evdog

Koh Samui

I haven’t checked, but I have a sneaking suspicion that Samui means “land of rain” in Thai.  Part of the reason I picked the east coast vs. the west, was due to it being the coast least likely to suffer April rains.  By the looks of it, both coasts are getting an early deluge.   Oh well.

Thanks to agoda.com, I’ve been staying at a really nice beach side resort.  Between downpours I’ve been making good use of the pool at the resort.  I was under the impression I was approaching some level of cardio fitness, swimming a few laps has set the record straight.  It’s improved a bit as the days have progressed, but still a gasp and wheez-athon.

It’s easy to see why so many people vacation on the southern Thailand coasts, it’s cheap - meals are no more than $3, last night I splurged for a $8 pizza, was craving some western grease, beers are $2, my room cost $30, and an ocean side massage(unless it rains) is $7.   I pass many a sun battered Thai travel veteran on the street, made distinct by their faded tatoos, nose rings, and fisherman pants.  While they’ve arrived in paradise and found no reason to leave, two weeks lazing about is probably my upper limit.

Across from the resort is an excellent used bookstore, one that actually alphabetizes by author’s last name.  With plenty of time to read, I’ve been making good use of it.  I hope against hope that when I eventually return to the “real world”, I stay away from the boob tube and keep reading.  It’s quite easy here when the only english language network is BBC World News.  One can only watch the headlines a couple times a day.

I was just on my way to get some food when the mother of all downpours hit, triggering a mini-flood down the storm drain free streets. I was huddled under the overhang of the local internet cafe, when the nice owner invited me in to stay dry.  My original plan was to check out the Full Moon Party on a neighboring island tonight, but who wants to party outdoors in the rain, umbrella in one hand, beer in the other.  Instead I’ll likely check out a nearby bar with a live band.  I listened to part of their set the other night.  You haven’t heard Mustang Sally until you’ve heard it done by a three piece Thai bar band.

I’m still plotting my next move, will either head to nearby Koh Tao or maybe inland to a national park. A check of accuweather tomorrow AM will tell the tale.

The rain just stopped… time to eat.