Loved the "Red house" in Bophut Samui
Loved the "Rungarun" in Bantai Phangan
You couldnt pay me to go back to Chewang on Samui!

I should have taken Bobmacs advise on Lemai and stayed there instead of Chewang!

14 nights and came in under budget $1,300 AU dollars (excluding accommodation) For 2, but bought everything and wanted for nothing and paid for all transport out of it.

Biggest splurge was at the "Dome" and "Ocean52" at sirrocos state tower in Bangkok where I spent 2500bt on drinks and tips but well worth the splurge as their longisland tea is the best I have ever had,and the best 5 star hotel I have ever been to,what a view! what service!

Because of the high fuel prices I found a lot of Taxi,s refused to use the meter in Bangkok and I dont blame them with flagfall plus first 2Km,s 35bt and I always tipped them at least twice the meter price.

The night train combo ticket from Samui to Bangkok was a great experience and would recommend it to all,the foods a bit of a rip off though.

Couldnt sleep on the top bunk so ended up on the bottom with Tracey because of the movement,but overal very comfortable and the security "tail" the first class passengers at Suratani station and make you feel very safe.

The como Ferry/coach/train run like a dream and the organized chaos somehow run very smooth?

If I did it again I would get the ferry bus combo ticket on the high speed cat ferry and stop in Chomporn and Hou Hin to break it up a bit.

Never paid more than 90bt per dish for food with most coming up at around 65-85 bt,why people pay up to 300bt per dish beats me as you can get the same food at less than a third of the price,you just have to find the resturaunts,which was a bit of a struggle in Chewang.

On Samui and Phangan "Low season" Just means "Low sea" As the tide is way out in most places with very shallow water (ankle to nothing) And when you do find some shallow sea its way too hot to swim in,but perfect weather.

I strongly recommend the "Rungarun resort" In Ban tai Koh Phangan, we had absolute beach front well appointed bungalow with bath tub in the bathroom and great aircon for around $50 AU a night! Fantastic swimming pool ,cheap but great food,and best of all we were the only guests?(Bungalow RO2) The resorts ether side of us had lots of guests but were nowhere near as good as the"Rungarun" and a lot more expensive?

Bophut on Samui is fantastic and the trendy "cafe strip" of Samui,but I feel you have to stay right in the village to get the vibe of it!

The "Red House" Only has four rooms,all with big balconies right on the beach,we had the "Good luck" room on the ground level with a wooden ladder leading to the beach one side and a small hallway into the street and nightlife (no girly bars full-stop) at the rear.

It was typical Thai style guest house but with a Chinese theme and designed and renovated by the German owner and architect.

Great for couples 30,s to 50,s as there is little to do but eat and drink,and listen to Barry White on your ipod if you get my drift!

You just cant get into the vibe of Bophut fishermans village by visiting from chewang just for a seafood meal and really need to stay there in the thick of it. At around $60 Au a night it was well worth it.

The whole trip? Well Bangkok is Bangkok and I will never tire of going there,Koh phangang I will visit again some day,Samui I will not bother with again and to be honest "Koh Samet" wins hands down on Samui for both beach and nightlife with that island feel.

Next time for me will be Koh Samet for Beach,Kai Bai in Koh Chang for that little bit of romance and great beachfront bungalow(Little bit pricey) Bangkok for shopping and Pattaya for a bit of skank.

I was told on this trip that I was a "Flash packer" much better than "cheap charlie" Don't you think?

Den

Glad you back safely Den, I'm now living in Esarn as missus has been transferred with her job.