Koh Samui

Island Retreat 2022

An Island Retreat

By Red Baron Diaries

5 Sept 2022 - Day 0

The Preamble

In less than 24 hours being back in the country state, we are leaving off for the second part of our September Beach Holiday....this time will be a short retreat to the Island of Koh Samui.

Situated on the opposite of the Andamans, Koh Samui is situated in the Gulf of Thailand with the wide open South China Sea in its backdrop. As this will be a short holiday trip, it would be more of a retreat than an adventure ride....just head there and chill by the beach (we will still do some places of interest along the way).

If time permits we shall visit some sites be it one that we had visited previously or a new one for us to discover.

Do catch us on our daily updates.

Check it out....Tigger is all set for his next adventure.

SAn Island Retreat

By Red Baron Diaries

6 Sept 2022 - Day 1

Its the start of Day 1 for our blogposts.

We made great time covering almost 730km within 6 hours of riding (nearly half of what google map recommended..hahaha). Had time to stop by Gurun RnR for Subuh prayers before heading out to Changloon to collect our thai travel documents and maybe have breakfast sinxe we are way too early and the thai document shop that is handling our document is not opened yet. I had arranged to pick up the document at 7am...but it seems that we made very good progress on the road. This is Navas first try riding up North beyond Kuala Lumpur and I must say he has done well. He is getting used to his new Multistrada V4, gett8ng used to the hamdling, speed control and overtaking taking in mind the size of the bike with panniers.

Breakfast to fill the tummy before crossing the borders

(Ya...pick up document too).

Once the documents were done, we proceeded out of the border complex and went on our way....first stop Cafe Amazon. Introduced navas to PTT petrol stations and Cafe Amnazon and how easy it is to find halal food along the way. 7-11 stores in Thailand stock up on halal fast food such as burgers, pizzas, some pasta etc. Just go in and look for them.

Picking up present....hahhaaha from Ducati Thailand.

Meeting up with old friend Khun Jirajit Thanasiri of Route 41 Phattalung. Now her place has expanded to include a steak house and also a motel for travellers passing by. Do drop by when you are passing the area.

Thank you for helping to arrange the delivery of the parcel from Ducati Khon Kaen.

An Island Retreat

By Red Baron Diaries

6 Sept 2022 - Day 1

Phattalung

Reframing Phattalung... visiting places that we had visited years back to see how the development of these places have been over the years.

First up is the Phattalung Grand Canyon, this place was just visited during my last trip (exception as the last time we could not get the drone working) but today we view it from a different perspective...from above. Instead of the normal place that I would go when visiting this site, i make it a point to sight a site from the northern tip instead. Finally this time the drone is working and managed to get some aerial shots of the area.

From there visited my old friend Khun Jirajit Thanasiri of Route 41 Cafe for lunch and also to thank her for collecting a parcel from Ducati Thailand on my behalf. It was a nice slow lunch as we take time to go through the plans for the day. Today is a simple ride up to Nakhon Si Thammarat so we have time to visit some of the places we had planned.

From there we visited Thale Noi, the waterfowl park for migrating water birds. To my amazement..now there is a charge levied...200 baht for foreigners (did not remember having paid anything years back unless you want to take a boat out). Take note...it is advisable to take the boat out in the early morning to see the lotus bloom Next up we cut across the The Queens' 80th Anniversary Bridge that cut across Thale Noi. Thing to note is that the colours were no longer as vivid as it used to be, the blue, yellow and red. Managed to get some shots as well using the drone.

The bridge cuts across towards Ranod and then to Pak Phanang...where we shall visit some places enroute to Nakhon Si Thammarat.

An Island Retreat

By Red Baron Diaries

6 Sept 2022 - Day 1

Pak Phanang

Continued on from Phattalung cutting across to the seaside strip i call it... along the South China sea from Ranod to Pak Phanang. The sea breeze was strong today with fresh sea scent stuffing our nose... as we passed many prawn farming village, we were also greeted by the many mosques that were built in this region. It was obvious that this region is majority muslim and has ties with the southern Thai - Kelantan Sultanate that stretch from Kelantan all the way to Koh Samui.

We had the chance to revisit the Wind farms of Pak Phanang and also went to visit the Royal Palace of the Thai King in Pak Phanang. Drove into Nakhon Si Thammarat to end the day. A good rest after a day ride.

Looking forward to island hop tomorrow.

