Koh Samui

It takes 2 overnight trains, a bus, a ferry and a mini van to get to our hotel at Ban Rak on Koh Samui. We've booked a standard room in the garden but decide to upgrade to beachfront. Ahh. $50 is relatively expensive but that's ok! We're in a quiet area, though almost all the beachfront is developed. Other beaches have umbrellas and vendors, and wall-to-wall markets/shops along the main streets. It's sort of like Bali without the hassle...!

We do the time share thing and win a free week's accommodation, eat beautiful cheap fresh spicy food, and generally chill out. Oh, and drink $2 cocktails at the 'walking street' markets.