Road trip from Osan to Samcheok, South Korea

Road trip from Osan to Samcheok, South Korea

During my stay in South Korea, we had to travel from my home base town of Osan to Samcheok on the East coast of Korea. For the open water dives of the first ever Western PADI IDC in Korea, we needed open water! The PADI IE was also to be conducted at the same location, so off we went.

Korean rice paddies with mountains in the background

I like to travel and thoroughly enjoyed the 4 hours drive, which allowed me to see some bits and pieces of the country side. One thing that struck me was the massive amounts of green from trees and rice paddies.

Fence at the beach to stop North Korean spies to enter at night coming from the sea

Upon arrival at the coast, it was pointed out to me that along long stretches of the coast there's barbed wire and ll over the coast there are watch posts, in order to prevent North Korean spies to get into South Korea coming from the ocean.

Deonsak beach, this is where the PADI IE took place

We had some extreme forms of weather, upon arrival it was nice and sunny, just like the first day! The second day turned out to be foggy and wet and today it was warm but cloudy.

Apparently we traveled parts of the Romantic Road of Korea

Memories of the World Championships football in 2002 in South Korea and Japan

We also passed the ski resorts in PyeongChang, where the Olympic winter games for 2018 will take place. From the road you could make out the ski jumping towers in the distance.

All in all a very interesting trip and fun was had by all, we enjoyed some good Korean food big portions and lots of meat!).

The coming days I will visit Seoul, so keep your eyes tuned to this channel!

Camille

Goodbye to July 2011

Goodbye to July 2011

Did this month ever fly by! It was a very busy month with two PADI IDC's pretty much back to back in Koh Samui and in Osan, South Korea. I'm becoming a travelling man! Within 7 months I was able to add three countries to my list that I visited for the first time, the United Arab Emirates, the Philippines and now South Korea. Not to mention my trips to Indonesia and around Thailand.

First off lets concentrate on the weather during July, and I think it was a pretty average July, with plenty of sunny and hot days but also some rainy days, sometimes spiced up with strong wind. Pretty standard for July.

Road map of part the East Coast of South Korea, from Osan to Samcheok and Deoksan

A highlight for me this month is my first ever trip to South Korea, conducting an IDC there on Osan US Air Base. A very interesting experience.

Eating out is an experience in South Korea, very enjoyable

A month to remember for me but also time to look forward to August and some serious good weather in Samui, I hope!

Thanks for dropping by last month and I hope to keep seeing you all in the future.

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 31st July, 2011

Today's weather;

The strong wind on Samui has subsided but it's still cloudy. Current temp at 10am is 29.8C

Yesterday saw very strong winds over Samui and bits and pieces of rain. Max temp reached 32.6C

Deoksan beach where we were the last 3 days, near Samcheok

There's a big weather change at our Samcheok location and as the picture above shows, the damp clouds have vanished and although it's not sunny, it's warm again. Current temp at 8am was 24C. Today it's back to Osan. There I will have three days to relax and do some sightseeing, including a trip to Seoul.

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 30th July, 2011

Today's weather

Samui is having to endure some strong wind, overcast and rain. Current temp at 10pm is 29.3C

Yesterday saw a dry but windy day on Samui with a max temp of 31.3C

Sunny Samcheok yesterday

Samcheok, same location, today at 7am

The PADI IE kicked off in a wet Samcheok that undergoes a constant drizzle. Current temp at 9am was 22C

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 29th July, 2011

Today's weather;

Koh Samui had a sunny day with some strong wind during the afternoon. Current temp at 7pm is 27C. It's a late update because I've been busy diving all day on the East Korean coast in the city of Samcheok and the PADI IE kicked off here today!

Yesterday was a nice day on Samui with a max temp of 30.3C

Samcheok beach

Samcheok on the East coast of Korea had some nice sunshine today and at 9pm the temp is 24C. It was sunny and despite some cloudy periods, my face got sunburned on the surface of the ocean in-between skills for Open Water training of this current IDC.

