A DQ treat before leaving the Bangkok airport... hmmm... DQ!

Koh Samui- August 20- 24

What a beautiful island. When I took a look at the view of the ocean the morning after we arrived- I couldn't believe it. These pictures show a glimps at it, but you can't feel the wind, smell the salt, and see the palm trees waving back and forth. Most of the trip was good. Shopping was difficult as you had to bargain to buy anything- so Holly had enough of that after one day of shopping. We relaxed on the sand, by the pool side, went shopping, drove around on the scooter, ate some really good food, found a baskin robins ice cream shop, swimming. So we were sad to leave after our week there.

Koh Samui- Sunset with the reflection on the ocean.

Koh Samui- Waiting for the Ferry back to Thailand mainland.

Koh Samui- Waiting at the dock to board the boat. At this time I was suffering from a bad headache- so I wasn't doing so well.

Koh Samui- A picture taken from our hotel of the bay that we had a view of.

Koh Samui- A cool picture Holly took while sitting on the back of the scooter- while I was driving. I guess she trusts me to get her to our destination safely.

Koh Samui- Kim on a scooter driving through town.

Koh Samui- Another quick shot of the beach with some tied up boats.

Koh Samui- Me waiting out the storm while Holly takes a pic.

Koh Samui- Us girls relaxing during a rain storm at the hotel resturant.

Koh Samui- Our hotel rooms

A guy I don't know, Me, Kim, Holly, and Xorla. On our boat ride over to Koh Pangan.

Koh Samui- View of the BIG gold buddha and big puffy clouds. This is taken from our hotel beach.

Koh Samui- Life does not get any more relaxing than this. This is Kim in her hammock on the beach... hmm...

Koh Samui- Kim by the pool side.

Koh Samui- Holly sun tanning and relaxing next to the pool.

Koh Samui- Xorla and I coolin off in our hotel swimming pool.

Koh Samui- The airport was interesting. We landed and were escorted onto a tractor trailer then they drove us to buildings that consisted of a roof and conveyor belts.

Thailand, Bangkok- August 18- 19

I met Holly at the Taipei airport on August 18th. We flew out that day at 7pm and arrived in Bangkok about 11pm. That night we got a 'package deal' from a travel agent in the Bangkok airport- well let me tell you- there was NO DEAL. We got ripped off. In our deal for the hotel room we also got breaky and a 'free' tour of the Grand Palace. The Grand Palace was good, but we actually ended up having to pay an entrance fee still. Oh well... we lived and learned. The hotel room was ... a lot less nice than we were lead to believe. Oh well... i'm sure we will have a few good laughs over it in a few months. In the tour of the palace, the tour guide also took us around to a few store where we spent all our money. Oh well... I am saying that a lot in this entry.

After our day of touring and shopping we took the last plane out of Bangkok to Koh Samui that night. It was pretty much smooth sailing after that. When we landed in Koh Samui- we were trying to find Xorla and Kim- but no luck getting through on phone- so we ended up asking someone to call one for us and we ended up staying here (The Mermaid) the rest of our vacation in Koh Samui. So that turned out well.

On our way back to Bangkok, we decided to take a ferry and boat. We left on a Tuesday at noon and got into Bangkok on Wednesday at 6am and waited in the Bangkok airport for a few hours and then landed in Taipei at 6pm. I ended up staying at Holly's place for the night and I caught a train the next morning. I got home about 3pm on Thursday. I was beat. I had been travelling for sooooooo long. I was sooooo glad to be home again.

Outside the Grand Palace I bought a beautiful wooden umbrella from this lady holding one in this picture.

Grand Palace- Guard on duty. I guess these guys have to stand still for 6 hours straight- How terrible.

Grand Palace- Gold Tower

Grand Palace- A mural painting with gold in it. Very beautifully elaborate.

I know we look ridiculous. We were made to cover up our shoulders and legs. So Holly had to rent a skirt (100 Baht) and I found my beach skirt... We are colour coordinating NOT :)

Grand Palace- Our tour guide.

Grand Palace- Gold, gold, everywhere...