Goodbye to March 2012

Goodbye to March 2012

Time flies when you're having fun and also, in my case, when you're travelling a lot. This has been a very busy month for me, with 3 PADI' IDC's back to back and for the first time ever, three PADI IE programs in one month where candidates of me attended. I also visited three different countries during this month, Indonesia, the Philippines and of course what I call my home nowadays, Thailand. I've visited also all three capital cities of all three countries, but for all three I was only at the airport, just transferring through!

Getting up early to catch a dive boat which leaves at 5am can have it's advantages, a gorgeous sunrise on Malapascua in the Philippines where I conducted a PADI IDC

First things first though, the weather during this March was outstanding, mainly sunny and just on a very rare occasion Koh Samui saw rain this month. Although I was just here for the last third of this month, the weather has been excellent this March.

Despite being away for a lot this month, I'm very happy that I have been able to update the blog every day with a weather forecast, which is not an easy feat, sitting on a tropical island where internet connection may not be the best. Skype does wonders though and helps you to keep in touch with your loved ones back home and in this case, also an excellent tool to get the local weather updates, first hand!

I'm looking forward to a week off at home and than it's off to Khao Lak for another PADI IDC.

Looking forward to April now, that is usually the hottest month in the year and also brings us Songkran, the much awaited and anticipated Thai version of New Year.

Thanks for dropping by this month, hope to see you all check in again next month and don't forget to check out my Samui hotel recommendations blog and my Thailand hotel recommendations blog for all your hotel bookings in and outside of Thailand.

If you enjoy and like the information my blog provides or think it's useful in any way, don't hesitate to make a donation. Thanks Beryl for this month' donation.

Camille

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

Today's weather;

Back home again for a week, which feels good. The sky over Koh Samui in the meantime is cloudy this morning. Current temp at 7am is 27.5C

Koh Samui's sky this morning

Yesterday saw a nice and sunny day around the island and Koh Tao. Max temp reached 33.5C

The Instructor Development Update on went well but it was also good to be back home again last night.

The forecast is looking better again, occasionally some clouds but the wind seems to have disappeared and almost no rain is predicted for the next 7 days.

Camille

Food on Wheels; Bakso on Gili Air in Indonesia

Food on Wheels; Bakso on Gili Air in Indonesia

It's time for another Food on Wheels addition and the nice thing is that you find food on wheels all around the South East Asian region, not only in Thailand.

This entry originates from the small island of Gili Air in Indonesia, where I was earlier this month.

This Bakso car is wheeled out every evening near to the harbor on Gili Air and after business is closed, wheeled back home again.

The making of the bakso, a beef soup

The beef balls that go in the soup

This where the ingredients for inside the soup are kept

Order your bakso and sit at one of the tables. A nice and good tasting soup, every day fresh again!

Camille

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

Today's weather;

Koh Tao and Koh Samui are getting ready for another hot day. The skies are very blue this morning. Current temp at 7am is 27C

The busy Mae Haad harbor on Koh Tao

Yesterday saw a lovely and sunny day around Koh Tao and Koh Samui, although I didn't see that much of it since I was all afternoon in my room and in bed with an upset stomach. Max temp reached 32.2C

The PADI IE on Koh Tao has been completed yesterday and today I will be attending a PADI Course Director update and I will take the 3pm boat back to Samui later today!

The forecast for the next 7 days is looking a bit up and down, some days a bit more wind, some days a bit more cloudy but in general it should stay rather dry.

Camille

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

Today's weather;

A blue sky is shaping up over Koh Tao and Koh Samui and it looks like a nice and warm day ahead of us. Current temp at 7am is 26.9C

I will be on Koh Tao for another two days, first until the PADI IE will finish today and tomorrow afternoon I will take the 3pm ferry after a PADI Course Director Update. Check my dive blog for updates on both events.

The end of the day yesterday on Koh Tao

Yesterday was a splendid day, warm all day long and plenty of sunshine all over Koh Tao and Koh Samui. Max temp reached 31.8C

The next 7 days are supposed to be cloudy, in various degrees.

