Out of Town: A new meaning

Back home when you say you are going out of town it means you are going to another city in the country. But here in the fine city, when you say out of town, it means "out of the country".
We had a chance to go out of town last Oct 27 when we went to Koh Samui Thailand.We arrived thursday night and as soon as we checked in the ocean wing of Chaba Samui hotel we hit the street along Chaweng Beach to see what we can buy in those shops we passed by. Most of the shops there are selling fake designer bags, shoes and clothes! And the first thing my boyfriend bought were playstation 2 games for 100 Baht each! He bought Burnout Revenge (my favorite), NBA 2006 and Topspin. The last two games I haven't played yet because I still can't get the hang of the controls. Anyway, next thing he bought was an oakley shades for he does not want his transition lenses with real oakley frame sunglass to get lost in the beach! And as for me I was hoping to get a small Gucci bag but it's really overpriced (cost way more than the fake bags in Bangkok). But it's ok, I just bought three Lacoste bags not more than a week ago! It's a very fascinating street actually, you can find groceries, restaurants, pubs, entertainment/gaming centers, street food, desset and coffee shops and even drag shows. After more than an hour of walking and window shoppping, we decided to head back to the hotel and call it a night.

The next morning we had an early breakfast and took a stroll at the beach to see what we can do for the day. Unfortunately, the weather did not agree with us as it rained that morning. We were both soaked going back to our hotel. The good thing is, it did not rain that long and as soon as it's over, we quickly headed to the beach to get a feel of Chaweng beach. The first thing I noticed is that there are a lot of Europeans in Koh Samui! Now I know why Thailand has a better econmy than us! And like back home, there are a lots of beach vendors. We decided to have a henna tatoo each. I had a sun tatooed on by back and I can't understand what symbol KT had but it was pretty cool too. Plus it feels very nice that I haggled my way into getting the 2 tatoos for 200 Baht. It's actually expensive by my home standards but since I live in the fine city, it' considered as fairly cheap. And after haggling my way with a native accessories vendor, I was able to buy four native bracelets to give to the girls back in the fine city. And then we decided to rent a jetski! It was quite expensive for a 30 minute ride (900 Baht) but we both want to ride so we took it. At first, I let KT have all the fun so he can go as fast as he can. Then I took a ride with him for I'm not sure if I can ride again. Even if I know that I don't have anything to fear, I still get that first few minute jitters. And it was because of the trauma I had when Gilbert (an org team mate in college) and I flew from a Jetski because of overspeeding and big waves. I survived with a cut in my left leg plus I lost my canon camera lens cap! When it was my turn alone, I was so cautious as the wave is quite strong but I was able to max the speed for a while and it felt so good. But still, I'm afraid of flying out of the ski again and I'm afraid to fly off alone! And after all the jetski excitement we just lay by the beach with the three very cool topless Fench ladies beside us! And before heading back to our room, we had a massage by the hotel pool. It was soooooo good. You really feel all the tension and stress of your body going away.

And that night, we decided to indulge and treat ourselves to a delicious dinner of King Prawns in Garlic and Butter Sauce with White Wine! It was soooo yummy! Plus we had mixed veggies in oyster sauce and fruit shakes. A true indulgence. And with all the calories we gained, we decided to walk down the street again to book for a tour the next day. Plus we managed to buy some toiletries that are cheaper in Thailand! =)

The next day is our trip to Angtong National Marine Park for kayaking, sight seeing and snorkling. Our first activity was kayaking. It was my first time kayaing in the sea so I'm quite excited and nervous at the same time. Back home , I only kayak in the man-made lagoon of Puerto Balauarte. This is KT's first time kayaing. Our group was split into 2, the other group chose the open water part of the sea while we choose to follow one of the tour guides and kayak in between the small islands. It was very tiring to paddle and we came in 4th out of 5 teams. Now I'm having doubts if we can make it in The Amazing race! But in fairness, KT got a heavier paddle and we had a had time paddling with our life vests on. We decided to rest in one of the white sand beach and went on a dip to cool ourselves. I was so glad I wore a two piece as all the ladies with us are wearing it. I would certainly look like an astronaut if I wore my tankini! Then we went back to the main park and had a Thai lunch after which, they gave us time to relax around the beach before we headed to another island to see the lagoon. It was quite a climb to the top of Mae Koh Isand but it was worth all the perspiration as the view is spectacular! It was nothing I've ever seen before and I was glad we too this tour!

After working our upper body with kayaking and our lower body with climbing that mountain, it's time to feast our eyes and go snorkling at Coral Island and our crew came prepared with bread to feed the fishes. When I jumped in the water, the first thing I noticed is that the water is not as clear as back home. And the second is that I'm having a stiff neck because of my life vest so I did not see a lot of the corals and fishes as much as I want to. But I did enjoy feeding the fishes with the bread. It's a little scary when you see all of them swimming towards you and getting the piece of the bread but it was quicte fun too! Now I wish I still had my underwater camera with me! And after all that activities, I was asleep during the hour and a half speed boad ride back to the pier!

When the tour dropped us back to the hotel, we were both hungry so we headed to Swensen's for desserts! It was so good! I really like their chocolate ice cream. I'm even thinking of franchising it back home. I wonder how it will cost me? A lot, I would think. Then we went to a dive shop to see how much an Ocean Pack is (too bad we did not buy this there as it's so damn expensive here!) and then we went to Tops for barbeque food. After that we went back to the hotel for a nap before we watch the Drag Queen Show at Stars. But when it's time to go, I was so sleepy even KT can't make me get up. We missed the show and we just decided to go to Mc Donalds for midnight snack since it's the only food shop that's open.

The next day is our last day at Koh Samui. I had a quick breakfast (KT said he does not take that much breakfast during trips!) and I decided to hit the beach one last time! It was really sunny that day So I put on lots of that SPF 130 sunscreen we bought. Normally I would not go to the beach if it's that sunny, but I have this feeling that somehow the beach had cured my UTI problems beacause yesterday, I was sure I'm going to have one but after a dip in the beach, it did not happen. And I realized that it's been more than a year that I have not swim in a beach so maybe, just maybe, it has a curing effect on me! After that we headed to Tops to buy some chips for our flatmate and our colleages at work then we headed to the nearest massage parlor for a last minute Thai Massage! Our first massage was so good that we decided to have another one before we head back to the stressful fine city! Then we got dressed, checked out of the hotel, had our last Thai lunch and headed to Samui International Airport. We were there early and while waiting we took lots of photos of the airport that I wish we had back home. It was like a village with huge 'bahay kubos' and there is a shuttle bus to transport the passengers to the plane. It was so pretty! (pahiram Rosh!) Plus, they have a coutesy corner where passengers can get free food and drinks! Too bad we were so full from our luch that we only tasted the orange juice!

And unfortunately, our trip has to come to an end and we had to go back to the hustle and bustle of the fine city. But it was truly a memmorable trip and even more memorable because it's the first trip we had together as a couple!