Second Anniversary @ Ko Samui- Sandy toes & Salty kisses !

Ko Samui- Another place ticked off our travel bucket list. This place was our long-time dream. We planned to spend our honeymoon here, went Genting instead. Then the first anniversary and went Bali instead. This time we made sure not to miss this, as this is one of the few last trips from Singapore and so we booked the tickets 3 months early.

So as usual, this vacation started with duty free shopping at Changi Airport. It was just an hour-long flight to Ko Samui from SG. We stayed at the Nora Beach Resort in Chaweng area. The next day, we explored the area, booked our tour tickets at kiosk, tried the local cuisine and relaxed at beach. We planned 5 days for sight-seeing and 4 days to just calm down and relax.

Koh Tao & Koh Nanguan : The Perfect escape to Paradise:

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            All set with hat, sunscreen, towels and sunglasses, the high speed boat departed for Koh Tao. Koh Tao- The Turtle Island is blessed with beautiful bay and beaches and has spectacular coral reefs along its shoreline. It’s a paradise for snorkelers and divers. We did all the snorkelling like it was the last day in the world. After lunch we left for Koh-Nanguan. This Island is considered one of the beautiful islands in the world where 3 islands are connected with sandy beach. There was an option to hike up to viewpoint. But it was more than breath-taking at the beach. So we spared the hard hill climbing and sweating for some beach time. Thus ended our day 2, at this beautiful island.

The Full day Safari:

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            This was the most tiresome day in the vacation. The day started with 4x4 jeep ride. We did elephant trekking, experienced elephant massage, elephant shows, monkey shows, visited the Grandfather Grandmother Rocks(Also known as Hin Ta & Hin Yai), The Mummified Monk, The Big Buddha Temple, The Tanim Magic Garden, The Secret Waterfalls and hiked up all the way up to Namuang Waterfalls.

The Tree Top View- Welcome to Safari Massage:

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            After lunch, we started to the highest view point of Ko Samui on a 4X4 Mountai Jeep. This was the most adventurous road travel we’ve ever done so far. Bouncing over the rocks through the dirt paths, few throw ups here and there, few doses of adrenaline rush, we finally reached the viewpoint which was all worth it. To see Ko Samui with all its beaches, it was just spectacular. The best view ever seen so far.

Ang Thong National Marine Park @ The Anniversary Day:

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            These are group of 42 limestone islands encircled by coral bands and are surrounded by shallow water edged by secluded beaches, covered with evergreen forest and a wide range of flora & fauna.

Kayaking – PANIK !

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            At PhiPhi, Phuket, it was all canoeing and there was a Canoe guide who did all the canoeing for us. Here it was wilder than I did imagine. We both were first time kayakers and the feeling was more than nervous, Scary !. There were around 20 other couples (sure not first timers), kayaked with much ease and seeing them made us believe, that it was a real easy adventure. It was our turn, with all the nervousness and discomfort we were seated in the kayak.

            In spite of all the explanations, videos, instructions and lifejackets, I turned panic. A rush of faces passed in my mind. Though very near to our boat, it was in the middle of a sea and I made Arvind even more panic. The whole group was waiting for us in a direction and we were rowing the other direction. I rowed left, Arvind rowed right. The few others in the boat shouted and waved us to turn. I cried for help. Arvind tried to calm me down. We were a total mess. Few minutes later we figured and finally reached the group. Unfortunately we were taken in a long route and we had to kayak through 4 beaches. Others did it with much perfection and ease, enjoying the view and playing with each other. We had to sync our rowing. As Arvind was seated back he was the captain of our kayak, he instructed left right and to sync with him, I shouted left right with him. It was more like a march fast. It was too much of melodrama played by us.

More Kayaking- More PANIK !!

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            Somehow we crossed 2 beaches (not to mention, there was a lifeguard kayak following us all the time after all this drama I made). When I was about to break my kayak ladle, thank heavens, we finally reached the 4^th beach. (Can’t describe the Joy !!).

            We hiked up the to see the Maekoh Island- A Fantastic view of the saltwater lake- Talay Nai and the Emerald Green Lagoon. Luckily, I had brought my most practical hiking shoes- The Crocs ! After lunch we left to Wua Ta Lap Island in a long tail boat. Couldn’t handle too much of adventure. So we never did the 500m hill hike to see the 48 islands from the top view point. We spent every hour in the crystal clear water, finning with the fishes. Thus ended this day of adventure.

            After such an active day, we weren’t bothered a bit for our anniversary evening celebs. All dressed up we were all set for the big dinner. The day was too much to take, but all worth it.

The Canopy Zipping Adventure:

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            This was absolutely the highlight of our trip. This was the longest zip line on Samui covering 780 meters with 8 Cables. We zipped through the jungle from platforms/treetops. Each treetop had a beautiful view of the Island. Cable 1 was for training. The platform 3 we could see 2 sides of Samui- Maenam and Lamai. The Platform 6 even had a waterfall.

            I posed for the camera with all smiles. But I screamed and cried out loud the entire time. I couldn’t slowdown at one platform and with all that speed I kicked a guide’s eye, as he was stopping me from hitting the tree at the platform. This made me realize one thing. I am a no fit for adventure. Later I picked up some expertise (or at least I thought so!) and finished the lines, as there was no other option to reach the end destination.  At the end of the day, no regrets! Except for hitting the eye.

