What’s Summer without a Summer Getaway, and what’s a Summer Getaway without the beach, a lukewarm sea and cosy chalets? Koh Samed called. 2017 has been my busiest year yet, and it’s hard to not go bonkers when work demands for me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 30 days a month.. you get it. Besides chocolate, my guilty pleasures consist of treating myself to short relaxing holidays. Granted I'm still working on the go, its a lot better doing it with sand in my feet, to the sound of crashing waves, isn’t it? Like most Thai islands, we had to take a speedboat to get to Koh Samed. Having just been scammed for our speedboat tickets at Ban Phe (more on this later), Summerday Beach Resort’s warm welcome by their group of four staff, right on the beach where we docked, wiped the slate clean for the beginning of our holiday. In that moment, we knew it was going to be an amazing vacation, and boy were we right! Summerday Beach Resort is located on the most lively stretch of the island, Sai Kaew Beach. They’re an exclusive boutique resort with only six chalets, thus promising care and attention from their staff. Favourite thing about it? Slide open your door, take five steps forward and you’re on the beach, I kid you not. The boutique hotel’s decor is simple and tasteful with hipster vibes, characteristic of the new age traveller. We spent two blissful days slumped on the lounge chairs parked on the beach front, unwinding in lounge chair activities of all sorts. Enjoying our hearty breakfast. As we parked ourselves right on the beach, we had our lunches here too, where it ignited my addiction to their green curry. Almost died. Still worth it. ***On the ferry scam: Our minivan from Bangkok dropped us off 3 minutes away from the actual ferry pier in Ban Phe, in front of a shop called Chokmana Tours. They told us there were no other boats heading to the island, and wanted 3000 baht one way for a speed boat ride there. After negotiating, we paid 2200 baht for 2pax, 2 ways on a shared speedboat. Upon paying, they dropped us off at the actual pier that was selling speedboat tickets at the accurate price, which was only 200baht. It then hit us that they had made arrangements with the minivan to drop us off away from the actual location. CHOKMANA TOURS, we later found out they’re renowned for all sorts of scams, Do not engage. Head directly to the jetty and you’ll be fine. :) Two days in, we had a change of scenery at the other side of the island. Having enjoyed 2 bustling days filled with robust crowds and an abundance of things to do, eat and see, we wanted a taste of the peaceful plane Koh Samed had hidden away. Moobantalay Resort sat a comfortable distance from the hustle of the island’s popular beach, and had exclusivity, peace and relaxation to offer. Our beach front chalet boasted more than a generous amount of space- with characteristic wooden decor, an open-concept shower, a quiet porch to laze with our books on, and an adjoining garden with our very own gazebo and hammock. Forget not, all of this is right smack on the beach, with the swimming pool three feet to our right. Joey and I intended fully to kick off our sandals and do absolutely nothing here, and we very well did. She delved into a world of fiction, and I emails, books and good ol’ Kinfolk. It was absolute paradise, and rotating between the private beach, scenic poolside, tropics-style porch, swinging hammock and the encapsulating bed was exactly the break off work we needed. Our three meals courtesy of Moobantalay Resort. Creme Brûlée, Phad Thai & Panang Curry- 10/10 would recommend. ;) Koh Samed was nothing short of lovely, and you now know my affordable go-tos on the island! Must enjoy the sun;
Must enjoy the sea. Summeryday Beach Resort: http://www.summerdaybeachresort.com/the-hotel Moobantalay Resort: http://www.moobantalay.com/ x, Annabelle.
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AuthorAnnabelle Sue Ngieng Archives
June 2017
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