Wow have booked the flights.

We fligh to bangkok on the 28th March and come home on the 3rd June wow whee!!!

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Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.

Hi, we have always gone on a package hol but next time we feel like booking everything ourselves. How do you go about this? where do you start? where do you find flights? advice very welcome

Cuba must have left Dave in a good mood then! Lucky you, this time nest year it will be 6 months and then you'll be living on Samui 11 months of the year and we can all come and visit you!

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Alison

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It's Better to Burn Out than just to Fade Away!

Firstly, you look absoluely amazing - well done, and I know you'll keep up the great work.

How fabulous that you are having such a long break - I'm quite jealous. I'll do a separate posting on rental properties in Samui as I was investigating this a while back and will hunt down my findings.

We (my mum and I) are thinking of Samui in May for two weeks and was going to try Amari Palm Reef Chaweng as I seem to remember you liked this hotel, and I know they have those fabulous deals in low season. Do you think 14 nights there will be too long? Any thoughts on superior versus deluxe rooms?

Last year we stayed at Muang Samui about 150 metres south of Amari, so we love that quieter end of Chaweng. I know the weather is a bit trickier in May but last year we visited in July/August and it was just too crowded with families and screaming children as it was European school holiday time, so we want to avoid that this year!

Thanks for your advice.
Daniele

That's good Jax you can pop over to Bali for my birthday
Cheers Geri

Well done Jackie, I am already planning next years holiday and will probably book the flights around October and I havent even gone on this years holiday yet haha.

Next year we have to go to Thailand from Australia via Scotland, so that will be a fun work to work out.
Cathy

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http://www.cathyandgarystravelpages.com

The internet is the best place to start. I use either the direct airline pages or a flight shop such as trail finders etc. I then reseach through here and other sites reviews for places. I like the putting together bit.
Daniele: We like the Amari and more often than not they put you in the deluxe rooms. for us it is far enough out. We do think that it has got quite "big" to what it used to be. Prego is a fab place to eat and as we will be in samui march we can my be geet together. I would love to know what you found out about rentals
Geri; i would love to join you for your birthday in Bali.
Cathy; We are not that far from scotland you could maybe call in here on your way to Thaland you would be more than welcome.
Alison: Yes Dave did come round it was me that had a few jitters when we booked the tickets last night. nothing that a bottle of wine won't sort out!

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Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.

Hi Jax

Managed to dig out some of my notes etc ... it’s such a pity that villas really aren’t the go in Thailand like they are in Bali where you have so many to choose from - perhaps it’s just a space issue, but villas are so popular in Bali and so hard to come by in Thailand.

Anyway, here are some links you may find useful/interesting. There’s quite a range of quality and prices. I’m not sure if you and Dave are travelling on your own, or going with friends/family. To be honest, I’m also not terribly familiar with areas that fall outside of the stretch between Poppies and the Amari - we weren’t very adventurous last year - as like you, I was dreadfully ill with bronchitis/pneumonia so spent much of my time feeling delirious and lying on my bed!

Good luck!!
DB x

PS: We are probably going to be in Samui for the first two weeks in May - not sure about you!

Villa rental in Chaweng Beach with swimming pool - beach/lake nearby, balcony/terrace, air con, TV, DVD
Looks quite good, but judging from the views, it’s quite far away!

Chaweng Beach holiday home rental, Chaweng Noi with shared pool, beach/lake nearby, balcony/terrace, air con, TV, DVD
In Chaweng Noi - but looks good and a good price

Koh Samui Vacation Villa rentals in Chaweng Beach. Accommodation hotels and villas.
I especially like the look of this one but am not too sure of the location - might be a bit far out and you may need a car, which is a bit of a drag!

Villa rentals in Chaweng, Koh Samui, Thailand. Book direct with private owner.
This one is closer to Bophut than Chaweng

Pineapple House, Chaweng : Villa Rentals and Luxury Vacation Rentals
Bit out of my price range but it sleeps six so could be reasonable if there are a few of you!
This is an American website so the dates are back-to-front!

Chaweng Beach Villa Rental | Koh Samui, Thailand nice villa with ocean views. | PerfectPlaces.com
This one is a bit basic

Karma Villa, Koh Samui Holiday Villa Rental
Stunning - friends of mine stayed at Karma last year and raved about it - but US$650 per night, but if you had four couples sharing, could be a bargain!