Earlier this evening the PADI IE kicked off and tomorrow and Sunday it's going to be once more a busy schedule.

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 28th July, 2011

Today's weather;

Samui is having a nice spell of sunny days. This morning has blue skies and sunshine! Current temp at 7am is 26.5C

Yesterday saw also plenty of sunshine around Samui with some clouds later in the evening. Max temp reached 30C

The road van for the next couple of days! Note the big trucker horns of top of the roof!

Osan is recovering a little bit of the torrential rains from yesterday and it's dry right now at 11am with a current temp of 26C

In a couple of hours we'll be leaving for a road trip to the East coast of South Korea, about 3 and a half to 4 hours drive from Osan. We'll be conducting open water ocean dives tomorrow as part of the current first ever Western PADI IDC in South Korea and over the weekend there will be a PADI IE. I'm not sure how much internet access I will have over the next coming days, so please bear with me.

South Korea has been hit by storms and torrential rains and Seoul, Chuncheon and parts of the Philippines have been hit very hard.

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 27th July, 2011

Today's weather;

A late update today, it's been busy during the Osan IDC. Samui is slightly cloudy with strong winds but hot. Current temp at 4pm is 29.4C

Yesterday was also dry and hot in Samui with a max temp of 32.8C

View over Osan from the flat I'm staying at

Osan is dry right now at 9pm with a current temp of 26C but earlier today during the morning and all of last night there was plenty of rain and during the night plenty of thunder and lightning.

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 26th July, 2011

Today's weather;

Samui had cloudy skies and the current temp at 4pm is 29C

The playground in front of the flat that I'm staying at in Osan, South Korea

Osan started out nicely today, there was even a bit of sunshine this morning. However, late in the afternoon, around 5pm it started to rain and it really hasn't stopped until right now and the forecast is another two days of rain. Current temp at 7pm is 24C

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 25th July, 2011

Today's weather;

Samui is cloudy and almost without wind although it looks like the sun may stay away today. Current temp at 7am is 26C and it's dry.

Yesterday saw a mixed bag with sunshine and a little bit of rain combined over Samui. Max temp reached 34C

Market in Osan's 'Vill' near the air base, chicken anyone?

The IDC in Osan is half way and an interesting bit of trivia is that this is the first Western PADI IDC in South Korea ever! This fact didn't impress the weather here though, it's still cloudy but dry today with a current temp at 9am of 26C

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 24th July, 2011

Today's weather;

Samui is having a 'mixed bag' weather day, Little bits of sunshine and plenty of clouds but the wind is not that strong anymore. Current temp at 10am is already 31C

Yesterday saw a dry day on Samui with a max temp of 30.5C

The 'Village' at dawn, near Osan Air Base, a busy area with plenty of restaurants, shops, bars, clubs etc

Osan was very wet this morning with plenty of rain but right now the sun tries to break through. Current temp at 1pm is 26C

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 23rd July, 2011

Today's weather;

This morning Samui is 'enjoying' strong wind with plenty of clouds and no sun. Current temp at 10am is 27.5C. After the weekend the strong should wear off until the next weekend.

Yesterday was a cloudy day on Samui with some occasional spats of rain and strong wind. Max temp reached 32.2C

No electric cars beyond this point! As seen on a highway crossing entering the city

Osan has just like Samui, a clouded sky. Current temp at 2pm is around 30C

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 22nd July, 2011

Today's weather;

Samui is warm! Current temp at 7am is 27.7C

Yesterday saw the last day of the school 'kila' on Samui, where our children attended over two days. It was hot and sunny and yesterday's max temp reached 33.5C

Entering Osan

Osan had a drastic change of weather and it's wet this morning. Current temp is 20C at 9am local time.

Yesterday was hot and sunny though.

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 21st July, 2011

Today's weather;

Samui has a cloudy sky but it's dry. Current temp at 7am is 25.3C

Yesterday saw a cloudy day over Koh Samui, max temp reached 33.4C

On the way work at Osan US Air Force base

Osan in South Korea is having a stretch of very enjoyable summer days with clear blue skies and warm temperatures during the day time. Current at 9am is 26C

Yesterday the PADI IDC started, have a look here for an impression.

