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20 September 2011

Koh Samui Here We Come


Koh Samui Here We Come

Joining My Friends

Emotions went back and forth when my ex-colleagues invited me to join them on their annual trip to Koh Samui. Shall I, shall I not. I have never joined any of their annual trips.
Having been working with them for the past seven years; reason, my 24/7 is fully taken up by work, family and sleep, no time to indulge and pamper myself.

The opportunity and temptation to experience the camaraderie, of being with friends on an exotic island was too much to resist. Yes, I am going, I told them, from then onwards there was no looking back.

The Journey

Our outbound bus journey started at around 8 p.m. on 7th Sept. 2011, with everyone very excited. Bags of belongings together with personal comforting pillows were packed for a restful journey.

I personally could not get much sleep partly due to the hard seats and partly due to my short legs.

The journey through the night was pretty uneventful, except that we had to go through 2 immigration points, one Malaysian and one Thai at the borders. We were guided by 2 Malaysian tourist guides and 2 Thai tourist guides who humoured us and explained everything.

We arrived at Donsak Jetty in the early hours of the morning, boarded a ferry, had a comfortable ride as the sea was calm and arrived at Koh Samui at around 7.30 am after about one and half hours ride amidst the cool morning breezes and waves gushing against the ferry and experienced a beautiful sunrise over the ocean.
Sunrise when approaching Koh Samui contributed by Ms. Ng SL

Sunrise at Koh Samui contributed by Bosco Lai
Sunrise at Koh Samui contributed by Ooi CY

Arriving at Koh Samui Jetty, contributed by Ms. Ng


Sights and Sounds of Koh Samui

The island is idyllic. The sound of waves rolling on the beaches, sun rising on the horizon, laughter and splashes on the beaches by holiday makers create an irresistible relaxing atmosphere.

The two days were filled with sightseeing trips. We went visiting 3 Buddhist temples,  the Wat Phra Yai and Big Buddha, Wat Plai Laem & 18 Arms Buddha, Kunarama Temple & Mummified Monk. We or rather some of our colleagues rode on elephants, enjoyed durian treats at the Wang Sao Thong Waterfall. 

Wat Phra Yai & Big Buddha, contributed by Ooi Chai Ying


Buddhist Temple contributed by Ooi CY

Wat Plai Laem_18 Arms Buddha contributed by Ooi CY




Hinta Hinyai Lovers' Rocks contributed by Celine Goh


Group photo at Hinta Hinyai Rocks contributed by Celine Goh

Hinta Hinyai Rocks contributed by Ooi CY



Wang sao Thong Falls contributed by Celine Goh

Our sightseeing itinerary usually ends with us rushing back to Weekender Hotel and getting ready for a splash or swim at the beach or hotel pool.

Lamai Beach, Koh Samui contributed by Ooi CY

Weekender Hotel Pool, contributed by Celine Goh



Big Crab Restaurant, contributed by Ooi CY

After dinner we would survey the night streets outside the Weekender Hotel which were lined with traders hawking their wares, handicrafts, trinkets and souvenirs.
Night Street at Koh Samui, contributed by Bosco Lai


Street Market, contributed by Ooi CY

Souvenirs Shop contributed by Ooi CY

The bright lights of the streets, the bars, dancing girls, massage parlours, restaurants and street foods kept us entertained and happy throughout the night.
Fire Thrower, Lamai Beach Party contributed by Ooi CY


Bargaining to slash prices seemed more interesting than the actual purchase as we haggled with the vendor to buy whatever caught our eyes and fancy. Squeals of excitement and shouts of satisfied glee were echoed when we have a good deal.
Colours of Traders, contributed by Bosco Lai


Beautifully Lights on Display, Koh Samui, contributed by Bosco Lai


Floral Soap Carvings contributed by Bosco Lai

We were lucky to be able to join the Lamai Beach Party on Friday night where guests were treated to displays by Fire Throwers, ‘Kung Ming’ lanterns, Limbo Rock, fireworks, listening to music, making the night more exuberant and excitingly vibrant. Drinks flowed throughout the night, spirits lifted and elated. Everyone was happy as laughter rang through the night air.

Colors of art and handicraft beautifully captured in some of my colleagues photos stay etched in my mind.

We were all tired out as the holiday came to and end as we gathered outside the hotel one final time, Saturday morning, boarded our bus with our now heavier bags filled with products of Koh Samui, said our goodbyes and proceeded to the jetty for our return journey.


A Ferry Passes By contributed by Yeap BC

Most of us were tired out, but we did not pass off the opportunity to take a few more photos to carry home our memories.

Colors of art and handicrafts were  beautifully captured in the photos taken by my colleagues,  which were enthusiastically shared around, perused and discussed with delight . The sights and sounds of Koh Samui stayed etched in my mind.

As they say, ‘Pictures speak a 1000 words.’

We briefly stopped at Hatyai, to pick up some more local products to share at home. The journey home was tinged with nostalgia as our holiday ends and reminiscences of home.

     My special thanks to all my friends for sharing with me 
    a great holiday and those beautiful pictures. leehwa 

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