Camille

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

Today's weather;

Both Koh Tao, where I am for a PADI IE and Koh Samui have cloud covered skies and I don't think that we will get lots of sunshine today. Current temp at 7am is 26.2C

Moments before the rain starts on Koh Tao, yesterday

Yesterday started out lovely, with partly blue skies and sunny weather. During the afternoon a heavy cloud front showed up and Koh Tao had a short but heavy rain shower and Koh Samui had a less strong shower but it lasted a bit longer. On Koh Tao I saw two waterspouts just before the rain started, haven't seen them in years! Max temp reached 30.8C

The forecast is showing cloudy but mainly dry skies over the weekend, it will become less cloudy but the wind will pick up afterwards.

Camille

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

Today's weather;

There are a few clouds in Samui's sky but I expect most of them to evaporate once the sun heats up. Current temp at 7am is 26.7C

In a few moments I will be on my way to Koh Tao for 3 might, for a PADI IE, after completion of the current PADI IDC on Koh Samui and a PADI meeting. I will keep you updated as usual however!

The sky, this monring over our house in Plai Laem

Yesterday was nice and sunny around Koh Samui, although there was a tiny bit of rain during the afternoon. Max temp reached 31.7C

The forecast shows plenty of cloud cover as of today but hardly any rain, despite the forecast I would still expect plenty of sunshine.

Camille

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

Today's weather;

The sky over Koh Samui is mainly blue bot there are some nice cumulus clouds hanging out. Current temp at 7am is 26.5C

Chaweng beach yesterday afternoon, as seen from the ocean

Yesterday saw a very hot and sunny day all around Koh Samui. Max temp reached 32.4C

The forecast is showing some serious cloud formations starting Wednesday afternoon with cloud cover. Plenty of cloudy days are predicted from there onward, without too much rain.

Camille

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

Today's weather;

The sky over Koh Samui is shaping up nicely, a few clouds are currently around but I would expect them to evaporate once the sun starts to heat up. Current temp at 7am is 27.5C

Food is everywhere in Thailand, so is Thai junk food! At a temple party in Plai Laem, a variety of deep fried snacks

Yesterday saw a sunny sky around the island with occasionally some clouds drifting by. Max temp reached 32C

The forecast keeps shifting, now it looks like that from Wednesday onward it's going to be cloudy but overall it will remain fairly dry, not that much rain is predicted despite the clouds.

Camille

Result of the poll; Do you like the new look of the blog

Result of the poll; Do you like the new look of the blog

The result has been up for a while but I just didn't have enough time to get around posting about it. Here we got though and 63% likes the new look and 36% of the readers don't like the new look.

I would've hoped for a higher number or percentage of likes but it's still encouraging enough for me to keep the new look for the time being.

The main complaint was made by two different readers that they couldn't read the words anymore with the new background. That's very unfortunate that the color combination of words and background doesn't work for them. For me it's however very time consuming to change everything around and I actually do like the new look. Furthermore, I wish I had more time to play around with my blog, right now I can just about manage to get the daily updates done.

Thanks to everybody who took the time to vote and provide feedback. I'm looking forward to hear more of you out there, so keep the posts and mails coming!

Don't forget to check out my Koh Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand.

Camille

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

Today's weather;

Koh Samui is already enjoying a blue sky very early in the morning. Current temp at 7am is 26C and you might as well get ready for a warm day!

A tree in full blossom yesterday on the road between Chaweng and Choengmon

Yesterday saw a fairly cloudy day around Koh Samui but there was still plenty of sunshine to be had and it was dry as a cork all day long. Max temp reached 32.5C

The forecast keeps looking good for the next 7 days, the predicted cloudy weather gets pushed back everyday and is now not supposed to start until Friday next week.

Camille

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

Today's weather;

The morning sky around Koh Samui is completely covered in clouds and it will be interesting to see if the sun can break this up again, just like the previous days. Current temp at 7am is 24.5C

This week saw my Mum's birthday and we went to Prego's in Chaweng, an Italian restaurant, which is part of the Amari. The above pictured dish are mixed Italian starters and was delicious!

Yesterday's weather started out with a cloudy sky, but as expected, the sun evaporated all of the clouds really fast once it heated up and the rest of the day around Koh Samui was sunny and warm! Max temp reached 33.6C

The forecast shows sunny skies for the island but around next Wednesday it may become very cloudy although it's might stay rather dry.

