Koh Samui airport

I would say, Koh Samui's airport is very much an attraction in itself.

When we arrived, I could see the vast difference compared to other airports I had been to. It looked more like a resort or a high-end golf course (not that I have been to one, but I imagine...)A very welcoming ambience.

On the day of our departure, we drove over using our rented car and returned the car after dropping off our luggage.

Then a buggy drove us to the main gate after we completed our check in process.

It was a short journey through the little beautiful road on the above picture and if it wasn't drizzling, I would have loved to stroll it down myself instead of using the buggy. Doesn't it look like somewhere in a fairytale?

Hearsay, the airport is owned privately and that is why the airport tax is very high, hence normally the airfare is higher than other routes of the same distance. Not many airlines fly in too as they restrict them from overflowing the place? Well, could be wrong, as the source wasn't that reliable. (my hubs la, who else)

Free flow refreshments are served in the lounge. All the passengers are spoilt for choice with the beverages there. I wanted to drink more than 1 cup!

We were very much in a hurry for our flight(nothing new!) but luckily the flight was slightly delayed and we had a little extra time to indulge in the lovely surrounding.

And then, we were off! Yay! Couldn't wait to see the kids again, really missed them and they were to be at a daycare center from early in the morning till we arrive. That would be almost 12 hours straight and I was hurrying my hubs along. That concluded our very short getaway trip for the year 2011.

Things to do/see in Koh Samui

We didn't have much time to explore the island, but studying its map, it seems to be pretty small and nothing exceptional which is a must-not-missed attraction.

On our first day after arrival and checking in, we were starving and went out to look for some food. It was late afternoon and maybe because of that, we couldn't find anything much on its main street outside the hotel. Walked a long way and decided to turn back to venture into Fisherman's Village of Bophut.

Ahh~ no wonder we can't find any food stalls on the inner street. All the food galore is in this little lane of Fisherman's Village. But since it's a mainly tourist spot, food there is expected to be on the higher range. As we were famished by then, we had no choice. I asked for tomyum, my absolute favorite whenever we are in Thailand.

Hubs was coaxing me into his idea to rent a bike for the next day to venture around the island. I was not very enthusiastic about it all, coz, you know, my make up and hair would be all messed up??!!! Nay!~ I just felt unsafe riding pillion behind a no-lesen fler. And and... how about all the stuffs we need to pack to go on an adventure like this? My water bottles, change of clothing, towels, etc... yikes! I was running out of excuses and he was still excited about his whole idea.

Anyway, in the end, he changed his mind after he checked out the price for go-kart. It costs like double for a 10 mins ride compared to renting a whole car for 24 hours??!! Vroom~ He was very pissed and he settled to a car, much to my relief when I was about to give in to his biking plan.

The next day, after breakfast and listening to its hour long presentation, the price we "paid" for the 2 nights stay, we went off to check out its town and some of the highlights of Koh Samui.

Went for a walkabout at this big gold Buddha and hit some gongs said to scare of bad luck leaving only the good ones around us. *smirk*

Went for a foot massage while hubs asked for a good back massage for his back pain. It was nice to be pampered like this.

Went to this lookout point with its amazing rock and sea scenery. I would have freaked out if the kids were there, as I would be worrying for their safety walking near to its edge. But being just on our own, we just need to look after our own backs and it was fun to feel adventurous like this.

Then we walked around Tesco and had a cheaper Thai dinner with tomyum (what else?) at some outskirts from the tourists spots.

That's about all we did in Koh Samui!

Anantara Resort Koh Samui

Last year, sometime in Dec, my hubs and I went off for a little short break on our own.

It was not planned way long before the travelling date as I hadn't any intention to leave the kids behind.

But one day, out of the blue, we received an offer in the form of a postcard in our mailbox to stay in one of their Anantara Resorts either in Koh Samui/ Phuket (or somewhere else I can't remember) in exchange for our presence in a 1.5 hours presentation to their vacation club.

I was curious and called up the number to inquire. And that was rather a mistake cause the tele-salesman was ever so aksi. He said "You had to say yes now to take up the offer, else if it's all given away, you wouldn't be able to take up the offer anymore. The phones keep ringing, hear that?" I swear he lied to me!

And in an impromptu and hasty manner, a decision was made. I checked up the airlines and found Koh Samui flights in early Dec were still affordable and a couple of clicks and calls later, it was ON!

Without knowing how to settle the kids yet. How exciting!

As the day came, things were even made clumsier when my parents (whom I was relying on to babysit the kids for me) were off to Korea with my brother and his family. I was almost in a panic mode and to the brim of calling the trip off. But the advisor had told us that if we missed the presentation, we would have to pay for the room for its 2 nights. That didn't sound too good.

Worse come to worst, I was thinking of taking them back to Ipoh to their grandparents home. But they pleaded with me to leave them in KL with someone instead, as they would be crying BORING in Ipoh. I felt for them, as I already felt heavy hearted to leave them here while we sunbathe in luxury style. Sigh!!!

So what I did, I pleaded with my ever-reliable best friend cum babysitter to come and help me out. She was not very confident initially, but managed to be persuaded into my plan after I told her another girl would be here to help her out. After all, these 3 monkeys of mine, are much bigger now and easier to manage, allow me to say.

They came and we were gone!

If you ask me if the trip had been great... oh well, it's ok. Just ok. I think it would be better if the kids were around. I missed them much during our separation.

Well, allow me to show you some shots I took of the resort for now.

We had jumped into this opportunity because we know Anantara Resort won't disappoint. We visited one when we were in Phuket some years back. It was right beside the resort we were staying in and I was impressed with it.

Comparatively, I think Anantara Phuket is much more spacious and enchanting. But since we haven't visited Koh Samui before, it was good all in all.

Unfortunately I didn't have the pamper of a massage at their relaxing luxurious spa, but we did have a few sessions of Thai massages from the outside. Pure enjoyment.

I so missed the kids when we were dipping in the pool or the beach for it felt so lonely with just the 2 of us. No romantic moments in the air. The beach wasn't very inviting though, as the sand were rough and the seawater was in a chocolaty color.

It has the monkey theme in this resort with every other resorts having their own theme.

The room was spacious and very comfortable. Bed was big enough to roll around.

And that was where we spent the 2 nites in Koh Samui.

Koh Samui preview

I almost could have turned back to KL at Koh Samui's airport on departure day.

That was when the immigration officer at KL told me my passport's expiry date is just less than 3 months away. I had thought it should be ok since it's so near, duh!

It was a worrying 2 hours plane ride, but nevertheless, I was passed through without any hitch at all. Thank goodness!

The airport didn't look like one, it looked more like a holiday resort to me! You just have to go there and see for yourself. It's so different and lovely, absolutely starts the holiday mood straight away!

Meanwhile, I'm back home and VERY busy trying to get things in place for the new home to be ready. I so wanna move right now cause even the current kitchen's light has gone awry and it's dark day and night in the kitchen. I have no mood to cook at all right now! Argh!!!