Arrived at our hotel before it turns dark. Checked in and settled down in our rooms. Later on we went out in search of food. we also visited the nearby supermarket to purchase some snacks and groceries. Our stay for the night is the Twin Hotel in Nakhon Si Thammarat, it is one of the two big hotel here. Since this was suppose to be a relaxing trip we decided to get a nice place to stay throughout. In any case this hotel cost about 40 singapore dollars a night...so why not?

An Island Retreat

By Red Baron Diaries

7 Sept 2022 - Day 2

Nakhon Si Thammarat

Haf a slow morning today. Met Navas Khan over breakfast going over the plan for today. Hope hed had enough rest since it was his first time riding up to Thailand...and he did great on his first venture up. Hotel breakfast spread was awesome.

Once we left the hotel our first stop was to visit the house of the late Master Puppeter, Suchart Subsin.

A brief background of the master:

Born in Tha Sala district in 1938, Suchart learned nang thalung back when it was just beginning to compete with the Hollywood blockbusters and rock music that have since kicked many traditional Thai performing arts into obscurity.

In the 1980s Suchart opened his studio as a tourist attraction, eventually expanding it to include an informative museum and small theatre. He performed for King Bhumibol in 1985, and in 1996 the House received a “best cultural tourist attraction” award. Suchart went on to receive the prestigious title of National Artist of Thailand in 2006.

From here we rode down the coastal road hugging along Tha Sala, Sichon and finally Khanom. Dropped by Khanom beach, one of the most wonderful beach in Southern Thailand I must say. The peace and tranquility somehiw gives out the relaxing vibes that takes away the stress. I had spent a few nights here on previous visits and loved it.

Rode up to Laem Pratap (Pratap Cape) for the Coral Pagoda. From there it started to rain and we were caught smack in a Thunderstorm with no ends. Riding through small village roads and plantation (made a few wrong turns) and finally we are at Donsak ferry terminal. We had planned to visit a farm in Donsak but i guess it beats the point to do it in the rain.

So here we are wait8ng for our 3pm ferry to cross to the island of Koh Samui.

Arrived at Donsak Ferry pier and managed to purchase ferry ticket for the 4pm ferry. It was still raining heavily when we arrived there. Soaking and wet, we seek shelter in the terminal building while waiting for a hour for the ferry. We had some coffee to warm our body amidst the rain. Bikes left outside waiting in line to board.

Heading across the Gulf of Thailand ....its going to be a 2 hour journey in this rainstorm.. On board we had time just to sit and relax. Got some instant noodle to fill the stomach and the hot soup of the instant noodle was welcoming in this cold weather. The ferry had indoor and outdoor seating. I had always prefered the fresh air when travelling on boats so I sat on the upper outdoor deck throughout.

An Island Retreat

By Red Baron Diaries

7 Sept 2022 - Day 2

Surat Thani - Koh Samui

Arrived at our island retreat for next 3 nights... The Island of Koh Samui in the province of Surat Thani.

Booked this hotel at the recommendation of my friend. Was not disspointed. Paid the same price as two rooms but we got upgraded to a 2 bedroom villa.

Checkout of space we are having for the next 3 nights here. Anyway it was raining all the way from mainland Surat Thani in the afternoon all the way to Samui. We are drenched and glad to have arrived. Time to sit back and have a hot shower and sip some hot coffee at the pool deck. Tomorrow we will go round the island.

Although I have been here many a time on this island, there are still placea that i have not been to. Samui is another good distance for a rider to try out besides Krabi and Phuket for their first overlanding trip. Less hustle of Phuket and definitely much less foreigners, more quiet and peaceful and have enough sightseeimg options even for families with small kids.

An Island Retreat

By Red Baron Diaries

8 Sept 2022 - Day 3

Koh Samui

After a good rest last night coming into Samui all drenched and soaking wet, we sent our clothes for laundry. Breakfast was a simple affair of toast and cornflakes.

Headed out at 10 a.m. to visit some places that I have not been to on this island. Weather was beautiful, nice cool overcast morning. First up we visited the Overlap Stone on Samui Peak. The way up was an intense steep slopen with winding switchback on about 60 degrees slopes. We had to hike from where we left the bike through a forest trail. The overlap stone stands on the slope balancing precariously as if it can fall at any time. Took some photos and drone footages to capture the moment at times walking along the edges of the protruding rock face.

From there we headed to Lamai Viewpoint to enjoy the view up there while drinking coffee. The way up is via a cable car ride. At the peak you also have the option to zipline across the twin peaks. Spent some time chilling up there over coffee and shakes.