Camille

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

Today's weather;

Koh Samui's sky is just like yesterday morning, partly covered with clouds. Most likely they will vaporize when the sun heats up, in an hour or so. Current temp is 25.5C

The road in front of our house, now completely paved, yesterday saw just one side of the road being served

Yesterday saw cloud formations during the morning but around 8am it all cleared up and the sun burned down on us from an all clear sky. For the first time this year on Koh Samui the temperature soared to an amazing 34.5C

The forecast is looking good for the next 7 days, however, from next Wednesday onward some heavy cloud cover and possibly some rain is predicted.

Camille

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

Today's weather;

The sky over Koh Samui is fairly cloudy this morning, over 50% is covered but I expect it to stay dry nonetheless. Current temp at 7am is 25.8C

Last night, just when we closed the lights, we heard this grinding sound, which disturbed us slightly, it quickly became clear that the road was being paved, this is the result this morning

Yesterday was a stark contrast with 100% blue skies all day long around Koh Samui. Max temp reached 31C

The forecast is looking good, with some potential rain after the weekend.

Camille

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

Today's weather;

It's good to be back home again on Koh Samui and be with my family again. I'm also being welcomed by a very clear blue sky, get ready for a hot one today! Current temp at 7am is 25.5C

Blue sky, this morning in Plai Laem

Yesterday saw a nice and warm day all around the island, there were clouds but it was hot and sunny! max temp reached 30.8C

The 4th PADI IDC of the year has also kicked off yesterday, please visit my dive blog for updates.

The forecast for the next 7 days looks like it will remain sunny, dry and warm! Time to plan a visit to Koh Samui!

Camille

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

Today's weather;

It's been a month ago but I'm back on Thai soil again. Currently I'm waiting at the Bangkok Air lounge at Suvarnabhumi airport after having arrived last night from Manila and a stay at the Convenient Resort in Bangkok to board a flight to Samui! Just in time to start another PADI IDC program later today.

Suvarnabhumi airport

Koh Samui has nice weather again today, it's sunny and another warm day is looming ahead. Current temp at 7am is 28.8C.

Yesterday it was also nice and warm around Koh Samui with a max temp of 31C and the forecast for this week is looking excellent.

In Cebu City was a successful end to my travels with all my students passing the PADI IE in a cloudy and sometimes light rainy Cebu.

It's good to be back home again!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 18th March, 2012

Today's weather;

The weather on Koh Samui just keeps going strong. A sunny sky is yours today if you're on the island and you might as well get ready for a hot day. Current temp at 7am is 26.2C

Yesterday was once more a hot and sunny day around Koh Samui. Max temp reached 31.2C

One of the many bakeries in Cebu and in general around the Philippines

Cebu is is cloudy on my last day here but dry. Yesterday was cloudy as well with an occasional quick shower. At 6pm my flight to Manila will leave and just before midnight I should land in Bangkok.

The PADI IE is also about to be completed this morning, check for updates on my dive blog.

Camille

2.500 posts on my blog!

2.500 posts on my blog!

A small moment to stand still by and for me personally, to celebrate. This is already post # 2.502 on my Koh Samui info and weather blog.

A small fishing boat with Big Buddha in the background

Last month I already celebrated 5 years of blogging, now it's time to celebrate a new milestone.

That's all for now folks. Hope you keep checking in.

Camille

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

Today's weather;

The Samui skies keep offering sunshine and blue overhead! Current temp this morning is 27.2C

Yesterday saw also a nice and warm day around the island. Max temp reached 30.6C

The forecast for the next 7 days is looking good, sunny days are looming ahead.

A jeepney downtown Cebu City

Mactan in Cebu City is slightly cloudy but nice and warm and dry! The PADI IE starts today for my current PADI IDC candidates.

Tomorrow afternoon I'm off to Manila and later in the evening it's off on a jet airplane to Bangkok!

Camille

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

Today's weather;

The weather on Koh Samui keeps going strong, sunny skies this morning, once more. Current temp at 7am is 25.8C

Yesterday it was nice, sunny and warm around Koh Samui. Max temp reached 30C

The next 7 days just look great, plenty of sunshine predicted!

