itishothere

Thanks SJ and mitmig for naming the tree. There is one heading from Bandon to the airport, right hand side on the hill. Stunning. Keep thinking about stopping and picking up some pods or seeds or whatever when I pass, but the handbrake on the jeep is khrap, so suspect the car would end up in 99 just as I am getting out my trowel and plastic bags from the glove compartment.

(Glove compartment???? )

It is hot here.

itishothere.

I know, stupid name.

orange Flame trees blooming all the way down, lots of those blooming around Samui too... quite striking!

Is that their official name SJ? They are indeed stunning!!!

Angthong marine park.

Butterflies. Bowling.

Crocodiles. Cinema. Cabaret.

Daytrip to KPP.

Elephant trek.

Fishing from the rocks at Choeng Mon.

Green Mango. Golf.

Hot air balooning from the dry ski slope.

Ice Bar.

Jeep safari.

Karting. Kayaking.

Lounging around on the beach.

Monkeys and mountain biking. Not together.

Nathon markets.

Off road driving. ie going shopping to Tescos via any traffic lights.

Picnic on Koh Taen.

Quick shower before hitting any of the million bars.

Rocks ..grandma/pa.

Scuba diving. Secret garden above the Court House.

Thai cooking class.

Up Soi 1 and over to Lamai.

Verifying the bill in BigC against the prices on the shelves.

Walking streets.

X - not allowed to say anything here. Sorry.

Yomp around the headland from Tong Son Bay heading to Plai Laem.

Zzzzzzzzzz....

Please feel free to add.

Orgasmic.

I was luck enough to be taken here the other night. And I didn't pay!

Just outside Fishermans, on the left heading towards Bangrak, just before the hill.

The place isn't really visible from the road, and is right on the beach – at the very end of the bay, so no-one wanders by trying to flog you anything. You walk over a little bridge and then enter the open restaurant. (There is a covered area above the kitchens as well, and a small dining sala.) Great lighting, usually a good breeze, lots of trees and the sea of course. And plenty of room; you aren't really aware of other diners. Perfect for that special dinner. Certainly romantic.

It is the kind of place where you are spoken to in excellent english, with kapom instead of khrap. And with cold towels and a small appetiser (free) as you look through the menu. (Take reading glasses, to use with their little torches.)

A great Euro/Thai menu. Duck, steak, fish etc alongside traditional Thai. Fusion is what it is called, I am told. Mains around the THB 500 mark, so with a glass of wine (house, Shiraz I think, none of this Mont Clair khrap) at THB 180, and a starter/dessert, you are looking at a bill of 1,000 per head easily. (Service charge is extra.) Many of the mains come with extras not advertised; small plates of roasted swede (I think) and a stuffed tomato, for example. The duck I had was very tasty.

On a previous occasion I ate Thai food, which appears pricey, but for example, the shrimp fried rice had the largest and tastiest shrimps I have ever seen on Samui. All the food is beautifully presented. Excellent service. And the boss and chef pop over to double check – a nice touch

In the high season and with great weather, probably best to make a reservation – especially if you want one of the half dozen seaside tables.

It's 100% for sure, I did an astrology reading with a big boss of one of the ***** resorts today and he said it's going to happen but it will not be ready until May 2013

Did he mention the ski slope, and the tunnel and bridge to Surat by chance at any time?

I wonder how well these jets land on steep hills? As far as I am aware there is not any continuous flat area anywhere near TNP for a plane to land.

how would you know? do you live on the island?

Well, come on Hans, you are the astrologer, you tell us the answer to that question.

6.30pm.

Suspect I might have missed MY chance.

What time are you closing Friday night?

Suspect you may have missed your chance ... from the pinned thread ....

"Hi guys just to let you know, sweeney todds will be closing at 5pm, from 17th may till 10th june, sorry for any inconvienance"

Netflights ..... LHR/BKK/LHR via VIE .... business £1700. How tall are you? 2m bed. 46kg luggage ... ideal for all those chocolate bars I need.

the scammers are all well versed in their trade, warnings about pickpockets, thefts, scams etc, I can't believe it's any worse than here, or is it?

In my view .... NO!

Bali isn't much without tourism, and whilst some low-lifes try it on, the majority of people recognise that fact. I don't know how long you have survived in Thailand, but suspect you will be well prepared for Bali.

2) My wife and I are married (local ceremony only) but not legally so in that we haven't been to the Amphur, any issues in respect of staying together?

None at all. Same as here really, so long as she as ID - like you - for the hotel, then no problem. You may get odd glances, Balinese people are used to white (mainly Australian) faces, but they will be inquisitive to know where your wife is from. They don't get too many Thais, and for them Thailand is a far off, unknown, maybe exotic place.

I am generalising of course. But the last time I was there, a couple of the lads working in the bars almost begged me to bring them a Thailand t-shirt or something with me next time I visited. That was, of course, after I explained that I couldn't afford the latest Chelsea Football strip!

UK Nationals, visa on arrival US$25. Currency exchange available there. Thai Nationals free! Don't forget the departure tax too!

I found water pretty much the same as here, ie be cautious.

