As much as I enjoy the busy streets of Saigon, my mind requires large open spaces. I do my best work near the ocean or mountains (ideally both). Koh Samui, an island in Thailand, was just what I needed to relax and unwind.
Like all of Thailand, Koh Samui is hot. Heat has pros and cons. I love swimming in the ocean, but the oceans in Los Angeles are frigid.
In Thailand the water is warm, even first thing in the morning.
The sunrise was, well, see for yourself.
In Thailand, keep applying that sunscreen. Even if you think you’ve applied it frequently enough, you likely haven’t.
My face and arms were too red for me to go outside swimming the next day.
Koh Samui has excellent local cuisine, with a lot of places offer an Italian-Thai fusion.
You can also grab a burger.
Or some sashimi.
Koh Samui is home to several temples, including the Big Buddha Temple.
I hopped on the motobike and took the drive to check it out.
I found a dog meditating. Who, after all, understands more about gratitude and getting into the moment than dogs?
The sign says:
Buddhist monks are for
Bidden to look upon
The Exposed Bodies of Women!!!
Please Respect These Holy Men
Thankfully I’m not a monk…
I told you the food was good!
The hotel offered an ocean view.
The pool was also relaxing.
Ordinarily an airport would be of no notice. Yet the Koh Samui airport was more comfortable and spacious than many luxury hotels.
This is an airport?
You can read some of my other travel entries here:
Enjoying the Beaches of Hoi An, Vietnam – Riding Motos Down the Coast of Vietnam – Exploring the Caves of Phong Nha
I’m looking into moving abroad and am just at the beginning stages. Thailand/S.E Asia has always been on my list. I just need to do more research on which location would suit best for working in fitness, teaching yoga and will allow me to get on with writing/blogging. Ive never been before, but I’m enjoying your travel reports on Thailand, along with listening to The Journey Podcast, as they’ve spoken a bit about relocating here. The more I read/listen, the more inspired I am to just go for it. Thanks!
Hope to cross paths sometime soon, Lauren.
Brings back good memories – even as a backpacker staying there it felt luxurious, with beach-side guest houses still being insanely cheap. I’m not a runner, really, but going for a morning run along that beach before going somewhere nice for breakfast was a really great way to start the day.
I’m not a runner either but that beach is a great place to do some sprints.
well deserved break. Koh samui (and that burger) are definitely on my bucket list.
Good idea.
Glad to see you offshore and happy away from all the pinko idiots in America yet still able to push their buttons with your internet prescence.
Are you going to do Bangkok, Jakarta, Bali, Manilla, Cebu, etc. I’d be interested to see how quality of life is overall in comparison with these places and the West.
Bangkok yes, and some Thai islands.
Considering Thailand or Malaysia myself. Excellent infrastructure, health care, etc. I wondering how much F* you money I need to shore up, to sustain for 20 – 30 years. Thank you for the inspiration.
Awesome pics. Thank you for these. I miss SE Asia hugely. I first went out there in 2000 and have trained Thai Boxing in Lamai on a number of trips. I even emigrated out to Thailand in 2011 and lived there for a few years but back in the UK now.
I have plans in motion to emigrate to Malaysia as the infrastructure seems to be more developed than Thailand, but is only a short trip away from the Land of Smiles.
It is great to see you enjoying Thailand and everything it has to offer.
Keep up the great work Mike!
Cheers
I love Thailand, ko samui is my favorite place..
The most beautiful place in the world!!