Bungalows in Big Buddha Beach
Hello all,
Sorry it’s been a while since we posted. We’ve been upto a fair bit these last few days. Although, at the moment we’re spending most of our time lying on a fairly secluded beach on the quiet side of Koh Samui. I’ll do my best to fill you in what we’ve done but our camera isn’t compatible with most of the internet cafe computers so rather than include our photos I’ve had to include photos from the internet.
BANGKOK
Our first day in Bangkok was a bit of a blur. We were too tired to really take anything. After having a decent nap we had a saunter around Khao San Road and Tanee Road (A.K.A Backpacker central). The place is absolutely mental. In fact, the best word I can use to describe it is contrasting. At first you’re struck by the sheer number of people and stalls crambed into these roads. After a short while you start to realise that people from all over the world congregate here. Complete strangers mingle and have a good time. Then you start to become a little bit frustrated by the number of people approaching you to buy off them. The street sellers are everywhere. Rachel and I were approached 12 times in the space of one drink.
The truly sad thing is that the scene of merriment spread out along this area is set on a backdrop of relative poverty. Thailand, especially Bangkok, is not a particularly underdeveloped nation compared to neighbouring Laos and Cambodia but you can’t help but feel a bit disjointed when you’re enjoying a Chang beer and a man with amputated legs pulls himself to your table asking for money. Or when girls no older than 7 or 8 are coming to your table selling you chewing gum at 11pm. The Thais seemingly dote on children so it must be extremely difficult for a thai parent to send their children out in this manner. Despite the obvious poverty and conmen all over the place Thais seem incredibly modest and willing to help.
Khoa San Road
Putting the considerations of morality aside, Rachel and I enjoyed ourselves while we were there. We met a Dutch girl and Swedish lad, Sanne and Johan, lone travellers who had just met that day, and had a right good drink with them until the wee hours of the morning. The prices are amazing. 40 pence for a lovely plate of food from a vender, 5 pound for a 25 mile taxi, 1 pound 20 for a 600ml bottle of beer. But after three days in Bangkok we were ready to leave. Although Bangkok’s a massive place and we’d hardly scratched the surface we decided it was time to visit the islands.
Night Train
We decided to get the night train down to Koh Samui, an island off the south east coast. We could have flown but that was pretty expensive and the bus didn’t sound as comfortable as the train. We got the train at 6.30pm and arrived at a town called surat thani at 5.30am. After which we hade to take a bus to the ferry and a taxi to our destination – Shambala bungalows.
KOH SAMUI-BIG BUDDHA BEACH
Shabala bungalows on Big Buddha Beach are absolutely superb. It’s like a little hippie community with a reasonably cheap restaurant by the sea, a lovely communal area with mats and cushions to chillout on, and a little book exchange where I’ll be able to pick up some French books. Our bungalow is literally a stones throw from the beach. The beach is nice. There were only 4 other people within a couple hundred yard radius so it’s quite secluded. I can’t see us getting upto much while we are here but we’ll do plenty of relaxing. Sadly the weather is a bit hit and miss. This morning and early afternoon we were swimming in the sea and sunbathing. This afternoon, however, we’ve had torrential rain. Oh well…can’t have it all I suppose! Below are some photos of the Bungalows and wot-not. Tonight I’m trying fried crocodile so I’ll report back on that in a few days.
Our Beach
Our Beach Hut
Restaurant by the sea
Communal area
