Chaweng - round two.

This morning we decided to take the shuttle and revisit Chaweng. The shuttle runs at 10.00am, Chaweng was still in lock down from partying hard until the wee hours and most businesses didn't seem to open up until at least 11.00am. It was good to have a look around in the day light and see another side to this destination. That said, it doesn't really improve first thing in the morning. For one, the smell is something that takes a bit of getting used to. The other thing is the hustlers trying to tout their business. The number of Indians calling "boss" to attract Franks attention so that he would get fitted for an "Armani" suit was beyond annoying. Then there are the people on motorcycles who zip up beside you looking cool then try to sell you a day trip or the like. We finally twigged that saying "thanks, but no thanks" was a better way of getting rid of them. Otherwise it was 20 Questions - where are you from? Are you from Australia? etc....it was incessant and never ending. Eventually I just told a white lie, saying "sorry, it's our last day" which it sort of was. Through it all we soaked up the atmosphere, drank lots of water, melted a little, and found one treasure to buy. All in all a good morning, then a swim and quiet afternoon at home. Post cards to write, bags to pack etc. Good bye Koh Samui as tomorrow we fly to Singapore on the homeward leg of our journey. 5.2.2013

Chaweng

Immediately you arrive in Koh Samui, the vibe is different and there are more tourists. I should have expected this, but am surprised still. Especially by the amount of tourists and their daredevil antics on motorbikes. At least the locals know what they are doing when they stack loads, extra people or children onto the motorbike with them. Unfortunately one gets the feeling that these idiots have never sat on a bike before let alone been let loose riding one. Many adopt the local custom of not wearing a helmet. Disaster waiting to happen.

We went to Chaweng to explore and have a look around. This action zone runs either side of the road for a kilometre or so. Many variations of the same restaurants, bars, massage places, cheap t-shirts, souvenirs and imports, including of course the obligatory fakes. You can buy Havianas, Rolex or Chanel as cheap as you like. I was interested to not that as we came through Koh Samui airport there was a sign warning that some European countries have stiff penalties for bringing fake designer goods in. Be warned. Actually Chaweng reminds me a little of Surfers Paradise. The place to be seen on the Gold Coast, but locals don't go there. Under the glitz and glamour it is a little tatty. Not my choice of destination, but you need to see it once, so we sat for a while with a cold beer in the famous "Bondi" Aussie Bar and watched the passing parade. Quite an eye opener. 2.2.2013