Yesterday we were taken to lunch at the North of the island, by Dish, one of the instructors at Sea Explorers on Malapascua, where there was a fiesta and we had pork lechon, as the picture proofs

Under a sunny Malapascua sky, my travels will continue today, it's off to Cebu and Sunday evening I'm on a flight to Bangkok!

Stay tuned!

Camille

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

Today's weather;

Koh Samui's sky is full of sunshine again this morning with a current temp of 27C

Yesterday saw a warm and sunny day around Koh Samui, max temp reached 31C

The forecast for the next 7 days; warm and sunny!

A cock in front of a boat being build on Malapascua in the Philippines

The weather here on Malapascua remains good, slight overcast but dry days with plenty of sunshine. Lovely!

The current PADI IDC was completed yesterday and I've already an early morning on Monad shoal and saw a big thresher shark nearby! Life's good!! Tomorrow we're off to Cebu for a PADI IE.

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 14th March, 2012

Today's weather;

The weather on Koh Samui keeps going strong. This morning sees another nice day forming with plenty of sunshine. Current temp at 7am is 27.4C

Yesterday started out nice but turned rather cloudy during the day all around Samui. It didn't rain though max temp reached 30.7C

The forecast is predicting nice and sunny weather with clouds possibly after the weekend but it should remain dry.

Diving on Malapascua sure is MAD!

In the meantime, here on Malapascua in the Philippines, the weather remains nice and sunny.

The current PADI IDC is going into it's last day and on Friday I will leave this lovely island, hopefully to be back in November again, later this year. Stay tuned in the meantime for daily updates.

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 13th March, 2012

Today's weather;

Koh Samui is having sunshine during the early morning, once more it's looking like it's going to be a nice day. Current temp at 7am is 28.5C

Yesterday was a hot day around Koh Samui with a max temp of 31C, a sign it's really heating up This despite the fact that there were a few moments with some minor raindrops.

The forecast for the next 7 days just looks splendid with plenty of sun coming Samui's way.

Sunset just before a dusk/night dive earlier this week on Malapascua

The mornings on Malapascua are great with sometimes a bit of cloud formation during the afternoon, so it doesn't get too hot.

My time on the island is almost over, tomorrow the current PADI IDC is finished, than one more and than off to Cebu. The clock started to count down!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 12th March, 2012

Today's weather;

Koh Samui's weather is going strong and the sunny skies just don't want to go away. Current temp at 7am is 28.7C

Yesterday was warm and sunny all around Koh Samui, once more! Max temp reached 30.3C

The forecast for the next 7 days has changed drastically, today and tonight still a bit wind and possibly some overcast but after that, sunny skies all around.

Strange Philippines logic, the local alcohol is cheaper than the mixers!

Malapascua has seemingly recovered from some cloudy days and the sun is out in full force again this morning!

The countdown now slowly starts, just a few more days on Malapascua until the current PADI IDC has been completed, the 16th is a travel day to Cebu City and the 18th I'm flying to Thailand again, 19th back home on Koh Samui after a night in Bangkok near the airport!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 11th March, 2012

Today's weather;

Koh Samui keeps up the good weather, this morning sees another nice blue and merely sunny sky. Current temp at 7am is 29C

Yesterday was sunny and warm around Koh Samui, what else can you ask for? Max temp reached 30.4C

The forecast sees some cloud cover predicted and a drop or two may come down but nothing serious rain wise is predicted.

The local eatery I have lunch at on Malapascua in the Philippines, just as in Thailand, the food is hidden inside the pots and pans

On Malapascua the weather was yesterday morning but turned cloudy and rainy during the afternoon, although we had just the one shower. This morning it's cloudy but dry.

The PADI IDC here is already past the half way point. Check out my dive blog for this update.

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 10th March, 2012

Today's weather;

The sky over Koh Samui is nice and sunny this morning! Current temp at 7am is 28.6C

Yesterday saw also a nice and sunny around Koh Samui. Max temp reached 30.9C although there was some rain.

The forecast shows wind over the weekend but not much rain and clear later on during the week.

