Big Budda and a birthday for the September Septuagenarian in Koh Samui

[Flyfrequently]

The countdown is on for our next "rinse and repeat" holiday.
After a big family get together for my niece's 50th on the Goldie in February, I put it to Mr Flyfrequently "how would he like to celebrate his three score years and ten in September?"
Simple answer - no party thankyou!
The only way to accomplish this without offending family and friends was to go away.

Next question - where to?

We had already booked my insignificant birthday for Bali and have done Singapore, Malaysia, Fiji, Hawaii and Queensland many times.
I toyed with Vanuatu but reading here on AFF, Port Vila was looking to be a dicey destination - this turned out to be correct.

Ok, Thailand came to mind.
I haven't been there in nearly 50 years (a travel mistake that resulted in fractured ribs and some scars I still bear today after coming off a motorbike on Christmas Eve in '76 )

The planning begins and a DSC offer drops.
Quick research on flights, weather and accommodation has us settle on Koh Samui.
With three sleeps to go, I better get packing!

 

[Seat0B]

Strapped in and following along @Flyfrequently!

 

[Flyfrequently]

The journey to the Land of Smiles has begun!
We have made it to the Home of Edna Everage, doing an overnighter at The Sebel Moonee Ponds to celebrate Father's Day with the Flyfrequently fam prior to pushback midday tomorrow.
Also anything to avoid the Monash on a Monday morning!

Happy Father's Day to all

 

[VPS]

Following along

 

[Major]

Hopefully some ideas for my significant birthday next year

 

[Flyfrequently]

On our way!
Pushback was delayed by 30 minutes but kudos to the Gate Angel who asked the "non J" pax to move from the Priority Seating area when J and WP pax came from the Lounge.
Due to Melbourne's stormy weather, only one runway was in use.

Boarding was quick and efficient, PDB (Jacquart Brut Mosaique) promptly offered and pro actively topped up throughout lunch.


Menu was the same as our June SYD-DPS flight.

No Wi-Fi due to change of aircraft but CSM Michael and crew were very attentive throughout the full flight.
90 minutes in and lunch service started.
I went with the soup as always go with fluids!

My Snapper was dry but palatable. Scallops were moist and tasty.


Mmmm Mr Flyfrequently's beef...
Cheese plate for him

Panna Cotta, I would say it was more of a mousse texture.

Bailey's saved the day and time to snooze.
An hour before landing pre arrival BLT for both of us (just realised this is more for the "Business Class Menu" thread - am a bit tired, it's been a long day!)

Made up time and arrived at SIN 15 minutes early. A very pleasant flight, next stop the Land Of Smiles.
Only a brief stop in the Lounge before boarding our flight to USM - knowing Bangkok Airways often depart early - and it did (15 minutes)
More about that tomorrow.

And thanks @Melburnian1 QF35 for flight information yesterday. All went to plan.

 

[kookaburra75]

The journey to the Land of Smiles has begun!
We have made it to the Home of Edna Everage, doing an overnighter at The Sebel Moonee Ponds to celebrate Father's Day with the Flyfrequently fam prior to pushback midday tomorrow.

Our favourite place to stay in Melbourne too.

Settling into our deck chairs, and following along - enjoy the birthday

 

[Flyfrequently]

Bangkok Airways slogan is " happiness has no limit" and can agree with that.

Qantas app notification said we needed to see a ground agent.
We decided to keep our time in the Lounge brief and took ourselves off to C12 well before boarding was due to commence and glad we did. Queues already for Security.
No notice taken of over limit carry-ons or LAGS in bags and ushered down the escalator to a non air-conditioned holding pen. No toilets but did have a water station.
Staff only needed to view our passports. All good.

Fortunately, the wait wasn't long as Bangkok Airways have been known to depart early. J pax (all 4 of us) then all other pax called to board the bus to take us to our bird " Hiroshima ".
Everyone on board in a haphazard fashion but ready for pushback 20 minutes early.
16 seats in J, 4 pax and we were in row 1.

Cabin crew promptly offered PDB of juices or coconut water and handed us our dinner menu.


Great service, tasty food and a white wine from I have no idea where.

Tried out their recline feature on the A319.

"Hiroshima" has been around awhile methinks!

Although some turbulence in-flight we landed 30 minutes early.

J pax get their own golf buggy to the Terminal.
Would I fly with them again? Yes, no option they have the monopoly though I believe Scoot has recently been granted flights.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Comfortable flight on Bangkok Airways and despite some weird sounds, we arrived 30 minutes early.
Golf buggy to the Terminal, noted to be one of the best in the world for it's tropical vibe.


Have posted my experience with presenting my Medication Permit in Carrying Medication into Thailand thread. In summary, not something they appeared to be familiar with. I would imagine BKK would be a different story.
I would still apply for a permit as I do not ever want to be "that person" AND I am a catastrophiser!

Quick transfer to our hotel in Chaweng about 10 minutes from the airport.
Didn't pre book transport but easy to pay our 400 Baht cash (a fixed rate of less than 20 AUD) at the Smackone desk - the private taxi service. If you pre book they will accept credit card.

As per our usual practice when we have the last flight out of the day, I book a fully refundable entry level room.
But the gods were on our side and we did not have the issues that QF35 experienced the previous day - a delay that would have resulted in a missed connection. (I know, we would have been put up for the night etc but don't want the hassle of dealing with TI.)

By 10 pm we arrived at Mercure Samui Chaweng Tana and they kindly upgraded our first night to the category we booked so we didn't have to move rooms.
Double Deluxe Seaview room definitely has the best view.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Hopefully some ideas for my significant birthday next year

Have just posted a review of our first hotel Mercure Samui Chaweng Tana in How does Accor treat you as an Elite guest post #2293 @Major

 

[Flyfrequently]

Ten minute taxi ride from the airport to our hotel, Mercure Samui Chaweng Tana arriving at 10 pm.
I had made 2 bookings with the 1st night in a standard room in case we had a missed connection.
We were upgraded to Double Deluxe Seaview room - the category booked for our subsequent 6 nights. Welcome drink of "Butterfly Pee" or that is what we thought he said, fortunately more like a blueberry cordial in taste.
With our body clocks on 2 am AEST and feeling a tad tired, called it a night.


Woke in time for sunrise 6 am

A short walk along Chaweng beach


Worked up an appetite and off to breakfast, typical fare but hits the spot.
We are now on "Rinse and Repeat" for a few days - before Mr Flyfrequently turns the big Seven Oh!

 

[kookaburra75]

We are now on "Rinse and Repeat" for a few days - before Mr Flyfrequently turns the big Seven Oh!

But remember for us blokes, growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional

It all looks great, and giving us some ideas for our escape from the Canberra winter next year

 

[Flyfrequently]

But remember for us blokes, growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional

He was a bit of a long haired rebel when we met in the '70's @kookaburra75

Has chosen this year to  not have a haircut
Has taken a bit of getting used to!

 

[RooFlyer]

Has chosen this year to  not have a haircut

Ponytail the next step?

 

[Flyfrequently]

Flop, drop, rinse and repeat!
Sunrise
Beach walk

Breakfast : After sampling their Thai delights, round brekky off with Eggs Benny

Inside the hotel grounds

Pool


Beach - swim
Carpe Diem Beach Bar


Outside plenty of cheap restaurants, bars, massage/nail places and a trusty 7 Eleven

Massage is now on the list late afternoon.

Rooftop Bar and Happy Hour at dusk



Dinner at Cielo


Tomorrow is The Birthday and maybe Big Budda as we head out for the day with a driver and we then move hotels.
A week here has been plenty, but plenty good!

 

[Seat0B]

That looks very relaxing @Flyfrequently

 

[Flyfrequently]

Woke to another magnificent sunrise and the day of the big Seven Oh!
We arranged for a driver to take us around the island with our final stop at a different hotel for this week, Garrya Tongsai Bay.
It was hot and humid 32° but with a "feels like temperature of 38°".
Thankfully, Dew's limo was cool - on many levels (didn't try the disco lights but tempted!)


First stop was Wat Plei Laem a modern buddist temple.
Ah, we found the Chinese big budda
and a side view pic of
Cundi the deity with eighteen arms.
It is fairly touristy for a Temple.

Next stop, The ( very) Big Budda!

Yep, we got there!

A drive through Nathon town with some beautiful beaches along the way to Grandfather and Grandmother rocks
At 70, this Grandfather rocks!

Silver Beach, Crystal Bay for a swim


and back to our hotel in Tongsai Bay for the next 6 nights.

 

[Flyfrequently]

This has been another very relaxing week!

So with an overcast day, we have found it a bit easier to leave our holiday destination but will miss waking up to this view.


On your last day at breakfast the staff all come out to say goodbye and present you with a special "Bon Voyage" platter.

We have been very happy with our chosen accommodations and if any one has any questions about Koh Samui, happy to answer them.

A quick 15 minute ride to the airport in our "disco limo" with a stop at 7 Eleven to get the Flyfrequently grand kids their favourite snack not available in Australia, "Beng - Beng" (a cross between a Kit Kat and a Mars bar, I think!)


Arrive way too early as usual to discover our flight to Singapore has been delayed by an hour.


Even though our plane has been downgraded to an Economy only configuration, the check in staff gave us access to the air conditioned Blue Ribbon Lounge.




And with assurance we will get a refund of the fare difference within 45 days.
If anyone has experience with this, I would be most grateful - do we wait the 45 days or get pro active and email the Frequent Flyer Team?

 

[Flyfrequently]

Now home so better wrap up this TR.
Our flight to Singapore was 90 minutes late leaving Koh Samui but Bangkok Airways shaved 40 minutes off that.
On arrival at Changi, had time to do the obligatory duty-free shop and a leisurely dinner in Qatar's lounge.


As mentioned by @sudoer ,greeted with "limited menu due to influx of passengers" by the staff, but can say we were very well looked after.


QF36 left on time, good flight back, prompt PDB with pared back meal service (no Neil leaves or starters)

Can honestly say I had the tastiest Qantas meal of Beef Rendang.


Arrived on time at Tulla, along with another 3-4 flights but pretty quick getting luggage (read guitar!) and through Passport and green channel, all up 30 minutes.

Took the long way home to avoid the Monday morning Monash.
Happy the house is still standing as Melbourne had some pretty wild weather whilst we were away.

Ten weeks now till our next "holiday", a week in Palm Cove for another family get together to celebrate nephew Pilot's 30th.

Thanks for coming on this "rinse and repeat" trip, we plan to return to Koh Samui.

 

[blackcat20]

Butterfly pea flowers, they make a tea from it.

Love Samui, hopefully we get back there at some point as we bunkered down with our 6 month old last time for much needed R&R, so we didn't see much.