Breakast is served from 8am - 12pm and there is a choice of of buffet and ala carte food. The variety is not a lot but it's comprehensive. For the choice of egg, hubby ordered omelette and I ordered scrambled egg. The scrambled egg is too dry and for the rest of our stay, we ordered omelette.
Breakfast area
Breakfast menu
Fan shape placemat
After a filling breakfast, we set off to Lamai Beach. Halfway through Chaweng road, we u-turn back to the hotel as I forgot to bring the spare battery. I realised that some parts of Chaweng road is one way direction hence if you missed your destination, you have to drive a loop to return to your destination.
Chaweng road
Muay Thai poster
Can you spot Wat Khao Hua Juk?
Elephant rock
After 30min of driving, we saw the sign to Hin Ta and Hin Yai. This is one of the two carpark which we need to pay in Koh Samui, all the others are free.
Parking is chargeable at Hin Ta and Hin Yai
Enjoying the swing
From the carpark, it's about 10min walk to Hin Ta and Hin Yai. We reached a huge stone where we have to climb down the rope stairs. Actually just turn left which will leads to the stallls and eventually it will lead to the rocks.
Path to Hin Ta and Hin Yai
I have no idea why there is a chair in the middle of the path?
It looks challenging!
Hin Ta and Hin Yai are also known as Grandfather and Grandmother rocks. The stones looks like the male and female genitalia. There is a legend behind the rocks: "A folklore of Samui Island tells the story of an old couple by the name of Ta Kreng (Grandpa Kreng) and Yai Riem (Grandma Riem) who lived with their son in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat. Since their son had come of age, they felt that it was time he got married. One day they decided to sail to the neighbouring province of Prachuap Khiri Khan to ask for the hand of the daughter of a man named Ta Monglai. During their sea journey, their boat was seized by a storm. The old man and his wife were unable to swim ashore. They died at sea, turning into rocks as proof to the would-be bride's parents of their true intentions. The rocks stand there to this day.”
Hin Ta
I realised that the rock which I assumed is Hin Yai was wrong when I'm blogging this entry.
Hin Yai is located below
Enjoying the sea breeze
Stalls near Hin Ta and Hin Yai
As it still early, we continue our journey to Wat Khunaram. The temple houses the body of a monk, Loung Pordaeng. Loung Pordaeng passed away 20 years ago and his body was placed in a glass case. His body has remained in the specially-made glass case since his death and amazingly, shows only a few signs of decay. Out of respect of the monk, I didnt took any photos of him.
Wat Khunaram
Then we drove back to Sabeinglae Restaurant which is located beside Hin Ta and Hin Yai. The restaurant can be easily missed as the entrance is not easily spotted. Add: 438/82 Moo 1, Tambon Maret. This restaurant is popular with the locals and the price is reasonable. We ordered 4 dishes which only cost us THB605 ~ S$26 . I like the location of Sabeinglae Restaurant as it's just beside beach and has a good view over the sea.
Sabeinglae Restaurant
Yam Sabeinglae, Tom yam soup, Chicken Massaman curry and Deep fried prawn cake
On the way to Namtok Na Mueang, we passed by a red temple which is still under construction. Hubby commented that the temple is red in colour because of the tiles, probably it will be givewn a coat of paint after construction is completed.
This temple is unique as it's painted red
I mentioned just now other than Hin Ta and Hin Yai's capark, the other capark which we are required to pay is Namtok Na Mueang. From the carpark, it's about 5min walk to Namtok Na Mueang 1. Namtok means waterfall in Thai.
Coconut aint very cheap
The waterfall is not spectacular and we left shortly for Namtok Na Mueang 2.
Namtok Na Mueang 1
When we reach the carpark of Namtok Na Mueang 2, we changed our mind and decided not to visit Namtok Na Mueang 2 as it's 30min walk from the carpark. We wandered around at the entrance for a while only. There are ATV or elephants rides at the entrance and both are expensive. There is also photo taking with a tiger which I'm not dare to.
If not for the toilet sign, I would know that this is a toilet.
