When you come to visit Thailand it seems clear you have to find some time to spend on one or two (at least) of the many offshore islands.
There are masses of choices - depending on what you are looking for and also the ease and cost of access.
First of all I decided to go to Koh Samui from Bangkok. Ko Samui is a relatively big and popular island in the Thailand Sea - so south of Bangkok and east of the mainland strip.
I chose to use the Lomprayah company for travel because of researched reviews and online booking convenience. I was very happy with them. AC coach from central Bangkok was up together and comfortable. The drive to Chumphon to pick up their high speed catamaran is a longish one but is a significant advantage over other companies who drive much further south - to the Surit Thani ferry link. Admittedly then the ferry crossing is a lot shorter but I would much prefer to be on the sea than in an AC coach - however comfortable.
The ferry was quite busy - but the system worked well. The fast cat ferry docked at Ko Tao first. It was necessary for a quick ferry change to the adjacent one for onward to Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. There were lovely island views - each small port harbour was buzzing and attractive. In fact the combination of dramatic skies - it is the shoulder season - bright sun but with rain and lightening storms common - wide warm seas of often amazing colour - dramatically shaped limestone islands and islets made the crossing really memorable. I loved being up on the top - in the strongish cooling breeze generated by the speed of the catamaran- watching the longtails, the ferries, the fishing boats and the junks plying their trade between the many islands. Care though on top - that sun is hot and of course easy to underestimate on a boat.
So arrival at Ko or is it Koh Samui? Amazing to be here. Lomprayah offer free drop off at your hotel/hostel. Off to Gullaytu Resort. See the next blog!
Here are some mob pictures from the crossing.
There are masses of choices - depending on what you are looking for and also the ease and cost of access.
First of all I decided to go to Koh Samui from Bangkok. Ko Samui is a relatively big and popular island in the Thailand Sea - so south of Bangkok and east of the mainland strip.
I chose to use the Lomprayah company for travel because of researched reviews and online booking convenience. I was very happy with them. AC coach from central Bangkok was up together and comfortable. The drive to Chumphon to pick up their high speed catamaran is a longish one but is a significant advantage over other companies who drive much further south - to the Surit Thani ferry link. Admittedly then the ferry crossing is a lot shorter but I would much prefer to be on the sea than in an AC coach - however comfortable.
The ferry was quite busy - but the system worked well. The fast cat ferry docked at Ko Tao first. It was necessary for a quick ferry change to the adjacent one for onward to Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. There were lovely island views - each small port harbour was buzzing and attractive. In fact the combination of dramatic skies - it is the shoulder season - bright sun but with rain and lightening storms common - wide warm seas of often amazing colour - dramatically shaped limestone islands and islets made the crossing really memorable. I loved being up on the top - in the strongish cooling breeze generated by the speed of the catamaran- watching the longtails, the ferries, the fishing boats and the junks plying their trade between the many islands. Care though on top - that sun is hot and of course easy to underestimate on a boat.
So arrival at Ko or is it Koh Samui? Amazing to be here. Lomprayah offer free drop off at your hotel/hostel. Off to Gullaytu Resort. See the next blog!
Here are some mob pictures from the crossing.
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