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Asia 2008 - 00708 - Ko Samui
Our bungalows on Maenam. Ko Samui, Thailand [Apr 2008]. April 22 - May 4
Pukhet --> Don Sak --> Ko Samui
Our visit to Samui archipelago begun with its largest and most developed island, Samui. Orientation is simple. All ferries coming from the main land dock at Na Thon, on the west. Island's best beaches, Chewang and Lamai, are on the east (package tourist are most likely to end up here). The north coast is popular with independent travelers, its beach maybe not as spectacular as those on the east but more peaceful (and cheaper). The interior is covered with uninhabited jungle. There's one main road circling the island, 60 something kilometers longs. Easy, isn't it?
We temporary put our roots down on the north, finally getting a shorefront bungalow, 15 meters from the sea. Unfortunately, the house next to us was occupied by an aged and obese, hippie-wannabie German fellow, one that had a nasty habit of listening to his music with volume way up, just to make sure he could hear it even while outside. We later found out he had been there already for a month, getting drunk most of the time. He had an annoying laugh, audible from 50 meters, and he
Asia 2008 - 00732 - Ko Samui
The view from our bunaglow. Far in the distance you can see Ko Pha Ngan. Ko Samui, Thailand [May 2008]. sounded like a mentally challenged person when he spoke. He had the nerve to approach us one day and say "nice place, no? very beautiful, very
quiet...." 😊 We didn't let him spoil our time though. We were happy with our place.
The next day heavy raining started and it was to last for the next three days. It became a kind of a rule: after few days of intense heat, the rain would start. I guess it made sense, what goes up must go down eventually. With all the rain and thunders the beachfront bungalow didn't seem so appealing anymore. The waves seemed to come alarmingly close and the wind made it really hard to open the doors. Luckily, it would sometimes stop for few hours, long enough for us to explore.
There were a few ways to get around the island but a motorbike seemed to be the most practical. They were cheap to rent, easy to use and gave lots of freedom. Very popular with the locals and the visitors. Although driving them called for virtually no skills, it was our first time so a minimal challenge was still posed. Left side traffic didn't help.
Asia 2008 - 00740 - Ko Samui
The nature is calling Beata again. Ko Samui, Thailand [May 2008]. We asked the guy at the rental to give us a quick lesson and after few tries we were ready (at least we thought so). The rental guy wasn't so sure and had a face as if he was looking at the bike (and us) for the last time. If we were his children we would've never let us go. He whispered "Be careful" which sounded like "Don't kill yourself".
With only one main road, the driving was really a matter of common sense. Remember to keep to the left, always give way to bigger vehicles, stop at red etc. We did fine, and with every kilometer I was more confident. However, it didn't prevent us from a minor go-over few days later (it so happened it was my birthday), which left me with the top of my right foot scratched. It didn't look serious and a bandage did the job.
The beach at Chewang was quite all right, but over-developed and crowded. There were enough restaurants and other tourist-oriented (another silly Irish Pub) establishment to keep visitors happy. The Lamai was going the same way but so far it managed to stay more calm and peaceful.
Asia 2008 - 00636 - Ko Samui
Our transport for the next two weeks. Ko Samui, Thailand [Apr 2008]. While hanging out at Lamai my injured foot got wet with sea water. I tried to keep it out of its reach but it got me anyway. Now, the common sense might tell you, no big deal, right? The salt in the water will disinfect the wound, right? I wasn't so sure when in the evening I took the dressing off and saw the foot swollen. Walking became hurtful. I had to have it checked by a doctor. Luckily, there were at least four different hospitals on the island so getting help wasn't much of an issue. When I arrived at one, things started to take turn I wasn't really expecting.
"Hi, I was in an accident, hurt my foot, it doesn't look good, can I have somebody to check it?" They took me to ER where Thai personnel examined the wound...”sssss, doesn't look good (true, at that point it was almost twice the size).
The doctor decided it needed a deep clean, and that he would need to put me to sleep to do it. It also meant I would have to stay in for few days. I wasn't ready for this. I thought they would simply
Asia 2008 - 00616 - Ko Samui
One person, mobile fast-food company Thai style. Ko Samui, Thailand [Apr 2008]. apply a dressing a let me go. I agreed to stay; I didn't have a real choice anyway. I drove Beata back to our place. The hospital taxi was following us, and after picking some stuff from our bungalow, the driver took me back to the hospital. I was rushed to the emergency and told to change into hospital pajama. I started to undress only to be interrupted by the nurse who rushed me so more. “Quick, quick, doctor is waiting”. For the love of...I quickly put the stylish pajama on. They got me on a wheelchair, put on a drip, and rolled me out to the surgery. We stopped on the way to take an x-ray of my chest. I found it odd since they were going to operate on the foot, but whatever. I felt silly. Not so long ago I was enjoying the beach and now I'm in a wheelchair, with a drip, wearing that damn pajama. The calm classical music was playing, but it only made the ambience eerie. There were few people already waiting for me, all chatting something in Thai. They lied me down. The anesthesiologist came over and asked me few questions so
Asia 2008 - 00641 - Ko Samui
We managed to hook up with Marcel. Hey Marcel, have you got a swiss army knife yet? :D Ko Samui, Thailand [Apr 2008]. he knew how much of the drug to apply. I started to have these subtle sensations somewhere in the back of my head. I'll ask him when the drugs are to kick i..........................."Wake up, it's finished" The nurse was tapping my shoulder and saying it was over. I wanted to protest, tell her it couldn't be so, that I only had been given the drug few seconds ago but I dozed off again. I was waken up some time later by Beata, who decided she can manage driving the bike by herself and came to see me over. Yay!
I left the hospital on the third day. The stay was all right; staff was very friendly checking on me every few hours. There was a very nice English nurse who would come over for a chat now and then. They pumped loads of antibiotics through my system, changed the dressing every day. The foot was still swollen but the wound looked like is starting to heal. They made me come back for the next three days to change the dressing and give me more drugs through the drip. We'd already been on Ko Samui almost two weeks, longer than
Asia 2008 - 00643 - Ko Samui
Sometimes it seemed like our sunny days in Thailand are over. Ko Samui, Thailand [Apr 2008]. we planned, and I was time we moved on to Ko Pha Nghan. I went to the hospital for the last time on Sunday, noon time. In the evening we got of the ferry on Ko Pha Ngan.
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