ATV and elephant rides
I wonder if it's 100% safe?
Next we drove to Magic Alambic Rum Distillery. Opening hours: 8am – 6pm. Add: 44/5 Moo 3, T.Namuang (South of the Island just passed Hua Thannon).
We are not lucky as the sugarcanes for making the rum will only reach 2 days later, hence we can only watch the video on the making process.
There are 5 rum flavours available for sampling: sugar cane, lemon, orange, pineapple & coconut and each sample cost THB50 ~ S$2. We tried the orange flavour which is the most popular one.
Magic Alambic Rum Distillery
The process of making rum
Citrus rum
We wanted to visit Buddha footprint but we just couldnt find it even after we asked the locals. As they can only speak limited English, they couldnt give us the correct direction.
We gave up and visit Laem Sor Pagoda instead. Along route 4170, there is a turn leading to Laem Sho Road. We drove all the way to the end and it's Laem Sor Pagoda.
Laem Sho Road
Laem Sor temple is one of the most important shrines on Ko Samui. The structure with its yellow tiles which gives off a golden aura is quite impressive. There are waves knocking against the concrete and results in the waves being splashed onshore.
Laem Sor Pagoda
Look at the wave!
Coconuts can be found everywhere in Koh Samui
About 300m from Laem Sor Pagoda, there is a small road leading to Pagoda Khao Chedi. The road is quite steep and I wouldnt recommend those driving sedan car to drive up there.
Pagoda Khao Chedi also goes by the name Laem Sor Pagoda, which can be a bit confusing seeing as there is another Laem Sor Pagoda below it on Bang Kao Beach which we visited earlier on.
Look out for this sign
It's steep
Buddha in mediation position
Rooster and chicken
View of Wat Laem Sor & Laem Sor Pagoda from Pagoda Khao Chedi
Views of nearby islands
We tried to visit Wat Laem Sor (the ship temple seen from the photo above) but we just couldnt find the road leading to it even though it seems to be quite near to Laem Sor Pagoda.
There is no paved asphalt road
We decided to drive to Nathon for sunset and on the way there we dropped by Hin Lad waterfall. From the entrance, we have trek for 10min but we still couldnt see the waterfall. We asked someone who is walking back to the entrance how far more we have to walk and he replied another 15min. We decided to turn back as my both legs were bitten by quite a number of mosquito. Hubby's slippers was broken while walking back hence our priority now is find a new pair of slipper.
Base of the waterfall
We just couldnt see the waterfall at all!
We drove to Nathon to search for slippers. It's the capital of Koh Samui so that should be shops selling slippers. We drove pass one and quickly stop the jeep. As hubby is in need of a slipper, we couldnt really bargain much. The slipper is about S$7 so it's not very expensive.
We stopped the jeep by road side and waited for sunset but the sun is covered by the clouds! We search for Nathon walking street which is held every Saturday but there isnt any stalls being setup at all.
Nathon beach
I have planned to have dinner at the stalls at Nathon but since there are no stalls open, we pondered where to have our dinner and decided to drive to Fisherman village.
We parked our jeep near the entrance of Fisherman Village as the road is one way direction and quite narrow. We strolled to Villa Bianca but it's only open for dinner at 6.30pm. Hence we walked around first.
Entrance of Fisherman village
It's so windy here
Typical thai house
Restaurants on the beach
Jet ski
Villa Bianca is an Italian restaurant and reviews mentioned that it's one of the best Italian restaurant in Koh Samui. We requested for outdoor seats which face the sea.
Villa Bianca
There is free serving of bread but it's too dry. We ordered 3 dishes which cost THB1,036 ~ S$43. The salad and ravioli are mediocre but the pizza was super salty.
View of Bophut beach from Villa Bianca
Chicken caesar salad
Ravioli
Ham pizza
We drove back to the hotel and went for massage. We return back to our room after massage as we were feeling very sleepy. At midnight, there were fireworks at Chaweng beach and we could see the fireworks from our room.
Fireworks
Paper lantern
No comments:
Post a Comment