Don't hire a car or a bike, but make sure the taxi uses the meter.

Shopping in Kuta at Discovery Mall, or in Seminyak/Legian region. Also some good craft markets in Ubud together with the monkey forest and Dirty Duck restaurant.

Beaches are kind of dark - volcanic sand - but can be long and flat so great for walking.

Seminyak area excellent for eating out. Avoid Kuta unless you want Hard Rock Cafe, Fosters beer, KFC etc.

Day trips great for finding your way around, visiting temples and shows etc. Many stop off at jewelry shops, which may not be that exciting! There is an evening/sunset Balinese dance at one of the temples in the South - forget the name, but it is well known locally.

EDIT ........ posted around the same time as edwinclapham, so some duplicate thoughts. Apologies.

Friendship, second isle from the right. JL

Friendship? Samui?

Sorry, was in wrong forum....

Well at least you know that next time you come over here, bicarb of soda is available in Topps and Makro.

I have an original Sir Donald Bradman bat. I just look at it

That reminds me ...... did you get your carpet beater?

Friendship, second isle from the right. JL

Friendship? Samui?

Makro ..... Bakers Choice/Imperial Double Action Baking Powder.

gobbagol

You miss that? I have no idea what it is, but it sounds like something I ought to avoid.

Available on just about every main beach, especially Lamai and Chaweng. Not available on Fishermans Beach/Bophut I think.

Plenty of topics around about them, just use the search feature at the top of the page. Be careful!!!

Flying from Surat Thani on Air Asia to KL will be your cheapest option, but you will probably have to stay a couple of nights at least.

Correct, their schedule means 2 nights in KL. Cost ....around THB 3,000 for the flights.

Firefly from Samui to KL cost ..... around THB 7,000. Plus one overnight stay.

BA from Samui to KL cost .... around THB 9,000. Plus one overnight stay.

Also there is a pinned thread on this forum. Maybe post your requirements there and see if there is anyone else wanting to drive and share the costs?

Lionel Messi

Who?

Most friends that we have eaten there

with enjoy it too.

Phew.

Get one of those Svensens ice cream cakes. Not cheap - THB 500+ at least, but delicious. They have them in the fridge to buy now, and will also deliver. Get the birthday candles from S&P.

Around Bangrak when you are hungry.

I eat out a lot. Often because I am too lazy to cook for just one person , so I enjoy the company and it is a good reason to smarten myself up a bit and practise my Thai. I also prefer the choice a restaurant offers over my fridge! So, with that in mind, here are 4 places I visit regularly and I always enjoy each meal. They are consistent, the food always tastes fresh, and the service is good. I have not had a bad experience at any of these places. Cost is about the same, THB 300-350 for 2 courses and 2 glasses of wine. Skip the alcohol and the price is a lot lower, around 80 for each dish. Always best to go with friends as then you get to share everything. I eat the Thai food, although western stuff is available. Orchid in Choeng Mon is probably best for the foreign foods.

It goes without saying, that all of this is my personal opinion.

Tham Thai.

Beach side approaching the start of Bangrak coming from Bophut. Partial sea view, often a nice breeze, seldom busy, raised up so not too much traffic noise. (Although I sometimes enjoy the excitement of Samui traffic watching. ) Not huge portions and the staff can tend to ignore you (me??) a bit (I have stood on a chair and waved my arms around once in the past to get their attention! In humour of course!). Lots of good (albeit predictable) Thai options. Have a couple of TVs, although you can ignore them when they are showing the Samui Channel which they assume is what I want to watch.

Shambala.

Opposite Punpreeda as you come to the end of Bangrak, next to the Pharmacy. Quite close to the road. Popular, frequented by many local expats. Always a familiar face in there, which I like. Good, honest food. The Chef (Pom) is what a good chef should be; big, smiley and busy! They have a 1-5 ratings system for the spices, (5 could probably kill me!).They do not use MSG, and are very good at deleting ingredients if you have an allergy. (A recent visitor has a serious/dangerous nut allergy, and Shambala was the first place I took him to eat with confidence!) Many local school kids get take-aways from there for lunch, and they also supply one of the best dive tour/shops on the island. Tempura prawns are excellent, as is their simple but tasty pad thai. My favourite, possibly because they use a little more sugar than others, but mainly because they know me and give me a discount.

U2.

A little further on past Shambala. Opposite side of the beach, just before the last 7-11. Again excellent food. Decent portions, and the wine glasses here are bigger so maybe only one glass is needed, so saving a few THB.

Orchid.

This is at the start of Choeng Mon, so a little further afield. Opposite the first Family Mart as you come in from Bangrak. Often full with tourists from the local hotels. Great Thai menu, although the western food seems very popular. Probably the cheapest wine per glass, staff very friendly and helpful. It has a TV showing non stop football, but usually with no sound! The fish courses are often huge, as is the yellow curry with crispy noodles. Winnie - the owner and chef - is always busy but finds time to say hello.

My house, FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

ill be round at the end of the month then Rooo !

Dunno where you are going to park your bike ........ going to be pretty busy.