Goodbye to August, 2012

It's time to say goodbye to this 2012 August! It's been a very busy month for me during which I actually only spend one week on Samui! Thank Buddha there's Skype for the daily weather updates straight from the press through another Lemmens clan member!

Wat Plai Laem

With visits to the Philippines and Indonesia, I missed most of the excellent weather conditions this month. It was an outstanding month with tons of sunshine and only the second part of the month saw some tropical evening showers. An August by the book as far as the weather is concerned.

What I also missed this month was my sisters family during their visit to the islands, my wife and the kids had all that fun! Roughly during the same time frame in early August, old neighbors from me in the Netherlands visited Samui. It would have been nice to meet up with them.

All in all a good month and I'm looking forward to September, where I will spend most of the time on Samui, hope to see you here on a daily base!

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 31st August, 2012

Today's weather;

Koh Samui has once more a sunny day in the making, although there are a few fluffy clouds out and about. Current temp at 7am is 25C

My wife and me are in Kuta, Bali this morning, after having had a good time on Gili Air over the last two weeks. Around noon we'll be boarding a plane for Phuket and this evening we should be back on Koh Samui again. Kuta is nice and sunny with a current temp at 8am local time of 21C

Worshiping Bali style

Yesterday Samui had a nice and sunny day, with the temperature raising again a bit to 32.4C

The forecast shows plenty of sun but occasional tropical showers could come Samui's way over the next 7 days.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 30th August, 2012

Today's weather;

Koh Samui has light overcast but it looks another sunny day is in the making. Current temp at 7am is 25.3C

On Gili Air the sun keeps on shining, we have another cloudless day ahead of us here. Current temp at 8am local time is 25C. The mornings and evenings here are a lot chillier compared to Samui!

Later today we will leave for Bali and tomorrow we will board a plane back to Phuket with a late evening arrival back on Koh Samui!

The PADI IE will be completed in a little bit more than an hour, an update can be found on my dive blog later today!

Nasi bunkus, great Indonesian street food, found in the small street stall on Gili Air

Yesterday saw a dry and sunny day around Koh Samui. Max temp reached 32.8C

The forecast looks good, the wind has all but disappeared and sunny days lay ahead of us, possibly with a short tropical shower.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Food on Wheels; Pantol on Gili Air, Indonesia

Food on Wheels in Indonesia

Currently I'm on Gili Air in Indonesia, where I just completed a PADI IDC and one of the very appealing things about this small island is that cars and motorbikes are not allowed. Still I managed to find a great sample of food of wheels, this time delivered to us on a bicycle!

The bike, parked after a busy day

From the back of the bike, pantol is sold, small, rolled beef balls, which are then dipped in a spicy or tomato sauce. Very popular with the local population.

The back f the bike, which the custom made boxes to carry all needed ingredients around

The meat balls are steamed in the basket, as pictured above with the two sauces at the back.

It's a nice tasty snack, very simple and basic but it does the trick. No thrills and frills with this snack, just two sauces to compliment it and to please your taste buds.

A back view of the bike

In all of my visits to date, I haven't seen the bike make the rounds many times, so if you have the opportunity, stop the vendor and give it a go. I always try new things out and this is a relatively rare on Gili Air, I haven't figured out a schedule yet and I wouldn't be surprised one single bit of there isn't a schedule at all!

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 29th August, 2012

Today's weather;

Koh Samui has sunshine with a few clouds scattering the sky. Current temp at 7am is 25.8C

On Gili Air it's windy this morning but with a clear blue sky to go along with it. Yesterday and last night were cloudy but it's dry as a cork since almost 3 months now! Current temp at 8am local time is 25C

Gili Air harbor, from a different point of view

Yesterday saw another sunny day around the island with some rain during the evening and/or night around some areas on the island. Max temp reached 31.7C

The forecast shows the last bits of strong wind happening this morning and a strong shower tomorrow evening and after that it should be smooth sailing again.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 28th August, 2012

Today's weather;

The sun is shining bright over Koh Samui this morning. Current temp at 7am is 26.2C

On Gili Air is completely cloudless and very sunny as a result, even the seemingly eternal clouds over Lombok's mountain and volcano range have also disappeared today. Current temp at 8am local time is 25C although it feels already a lot warmer.

