Ko Samui - Island Destination

I had decided early on not to stay in the Lonely Planet low-budget places. The medium-budget ones were still inexpensive enough – but, no longer a PCV, I decided to forego shared bathrooms and to spring for air conditioning. The place I chose in Ko Samui was called Free House Bungalow and it was wonderful. When I arrived after my all-day travel day, I had a BLT, onion rings and carrot juice – weird combination, I know, and not very Thai, but it has been a while for all of the above! Right by a quiet beach, each bungalow had its own hammock – I spent my evenings there in the hammock, reading. The Free House’s restaurant was good, and there was internet on site, so I could make my next plans. What more did I need?


Softly swaying in the hammock, it occurred to me that I felt really happy. Maybe the happiest I have ever been. There I was by the beach, in a peaceful part of the world, in no particular rush to get home, and not at all worried about what I was going to do when I got there. When I was in the dunes of the Sahara I realized I am almost never in the moment – I am always reviewing or planning ahead – and there I was truly able to let all of that go. I felt in the moment in Ko Samui as well – and in Southeast Asia in general. Maybe it was the Buddhist culture. Maybe it was where I was in my life. Or maybe it was the water. Or maybe it’s the whole region. I did find myself wondering how and how soon I could get to back – and maybe that is why the Universe is sending me back there.


Ko Samui might be the next Phuket – I chose not to go to Phuket in favor of more off-the-beaten-track places, so I can’t really compare. Not that Ko Samui is roughing it by any means (the island where the Canadian guy went, for a five-month yoga retreat, is slightly more off-the-track – and is known for its all-night full moon parties – so maybe all of Thailand has been discovered already); it was first developed as a budget traveler’s paradise but now runs the gamut from budget to luxury. It’s been a while since I’ve had an island vacation, and I thought about St. Maarten and all of my trips there. There’s plenty to do there for a week – see different beaches, try various restaurants, visit little towns each with its own character, venture into the interior. Ko Samui was just like that – next time could I go for a week?