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 20th July, 2011

Today's weather;

Due to the time difference and work, it looks like I won't be able to give updates until this time of the day, the early evening. Having said that, Samui had a cloudy but dry day with not much sunshine to speak of. Current temp at 7pm (!) is 30C

Max temp yesterday reached 34C on Samui, a nice and sunny day.

The main street at the Village or 'Ville' directly opposite the main gate of Osan US Air Force base, a street filled with various international cuisine restaurants, bars, custom made clothing shops etc.

Osan had a nice and sunny day with blue skies all around. Current temp at 10pm local time is 26C.

The PADI IDC kicked off today, more on that tomorrow on my dive blog.

Camille

Osan, South Korea

Osan, South Korea

Here I am, in Osan which is located about 45km South of Seoul in South Korea. My job for the last 12 years, since I arrived on Koh Samui, being a dive instructor and for the last 8 years a PADI Course Director is getting me around since I parted ways last year with my at the time employer and became a free lance Course Director.

Not having traveled much, besides a relative small amount of domestic Thai travel and a trip to the Netherlands about 8 years back and a day trip to Vientiane in Laos, my travelling life was rather subdued.

Until last year! Since last year I've had a first visit to the United Arab Emirates and the Philippines and return trips to Indonesia. Now I can add a first trip to South Korea to this list!

Working as a PADI Course Director has been good ever since that change. The beginning was tough but it seems to be bearing fruit since the start of this year.

Osan's skyline has a lot of high rise buildings, seemingly all over South Korea

Osan is a different cookie compared to my usual destination, this is a serious urban background to which I'm hardly used to, except for trips to Bangkok.

Some shops on a very busy street

The skyline here is in sharp contrast to Gili Air in Indonesia or Malapascua in the Philippines, let alone the destinations I work at in Thailand, like Koh Phangan, Koh Lanta and Khao Lak.

South Korea is also a very advanced country when it comes down to technology, apartments in lats don't have keys anymore but number lock combinations, a screen on the wall at various strategic positions around the house is a screen to see who rings the bell but also serves as a phone among others. The Jetsons could slice off a piece of this cake!

Looking down the street, the buildings in the background is where I stay at

It's also very convenient and clean! The high rise apartment buildings I stay at have a play ground in front of the building with various children play options, a jogging track with soft and hard covering and fitness machines are lined up.

At the local supermarket you don't get plastic bags but you can use the empty carton boxes from the supermarket to stow your shopping list goodies away in. The recycle containers seem to be unlimited in what they can or rather may take.

It's interesting to see and my first impressions are very positive, although I haven't seen that much yet, besides some walking within a 3 km radius and a trip to the nearby US Air Force base, which put Osan on the map! That's where tomorrow the PADI IDC will kick off and that is like walking into a small town in the USA.

Strange road crossings, on which you can cross diagonal, never seen that before in real life!

I hope that I will have enough time to see some more of the city and the country and I'll make sure to give some updates.

My travelling got nothing to do with Koh Samui and when I started this blog I had no idea that I would be travelling around so much, but here I am and I hope you like it. The daily weather updates will still be there as much as possible, thanks to Skype!

Camille

Food on Wheels, Sweets from a car in Osan South Korea

Food on Wheels, Sweets from a car in Osan South Korea

I'm in Osan, South Korea right now and the last time I looked at a map, that's still in Asia. Having said that, I did expect to be in a first world country and consequently didn't expect too much about seeing or spotting any 'Food on wheels'. How wrong I was!

The first day in Korea it was bingo pretty much straight away on my walk to the local supermarket, where I spotted this little car or van, selling a Korean variety of sweets, parked just along on the road on a side curb.

The sweets on offer are very much liked by the locals and apparently there's much more 'food on wheels' action here than I ever expected!

For Thailand visitors or folk who live there, this must be a familiar sight, the Salapao as we all know it as well in Thailand. The various colors indicate different stuffing or fillings.