The PADI IDC was completed yesterday, an update on my dive blog is to follow later today and today will see the start of the PADI IE.

Breakfast at one of the local shacks near Gili Air's harbor

Yesterday saw a dry and sunny dry around Samui island. Max temp reached 30.8C, it seems the very hot days are slowly fading away again.

The forecast remains steady, still a bit of wind today and tomorrow and sunny, blue skies as of Thursday. Enjoy!!

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 27th August, 2012

Today's weather;

Koh Samui has plenty of sunshine to show for but also a few clouds hover over the island. Current temp at 7am is 26.1C

On Gili Air we keep going strong, sunny days, slightly cloudy afternoons and windy evenings and/or nights and mornings. Current temp at 8am local time is 25C

Very early view, just around sunrise, from Gili Air towards Lombok and it's mountain and volcano range

Yesterday saw plenty of sunshine around Samui with some rain during the late afternoon/early evening. Max temp reached 32.6C

The forecast didn't change that much, strong wind for tonight and tomorrow and by Thursday it's all good again, sunny skies all around!

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 26th August, 2012

Today's weather;

The sky over Koh Samui shows a few clouds but the sun is going to be out in full force! Current temp at 7am is 25.8C

On Gili Air the sun keeps beating down on us, although yesterday afternoon there were some clouds, Still no rain in sight though. Current temp at 8am local time is 26C

Young kids on Gili Air's beach catching octopus

Yesterday saw a sunny day around Koh Samui but during the night there may have been a trace of rain at some places around the island. Max temp reached 30.8C

The forecast shows still strong wind, especially Tuesday evening, although the predicted force seems to have lessened. From Thursday onward it should be blue skies all along again.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 25th August, 2012

Today's weather;

Koh Samui's sky shows a little bit of overcast this morning but the sun is out as well. Current temp at 7am is 25.7C

On Gili Air it remains sunny with n o overcast to speak of although during the evenings and early mornings there cane be a strong wind, which cools everything down nicely. Current temp at 8am local time is 24C

Gili Air during the evenings and sunsets!

Yesterday saw some overcast during the daytime but still plenty of sunshine, but the evening and night brought some rain. Max temp reached 33.3C

The forecast is steady, plenty of strong wind Monday and Tuesday, come Thursday it should be all good again with sunshine.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 24th August, 2012

Today's weather;

The wind has ceased for a moment this morning and we have blue skies again for the time being around Koh Samui. Current temp at 7am is 26.9C

On Gili Air we also have moments of strong wind, usually in the very early morning or during the evenings and nights but during the day time we have steady blue skies.

My wife is really enjoying her stay here, it reminds her about Koh Samui when she was still a very young girl, the sounds of the ocean and the smell in the air.

Current temp at 8am local time is 26C

The PADI IDC on Gili Air is going strong and we only have two more days to go!

The wait at the early morning ferry from Gili Air to Lombok

Yesterday saw very strong wind at times around Samui and during the night there was some more rain. Max temp reached 33.4C

The forecast eased down a little bit, the peal of the strong winds is now from Sunday to Tuesday and by Wednesday it should be nice, sunny and warm again!

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Samui International Jazz Festival 2012, 14-20 October

In two months time Samui goes Jazz again and the third edition of the Samui International Jazz Festival opens it's doors at the Amari Palm Reef in Chaweng.

The festival is dedicated to the theme of Tropical Jazz and the locations for the various concerts have been especially identified to enhance the tropical feel with guests and performers, which we hope will manage to be both upbeat and laid-back at the same time.

This years line up includes Paulette McWilliamsm check her out during a free show at the main stage at Chaweng Beach, 20th October.

Susan Harmer and her band Tropic Green is on a repeat visit, CaboCubaJazz, featuring Melissa Fortes and Yerman Aponte, Karen Devroop Jazz Quartet and Eddie C will all feature.

