Jenifer Pelley Opinions

We had an interesting ferry ride over to this Island seeing as it poured and the ferry is all open except for a small sheltered area.  Here we stayed at Cocout and we were at first impressed with the overall appearance but when we were taken to our room and had to walk up 10 flights of stairs in the swealtering heat we were not so happy! The room was very nice, a little too air conditioned though. We had a great view of the beach and we thought being so high was great for noise control.  Boy were we mistaken a few days later (more on that to follow). The resort had a great little restaurant that had these lie down cusions with low tables and 2 big screen TV’s.  All day they played movies, episodes of freinds or just music. It was on a private becah which was nice if you didnn’t want the noise and cluster of people on Sunrise Beach (Full Moon party beach).  They also had their own bar and a great pool.

We were on Koh Phangan for 5 nights, the first night we had to ourselves and the following morning we explored the many shops and restaurants, a very touristy Island.  Later in the day we met up with freinds and prepared for the Full Moon Party.  All I have to say about this party is PACE YOURSELF! This party lasts from about 9PM till 12 noon the following day.  It was a great party, about 20 000 people come every month to enjoy it.  Buckets are sold everywhere (A mickey of booze, 1 can of pop and 1 Red Bull) everyone is painted with glow in the dark paint and DJ’s gallore!  It was great experience and if you are on the island don’t miss it! 

The next day was a breeze which was a huge surprise considering I drank till 8AM, I should have been more then just tired.  It was however a lazy day, movie watching, swimming and we had to check out the party beach the next day.  It was relatively clean other then a million straws in the sand.  Now don’t think the party was over! The after party started that morning at 7AM and went ALL DAY and into the evening.  Now back to my earlier comment about thinking we had escaped the noise, well when we woke up the morning after the party (rather the afternoon) just behind our door the music was pumping!  Coral Bungalows was party central and had our room not been in the cliff it would have been a little bit more bearable but it was just our luck!

The next few days were a breeze, spent lying on the beach or by the pool.  We took leisurly walks to get fruit or icecream and do a little bit of shopping. The 2nd last day we did a group trip to Koh Nangyuan for snorkelling.  I have to say Mexico snorkelling does not compare! We met a great South African couple on this trip and met up with them for drinks later at sunrise beach.  Even though the Full Moon Party was long past the beach was still bumping! Bucket stands everywhere, loud music, men twirling fire batons or skipping in fire ropes.  This truly was a party Island!

Finally some beach time! our first night in koh Samui we stayed at a place called The Whitehouse.  The rooms were nice, clean and spacious.  There was a private beach which was amazing for swimming! The sand was smooth no rocks in the water and the Ocean was like a tepid bath.

Our first day there we took advantage of sun, BIG MISTAKE! Everyone was sitting under umbrellas and we were the only dummies basking in the sun.  So by the time we went inside we both looked like lobsters! I have now turned into a nice shade of brown but I cant say the same for Sean, poor guy.

The next day we covered up as much as poissible in the 40 degree weather and went for a scooter ride to Namuang Waterfall.  It took us a little over and hour each way but was fun! Once there we went for an elephant ride in which we got to ride the elphants bare back and the Mahout  (elephant trainer) just walked along taking pictures of us.  The waterfall itself was nothing too spectacular but was perfect for cooling off. Then we hopped on our scooters and headed back to the resort to grab our bags and hop on the ferry to Koh Phangan – Full Moon Party time!

Sean thought he was a pro at driving so we risked it and drove 5 hours roughly to Chiang Mae stopping in Lampang to go to the Elephant Conservation Center.  If you have time you can spend the whole day there doing a training course, you basically get your own elephant for the day. We didn’t have the time so we stayed and watched them bath and do a show of tricks, which was pretty cool! Ever see an elephant paint a picture?

We got back on the road and headed into Chiang Mae which is about an hour from lampang.  Here we stayed at the Imperial Mae Ping which was a nice hotel with 2 pools and complimentary breakfast.  Its a 2 minute walk from the beginning of the Night Market but far enough away that there isn’t any noise. the night market is like all the others but 10 times bigger! There are some really good deals to be had and I would definitly recommend checking it out for those shopaholics

There were lots of little patio restaurants which were great when you wanted a beer and all were right near the hotel but the best place we ate at was called The House.  They have a tapas menu and a regular dining menu.  They had private tents outside and a patio that was illuminated lwith strings of lights.  We sat inside which was nicely air conditioned.  Personally I loved the look of the place, white table clothed tables and couches loaded with pillows. It had an ecclectic feel without looking tacky. The food was great and the price was right at about $60 for a bottle of wine, 5 tapas dishes and a cheese platter!

Over all Chiang Mae was pretty relaxing as we had a few days to explore.  We did see a few temples but there are over a 100 so not all of them.  We got a tuk tuk and the driver took us around the old city within a few hours all for 40 BHT which is less then $3 (obviously we tipped) He was great, gave us information on each temple we saw and took pictures of us along the way.  I would definitly reccomend going about seeing the temples this way!  Thats about it for Chiang Mae, next we are off to the island!!!

Today we had an early start, we took the train from Bangkok to Ayutthaya a small town in the North. The train ride was brutal, 2 hours on a train with tiny seats and our huge bags practically in our laps! All part of the experience I guess.  Our hotel in Ayutthaya was right near the train station so we took a Tuk Tuk (like a mini pick up truck, you sit in the cab).  We stayed at the Krungsri River Hotel which was old but very well kept.  We slept  in 2 single beds (I haven’t had a good nights sleep like that in 3 years… Joking Sean).  There was a pool which was nice for afternoon sun bathing but I think the pigeons enjoyed it more then me.  The downside to this hotel was you had to keep your key in this device in order to have electricity, so the rooms were stuffy at first because the air conditioning only works when your in the room. Also you can’t charge your camera unless your in your room because they only give you one key. We did however enjoy free buffet breakfast!

In Ayutthaya we rented 2 bikes, took a rickety old ferry to the old city and explored some ruins.  One of the temple ruins we viewed was the Wat Phra Mahathat which was built in 1384 during the reign of King Rachatirat. It was stunning as well as the park surrounding it.  There were elephants walking right beside us, we were on our bikes.  I dont think anyone realizes just how big they are until you have one practicaly brushing past you.  After exploring we dropped the bikes off and walked back to the hotel.  Along the way there were tons of  little stands to buy fruit or juice or sticks of meat (pork/chicken/fish) For 70 cents Canadian we picked up 2 bags of washed and cut fruit.  The fruit is exceptional, very fresh and flavourful! 

We calme back to the hotel to rest our feet and get ready for dinner.  We took the ferry again to the old city and had dinner at a riverside restaurant called The Old Place.  For $15 we got 2 beers called Singha which were the equivilent of 4 beers and 3 dishes, deep fried shrimp cakes, fried rice and fried chicked with a cream sauce, all were fabulous!  I highly recommend this place.  After dinner we went straight home for some much needed rest.

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