Koh Samui Friday 7th April 2017 Day 11

TEMPERATURE SCREENSHOT

AMETHYST AND SAPPHIRE BALCONY CAFÉ

Ah, Weetbix for breakfast. Smells like home. 😊 Mandy, who was up and about and feeling much better, was not impressed.  After the taste explosions of the night before, she felt she was letting her taste buds down. Food should not be just to fill your tummy but should be a taste experience.  She has plans to add extra taste dimensions to Weetbix next time. LOL

 ADVENTURES OF THE DAY

The weather started out partly cloudy then progressed to cloudy with rain and finally by 12 was semi-cloudy with no rain. The weather here can really change drastically within minutes.

Before venturing out, Richard and Mandy completed and published their Blog entry for the previous day, hoping to be in time for the early morning followers back in SA.

Richard had plotted a few likely stopping points on their map the day before and they decided to explore the North-Eastern area of the island, hoping to find a secluded beach or two and some panoramic viewpoints.  They took a right turn off the main road (Moo road) running past the hotel and ventured along the somewhat bumpy and narrow side roads where they came upon some local residential areas.  Some of the houses very quaint with small gardens.

After one or two wrong turns and retracing their route they finally found a side road leading to Thongson Bay. Just before their destination, the road deteriorated into a muddy, donga-filled track in places. Misjudging the road which was obviously still very wet due to the recent rains, their tough little scooter skid and they took their first tumble onto thankfully a soft grassy embankment, with the scooter landing on Richards left leg.  Richard gained a few more Thailand Tattoos, Mandy luckily unscathed.  As the rest of the road was untarred and muddy, Mandy decided to rather walk the remaining distance, with Richard following rather cautiously on the scooter.  They finally reached Thongson Beach, a lovely little beach with a stretch of white sand and Psalm trees, typical of what they had come to expect. The surrounding mountainside slopes are scattered with bungalows and villa’s perched and overlooking the bay.  An ideal spot for family vacations. What with the awesome views, the sandy stretch of beach, hotel bar and restaurant close by.

They took a walk along a private pathway over a small rocky headland towards what was noted on their map as Naturalism Beach (they only saw a “Private” sign on their way back – ooops). By now the rain had definitely left the area and the sun was out and baking. THIS was the Koh Samui weather they had been hoping for. They sat for a bit on a rocky viewpoint looking out at the breathtaking scene in front of them. The bay stretched out into the distance and they could see the island of Ko Pha Ngan, the 5^th largest island off Thailand, 12 km away. The main claim to fame of this island are the Full Moon, Black Moon and Half Moon parties held on the Haad Rin beach. (A full moon party definitely on their agenda while on Koh Samui)

To the right, they could see a few bathers on the beach as well as a “naturalism” couple frolicking in the sea. Not wanting to disturb, they decided to walk back to the main Thongson public beach and have a much-awaited “non-naturalism” swim.

On the walk back we spotted a tiny lizard with an extremely long thin tail basking on a rock.  He kindly allowed us to take a pic of him.

The water was absolutely delightful and they had great fun swimming and floating around. There were a few bunches of kelp keeping them company and from time to time they would feel these brushing against their legs. It was an eerie feeling when this happened prompting Richard to call out to Mandy, “Kelp me, kelp me, something touched my leg.” LOL

They chilled for a bit under the palm trees and packed up, heading for the Six Senses Samui Hotel.  This promised even more amazing views and possibly a cocktail or two and maybe something to eat. (The Weetbix of the morning was no more than a faint memory)

Both aboard the scooter, (Mandy a bit nervous at first after the tumble but confident in Richard), they navigated the treacherous donga-laden road without any further mishaps and scooted back to Tongsai Road.  They stopped at the highest most point to take a picture of the Bay and the back of the Big Buddha from this Northern view point.

Back on their faithful scooter they proceeded to their next destination, the Six Senses. They were stopped by a welcoming hotel official and directed to a parking spot for our scooter. They walked up onto the receiving and reception area which was at the end of a large wooden deck from which there was an inevitable lovely view of the bay with a small island close by.

After chatting to the helpful reception ladies, they navigated their way through a series of wooden staircases up to firstly the pool area, then to the bar area and finally the restaurant, all of which are built on large wooden decks at various levels. All of these surrounded by lush greenery, palm and other trees.

By now they had already agreed, that this was a rather “upmarket” establishment which was confirmed when Mandy asked to look at the menu. Two cocktails would set them back close to 1000 baht.

The peaceful atmosphere and the feeling of floating on the side of a mountain looking down at the sea and what appeared to be a small uninhabited island, was beautiful.  After taking a few photo’s, they left this retreat for the wealthy and took to the road once again, to find a more affordable establishment for something to eat and drink.

Following Tongsai road back to Moo road, they headed up further North past the Big Buddha to the Orgasmic Restaurant which they had passed a number of times in their travels.

Orgasmic is a delightful open-air restaurant built on wooden decks just off the beach.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY

Definitely their experience at the Orgasmic Restaurant.

Other than the cocktails, that weren’t that great, the food was exceptional.  They shared a starter of crumbed Prawns and Battered Onion Rings.  The prawns were fresh, meaty and juicy and the accompanying sweet and sour dipping sauces, absolutely finger licking yummy.

Mandy had Duck with a tamarind sauce and Richard a Red Curry Duck.  This was accompanied with Jasmine Rice.  The flavours were really to die for.

And all this while sitting in the most idyllic spot overlooking the bay with a post card stretch of beach and rocks.  What more could one ask for? (Maybe less flies, which were a bit bothersome).

They left the restaurant as the sun starting setting in the Bay.  What a magnificent sight.  With evening approaching and the various lanterns and lights being lit, the restaurant itself started transforming into an enchanted gem by the sea. (A mental note to treat themselves to a sundowner and dinner at this Orgasmic Food Sensation before leaving Koh Samui).

They scooted out of the parking area into the flow of the evening traffic.  Another hair-raising moment.  Both nerves still slightly frazzled from their earlier tumble.  Next challenge, the busy intersection and bridge crossing where “scootie” got its first “Thailand Tattoo” 2 days earlier.   Triumphantly they made it, both breathing sighs of relief.  These two 50 somethings, not too shabby……..

The wind in their sails, they cruised the rest of the way home.  Another awesome day spend together exploring and experiencing Koh Samui, their way.