Got a call from an old time friend Mohammed Zahid, who happen to be in Samui around the same time as us and is herr with his group. Made arrangement to meet up for late lunch at the Muslim Fishing Village of Samui.

Enroute to the meeting pointbwe stopped by the Snake Pagoda, The Statuebof the War God (chinese mythology) and finally to Samui Central Mosque. We were just in time for the late afternoon prayers. As the call to prayers echoed within the village, villagers can be seen streaming in to congregate for prayers.

Lunch was a sumptuous meal since we had the numbers of people to share with. Order tradutional thai cuisine in a village setting at Samui Malay Seafood.

Spent the time till sunset and we headed back yo Chaweng together. Zahid and his group is also staying in the same hotel.

Ended the night with a massage in one of the massage shops across the hotel. Started to drizzle as we ended our massage session. Dipped in our private pool the rest of the night.

An Island Retreat

By Red Baron Diaries

9 Sept 2022 - Day 4

Koh Samui

Today will be alaid back day where we shall spent the day in the resort. A late wake up time and a slow morning breakfast followed by us inviting Zahid and his friends over to our villa to soak the morning away in the pool.

So anyway yesterday was supposed to be a chill day in Samui with nothing much planned. Sorry to Navas that I did not bring him to more places. We spent the day after breakfast chilling in our pool (well we had paid for it so better enjoy) and what better way to enjoy than with your friends. So called Zahid and gang over to our pool villa. We spent the time chatting and lounging by the pool all the way from 10 am till 2pm.

By then we decide to head out for lunch and walked around Central Samui for a while to get some little shopping done. Had a massage in the late afternon before heading back to the hotel again.

At night we went out for dinner and walked around the night market (most shops close early it seems even beforw 10pm) but perhaps there was a curfew, most shops were closing when we walked.

Walked back to our hotel, washed up and had a early night since both me and Navas had decided to do a one shot ride Samui to Singapore on Saturday....we had planned to take our time to arrived at the border by night and cross the bordee neae closing time. Then we will ride through the night down the North South Highway of Malaysia. All this in the hope of avoiding peak traffic since tomorrow is the end of the school holiday for Malaysia as well

An Island Retreat

By Red Baron Diaries

10 Sept 2022 - Day 5

Surat Thani

We had to bid farewll and good bye to the lovely islandf of Koh Samui. Early morning departure from the hotel. We had decided to do a straight ride back to Singapore 1400km away. However we are planning it such that we will exit Thailand in the late night. This is hoping that traffic will be much less crossing the border and also along the North South Highway of Malaysia. Bought the ferry tickets and checked into the ferry and 2 hours later we are in Donsak, Surat Thani.

Dropped by the island of Ko Raet which. is a very tiniy island linked to mainland Surat Thani by a narrow bridge. We were in time to observe a religious procession that were taking place on the island. We stayed for a while to take some photos and take a look at the procession. Shops and houses on the island were all closed as the vaillgers all gathered at the only temples on the island. There were also visitors from the mainland who came to take part in the procession as well.

Wanted to visit the Hugs Village and sit down at their cafe for some coffee and snacks. But the entrance fee to the venue put us off. It does not make sense for us to pay entrace fee just to go in and have some coffee. So we decided to forgo this visit.

An Island Retreat

By Red Baron Diaries

10 Sept 2022 - Day 5

Phattalung

Delong Garden

We are back on the roads in Phattalung and as we have made good progress copvering the distance southbound and still had time to spare, we decided to drop by Delong Garden to sit at their cafe for some coffee. Delong Garden is ideal for families who wish to bring their kids for some water play. It is a small establishment but enough to occupy the kids for a few hours. Parets can sit back and have cakes and coffee.

An Island Retreat

10 Sept 2022 - Day 5

Danok

Danok Night Market

While waiting to leave the border at a later time 11pm thai time and 12MN Malaysian time...we have BBQ meat here. Famous dish if you come over to Danok.

Relievingthe time when i used to ride the Honda Blackbird and we ride to Danok just for BBQ meat and Ayam Goreng (Fried chicken) and back again within 24 hours (those were the days.)

The Red Baron has landed...safely arrived at Gelang Patah 6.15am. That is 7 hours border to border. We left Bkt Kayu Hitam at around 11.30pm. Woohooi.... This closes the ride An Island Retreat Koh Samui.

Chilling at Gelang Patah while waiting for the morning peak hour malaysian bikes to clear.

The cctv looks ok....but sitting here we do see drones of bike leaving Malaysia CIQ non stop.

Its ok we chill and have breakfast first. Home is just a chop (in the passport) away.