coughet, I'll give it a crack.

[Noel Mugavin]

After being back from the US for a few weeks I started to get a bit antsy about not having anything planned for the December/January holidays trip wise. Few ideas had gone through my head but it was reading Tomcat's report about her Luxury Escape that had me having a closer look at what they had to offer.
coughet had been somewhere I had been interested in in my younger years but had never got around to going to and here was an offer for 5 nights for $999 which sounded good to me. Bit the bullet, booked the resort, booked the flights, booked a few nights in Singapore and before I knew it was in the Uber on the way to the airport a couple of weeks ago.
Not great times with the flights, 1.20am departure on Singapore to Singapore. First time on a 787 and the best feature was the quality of the screen.
Legroom shot



Drifted off a couple of times for short periods, breakfast served about 2 hours prior to landing

Breakfast, - Cinnamon french toast with blueberry compote



Arrived on time, made my way to Terminal 2 for the Silk Air flight, wandered a bit to while away a couple of hours.
About a 30% full flight, striking how clean the plane was



Another breakfast, offered as the sausage dish, was predominantly a bread pudding in custard



Again on time, quickly through immigration and then the least interested customs agents I had ever seen and was outside where I met my driver who took off to get the car

 

[juddles]

coughet, I will follow this thread

 

[LadyC]

Look forward to reading more.

 

[TomVexille]

Interested to see what your experience is. We booked another LE deal for Koh Samui a couple weeks ago

 

[kermatu]

Signing on too.

But where's the obligatory photo of your boss?

 

[get me outta here]

I remember the huge sign across the road at BNE a/p many years ago, at that time most people mispronounced coughet so this sign was very funny to me - "coughet I'll go".

Following along on yr holiday.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

The boss was off on her beach holiday as well, friends that live a 2 minute walk from a dog beach. Turned 3 a couple of days before I left, here she is with her new toy that she's not allowed have inside



Back to coughet. I was not all that excited about the coughet portion of the trip, lazing around doing nothing during a holiday is not really my thing. I hadn't planned any tours or sightseeing for the time I was there, had thrown a couple of books in the bag to keep me occupied.
I had perked up a bit though within 5 minutes of being in the car. Cold water, cold face towels and fresh fruit for the 20 minute or so drive to the resort. Friendly driver as well and driving by a couple of beaches certainly lifted the spirits.

Big, airy reception at The Pavilions



Welcome drink while I filled out some paperwork



One of the ladies behind reception took me out to the golf carts and off we went for a tour of the resort before she took me to my room.











Pool and restaurant from my balcony which was a 1 minute walk away


Was about 10.30 and needed a bit of a kip to recharge

 

[kermatu]

Thank you.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Slept for about 30 or 40 minutes, had another shower and headed out to have a look at the resort and head to the beach. The resort had a shuttle that took you to the beach and 4 or 5 other spots that left at 9, 11, 1, 3 and 5. I was a little too late for the 11 o'clock so my plan was to walk to the beach, looking on google maps should take about 15 minutes.
Have a wander of the resort first, my apartment block



The resort is quite large and a lot of hills so it was quite hard work, plenty of greenery to keep the paths cool though. Few staff in golf carts slowed asked if I wanted a lift. Determined not to let the hills beat me.


360 degress restaurant, hard work getting there, pool villas bottom of the photo


Back down to another little restaurant and passed by reception, headed down the entrance drive to the entry gates





Security opened the gates for me and I started the walk



Within 100 metres I realised this walk wouldn't be that easy, quite narrow and windy, not much room to move when vehicles were coming both ways . Realised I was beat when there were a couple of buffalo wandering ahead. That was enough for me, back to reception to wait for the 1 o'clock shuttle.



Have to book the leaving and return time for the shuttle, became evident why a couple of days later when they had 2 vehicles available due to numbers. 1st stop was Layan Beach, 2nd Bang Tao Beach where I was dropped off.