Our Zipping Adventure Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXYAFKUeJY0

The Samui Crocodile Farm:

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            They had so many crocodiles of various sizes. It was home for many other animals too. Crocodiles cannot be really tamed and basically they are wild dangerous animals that can eat people. The head in the mouth trick was rather worrying and we prayed that it should not be the trainer last performance. The trainer himself prayed too! It was a true display of bravado. Nevertheless both the crocodile and snake show was thrilling, nerve wracking and exciting. I love animals and I wouldn’t say this animal abuse. After all, it seemed like the crocs were friendly with trainers.

The Bike and The Beach!

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            Samui is a beautiful Island with many long uncrowded sandy beaches. The only way to explore around the Island is to rent a bike. We rented a brand new Honda PCX 150 and toured all the beaches. After all we were in Samui! We stayed at Chaweng area. Though Chaweng beach area is so commercialized, we were able to enjoy the true beach experience as our resort had a private beach.

Lamai Beach: The very next beach to Chaweng. A Long beach with yellow sand and a very beautiful coast.

Crystal Bay: The mostbeautiful beach on the Island with white sand and crystal clear water.

Few other beaches are Bophut beach, Big Buddha Beach, Choengmon Beach, Maenam Beach- Each beach a unique experience.

Night Market @ the Bophut Fishermen Village:

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       Ofcourse, An Island vacation does not come to an end without a night market. Nothing gives me pleasure like a shopping bargain. So thus came an end to our 9 day vacation @ Samui.

Just one word- AWESOME !

Heavenly Hongkong !!

Wow- what a country, what an experience! I have had such a fantastic time over the week or so I don't know where to start...so why not at the beginning. 

After a routine flight from Singapore, we arrived in not just a different country but what felt like a different age. Within seconds of being on the road we saw the long neat clean roads, hi tech bridges and the hdb’s comparatively better than sparrows nest for what HK is famous for. We were whisked in a taxi to our resort, on the edge of the Disney Land, the DisneyLand Resort, arriving in a magnificent resort with a beautiful Disney art deco style lobby. The rooms were so beautiful, large with all modern Disney styled facilities. We were already bewitched! That full day went on admiring the resort, the beach, then the pool, finally the gift shop (of course! the purpose of HongKong).

First up in the priorities for me was the Disney Land. We were in HK after all, and where else to go but the Disney Land. This was not far from our resort and so we took a shuttle bus. It was a great way to travel, and we soaked up the atmosphere, eyes on stilts. We then stepped into a wondrous world of the exciting and enchanting lands. The full day was with beloved characters, imaginary places of make-believe come to life, thrilling adventures. At the end, our day was made with grand fire work celebration, as Disney land was celebrating the golden anniversary. I had a doubt whether I was there for real or I was taken inside CN channel !! LOLZZ. So with many exotic collections from DL we reached our place.

 





As we did not want to  travel for long time each day, from one end to the city, we had made bookings at a hotel inside the city a month before. Thanks to that idea. These rooms were almost like bird’s nest, the rooms didn't quite match up, but no matter we had our time. HK itself as we were to discover, is like being in a museum. Almost all the buildings were old and crumbling, the 1980s buses outnumber anything else, and everything was steeped in history. We were already beginning to suspect just how different this country was going to be. 


Day three was City Tour day. So first up we piled into the bus and headed to the Victoria Harbour and Kowloon, towering skyscrapers and peaceful green hillslides. Then was our HK style breakfast with sweetcorn dumplings, and many ling sing dishes :P Then we travelled to THE PEAK from where we were amazed by the spectacular view of the surrounding city skyline. Finally to the Aberdeen fishing village, where we took a sampan ride for a closer look at the famous Aberdeen typhoon shelter and glimpse the lifestyle of HK’s remaining fisher folks. WOW!! It was no longer old village fishing style. The modernistic, new-fashioned hot Yachts were parked all along. This half day city tour ended with the grand DimSum lunch at the Jumbo Kingdom. Then it was the HK science museum and the remaining full day was shopping. Ahh Awesome stuffs for reasonable prizes (comparatively cheaper than Singapore). I dint wanna miss the night market (rofl !!). So we spent the half night in Temple street- Hundreds of little stalls line this busy street. Carts bulge with goods from casual clothing to mobile phones and watches. For me, it was a best place to buy the traditional stuffs of HK for memories. Trust me! we saw many Lamborghini s driven like no big deal ! in the busy streets of HK.

The fourth day was pre planned to the Ocean Park. It is a world acclaimed theme park. We enjoyed seeing amazing marine life, nature and exciting thrill rides. The park features one of the largest aquariums in the world and is the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia. There were also sea lions, dolphins, huge variety of exotic birds, red pandas and giant pandas. The ocean park itself is located in the hill, where the animals and less thrill rides are in the bottom of the hill and the thriller ones in the top of the hill. There is cable car service and a train service called ocean express, which connects the bottom and top of the hill. What excited me the most was the thrill rides and the ocean express experience. Imagine going around a giant roller coaster at the top of the hill, where beneath your feet you’ll find sea.

The last day was the memorable peak tram experience. Getting there is an unforgettable trip. There’s nothing in the world like Peak tram. Pulled by steel cables, the tram climbs 373 meters. Its so steep that the buildings we passed by looked like they’re leaning at a 45 deg angle ! Then to the Madame Tussauds which features more than 150 wax likeness of stars, world leaders & sports heroes displayed in interactively themed settings. It’s an amazing fun experience like no other. Pictures portray the truth J We had half more day for the flight and so we dint wanna miss visiting a historical place, which lead us to visit the St John’s Cathedral church.  HK was a fantastic experience and I loved every minute of it. It's a hard place to explain, to understand and to describe.

Memories created that last forever!!