Second Half of my trip won't be nearly as much going, going, going, but instead some beach time (normal Ryan vacation.) Landed in Phuket on Thursday, which is an island on the southwest side of Thailand. Upgraded to first class on the 2 hour flight for $5, so that was fun. There ended up being only about 40 people on the 120 or so passenger plane. Interesting. Phuket is a lot more expensive overall than anywhere else I have been in Thailand, but still very cheap.

Decided to stay in a more secluded are during my beach stays. Wanted to go for the more private beaches away from the main part like Chaweng or Pattong that are more touristy. Spent last night scheduling a boat trip to take me around the island for Saturday - should yield some good pictures. Did some nicer hotels for the beach time too... enjoy the pics, this place is great. Only about 12 rooms so the service is really, really good.



Spent all day Friday at the pool and on the beach. Haven't gotten to read the Steve Jobs book yet, so i got a good ways thru it today. If you haven't picked it up, interesting read for sure - but I digress. The beach is very odd, the tides is so consistent that it builds a "wall." You have to take a large step (about three feet down a sand wall to get into the water. View is neat though - the hills go straight down to the beach, and you can see islands everywhere in front of you. Only about 20 people on this 3/4 mile beach, plus all those working on it, selling everything you can think of from a guy on a bike, with a grill on the back cooking fish to little trinkets.



And of course Lunch and Dinner pictures since I have time now, and I'm doing less grab and go. Chicken Pad Thai, Chicken Fried Rice, and Basil Chicken. And then they gave me chilies and chili powder to go with. Yes all chicken. I'm too scared to do seafood, because I have heard some horror stories. They are serious here about presentation.



But check the gas stations in this small town. Self service, and all you do is feed cash in. No attendant. Also they put gas in used liter liquor bottles for purchase on the side of the road.