Koh Samet

This weekend we went to the tiny island of Koh Samet.  Koh Samet is a National Park located South of Bangkok.  There were 21 people in our group, four from Sacramento, and seventeen from Baylor.  

We met up at Victory Monument and caught a couple vans do the dock in Bahn Poh, about a three hour drive.  We got to the dock around eight, planning on taking a speedboat, because the last ferry is at six.  

At first, the driver told us that the waves were too big, but he suddenly decided it was safe when he realized there were 21 of us.  For 100 baht each (about 3 dollars) he let us get into the boat, no lifevests.  

I kept trying to figure out whether I would drown or be eaten first.  The waves were huge and the ride was exhilarating and horrifying at the same time.  

There was no dock on the beach, we just stepped into the warm, clear water and waded to shore.  The beach was paradise, lit by moonlight and candlelight, and strewn with pillows and mats for lounging and low tables for food and drink.  I saw stars for the first time in almost a month.  

We found a bungalow for 1600 Baht for the five of us, so it ended up being about $10US per person.  Not bad.  But next time we know better, there were nicer places for less money.

Ryan found a giant land snail and licked it.  I don't know why.

We spent the night laughing and playing in the surf in our underwear, dancing, watching firedancers, eating and drinking.  I laid on the sand and watched the moon and stars, listening to the waves.  It was magical.

I spent Saturday reading in a chaise lounge on the beach.  I'm reading "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius", by Dave? Eggars, and I must say that thusfar the title is accurate.  

Ryan and A rented motorcycles ($10US for 24 hours).  Apparently, you can drive around the entire island in an hour.  I was too scared to drive but I did go on a ride with Ryan and screamed most of the(whole) time.  

We ate dinner together and then found a place to dance.  It would have been more fun if we hadn't all gotten horribly sunburned.  Even sitting under an umbrella with sunscreen wasn't enough.  Life so near the equator is brutal.

I got up early the next morning so that I could see the beach without any people on it.  Koh Samet isn't crowded at all, but there were usually about forty people on the beach during the day.  It was breathtakingly beautiful and so peaceful.  I didn't see the sunrise, I'm going to try next time...

We got back at about 6 on Sunday and after rubbing aloe gel everywhere, I called and ordered food from this amazing vegetarian Italian place.  We can have food delivered from about 50 different restaurants, but on my salary I have to be careful how often I do that...  it was so worth it after such a long weekend.

Everyone says Bangkok is not Thailand, and I can see why.  Even the soi dogs seemed friendlier and happier in Koh Samet, and I finally understand why Thailand is called the Land of Smiles.  

Getting up this morning for work = LAME

Good day at school though.