Another slight variation on a Thai theme, sweets baked in iron casts, just like in Thailand. A very nice surprise to see this and a great addition to this series, after my Philippines and Indonesian blog posts in this series!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 19th July, 2011

Today's weather;

Samui is having a 'weather' ball! The sky is blue and it's sunny and hot. Current temp at 7am is 27.5C

Yesterday Samui had a nice and sunny day with a max temp of 32.5C

Food court in a supermarket in Osan, South Korea, all food is on display in a plastic format, easy to order!

In Osan it's also nice and sunny. It's been a while since I've been in a country that has winters, but 'm very glad that it's summer time here! The Osan sky is blue with a few clouds and current temp is 28C

Yesterday I went to have a look at the US airbase here in Osan, it's big! It's like a small town in the US!

Today a little bit more of exploration and relaxation and tomorrow the PADI IDC will kick off on the Osan US air base.

Not sure how or when I will be able to update tomorrow, due to the time difference with Thailand and the start of my work here. We'll see.

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 18th July, 2011

Today's weather;

This morning saw a nice blue sky over Samui. Since I arrived this morning in South Korea, my update is later than usual. and the current temp on Samui is currently 30.4C at 10am

Yesterday saw a very sunny and warm day over Samui with a max temp of 34.5C

Welcome sign at Incheon International airport

This morning I arrived at Incheon International airport near Seoul, where I was picked up by Bookhee, Allen's wife and we took a bus to Osan, where I'm currently staying in a hot and sun bathed town. Current temp at 14.46 local time (12.46 Thai Time) is 34C, yesterday there was still rain here!

Allen is the person through whom's dive center I will conduct a PADI IDC in Osan, actually at the Osan US Air base. Osan will be my home until the 4th August, when I will fly back to Bangkok.

Stay tuned for updates from my trip here in South Korea and the usual updates on Samui's weather, although the latter may be irregularly.

First impressions were good though and I hope to be able to give some updates.

Camille

Samui International Jazz Music Festival 2011

Samui International Jazz Music Festival 2011

Is going to happen between 18th and 25th September. For all jazz lovers, for one week in September 2011 the air and beaches of Koh Samui will be once again filled with Jazz Music.
Koh Samui has gained it's spot as international leisure and travel destination.

The festival has it’s origin in the successful Samui Jazz Series, which first took place in 2009 and this evolved than to a once per month occasion on various locations on the island.

The next step was to put Koh Samui’s name on the international jazz roster – the Samui Jazz Festival was called into life for a week long Jazz event.

The first Samui International Jazz Music Festival in 2010 attracted music lovers and Jazz performers to come to Koh Samui and this year sees a follow up to the first event. Hopes are that the festival will grow, giving Samui the opportunity to become a meeting point for other Thai and International artists to perform together, to share their love for Jazz and to let everybody be part of it.

The concerts will take place at various locations around the island and have free admission.

An exact schedule with times and locations will be released later but the line up of artists is already known, please follow this link for more information, names include Irene Atman, Aswin Quartet, Izaline Calister and plenty more.

Free jazz under a nice and warm Samui sky, what else can you ask for, mark the dates and visit our island for the occasion.

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 17th July, 2011

Today's weather;

It's been a while but it's back this morning; a blue sky over Samui during the morning hours! Current temp at 7am is 25.5C

This morning's blue sky

Yesterday saw a dry day around Samui but it was clouded all day long. Max temp reached 30.4C

The PADI IE was completed yesterday and today I will be en route to South Korea, where i will arrive tomorrow morning to teach an IDC. Not sure yet how that may affect the daily weather updates, due to the time difference and having to work. We'll find out soon enough. I'll be back on Samui come 5th August.

Camille

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 16th July 2011

Today's weather;

Samui is waking up under a partly cloudy sky and hopefully the sun will break through. Current temp at 7am is 25.9C

Thailand is celebrating Wan Khao Pansa today, the Buddhist Lent, the three-month annual retreat observed by Theravada practitioners. Taking place during the rainy season.

