Phuket to Koh Samui

Scottevest AFTER I removed a ton of stuff

The next morning I got my last run in, grabbed breakfast, then zoomed with my family while I finished packing. Bangkok Airways said I could have 20kg total (44 pounds) of luggage, but I wasn’t sure if that included my carry one luggage, so I pulled out my handy Scottevest with its million pockets and stuffed it with all my small heavy items. It then weighed about 15 pounds and even on zoom my family agreed it looked like a giant red lifevest! And the camera adds 10 pounds so it must have looked more like I was wearing an inflatable lifeboat. I removed some of the larger less dense items and got the vest down to something odd looking but reasonable.

Hertland Massage water bottle

Then I checked out and rushed off to my massage since I only had 2 hours before my taxi was coming to take me to the airport. My last massage was wonderful! I had woken up with a few new aches from yesterday’s flowboarding (actually mostly from hitting the wall) and this took them right out. Then because I was running very late, I asked if I could get a scooter ride back to my hotel. The owner, a very nice woman name Toi, took me back. She has really built up a fabulous business!

Colorful painted street by massage

Cool painting on street my massage

colorful street by massage

phuket airport massage sign

My taxi was waiting for me and whisked me off to the airport. There is a row of massage charis at the Phuket airport, which many were partaking of though I had already had the real thing so I passed.

Phuket airport massage chair

Boarding the smallish plane

The plane was on the smaller side. It had 18 rows of 2 + 2, but was only about ¾ full. I remembered that Samui airport was my favorite in the whole world. They had beautiful giant open-air tiki huts where you waited to board your flight. I hope it is the same but I couldn’t tell as we came through a different way. I do know that the pickup area is much much further away, but I was pleased to see when I finally got there that a young man was waiting for me with my name on a sign.

New Maenam Reception area which used to just be a dirt lot

The resort has changed quite a bit in the 18 years since I was last here. The road leading to it is paved and the big open dirt area in front is gone, replaced by a beautiful reception building. All the beachfront rooms now also have a nice porch overlooking the ocean, as well as an impressive bathroom with outdoor shower. For me, the most important feature of the room is how nice/clean the bathroom is, and I am very happy.

Nice room and porch

New renovated bathrooms with outdoor shower

Went to dinner at 7, nice table overlooking ocean. Brought a couple of mosquito coils for me, as he set down the second one I realized I had already been bit! After all that time worrying about preventing them in Phuket, it was a bit amusing. I made a quick trip to my bungalow and slathered on some Odomos and the mosquitos proceeded to ignore me.