Well, finally, I found the strength and time to continue writing about my travels. More than a year did not write. I apologize to those who were waiting for posts. I had a creative crisis, but now a second wind has opened :) And I will start writing on a separate domain. Yes, now it will be a separate blog, which is much more convenient for both me and readers.
In recent posts, I promised to write about how I lived on Koh Samui (Koh Samui), what I did and what I saw. At the moment I just live here, so it will be quite easy to write this report. This is my third visit to this wonderful island. The first time I lived on Samui for about two months. I liked the island so much that I would stay there for permanent residence. It's like my second home.
The island is divided into areas: Nathon (Nathon), Bang Po (Bang Po), Maenam (Maenam), Bo Phut (Bophut), Chaweng (Chaweng), Lamai (Lamai), etc. Almost every area has a beach of the same name. I'll start with the main pier, which usually comes to the ferry - a pier in the area of Nathon (Nathon). It would be great if you bought tickets to Samui, which include transfer to the hotel (Transfer to Hotel), but if not, then disembarking from the ferry on the pier - you have to get to the hotel yourself. Now I am booking a hotel for 1 night, and then either I am looking for some other accommodation, or I am staying for a longer period if everything suits me. If the hotel is not booked, then in order not to go far / walk you can rent a hotel right in Nathon. There are few hotels here. Prices for a room start at 500r per night. Taxis and Songteos (tuk-tuk) are offered directly on the pier. If you want more or less cheap to get a tuk-tuk, try to go with the majority of people from the ferry. Then tukukera sit all in the car, depending on the area in which you want to get there. Since the machine is packed with people, the price is not very high. For example, on a tuk-tuk to Bophut, they took me 80r, while 400r were asking for taxi drivers, and motorbikers — 200r.
Sometimes you can see fireflies. Here one flew to us right in the house.
Vehicles for rent
If there is a desire / opportunity, you can rent a car or a motorbike right in the area of the pier and drive to the desired place by yourself. As elsewhere in Thailand, Samui can be rented: a moped, motorcycle, car or even a bicycle. Riding a bike is certainly useful, but there are no separate roads for cyclists here. For special perverts can be found in the rental of electroweek. You turn the knob and the bike goes by itself :) But I didn’t recognize how it was with charging. On the beaches you can rent jet skis, paddleboards, kayaks, etc. I rent a motorbike. The price of renting a bike depends on the period, if you take for 1 day - one price (150-250bat), if for a month - then another (100-150r). In general, you need to bargain. Before you sign the contract and pay, it is best to go for a ride, check the brakes and everything else. Especially if you take a bike for a long time. I usually take the Honda Click 125 or Honda pcx 125/150. Most importantly, the bike was in good condition. For a long time, the brand new Honda Click 125i held at the lease for 166 baht / day (almost 5k rubles per month). Normal mopEd was powerful (125 cubes) and stable, with a roomy trunk (it includes 2 helmets). Especially pleased with the combined brakes. Now I also rent a Honda Click 125 for 3000 per month.
Roads
Half the roads of the island average scall. There are bumps and small pits. There is a ring road (on the map - Main Road), on which you can drive around the island around. I left at 11 pm and drove around the island in an hour. Somewhere drowned under 90-100, somewhere 30-40. As a result, drove about 58km. A good road starts from Bophut and stretches towards Lamai. Traffic is not as much as in Pattaya or Bangkok. Not at rush hour you can ride normally. On the road, you can find quite expensive cars and old collapsing troughs.
Houses and rooms
Samui has a large selection of different types of housing - hostels, guest houses, hotels, houses, bungalows and villas for rent. Sample prices: A simple room with a shower, Conder and Wi-Fi can be found for 350 rubles / day. Houses for long term rent with a kitchen and everything you need - from 6000 rubles / month. Approximate prices for guest houses and hotels can be viewed and booked on sites such as Agoda. To find a house, the best option is to travel around the island, stopping at every turn, look for signs for “House for rent” or just drive into places where houses stand and ask people you meet there. In principle, there are quite a few houses here, but in the high season all the best options are occupied, and you will have to try to find the house that suits you. Two years ago I did not book a hotel through the Internet, but simply sailed to the island and was looking for accommodation. I rented almost the first available option, and then I was already looking for something better and cheaper.
Life turned into a fairy tale :). In the morning and at lunch I tried to work (sometimes it was possible). After lunch - the sea, the forest or some place. In the evening through the day exercise machine, swimming pool, sauna (awesome combination). And if even after that go for a massage, then generally a joy. Plus, I lived with a good and interesting person, so I was happy more than usual and, maybe because of this, I loved Ko Samui so much.
Where and what to eat?
With food, everything is the same as everywhere in the tourist areas of Tai. You want - eat cheap in Thai cafes / canteens. Low prices, large portions, often free soup and water. Do you want to - eat in expensive restaurants. In restaurants, the price for Thai dishes is 2-3 times more expensive than in Thai eateries. No free water and soup. They are good because you can find not only Thai food here. There are Russians, Japanese, Indian, etc. restaurants. You want - buy food and cook yourself (the cheapest option). I do not want to cook. Why is this necessary if you can eat 50 rubles? :) But sometimes something can be cooked. For example, we fried potatoes, pickled cucumbers and red fish, etc. You can also buy food at markets and fairs, which can often be found here. I eat in Thai eateries and foodstuffs in supermarkets (mostly in Big C). Sometimes I go to restaurants. Especially fond of the Japanese restaurant Fuji in Tesco Lotus. It's expensive there, fig service, but very tasty food.
People
The island was flooded with Russians. Wherever you come, you will come across them everywhere. All houses for long-term rental are occupied mainly by the Russian-speaking population. Do you have something anointed with honey? Samui is not the same. All going to Phangan - it's better there! :) Also there are quite a few Germans. Thais are still good, but not as smiling as before.
Places and Beaches
Samui has something to see. I will not describe everything here, the post has already turned out pretty big. I will briefly describe some of the places. Chaweng is the most rave district on Samui. There are many bars, restaurants, massage parlors, markets, go-go bars, etc. In the evenings, people from all over the island flock here. The beach here is not very, and crowded on it. Beaches that I love: Maenam beach and the beach next to the Mimosa hotel (located here). Previously, Coral Cove Beach and Crystal Bay Beach beaches were good, but this year I found the water on these beaches turned green (perhaps for a while, I don’t know). In addition to the beaches you can still visit: waterfalls (see on the map), viewpoints (high points from which you can see the surroundings), shooting ranges or shooting ranges (Shooting range), butterfly garden, crocodile or snake farms, Buddha’s Magic Garden (Zoo) , 12 meter Buddha statue (Big Buddha), airport (see how airplanes land), etc.
All this can be visited independently, and you can take various excursions in local tourist offices. Maybe then I will make a separate post with a description and photos of the beaches of Samui and a post about what to see on the island (if someone needs it).