The currennt line up, times and venues are;

14th Oct. at Amari Palm Reef Samui
On Stage Interview with Paulette McWilliams
Preview Concert: Beets Brothers feat. Paulette Mc Williams
Concert: Susan Harmer - Tropic Green

15th Oct. at Rocky’s Boutique Resort
Concert: Eddie C

16th Oct. at The Library
Concert: Karen Devroop Quintet

17th Oct. at Nora Buri Resort & Spa
Concert: CaboCubaJazz

18 Oct. at Anantara Bophut
Concert: Alexander Beets Quartet feat. Dasha

( Concert ticket 500 THB/ Person)

Main Stage at Chaweng Beach - Beachfront Amari Palm Reef

19/20 October:
Two days of ten FREE concerts

Highlights:
• Koh Saxman meets Beets Brothers - Tribute to the King
• Beets Brothers feat. Paulette McWilliams
• Peter Beets Trio
• Changton Kunjara & Friends

Keep your agenda open for these shows and I hope you will enjoy the performances by the artists.

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 23rd August, 2012

Today's weather;

Koh Samui had a few clouds this morning but it's gearing up for a another warm day. Current temp at 7am is 26.8C

On Gili Air we're going very strong with non stop blue skies, all day and all of the night (well, actually, during the night the sky is black but laced with hundreds of beautifully twinkling stars) and the current temp at 8am local time is 25C

An even better sunset picture than yesterday, here on Gili Air

Yesterday saw a sunny and warm day around Samui although there were a few clouds out and about. Max temp reached 31.2C

The forecast changed slightly, the non stop has disappeared, although some rain can be expected over the next seven days but the wind is still strong and now Monday to Tuesday sees some real strong wind gusts.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 22nd August, 2012

Today's weather;

Koh Samui has a little bit of overcast but plenty of sunshine for a nice day on the beach. Current temp at 7am is 26.7C

On Gili Air in Indonesia the nice weather keeps going on and it's about a month ago that the island saw the last rain. Current temp at 8am local time is 27C

Sunset last evening on Gili Air

Yesterday it was a dry and sunny day around Samui. Max temp reached 33.5C

The forecast has changed drastically and you better enjoy the sun today since the wind over the weekend should be very strong and as of Friday there should be three days of almost non stop rain.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 21st August, 2012

Today's weather;

Due to a power cut it was not possible to post this any earlier than right now.

It's a sunny day coming up around Koh Samui once again. There's a little bit of overcast but noting too serious. Current temp at 7am is 26.8C

On Gili Air it's blue skies all along! Sometimes there's a nice breeze and especially the mornings and evenings are a lot cooler compared to Samui. Current temp at 8am local time is 24C

A beautiful aerial view of the 3 Gili's, from left to right; Trawangan, Meno and Air

Yesterday saw nice daytime weather but some very hard rain during the evening, especially Chaweng had a good deal of rain. No power cuts for a relieved change though. Max temp reached 33.3C

The forecast has changed and the predictions now show strong wind for the coming week with occasional short but hard showers.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Idul Fitri or Labaran on Gili Air, Indonesia

The day we arrived in Indonesia. it was Independence day and 2 days later the Ramadan finished, which is celebrated by the Idul Fitri celebration which is also sometimes referred to in Indonesia as Lebaran, which meant that there was a short procession with small 'show' carts being hand pulled around the island.

In other Muslim countries Idul Fitri is referred to as Eid Mubarak.

One of the six districts on the island with their group

Gili Air has 6 'districts' and each one of them had build a small show car, since they are being pulled by hand (remember, there are no cars or motorbikes allowed on the island) theses are relatively small carts.

The kids were enjoying themselves and having a good time

We were actually just finished with eating at Scallywags, one of the few restaurants open during these celebration days, when we were pleasantly surprised with the procession of the carts.

A popular theme was mosques, especially the camel did well on Gili Air

One of the sic carts is pronounced the winner, but I didn't find out who that was, although I have a hunch. Check the next pictures out.

Another mosque being carried around

Idul Fitri begins with mass prayer gatherings early in the morning at mosques, open fields, parks and on major streets. It is an amazing sight to see rows of hundreds of Muslim women all dressed in their mukena (white, head-to-toe prayer gowns) performing the synchronized prayer ritual. Muslim men tend to wear sarong, traditional shirts and peci hats to Idul Fitri morning prayers. On the walk home from the mass prayers, quick visits are made to friends in the neighborhood to ask for forgiveness.

This looked to me as being the winner

It was interesting and a very pleasant surprise to see how a they celebrate a religious festival and to see how such a relatively small community.

Selamat Hari Raya Idul Fitri

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 20th August, 2012

Today's weather;

Koh Samui is having a tiny bit of overcast but the sun is also out and about and warming up. Current temp at 7am is 27C.