Sun rise this morning on Malapascua in the Philippines on the way to a morning dive at Monad Shoal to see Thresher sharks

The weather on Malapascua has been great so far! Nice and sunny, warm but not too hot yet and great sun sets and sun rises! Life's good here!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 9th March, 2012

Today's weather;

Koh Samui enjoys another sunny morning with fairly blue skies. Current temp at 7am is 25.5C

Yesterday saw some rain during the morning around Koh Samui with sunny skies in the afternoon and rain again during the night. Max temp reached 30.6C

The forecast for the next 7 days is not looking that good anymore, clouds and rain likely today and tomorrow, the wind is picking up and more clouds but still not that much rain is expected/predicted.

The beach on Malapascua in the Philippines

Malapascua is having a very good weather spell and it's been sunny almost every day. Yesterday was nice and warm and today is looking very promising again. It takes a little bit of effort to reach this beautiful island but it's well worth the effort.

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 8th March, 2012

Today's weather;

Koh Samui has a shining blue sky this morning, better get ready for a warm one today! Current temp at 7am is 26.2C

Yesterday Koh Samui was warm and sunny with a max temp of 31.3C Slowly but steadily the temperatures are creeping into the thirties again.

The forecast remains steady, wind and cloud formations over and after the weekend with a chance of some rain.

Malapascua sunset yesterday

On Malapascua it's beautiful today, although we had our daily shower yesterday around noon.

It's busy on the diving front, the PADI IDC on Malapascua has started and yesterday the PADI IE on Gili Air in Indonesia was completed very successfully! Happy days all around!

Time to start teaching again!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 7th March, 2012

Today's weather;

Koh Samui's weather is back at it's feet again and it's blue and sunny. A hot day is in the making. It's Makha Bucha day in Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. Current temp at 7am is 26C

Yesterday was a very warm day around Koh Samui, a sun filled day. Max temp reached 31.2C

The forecast predicts clouds and wind over the weekend but no rain.

The beach on Malapascua

On Malapascua it's nice and sunny. Two days in a row there was a shower in the ear;y evening, but other than that it's great here!

My 100th PADI IDC has started yesterday, an update is to be expected in a few moments on my dive blog.

Camille

Makha Bucha day

Makha Bucha day

Today is Makha Bucha day, it's an important Buddhist festival celebrated in Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos on the full moon day of the third lunar month (this usually falls in February). The third lunar month is known in the Thai language as Makha (Pali: Māgha); Bucha is also a Thai word (Pali: Pūjā), meaning "to venerate" or "to honor". As such, Makha Bucha Day is for the veneration of Buddha and his teachings on the full moon day of the third lunar month.

The spiritual aims of the day are: not to commit any kind of sins; do only good; purify one's mind.

Māgha Pūjā is a public holiday in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia - and is an occasion when Buddhists tend to go to the temple to perform merit-making activities.

Makha Bucha day;A video with a song about Makha Bucha day by the slightly controversial Dhammakaya Foundation in Thailand.

Hope you enjoy Makha Bucha day, wherever you are and maybe you take part in one of the activities to observe during this day;

'TUM BOON': Making merit by going to temples for special observances, making merit, listening to Dhamma preaching, giving some donations and join in the other Buddhist activities.

'RUB SIL': Keeping the Five Precepts, including abstinence from alcoholic drinks and all kinds of immoral acts.

'TUK BARD': Offering food to the monks and novices (in the alm bowl).

Practice of renuciation: Observe the Eight Precepts, practice of meditation and mental discipline, stay in the temple, wearing white robes, for a number of days.

'VIEN TIEN': Attending the Candle Light Procession around the Uposatha Hall, in the evening of the Vesak full moon day.

Please do 'like' my Koh Samui blog Facebook page and enjoy the beaches around the island or in front of your hotel or resort and get some well deserved rest and a break. If you're done resting or need something else to do, there's plenty of things on offer on and around Koh Samui, you can go snorkeling or diving or take a dive course. You can also enjoy some of the trips I recommend, like a half day gourmet lunch and snorkeling trip at the Southern part of Koh Samui or a photography trip where you get to see the most photo genetic spots on the island or go for a drinks tasting tour if you like a tipple or two. 

Contact me for more detailed information on any of the options mentioned.

If you like to donate to this blog, use this secure link PayPal.Me/CamilleLemmens.

Camille

Updated 8th July, 2017