Koh Samet

Return of the Mac!

DISCLAIMER**** My computer fizzled out at the end of my stay in Thailand before traveling, therefore I did not have the opportunity to travel with it and therefore document my backpacking adventures around SouthEast Asia. I did however have the chance to journal my experiences and will be able to update my posts upon return to the United States! This disconnect from technology proved refreshing. I would highly recommend a purposeful Tech Detox to restart your mind. 

-Stop #1 Koh Samet, Thailand-

You could call my friend Emily and I,  the queens of procrastination. It's almost as if we didn't believe this huge transition wasn't actually going to happen until it became all to real. Fortunately, I being a master planner, became obsessive over a travel chart planning the next few months of hostels, flights, buses and other random details that I won't mention because I am slightly embarrassed of my organizational habits. Anywho, just one weekend before school let out, my best girl Emily and I decided that we absolutely needed to get away for a long weekend, as if we couldn't wait any longer to go on our backpacking trip. Since our trip to Chiang Mai and Krabi at New Years, we had stayed relatively close to our village and saved money for our long journey ahead. It was Thursday Afternoon, and our children had their final exams the entire week. This means that all foreign teachers are chained to their offices in order to finish all final grades without the opportunity to leave for as much as a 20 minute lunch break. Naturally, both Emily and I left our exams until last minute and had to dedicate an entire day to finalizing our children's year end scores, pack, say goodbye to everyone and clean our rooms out to move all in a matter of three days. 

It was Wednesday of finals, our bags were packed and we were anxious to find our beach. Most teachers stayed until Friday, but since the lack of finals to be graded and the very fact that we would be sitting in the teachers room sleeping on our desks for a couple extra days with no real good reason in mind, we skipped out early. I said goodbye to my teaching partner, students, fellow teachers and principle, everyone wired from finishing exams and so excited for their summer vacations. We had a party in our last classes, including lots of dancing music and goodbye hugs. This was truly a day I will never forget. We hopped on our local Bangkok Bus station and made our way to the Pier off of Koh Samet island with speed boats leaving every hour on the hour. We made it just in time to share a coconut smoothie and enjoy the heat we had just encountered moving towards southern Thailand. Our ferry offered beautiful sunset views and of the coastline of the beautiful Southeastern Island of Koh Samet. Although this island may be touristy, it holds some of the most beautiful beaches we had seen in Thailand, which offered the perfect first stop of our two month journey. Most of our friends had made their way down to Koh Phangan for the famous Full Moon Party that is a giant rave on the beach. After having my share of parties and raves while abroad in college, my incentive to make it to a full moon party was little to none. 

After a gorgeous sunset dinner on the ocean, Koh Samet had already captured our hearts. It was clear to us that no matter how many people may have told us about the toursim in Koh Samet, there were a lot more locals on the island around us which was a change of scenery. We spent the evening walking the main beach stopping between different beachfront bars and meeting locals as well as foreigners who have found themselves on the island for the long weekend. Almost as cool as a full moon party is the most famous bar on Koh Samet island known as Naga Bar. Every single evening, the sun goes down, a fire dancer comes out for a performance and the bar hands out glow in the dark paint to decorate you, your friends and your fellow bar stool neighbors. As an outdoor bar, this bustling colorful establishment is located right on the beach just far away from the main strip to play music loud enough without bothering anyone. The best part? Being able to walk down the beach only 15 minutes home to stop at the 7/11 in enough time for a nighttime toastie sandwich followed by bed. 

Regardless of the extremely humid weekend peeking 102 degrees daily, we found ourselves in need of  a little breeze. The most amazing part of Thailand is the ability to rent scooters for nothing more than 5 dollars a day, the only stipulation, a copy of your passport for keepsake. Needless to say we found our selves looping the national park of Koh Samet, Khao Layema slowing down the steep curves stopping along the way at different resorts and beach hopping throughout the entire weekend. Small enough to circle in an entire day, we quickly became comfortable with the layout of the island and found ourselves taking in all of the most breathtaking views from sunset viewpoints and private resorts scattered throughout the island. 

We spent the nights at Naga bar making friends with visitors, locals and families who have returned to Koh Samet each year for up to 20 years due to their love of the island. The excitement was contagious, and we quickly fell in love with the island. Everyday we found a new beach to navigate, not to mention the western style food and impeccable thai food scattered throughout the island. Seemingly every part of this island had an breathtaking view. The three days we spent here sped on bye, and before we knew it we found ourselves on the earliest Monday morning ferry massively hung over, coconut smoothies in hand watching the shore of Koh Samet disappear into the background. 

This was the most perfect way to celebrate our Journey of Teaching English in Thailand, and the perfect buffer before two months of chaotic backpacking that was to come. At this very moment I remember thinking just how quickly time flies by and just how difficult it is to be ready for another transition after just beginning to feel at home. The emotion I;m searching for was bittersweet.

Tips for Koh Samet

• Search Air B&B for beachside bungalows near Kai Saew Beach as this is the hub of the island
• Definitely try Jeps place, Ploi Talay and Buddy Bar and Grill for beachfront dinners
• If you are craving a good burger or western food Funky Monkey is the place for you!
• Never rent a motorbike for over 200 Bhat a day! Learn to barter it will save you in Thailand
• Take the long loop around the island daily and stop at any private resorts you see, they allow you to dine or lay waterfront no matter where you are on the island. Take advantage. 
• Khao Layema National park found off Kai Saew Beach will have you pay them a 100 Bhat entrance fee to drive the island for one day, take advantage of your Teacher's permit in these situation as you can receive great discounts! 
• While biking around the island, stop midway to the highest viewpoint before sunset to grab prime seats before the sun begins to set! This Island serves some of the best views for a sunset that I have ever witnessed! Fight for a good seat.
• Get to know the locals because they are amazing people, mostly deriving from Cambodia, these hardworking, lovely people travel daily to the island just to make a living. This shocking information really put into perspective my privilege in taking vacations. 
• Breathe it all in and enjoy every moment! This Island was one of my most favorite places to stay in Thailand and I would do it all over!