The Whole Fam Damily

Thanks for the help everyone.

If we decide against renting a Jeep and opt for taking cabs everywhere, will it be a huge hassle or easy enough?

I would be very nervous to leave my passport with someone while I rent a Jeep; is this a safe, common practice?

Valentine - Excellent thought about a reef for the kiddo. I'll have to keep that in mind.. You warn us to "Be careful out there" -- Is Samui really that dangerous these days??

Adjan -- I'm not umm. looking for an umm. "regular" tobacconist... Would the _other_ kind of whacky tobaccy be found??? Who do you ask? The receptionist?

NedKelly - The Seaflower bungalows that you recommended sound great! Thanks!

Does anyone else have any words of wisdom about kid-friendly but hip places would be?

Hi Ned,

Thanks for your thoughtful reply. Our tastes run cheap! We are looking for a little woody bungalow or something; no swimming pools, no maid service -- just a little place to sleep with airconditioning and a shower (cold shower and thai toilet is fine). Anyplace where I can find a little smoke would also be terrific -- how is Lamai/BoPhut/Phagnan in terms of this?

Someplace that I can have easy access to food would also be great as the youngin' likes to snack and so does his momma!

Is the beach in Lamai unsafe at night; hence the warning to not walk alone there? The beach in Samet where we were awhile ago was darrrkkkk as anything at night and the packs of dogs were a tad scary!

I will definitely check out Bill's and World Resort -- thanks for the reccomendations.

We can't ride bikes with the kiddo; does Phangan have jeep access? What about driver's licenses? I think ours both expired years ago!! Does anyone check? What about if you have an accident?

Any ideas about money exchange? Airport or Samui?

Thanks again. I wish others would pipe in -- I'm interested to hear anything and I KNOW that lots of people have samui reccomendations.

Greetings wise ones,

Me, the hubby, and our 2 year old will be heading to Koh Samui in two weeks. Hubby speaks some Thai and has travelled extensively throughout Thailand. This will be our first time to Samui.

I'm wondering:

1) Should we book a hotel online before we arrive or should we just find a place once we arrive?

We've heard that Lamai is nice and quiet and has a nice beach; Bophut is quiet but the water is dirty; that Chaweng is too loud and nightlifey. We don't want to be near 20 year old clubbers, but we're not old farts! Just a little bungalow somewhere would be great -- any recommendations? I saw Green Canyon on the web.. Any info. would be much appreciated.

2) Should we exchange money at the airport in bangkok or on Samui?

3) We were thinking of staying in Lamai for a few days and then heading over to Ko Phan Ngan (Had Yao perhaps?). Is there Internet access on this island? Any bungalow/area recommendations?

Thanks oodles and oodles in advance for any info. you could offer. 'Tis much appreciated.