Today is also the second and last day of the PADI IE for my July IDC candidates on Koh Samui, more on how they fared later on my dive blog.

Part of yesterday's Asarnha Bucha day is to walk barefooted 3 times around the Bot in the temple, Plai Laem's temple was very busy last night

Yesterday saw a few bits and pieces of sunshine but it was mainly cloudy with an occasional few drops of rain around Samui, nothing major though. Max temp reached 32.6C

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 15th July, 2011

Today's weather;

This mornings weather over Samui looks promising, although there's a good cloud layer, there are blue spots and hopefully the sun will burn it's way through the cloud layer. Current temp at 7am is 27.2C

Today is Asarnha Bucha Day, one of the most sacred days of Buddhism.

This morning will also see the start of a PADI IE on Samui, check my dive blog for updates!

Asarnha Bucha day at the local temple in Plai Laem

Yesterday saw a nice start of the say over Samui with plenty of cloud cover but also hot and sunny moments. During the early evening, around 6pm, there was an hours long shower and it cooled down nicely. Max temp reached 31.5C

Camille

Asarnha Bucha Day

Asarnha Bucha Day

Today is Asarnha Bucha Day (อาสาฬหบูชา aa-saal-ha-boo-chaa), one of the most sacred days in Buddhism and in Thailand it's a government holiday. Alcohol sales are strictly forbidden today and tomorrow, when it's Wan Kao Pansa or Buddhist Lent day, the first day of Thai: พรรษา vassa, the Theravada rains retreat.

The day falls on the fifteenth day of the waxing moon of the eight lunar month.

Asranha Bucha is one of the sacred days in Theravada Buddhism as it marks the coming into existence of the Triple Gems, His Teachings and His Disciples.

It is the anniversary of the day on which Lord Buddha delivered the First Sermon to his first five disciples at the Deer Park in Benares over teo thousand five hundred years ago.

To observe this auspicious day, Buddhists all over the country perform merit-making and observe Silas. Some go to the temples to offer food and offerings to the monks and also and listen to a sermon to purify their minds.

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 14th July, 2011

Today's weather;

The sky over Samui is clouded and it looks like the layer is thick enough to keep the sun out for a while. Current temp at 7am is 26.8C

Chaweng lake under construction, just as it is today, with the construction of a jogging road around the lake

Yesterday saw plenty of sun around Samui, there was some cloud cover but the sun prevailed with a few rain drops here and there during the evening. Max temp reached 33.9C

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 13th July, 2011

Today's weather;

Samui's sky is turning into a blue one, the clouds are currently being evaporated by the sun. Current temp at 7am is 27.1C

A crab during one of the dives at Chaweng Beach yesterday, get the Som Tam ready

Yesterday saw a nice and sunny morning around Samui with a cloudy afternoon, it remained dry though. Max temp reached 32.9C

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 12th July, 2011

Today's weather;

The sky over Samui is shaping up nicely in a blue one, with a few scattered clouds in it. Current temp at 7am is 26.7C

Diving at Sail Rock yesterday, great conditions with around 20 to 25 meters visibility and one of the largest schools of Barracuda's I've ever seen. More diving today at Chaweng Beach

Yesterday saw a nice start of the day with plenty of sunshine but during the course of the day clouds moved in and they brought a few isolated rain showers. Max temp reached 33.5C

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 11th July, 2011

Today's weather;

Although the sky is currently clouded, I expect some sunshine later today over Koh Samui. Current temp is 27C at 7am.

School of jack fish at Sail Rock, where I go today for a dive trip

Yesterday saw a nice and sunny day with plenty of strong wind though. There was a mini shower in the early evening. Max temp on Koh Samui reached 33.6C yesterday.

