Time for a change and yet another island as we left Pattaya (Thailand) after 50 days, took the bus back to Bangkok (2 hrs.), then transferred to an overnight train at An Bang station, which was enormous and beautiful, as nice as an international airport! From there we went south to Surat Thani (11 hrs. overnight more or less) then ferried to Koh Samui (pronounced “Koh samooey”). Now we get to see what this little jewel of an island that everyone talks about is like, so we’re checking it out.

The train ride was not the most comfortable in the world (for me) and instead of private cabins, all the berths were along the length of the rail car, but it was roomy enough, like a dorm. We left on time (7:50 pm) and arrived on time, 0630, SO that is always appreciated using ANY form of transportation!

From the Surat Thani train station we were solicited by vendors offering a combo bus shuttle/ ferry ride to our island, so we bit to the tune of 420 baht, about $12, but I had no idea that the Donsak ferry port was over an hour’s ride. Even so, the station was delightful and we hopped on for an easy 90 minute ride across the Bay of Thailand. Kudos to Seatran, the vendor, for keeping unbelievably clean bathrooms–always a nice surprise. Before we left, I joked with Kathleen and told her that this would be your last chance to use a clean bathroom before we get on the ferry, but I was wrong.

We have a nice AirBNB room, but it’s actually an upstairs/ downstairs apartment. Not bad for $15.50/ night. For 5 days we’ll explore and possibly go to yet ANOTHER nearby island, Kho Phangan, to see which is better. I think this makes 16 islands we’ve stayed on in 12 months, and I have to say, sometimes getting to them can be challenging…