Day 7 in Thailand - Riding Around Samui

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It's going to be our last day on this gorgeous island. Don't want to waste our last day here, so we got up early, had our breakfast and checked our emails. We stopped by the Bluefin restaurant and got another map. And just as I was turning into the street, my worst fear came true. I lost control of the motorbike and we both had a bad fall. Vivi sustained a bad scratch on her knee.

*One tip I picked up from this guy who helped us when we fell - start the semi-automatic bike in 2nd gear! The motorbike won't jerk too strongly forward when you turn the throttle, compared to starting it in 1st gear. It was a valuable tip, as I was tired and don't really have the strength to control the motorbike properly.

< I felt really bad about this. Maybe it was the lack of sleep, and/or my shoulders are aching so much that I couldn't control the bike properly. Or maybe I was simply thinking too much about getting an accident that it ended up happening. Plus, I really sucked at riding one. I do rather I am the only one who got hurt. I feel so guilty and fearful that I was really careful for the rest of our journey. >

We got to one of the sights - the Big Buddha.

*Big Buddha - another sight of must-visit in Samui. A huge buddha statue at one of the temples. Go to the top of temple to get a good view of the place. You get to hit the bells hanging up there and listen to the lovely sound they make. I made a donation there and wrote my name on the bricks and tiles which will be used to build some of the future temples (that's what the donation is intended for). Kind of cool huh?

< I made a donation and prayed furiously that we wouldn't get into any more accidents. >

< A kind Slovakian lady saw my badly-bloodied legs and offered me tissues and plasters for my wounds. It is really touching to meet nice souls who are willing to help a total stranger like me. >

We made a stop at an interesting place in Samui - Bo Phut.

*Bo Phut is another of the more popular spot with the tourists and travellers. It is a place for those who seek a less commercialised area, with more peace and less crowd. It has its own pier which is widely used by the diving centres in Samui. Bo Phut is an intimate little commune with some pretty quaint cafes and restaurants. The Yoga Cafe and this Two Tigers' Cafe looks really interesting, a must try the next time round. But because Bo Phut isn't as commercialised as Lamai or Chaweng and accommodations are few in between, it can be a whole lot more costly staying there. It's a must-visit though.

< Sitting here and taking a break at the Coffee Junction Cafe & Wine Bar (in Bo Phut), I can feel my whole body trembling really badly. It wasn't just tension I'm feeling. It is fear too. I have to admit it scared the shit out of me that Vivi was hurt. She isn't talking to me. I think I frightened her quite badly with my lousy biking skills. Damn. >

*Coffee Junction Cafe & Wine Bar - I loved the kind of music they played here. Bossa Nova, one of my favourites. And the staffs are really friendly.

After Bo Phut, we just followed the road and to wherever it took us. We stopped by a busy stretch of shops, stores and buildings. Though we had no idea where we were, we made a guess that we might be in Nathon.

*Nathon - another place in Samui that is full of the modern necessities. But it seems this place is catered more for the locals than the tourists. Everything closed pretty early here (compared to the others) - about 5pm or so. We bought some Thai desserts to try, but they were really too sweet for my liking. For a moment there, I thought I was going to die from a sugar overdose.

< Despite the accidents, I'm glad we get to explore Samui for quite a bit. We got to see the different faces of the island. Still, there are so many other places we didn't get to visit. Like the waterfalls, the Samui winery, the cultural centre, some other temples and etc. >

It wasn't all that fun riding the bike back when it got dark. Flies and insects aplenty and I got hit in the face by an awful lot of them. I didn't even dare to open my mouth. Yikes! Nevertheless, I did find the courage to drive a tad bit faster. Nothing beyond 60km/h though, but it was definitely an improvement from the 20km/h.

< With kind of roads they have, the steep slopes, the dangerous drivers around and a very pissed off sister behind me, there is no way I'm going to ride beyond 60km/h! >

When we got back, I stopped by the pharmacy for some plaster, gauze and betadine. We also bought our tickets for Bangkok at a nearby agency, before returning the damned bike.

< I know Vivi is still upset with me, but at least she is talking to me now. >

We went down to the Sweet Soul Cafe for the last time tonight. I had a blast dancing till the place closed. We hung around the strip for awhile for some drinks and food. The whole strip closes about 2am and the crowd stuck around the nearby food stores or Burger King. Buying food and drinks, sitting around, people-watching. We made our way back slowly, strolling by the shore, enjoying every bit of the night.

< I laid down on my hammock and enjoyed the beauty of the island for the last time. The peace and serenity of the night. The clear skies and the stars. The sound of the waves. The sea breeze. Sigh, I'm really going to miss this place. >

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Expenditure:
- breakfast at Charlie's, butter and toast, cheese omelette and hot tea (all for THB80)
- motorbike rental THB200
- rent THB300
- donation at Big Buddha temple THB20
- iced peach tea at Bo Phut THB45
- Thai desserts from vendor THB30
- pharmacy, gauze, plaster and betadine THB89
- ticket to Bangkok THB400
- alcoholic drink from minimart THB45
- distilled water THB20
- 2 hot dogs and watermelon shake THB60

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