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 10th July, 2011

Today's weather;

Samui is slightly cloudy today with strong winds. This weather pattern is supposed to last until Thursday. Current temp at 7am is 28.5C

View on Chaweng Beach, where I dived yesterday

Yesterday saw a very nice sunny and warm day around Samui island. Max temp reached 34C

The current PADI IDC on Koh Samui was also completed yesterday, the right time to start some diving again with some of my students!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 9th July, 2011

Today's weather;

This morning shows an almost perfect blue sky watching over Koh Samui with a current temp of 26.5C

The sun about to rise over the trees in Plai Laem this morning

Yesterday saw sunshine all day long on Koh Samui and it was a nice and warm day without any rain. Max temp reached 33.5C

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 8th July, 2011

Today's weather;

The sun is burning it's way through a milky cloud layer on Samui this morning, it looks like a warm day. Current temp at 7am is 26.2C

A wide assortment of Thai junk food during a temple party, the temple in Bophud at the traffic lights had a party starting yesterday

Samui had a lovely day yesterday, with plenty of sunshine and it was hot again. Max temp reached 33.5C

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 7th July, 2011

Today's weather;

The sky over Koh Samui is a mixed bag this morning, plenty of blue sky pieces but laced with clouds. Current temp at 7am is 26.5C

A common sight at plenty of temple parties, Buddha amulets and accessories for sale

Yesterday I was proven completely wrong, after the dark sky and shower early in the morning, the weather surprisingly did a 180 degree turnaround all over Samui and it became sunny and warm for the remainder of the day. Last night there was some more rain though. Max temp reached 31.6C

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 6th July, 2011

Today's weather;

Samui's sky is very dark and grey this morning, as pictured below. It already rained briefly and I wouldn't be surprised if we see more rain today. Current temp at 7am is 26.7C

Cloudy skies over Plai Laem

Yesterday saw a nice and sunny day over Samui with a short tropical rain shower around 4pm but within an hour everything was dry again. Max temp reached 31.3C

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 5th July, 2011

Today's weather;

The sky turned grey again over Samui this morning and it may take a bit longer for the sun to burn it's way through the cloud cover today. Current temp at 7am is 26.8C

One of the statues of Wat Plai Laem at the crack of dawn

Samui saw sunshine all day long yesterday and it was a nice day and not a drop of rain all day long. Max temp reached 33C

Camille

Welcome to July 2011

Welcome to July 2011

It's the beginning of anew month around Samui and although a tad bit late, it's still a good time to give you the thumbs up on July.

This month is part of a slight monsoon time and the occasional shower should not surprise you. Rain will most likely occur during the evenings and thee may also be some occasional strong winds. Last year was a fairly nice July month, the three years before that were relatively wet. Today saw a dry day on Samui though with the sun coming out again, so let's keep our fingers for more sun filled days during this month.

For me personally it will be a very busy month with a PADI IDC currently under way on Koh Samui and later this month a PADI IDC kicking off in Osan which is located in South Korea. That's definitely a first for me and I'm looking forward to that! Stay tuned and find out more about this upcoming trip.

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 4th July, 2011

Today's weather;

Samui has a light cloud covered sky with the sun poking pretty hard at the clouds. It looks like it's going to be sunny today. Current temp at 7am is 24.8C

Yesterday's elections have been clearly won by the Phue Thai, a political party run by fugitive, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. His younger sister Yingluck Shinawatra will be the new and first female PM in Thailand. Interesting weeks ahead for Thailand.

Yingluck Shinawatra during her election trail

Yesterday started out really nice but in the afternoon around 4pm, some serious dark clouds and a hefty but relatively short shower passed Samui. Max temp reached 31C

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 3rd July, 2011

Today's weather;

Samui is waking up under a cloudy sky but it looks like the sun might burn the cloud layer away fairly soon. Current temp at 7am is 25.3C

Today is going to be a big day for Thailand, with nationwide elections for a new government are being held. The outcome of these elections could have a very long term impact on the country. Next week will be very interesting.

Election poster for the Democrat party

Yesterday the clouds over Samui did evaporate partly and there was some good sunshine moments during the afternoon for sun lovers. The early evening brought a heavy tropical shower again though. Max temp reached 31C

Camille