Hailing a van to Rayong

The sun rose on Monday morning and though I again failed to collect more than 6 hours of sleep, the day brought great promise: a gym. Since I still had not secured an accommodation, Calvin graciously allowed me to stay at his Chonburi apartment, which had a gym facility. Once we were up, we walked over and as we approached, I felt a schoolboy-like excitement inside. We headed up the stairs, opened the door, and the first glances brought an awkwardly disappointed look to my face. A few old treadmills, a couple weighted machines, and dumbbells that only reached up to 40 lbs. Not what I had hoped for but I was going to make it work. Low weight meant I was in for a heck of a lot of reps. I went for a  total body workout and did about every movement I could think of. After an hour I was gassed and feeling very happy to finally get some familiar fitness in my life.

Koh Samet Port Statue

After the gym, we quickly got ready and went to the street to hail a van to Koh Samet. In a few weeks I’m sure it will feel silly, but hailing a random van made me a bit nervous. We stuck out our hands as a fellow teacher had instructed us to do and after a few vans ignored us, we finally got one to stop. For the price of only 200 baht (~$6), we sat in our van for the next 3.5 hours as others got in and out along the way until we arrived in Koh Samet.

Koh Samet Map

Koh Samet

Named after the many cajeput trees that populate the island, Koh Samet sits just a few kilometers off of the mainland’s southeast coast. Feeling anxious to get on the beach, Calvin and I took a speedboat from Ban Phe to Koh Samet’s centrally located Sai Keaw Beach. We dismounted a few meters from shore in crystal clear, knee-high water and walked up onto the soft, white sand beaches. Because Koh Samet is a national park and we were foreigners, a park guard greeted us and charged us 200 baht each for a ticket to allow us to stay on the island. We walked for another mile or so along the beach and through peaceful streets until we reached our hotel and then set off to meet our friends at Samet Ville Resort, near the island’s southern tip. We were met with smiles and beers on a beach that we virtually had to ourselves and spent the rest of the day relaxing and loving life.

Coast at Samet Ville Resort

Maintaining the Active Lifestyle

I love the beach. Sounds of seagulls and crashing waves, smells of the salty air and sunscreen, tastes of fresh seafood and sweet rum, feels of sand beneath your feet and sun on your skin, and sights of smiles on the faces of practically every person. It’s my paradise. Add in an element of exercise or fitness and it basically becomes my heaven. So as you might’ve guessed, I chose to take part in a number of activities during my four-day stay.

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Day 1 started with the longest run I’ve done in the last calendar year. I set out aiming to run 4 to 5 miles but by the time I looked down at my phone, I had already accumulated over 6, and ultimately ended up finishing around 8. While I’d love to describe everything I saw, I’ll have to leave most of it to pictures because I couldn’t do it justice. However, I will describe what I believe was the most beautiful spot on the entire island: Phroa Bay.

Phroa Bay

Near the northern part of Koh Samet’s western coastline, Phroa Bay sits isolated from the rest of the island’s most popular beaches. It was quintessential Thailand: a blue water bay that formed a giant C-shape and was surrounded by rolling hills that were covered in luscious greenery with resorts and villas squeezed all in between. Marvelous. In fact, by the time I caught up with my friends later, I told them all about it and we decided to spend the afternoon there. We snuck into a resort pool (and got kicked out), hung out on beach chairs, and swam in the water where many of us were stung by these micro jellyfish. That’s actually a funny story because we were in the water and everyone was getting really itchy. We thought maybe the water was dirty or it was the sediment or something but we later came to find out it was actually just these tiny jellyfish that happened to be in the bay and were stinging us.

Riding a motorbike through Koh Samet

Traveling takes you outside of your comfort zone. It’s not just a cliché, it’s a fact. And while there have been a few small things here and there that have been uncomfortable so far, there was nothing quite like my first experience on a motorbike. To give some background, I’m fairly against motorbikes and motorcycles as a main method of transportation. The stats just add up to show their extreme risk to your life and health. And by nature, I’m fairly risk averse when it comes to taking risks with my life. That being said, if riding a motorbike is what truly makes you happy, then go for it. You do you, just be careful. So, to this point I had never ridden a motorcycle and to be honest I thought I might never. However, there are times where efficiency and utility outweigh your beliefs. So, when I was given the opportunity to keep exploring the island via motorbike, I took it. I’ll admit that I understand the allure a bit more now. Feeling the thrill of speed and the relaxation of wind in your hair. It’s fun and I enjoyed the experience although I will probably still refrain from doing it too often.

Island Hopping Tour

Day 2 led the group to take an island hopping tour. We paid 600 baht for a six-hour experience on a boat that took us to a number of different islands near Koh Samet. We hiked, scuba dived, sat in the waves, and drank on the beach. Though it went a bit longer than I would have preferred, it was worth the experience.

One of a few Western breakfasts I had

Day 3. So imagine you wake up on a tropical island. You’re in paradise but you crave just a taste of the comfort of home. An American breakfast. Nothing is impossible to find so you stroll from cafe to cafe until alas, you find just what you’re looking for in a quaint little cafe by the beach. You’ve input your order and moments later it creeps forward on a platter. Before you, there are golden pancakes, a plump garden omelette, crispy bacon, and of course a refreshing iced coffee. But wait, they forgot one thing. Almost as if they read your mind, out it comes. As they set it down, the sun hits the glass and it glimmers a rich gold. Apple juice. A magnificent color that makes your heart full.

Mountain Biking in Koh Samet

It was also, unfortunately, the color I peed later that day after a few hours and many miles on a mountain bike. Apple juice gold. The humidity in South Texas is bad but at least there’s wind. Thailand has the former without the latter. And boy, did I feel it on a 10+ mile bike ride I ventured on through the rolling hills of Koh Samet. I get these ideas in my head and sometimes forget to think about details like, you know, the weather. After gutting it through the heat, humidity, and hills, I was extremely dehydrated but also got to witness some really cool views of the island. I hiked an additional two miles and on my way home I got poured on by a huge storm. While I’m doing my best to keep my fitness alive, I’ll need to be a bit more conscious of the outdoor conditions and my hydration.

Runa Runa Hotel

The week concluded on Day 4, during which I chose to just relax in a cafe and catch up with family before my midday trip back to Chonburi.

Cost Summary

Just for a bit of added value, I roughly tracked my expenses over the 4-day trip from Chonburi to Koh Samet and back. To specify on a couple points: I paid a bit extra to stay in a/c accommodation and I splurged a bit on western breakfasts.

• Accommodation: 1550 baht ($47)
• Transportation: 1000 (30)
• Food: 1800 (54)
• Alcohol: 600 (18)
• Activities: 800 (24)
• Water: 200 (6)
• Total: 5950 baht ($179)

Not too shabby for a four-day vacation.

The Wrap Up

Thanks for reading this post and as always, I encourage you to comment below and/or share this with anyone you think might enjoy it! I’ll end by asking you: What’s your favorite beach activity? (drinking doesn’t count!)