Looking north toward Layan Beach


Bang Tao Beach


Wandered towards some vendors where I picked up a well needed drink

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Wandered as I do. Quite a lot of newish and resorts in construction around the lakes and lagoons around the area



Back towards Layan Beach. Chairs and umbrellas form one of the resorts at the North end of Bang Tao


Walked Layan Beach and stopped at one of the few little restaurants that are in the tree areas and had a bite and watched the world go by







Shuttle arrived on time and I was back at the hotel at around 3.30. Sleep deprivation had hit hard, so hit the sack and had about 3 hours.
Down to the Firefly restaurant, which was were the Luxury Escape meals were served from. Soft spoken server seated me and put the napkin on the lap, though I heard her say something along the lines of buffet tonight. Not too sure, especially with her putting the napkin on my lap.
After a few minutes of sitting and no menu given to me decided to get up and have a crack at the buffet. Highlight being the crispy pork.
After I finished an walked off another server chased me and asked me to sign the check. All good, had Luxury Escapes printed on it, and 0.00 owing.
Early night in front of the TV and in the air con.

 

[Major]

I hope the weather holds

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Up nice and early the next morning, down to breakfast at around 7, once again seated and napkin placed over the lap. once again had to take it off to get up and get some food. Plenty of options, fresh fruit, cereal, yoghurt, bacon, eggs, etc and lots of pastries. Some odd items like the greek salad and also 3 or 4 fried rice options. Lots of fresh juices, ordered a cappuccino, could also have juices made up or have omelettes made.



Spa opened at 8 so went there to book a neck, shoulder and back massage for later in the day. Nice bonus when they told me I had another one available as the deal was per room rather than per person. Booked a full body for the Thursday.
Headed up to the reception building to get the shuttle to the shopping and close to the main coastal road to take me to Patong Beach. ladies at reception came out and gave me a cold bottle of water which was a nice touch.
Dropped off at the shopping area at about 9.25, worked in well for me to catch the Smart Bus, which was scheduled to get through the area at about 9.40. Smart bus is a relatively new service running from the airport to some pier on the southern/east coast of the island. There are about 8 designated stops and cost varies on how many stops you were going, provided you had a rabbit card. No card for me, so a flat 175Bt fare. There is no stop sign for the bus, had to stand somewhere near where it says it will stop on the map. Able to track the bus on the website so made sure I stepped out and hailed it. Driver was a bit busy, so paid cash rater than purchasing a card off him, and 45 minutes later was in Patong.



Disliked Patong within about 5 minutes. Too many people touching and grabbing me trying to self me cough. Sought refuge in a fairly new shopping centre, always interested in local snack flavours.



Decided to brave the streets again and head down Bangla Road.







Enough of that, sought refuge on the beach. Went for a wander and enjoyed the sights







Nice beach but incredibly crowded, meandered up to the north end.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Walked back down to whence I came, which was the pick up point for the Smart Bus. Interesting to see the police had set up and where stopping and fining people riding motorbikes without helmets.
Bus eventually came, driver wasn't so busy so purchased a card off him. 300Bt, fare was 150.
Dropped off and had about 50 minutes to wait for the shuttle. Needed some air con so sat in a coffee club, expensive coffee, was around 150 BT for a cappuccino, about $7.50.
Shuttle came, dropped off then headed to the pool for a swim and an included coughtail.



Island Mai tai I think, no use for the ashtray.
Headed back to the unit for some air con, then about 6 went for a walk to the 360 bar to try and get some shots of the sunset





Time for dinner, back down to the Firefly, mezze plate for starters



Was very nice.
Peri peri chicken breast for mains, didn't fancy any of the sauces on offer, thought I would use to creamed spinach as a sauce




Bit meh, not much flavour and a bit on the dry side

Dessert, mango sticky rice



Another night in the aircon and in front of the TV

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Ate way too much at breakfast again, 9.00am shuttle then on the Smart Bus to Surin Beach, 2 stops away and a 50 BT fare. The thing with the Smart Bus is that it charges the highest possible fare when you tap on and adjusts to the correct fare when you tap off. I had 150 Bt on my card and there's not a lot of information about where you can top the cards up at on the website. The convenience store where you can top up didn't have a store anywhere near the stop where I got on so I was relying on my charm and wit to not have to pay a cash fare of 175. It worked, the bus driver let me ride without paying anything with me assuring him I would top up at Surin Beach. Have to love language difficulties.

