Summary
i spent ten days relaxing on Ko Samet, enjoying beaches, massages, and local cuisine at the Blue Ocean guesthouse. i explored the island, visited a local monastery, and watched the PloyTalay fire show before returning to Bangkok for the Lunar New Year.
After a three-hour journey from Bangkok to Ban Phe on a new bus, I walked to the pier and boarded a ferry to Ko Samet for ฿70. The half-hour sea journey was pleasant. Joe, my Camino buddy from Australia, stayed behind for breakfast.
I usually stayed at the Runa-Runa guest house near Hat Sai Kaew—White Sand— beach, but it was full. So, I booked a room at the nearby Blue Ocean guesthouse.
I found the Blue Ocean guest house on Google Maps. It had only been open for 10 months, with three units behind the retail pot shop run by Jay and his wife, Tiana.
The clean, surfer-themed unit had a surfboard showerhead and a comfortable Tempur-Pedic mattress. It included a hot pot, mini fridge, and A/C. The unreliable satellite TV meant I relied on France 24, YouTube summaries, and 1440 for news.
Most mornings, I’d have coffee and orange juice at my guesthouse, then head to Chili’s for an American breakfast of coffee, toast, eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, and cabbage salad.
I visited Sirion Massage for my daily oil massage with Da, but she was in Rayong caring for her parents. I got a massage from another therapist while she was away. Da returned on Wednesday and gave me my morning massage for ฿400, including a tip, during my stay.
After the hour massage, my daily routine was to go to the beach for a day of relaxing, exploring, and reading on one of the many resort beach chairs after doing my hourly walk along the beach.
I often bought pomelo, mango slices, or whole coconuts from vendors along the beaches. Each costs about ฿60 or under $1.75 USD.
On my beachside return, I usually stopped at 7-11 for orange juice, sunflower seeds, and a banana. Next door, a new smoothie store offered delicious mango smoothies, including a half-mango piece cross-hatched on the drink for ฿80.
One day, I hiked 10 miles along the beach trail, passing over headlands to coves. I saw four beaches in total. Unlike the AO Pudsa Beach, these beaches have resorts and bungalows hidden in trees, with a few right along the water.
I also visited the local monastery, admiring its shiny white Buddha, guardians, and two Naga banisters.
I enjoyed the delicious steak dinners at the Reef restaurant, where my old Pudsa Bungalows used to be. It only cost ฿560–$17, which included roasted potatoes, a variety of mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, and garlic, a great value and delicious.
I enjoyed having food at various restaurants along the beach as well.
One evening, I enjoyed an Alpenglow that gave the sky a rose color while having Museman Curry along with a fiery strawberry soda.
One of the highlights of my stay was watching the PloyTalay fire show along the beach.
I caught the 9 AM boat from Ko Samet that returned to Ban Phe.
I returned to Bangkok, taking this minivan rather than the big bus because the big bus was full. I was looking forward to enjoying the Lunar New Year in Chinatown, which celebrated the year of the Snake.
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