Koh Samui, Thailand

Nathon, Koh Samui, Thailand -- November 24, 2016 (Thanksgiving Day)

We had absolutely no plans for this port. There was nothing we must do here and I thought it would be a good idea to just wait and see what is available in port. We like to walk around town if that can be done easily, enjoy a local meal, and take in the beats of life when we travel. Our stop here turned out to be our favorite port on this trip with no hassle, just relaxing on the beach and enjoyed the local atmosphere of the town itself for a day.

HAL publication on ports visited. Just wish that they would improve the maps provided.

Half of the map shows the ocean. How helpful can that be?!

Koh Samui is a tender port which means we had to get tender tickets to go ashore. We wanted to start early and had breakfast at the Lido at 7:00. I suppose everybody else had the same idea and the place was packed. Fortunately, after going around twice, I was able to locate a couple of tables for us which we shared with other guests. Had a real interesting conversation with an Indian gentleman from Sacramento sitting across who was telling his story of the 3-day wedding celebration that they were invited to in Phuket pre-cruise as I was quickly having my breakfast from the express line.

After getting a replacement key card for SIL, we went up to the Ocean Bar to get our tender tickets and waited for close to 45 minutes before boarding the stuffy tender.

Waiting at Ocean Bar after getting our tender tickets. The line for tickets slowed down quite a bit by then.

Our tender tickets.

The ship anchored quite far off shore. There were swamps of taxi drivers greeting us as we got off the tenders.

Some fishing boats on the other side of the pier.

Walking along the pier to town. Many taxis and vans waiting for business.

I think there is a money exchange and information center here in this building.

Now we are on the street along the promenade which is Chonwithi Road.

As we made the turn on Chonwithi Road. If  going straight from the pier it would be the Old Town and main Shopping area.

In memory of the late King.

Our ship anchored off the coast.

I studied google map before coming here and kind of knew my way around. I just didn't know if we could have access to the beach at the end of this road since it didn't show on the map. We checked out the stores and eateries as we walked along and took some photos.

A small, quiet side street.

We found Lucky Restaurant and Steve, the British owner, came out to greet us. I told him that we will be back for lunch but we wanted to get to the beach. He told us to just keep walking to the end and it's a public beach for everyone to use. What a relief! At the end of this road, we were met by a couple of very friendly dogs before stepping down to the beach area.

Sunset Restaurant on the left as we stepped down to the beach. Sandbar to the right of this picture.

Coconut Beach, Nathon, Koh Samui

Looking back at the pier and Chonwithi Road.

Coconut Beach. The sand looked not too appealing but the water was really clean. Nobody was actually using this beach when we arrived.

More dogs greeted us as we walked along the beach. They were really friendly, just following along.

We walked along the vacant beach looking for a good spot to relax. Went pass a hotel, then a cemetery, then a park-like area and decided that the part near the hotel was the best so we went back and stayed. There were shower facilities and restrooms which made it convenient. Shower heads right on the beach.

There is a quiet hotel with some loungers out.

We saw some fresh coconuts at this shed and found someone working there. Got a couple of coconuts and the employee cleaned the loungers for us to sit. 

This must be dogs paradise and they were all people friendly.

ChC took a dip in the water.

Beautiful! Much better than Pattaya.

Now, more people are here enjoying their walks on the sandbar. Looked like they were walking on water.

These naughty puppies almost took my sandals away.

We spent about an hour relaxing here, lounging under the shade, checking our mail with free wifi with all these dogs roaming around. The hotel employee actually welcomed everyone to rest there even without purchasing anything from them. As Steve said, it's a public beach.

Lucky Restaurant, Nathon, Koh Samui

At around 11:40, we went back to Lucky and enjoyed a memorable lunch there. Prices were very reasonable, food delicious, and service wonderful. I highly recommend this place if anyone is in Nathon.

Great view of the sea from our table.

More fresh coconuts.

My lemonade.

Inside Lucky.

pad thai

garlic shrimps

yummy fish cakes

seafood noodle

Special of the Day--Sweet and Sour pork with rice 60 baht.

Fresh steamed fish in lemon sauce 380 baht, wonderful!

Second order of fish cakes.

Red curry seafood.

This whole meal cost us 1500 baht with a lot of food. Good quality and delicious. Steve and his staff were amazing. It was a great lunch without being rushed or pressured. A wonderful experience indeed.

Across from Lucky Restaurant...

taking a picture of the exterior.

Remember this!

Then we made our way to the main street in town.

Store selling black outfits.

Another one.

Even a small Watson's store...

and a Tesco.

When we reached Koh Samui District Office we made a left turn to get back to the pier.

Tender pier

Here, the locals ran some of the tenders and they were in charge instead of HAL. 

These boats were much bigger and more comfortable. Much better than the stuffy tenders.

Leaving Koh Samui.

A long ride back to the ship at around 1:40p.m.

Ship sailed at 3:30.

Thanksgiving Dinner

It was Thanksgiving Day and they served a good turkey dinner at the Rotterdam. I am not a turkey kind of person so we shared a turkey plate just to celebrate. 

Shrimp cocktail with brandy cocktail sauce. HAL does shrimp cocktails well.

Pate in Terrine

Sweet Corn Soup

They always made the steak knife standing up.

Beef Tenderloin Oscar

Traditional Turkey Dinner with all the trimmings. It was actually quite good!

Classic Pumpkin Pie

Thanksgiving Sundae

After dinner, we went to the show in the theater which featured a violinist from Taiwan, Venus Tsai. A very young, pretty, and energetic violinist whom I found her to be a little too showy for my taste. I am not into electronic violin music in the first place and putting show over skills made it harder to take, IMHO. That was the only show we saw on this cruise.