Dropped off at Surin Beach which is a happy medium between Patong Beach and Bang Tao, not too busy, not too deserted











There is a little bit of a wave at Surin









As with most of "coughet a lot of Russians, as a rule they don't have a lot of material on their swimwear. That is men and women, young and old, any shape. Makes for interesting viewing.
Sat on the beach, bit of a swim, grabbed a mango juice then thought I'd better go about topping up my card for the Smart Bus. Had my phone so a bit of confirmation research about where I could top up and 20 minutes or so later was at the convenience store where of course I couldn't top the card up. They did direct back to another store though that was 50 metres from the beach where I was previously. Head to there, 'not here' they then directed me to a restaurant a couple of shops down. Went into the restaurant, couple of ladies at the door told me to stop, not open. indicated I wanted to top up the card, they let me through to the service counter 'Machine's not working'.
So I gave up and went back to the beach. Bit of a swell had come up and the Russians were having a ball. One elderly lady ran at pace into the wave and got absolutely smashed in the face by a breaking wave. This thing absolutely smashed her. Eventually got up, shook her head, big smile and back she went to have another crack.
Eventually time to head back, Smart Bus arrived and this one had a conductor, lady in casual clothes sitting at the front. This was going to be a little more difficult then this morning.
Told her about the card, she wasn't convinced, asked if I could just pay the 50Bt for the 2 stops. Reluctantly she agreed.
Few minutes into the trip she walked to where I was sitting and gave me a sheet showing where I could top up. 1 place per stop and the restaurant where I went was the one listed at Surin Beach. Gave me a stern 'Next time I charge you 175BT'

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Back at the hotel down to the pool for a coughtail



Over to the spa for my massage. Fruit drink and warm towel in the waiting room, great tea and a almonds afterwards. Very relaxing.
Dinner about 7 o'clock



Spicy, crispy squid for starters. Not very spicy but very nice nonetheless



Italian sausage penne. Once again, very nice



Dessert was a caramelized banana in a coconut flavoured sauce. Not noteworthy in any way



Treated to a large electrical storm and huge downpour a few hours later and other than that another uneventful night

 

[LadyC]

Seems like a nice hotel but I'm not convinced on the inclusive dinners.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Seems like a nice hotel but I'm not convinced on the inclusive dinners.

Yeah, not a great deal of choice or variety on what was available, but all good for a peasant like myself

 

[JohnM]

Late aboard, but slipping into 1A.

Not my thing, but very interesting to get a comprehensive report on it, so thanks.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Overdid it it breakfast again, bit lazier today, didin't head to the beach until 11 o'clock. Couldn't be bothered with the hassle of the Smart Bus card, so did the drop off at Bang Tao, with pickup booked for 3.15. Felt guilty about the breakfast and the sitting around afterwards so decided to walk the length of Bang Tao Beach (6km's) and try and get a few useable photos. Just the iphone, didn't bother with the camera.



Southern end of Bang Tao Beach is not so nice and no surprise it is where the fishing boats are moored and head out from. Surin Beach is the other side of the headland pictured above.



Looking towards the long walk back



There's a few little shacks selling drinks and shirts and the like along the beach, but they are few and far between and I still needed to get a couple of things for my house sitter. Refer to Taking My Stand in Dixie, house sitter was the ex-girlfriends little sister of the young bloke making good at Arkansas State who also happened to be an ex-student. Also needed to get something for the 3 year old step brothers of said house sitter who for some reason have taken a bit of a shine to me since the US visit.
Thanks to google maps was able to find a little bit of a shopping area behind one of the resorts. Got myself a water and an ice cream and some shirts and beach towels for the boys and the sister.





Along the beaches there are massage tents set up, there's no aggression in them trying to get business. Bit of a different story around this area, stumbled upon a row of 4 little shops that were no doubt of the happier ending variety, ladies? provacatively dressed and very aggressive in their approaches.



Too scared to go back past them to get back to the beach the way I came, so took a little bit of navigation before I got back to the beach.
Don't know if I'd be keen to use this



Eventually got back to the north end of Bang Tao and finally had a swim. Unfortunately, same as our beaches in the west, it's not comfortable out in the sun in the afternoon with no shade so was glad when 3 came around and was able to get back to the hotel. Added bonus, full house on the tray back so sat in air conditioned comfort up front with the driver on the ride back

 

[Noel Mugavin]

coughtail and a swim



Signed the bill and thought nothing of it. 15 minutes or so later one of the servers came over and apologised that they had charged me for the drink. She showed me the bill that she had cancelled and had me sign another bill with a zero charge. Good to see they were on the ball.

Diner was another buffet, BBQ meats tonight


There's an outstanding chicken mango salad in there somewhere



BBQ meats were a bit so so



To my favourite course, the jar was a bit of a cream sort of nothingness, chocolate cake a bit of cheesecake, both did the job. The little chocolate mousse tart at the front though. Outstanding. Went back for about 4 more of those. Not too guilty, they were tiny.