Christmas in Koh Samet!

Kev and i headed to Koh Samet for the Christmas break!

Koh Samet is the closest island from Bangkok and a popular quick getaway destination. Is not a very big Island and you wouldn't need to spend more that 3 nights there, unless you are a beach bum... then i would recommend 4!

We got the bus from Ekkamai Bus Terminal, about 15 min walk from out apartment, to Nam-Phe where you get the ferry across to Koh Samet. The bus journey was about 3.5hrs and cost 155bht, the journey was pleasant enough and the lovely decor in the bus just made my day! One day when i get a car i hope to have curtains just like that made for  it!

The Ferry took about 30 min,  i couldn't wait to get there and and head to the beach!

We were greeted by a massive manly looking mermaid on arrival at Koh Samet...a bit random, but they do love their mermaid statues there!

We stayed at Sunshine Villas, about 2 min walk from the pier. The view from out bungalow was just devine...so amazing to wake up to that view and a good start to the day! It was an awesome place to stay, overlooking the sea and the chap who owns it was very welcoming. The do a mean English breakfast, with real bacon and their cuppa tea was probs the best i have had here! The room was quite basic, but it had air con and that's really all you need! The bathroom hosted a terrified looking lizard Kev scared it, it fell and died shortly after, we also had some ugly looking worm like caterpillars too..they were not so easy to scare to death!

It was about a 5 min walk from out bungalow to the main beach. It takes you along the main, and only main road on Koh Samet, that hosts many bars, restaurants and shops! Don't blink...

The beach was packed with holiday makers, beach bums, tan-a-holics, Thai masseurs, sarong salesman, food vendors and a few creepy old men lurking around in tini tiny speedos! We spent the afternoon chilling on the beach and soaking up some rays! When Kev finally convinced me to have a swim i almost drowned! I'm not the best swimmer as it is and i really don't like getting my hair wet! I can cope with the embarrassment of the 'drenched look', but when my bikini bottoms were tangled around my ankles i  just wanted to die!

On Christmas Day we signed up for a boat trip. It was from 11.00 - 17.00 and took to to a few other small islands around Koh Samet, we had lunch on the beach (chicken and rice), went snorkling and swimming in the sea. It was a fab day out and an awesome way to spend Christmas! Christmas dinner was spent on the beach with yet more chicken and rice this time with some entertainment from fire throwers and Limbo dancers! 

On Boxing day we found a little possi on the beach and stayed all day! The tide was gentle so there was no fear of my bikini slipping off while swimming! We headed home the next morning and i was super sad to be leaving the beach, but I'm excited to try out some new islands in the near future!

Hope you all had an amazing Christmas break! 

xx

Chef Hayley makes Pad Priew-wan Moo!

Tonight i made my first Thai meal! Santa brought me this cookbook so thought I'd try out my culinary skills! I decided on the Pad Priew-wan Moo - aka.Sweet and Sour! 

Popped to the local supermarket to get fish sauce, a must for any Thai dish, pineapples and chili sauce. I didn't make my own rice as i find that way too difficult so asked Kev to pick some ready made on the way home. It went well, and Kev thought it was really tasty, however note to self: do not put too much chili sauce!! I found it super spicy, but was yum! Next I'm gonna try the mango with sticky rice... looks delicious! Perhaps i might invest in a rice cooker too!?!

The Hilne-ton Bangkok now serves food - visitors welcome! 

Bangkok Birthday Bonanza!

It was my Birthday last week Monday!

Celebrations started on the Saturday night with dinner and drinks in Koh San Road. We got the river boat about about 6.30, slightly scary in the dark, and headed to the first restaurant we could find... We were starving! I had chicken noodles and Kev had the club sandwich, washed down with Chang! Well.. Lots of Chang! Many Chang's later we were at the Bangkok Bar listing to live music and watching crazy travellers munch on fried scorpions! Eek! Even all Chang-e up don't think think I could ever put one of those little suckers in my mouth!!

 

On my Birthday i headed to Yoga, then went for a Manicure and Pedicure at Thonglor Nails! It was lovely, super relaxing a nice spoil! Thought I'd go for something sparkly and festive! After that i headed to the bus station to get our tickets to Koh Samed for our Christmas trip! I treated myself to a toasted cheese deluxe sandwich ( a real treat here!) for lunch!

Later that evening i met Kev for dinner! We went to a restaurant called Quince about 15 min walk from our apartment. I had the hanger Steak - Yum! Best and only steak I've had so far in Bangkok! Sadly no pics as the manager did something crazy with the flash when he took pics!

Thanks to all my family and friends for sending cards and Birthday wishes xxx

I'm an artist...?!?!

Last night i went to my first life drawing class!

I joined a group that meet every Wednesday evening for a beverage, a scribble and a natter. Thought it would be a good idea for a social get together and to try out my artistic flair. We met at the Fish & Ship, an English Pub a few stops away from our apartment, that serves true English delicacies like Chip Butties and Beans on Toast! You may laugh... but these tasty treats are sorely missed!

I arrived a bit early for the introductions and a social beverage, then we were escorted upstairs to the studio...well just the upstairs of the pub with tables and chairs turned to face the model. Once seated and set-up with our choice of medium (I went for the classic paper and pencil look) the model stripped off (ok - so i did have a little giggle, but then reminded myself i was an aspiring professional artist so pulled it together!)

The model (I didn't catch her name) did a few 1-2 min poses, then various poses for 15-20 min. She did seem a bit bored through some of it, but kept giving us reassuring looks! She had a lovely rose tattoo on her stomach - i didn't quite capture it -oh and i decided that hands and feet are too hard to draw so all my models from now on will be without them! 

So turns out I'm not the best artist in town! Perhaps the next town i move to will unleash my hidden artistic flair? It was a good evening out and I met some interesting people, I did feel a little intimidated turning up with my pad, pencil and ladybird sharpener - these peeps were serious professionals with easels and watercolor sets - but hey, it was my first time and i don't think i did too badly!

My Tools!

Bangkok Farmers Market

On Saturday we went to the Bangkok Farmers Market!

Every few months they are in our area and I'm always up for a Market Visit! The market hasn't been running long, it's small, but has an amazing selection of fresh seafood, fruit and veg, bread, cakes, home made jams, juices and cactus's! . And to throw some more excitement in has a few jewelry stalls!

We wondered around for a hour or so, sampling a few yummy things- we'd just had breakfast so unfortunately weren't hungry enough to try some of the delicious looking lunches they had on offer. 

Next time I'm go I'll make sure I'm hungry and be sure to stock up on a few yummy treats!