Diving conditions are excellent at the moment, at Sail Rock there's around 20 to 30 meters visibility and bull sharks and whales harks are being sighted on a very regular base!

On Gili Air in Indonesia life is getting back to normal, the Ramadan has finished and the big party that goes along with, Idul Fitri, is also done and dusted, I hope to be able to put up some pictures, if I can find the time.

The weather is excellent, blue skies and plenty of sunshine although it's not as warm as Samui during the mornings and evenings. Current temp is 27C

Getting ready for a day on the ocean on Gili Air, the engine will be put on a boat, in front is the gasoline

Yesterday saw a nice and warm day around Samui although there was some rain at various parts of the island. Max temp reached 33.3C

The forecast shows an increase in wind come Thursday and strong wind bursts will continue for the rest of the week, sometimes accompanied by some heavy tropical showers, short but strong showers!

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 19th August, 2012

Today's weather;

Koh Samui is warming up again for another warm day! Current temp at 7am is 26.7C

Meanwhile, we're settling in on Gili Air and it's beautiful blue skies all around, until the evenings when a hard wind starts to blow. Current temp at 8am local time is 24C

Today is the end of Ramadan and it's a big celebration day, called Idul Fitri or Lebaran.

Gili Air harbor this morning

Yesterday saw a nice and warm day around Samui but there was plenty of rain during the evening again, once more accompanied by power cuts. Max temp reached 33.4C

Many local people and Westerners living on the island become more and more frustrated by the frequent power cuts.

The forecast shows a little bit of wind and an occasional tropical shower.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 18th August, 2102

Today's weather;

It's hot and sunny right now in our part of Koh Samui but rain is hitting the island occasionally at various locations. Current temp at 30.9C at 10am.

It was really busy this morning kicking off the current PADI IDC on Gili Air in Indonesia that I didn't have time to get an update done until now. Here it's sunny and hot with a current temp of 30C at 1pm local time.

The new restaurant and family bungalow at the end of the pool at Oceans 5 on Gili Air

Yesterday saw more rain during the evening accompanied with more power cuts in the Plai Laem area on Samui. Max temp reached 33C

The forecast is predicting an occasional shower during the next 7 days, enjoy the cooling off moments!

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 17th August, 2012

Today's weather;

It's 14.00 local Indonesian time and thanks to one of the Starbucks outlets in Bali we have internet access! Up till now we had no chance to get very accurate from Koh Samui, but it's hot with a current temp of 29.8C at 1pm.

We'll be leaving for Lombok later this evening and get onto Gili Air, hopefully between 8 and 9pm.

My wife's first encounter of Indonesian food at an airport warung, fish and rice, good enough for her, she'll survive

Yesterday was another sunny day around the island until we left around 6pm and big clouds came moving into the island and once we landed on Phuket, we heard reports of rain and power cuts. Max temp reached 34.2C

The forecast didn't change much compared to yesterday, strong wind today and tomorrow with a nice sunny week ahead of us.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 16th August, 2012

Today's weather;

Another sunny day is in the making on Koh Samui, although there are a few fluffy clouds in the sky. Current temp at 7am is 27.8C

This afternoon my wife and myself fly to Phuket and tomorrow very early morning we're off to Bali. I'm not sure if I will be able to post tomorrow, I hope to find a spot on Bali to give you an update though!

View on the hills in Plai Laem, near Arayaburi resort with another view over Bang Rak bay

Yesterday was a very hot day with non stop sunshine! Max temp reached 35.1C

The forecast shows wind until Saturday and than clear blue skies after that!

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 15th August, 2012

Today's weather;

Anybody up for blue skies? Well, they're still here all around Koh Samui, with the risk of sounding like a broken record! Current temp at 7am is 27C

It's already my last full day on the island, tomorrow afternoon I'm off to Indonesia again, to conduct a PADI IDC on Gili Air.

View over Bang Rak bay near Six Senses Hideaway

Yesterday saw all day long blue skies around the island with a max temp of 35C, there was a little of wind that cooled things down during the morning. The afternoon it was steaming though!

The forecast shows fairly strong wind from Friday through Sunday, if we're lucky we will have a tropical shower to fill up the eater wells a tiny little bit.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille