Do you want Thai for dinner? Yep. So let's go to Thailand.

[Pushka]

Now it was 8.30 pm and earth hour.

Before.



During.



This tree looked stunning. Originally from India



Amd the candles. Lots of PR photos taken.

 

[Flyfrequently]

We made it up the stairs and hill but not exactly preferred recreation at 7.30 in the morning. We need to investigate.

We were greeted at the entrance by our names which was impressive. The staff are delightful. And breakfast is simply excellent.

The juice lady. No one should be this happy at work. Her juices and selections are splendid. We first had banana juice. Tomorrow for me, mango.

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All the different stations. Think I've left some out. Yep. Honeycomb missing and others.

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You have brought back some wonderful memories @Pushka
I stumbled up the slight slope of the timber floor walking as you enter the breakfast area and grazed my knee - staff came running from everywhere, got ice packs - I was so embarrassed!

 

[Flyfrequently]

We usually go back to basics after a couple of days. Looking to try crepes tomorrow.

So those stairs. Then there was the incline up the hill.

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After day one - and a bit of huffing and puffing- didn't want either of us to have a cardiac event, we would walk down the stairs and around the pool and call for the buggy from there @Pushka

 

[Quickstatus]

Amd the candles. Lots of PR photos taken.

Looks like 09?

 

[Flyfrequently]

I hate this sort of stuff. The hotel sells you their amenities and then sells them on to some third-party and denies you their use.

I’ve made very stiff complaints the last two times it happened to me at a resort type hotel and got a discount off my bill which I thought was quite appropriate.

You had better luck than us in getting some recompense @RooFlyer .With our stay at Grand Mercure Danang last year, only notified 3 days before arrival that a wedding ( the Owner's daughter) was being held over 3 days. The pool was to be emptied and turned into a wonderland of flowers and faux animals for all of our stay.

We were ferried to another hotel for a swim

 

[Pushka]

Looks like 09?

60. And - I have no idea why.

@Flyfrequently - I’m managing the stairway via Evolv. It’s shadier and steps not as steep. The other day they asked if we wanted to have breakfast in the lower part of Rhoy Rhoy. My immediate comment was no more steps. Of course there are a couple but not another staircase of em.

The other day I arrived huffing and puffing to be greeted immediately by the staff and their greetings. Struggled to get the words out nicely.

Been up them twice this morning.

At Chaewong again today. Not quite as idyllic. Hot as.

 

[Quickstatus]

60. And - I have no idea why.

At Chaewong again today. Not quite as idyllic. Hot as.

Koh Samui does not look very crowded.
Beaches polluted?

 

[Pushka]

Photo must be

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Koh Samui does not look very crowded.
Beaches polluted?

photo is upside down? In my AFF page it appears as this - 60.

No it isn’t crowded because the Europeans use ME and their flights got cancelled.

No pollution. Vendors collect the rubbish eg buy an ice cream they wait for the wrapper. Gorgeous blue tropical water at this time of the year. The locals are simply very friendly. .

 

[Pushka]

We came back from Chaewong beach and it was hot hot. MrP had a rash on his arm from jellyfish stinger which wasn't horribly painful so not a dreaded box one. Popped into a pharmac_ for some treatment. Vinegar and cortisone cream.

Decided on a quick swim and looked out to see a young couple take out the kayak. Something we've done multiple times and right across to the other bay. Hmmm. Clearly first timers. The shore can be a bit tricky with rocks and a swell so timing needs to be good. Well, they managed finally to get onto it then first experience paddling. Paddles all skew whiff. Walked to get into the pool and noticed they'd fallen off into the bay. Alerted the pool attendants and they called in support and a jet ski from another resort was nearby to help out. The pool guys each grabbed a paddle board and got out to them and put one on each and dragged the kayak back. Everyone was drenched. When they got back to shore we could see they were in their twenties and very embarrassed.

Just now they are back with their lifejackets on but it seems they have managed to convince one of the attendants to take them out on the catamaran. They aren't going very far out. Because. Well, they can't swim.

Our last night. Weather has been perfect. Swum multiple times a day. Lots of sun. Great food. Tonight is the saxophonist so that will be a nice send off.

Speaking with a family whom we've taken photos of during the time and noticed wife and daughter (12 months old) missing. Sadly the baby is now in hospital here with RSV. They are from Amsterdam and baby had been unwell back in Feb it Doctors assured them it was safe to travel. They were supposed to go to Singapore today for 3 nights then home. The hotel he said, had been great but they aren't sure of their next plan.

Only one more round of climbing those stairs to breakfast. Yeah.

 

[Pushka]

Stinger stings. Better today.




We leave at lunch time. First rain we've had is now. Our flight from Koh already delayed leaving 2 hours at BKK. All on same ticket.

Last night there was another wedding but this one just had two guests and very much private. The crew decided we needed a good view of the couple at dinner time.




It was Wagyu night. There's a Wagyu farm in the north of Thailand.



The Tomahawk was huge. For two people. It's not the marbled Wagyu we saw in Japan but I didn't really warm to that tbh.


Cooking my selection here. Tenderloin.





First try of Wagyu and it was wonderful.

 

[Pushka]

Thunderstorms this morning and incredible humidity. We had 2h 20m layover from Koh Samui flight to Sydney on Qantas. Then got the alert that the flight would be delayed 30mins. Ok. Tight but manageable.

Had breakfast and then packed. We were being given at 12.30pm but checkout was earlier. So we arrived up top earlier. Staff then said we could leave now if we wanted so we like the Koh Samui airport so we agreed. As we left the Hotel Manager, the General Manager, the Environment manager all lined up to say goodbye. We’d had great chats with all of them. Not seen them do this for other guests so very nice. Either that or they wanted to make sure that we’d left.

Samui airport busy. Went to the service desk and the staff member immediately recognised an issue and said there was an earlier flight - now boarding as there’d been two no shows. As long as we didn’t mind their Hindu meal. .

Raced through as we had to go through immigration and security. So hot. Made it to the gate and boarded. Phew.

Flight was good. Excellent Y seats with room. Didn’t eat the meal because I wasn’t hungry.

My those pilots landed at speed.

Sorted out the transit stuff then which lounge. Chat said Thai but that didn’t sound right? Anyways we spotted Oman air and went in. So peaceful. So nice and deserted. Don’t think they get many Qantas people here.

My meal. Fish curry.


Oman lounge

 

[Quickstatus]

As we left the Hotel Manager, the General Manager, the Environment manager all lined up to say goodbye

Nice touch but why so many managers I wonder?

What would you say was the occupancy level? <50%

 

[Pushka]

Nice touch but why so many managers I wonder?

What would you say was the occupancy level? <50%

They are going to be very busy for next two weeks. Easter and Songkram (New Year Eve). Remember I mentioned that many Europeans had to cancel because of that thing happening in the ME. From my convos with the Managers. Today, I'd say 50%. Our area, the cheapest was always full occupancy. Can't see the others as they are up the hill or surrounded by vegetation. A lot checked out yesterday.

There's also the Food Manager that we made friends with. . But these managers are absolutely front line and help staff all the time clearing dishes, so they are active staff as well as Managers.

 

[Quickstatus]

How many nights please thanks ?