Camille's Samui Info blog: December 2013

Tuesday, 31 December 2013

Happy New Year

A Happy and Prosperous 2014

Camille

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It's the last day of this year and time to have a look back. It's been a busy year for work and I've been on the road a lot but also was able to spend time at home and with the family. I was also able to run a few races, despite the fact that I had to miss a handful due to injury.

This is already the 7th time I can do 'look back' at the past year on my blog. It's going steady and hopefully with plenty of more years to come.

January was a sad month, the three year remembrance of my Dad passing away and during the evening of the 28th, my Mother in law and beloved Mother of my wife passed away. It was good to be at home during this hard time.

It was also the first time this year we went to visit Lan Saka, not knowing than that we would be back two more times and we enjoyed all the stays and every time they were related to running.

February saw Chinese New Year and I was for the first time this year back on Gili Air in Indonesia.

Sunset near Big Buddha

During March there was a big uproar about the oil rigs around Koh Samui and we saw the first Samui Midnight run, for which I was lucky enough to be on Samui and be able to participate.

In April we had the Thai New Year or Songkran celebrations and although they're fun, I'm glad they only last for just one day on Koh Samui, in contrast to other parts of Thailand where they can last from 3 days to almost one week.

Beach vendor on Choengmon beach

During May there was the Blue Paradise Fest to celebrate the 24th anniversary of Samui airport.

June started out great with two races, the Care for Cancer run in Nathon and a 10km race in Donsak the next day followed later in the month with my 3rd consecutive year of participating in the Laguna Phuket half marathon and my first full marathon in Lansaka. A great month for running races.

Songkran this year in Chaweng

July continued in a running mood with my second full marathon ever, this time on Koh Phangan.

A police officer got shot at a gas station in Chaweng by a drug crazed person and there was a massive oil spill in the Gulf of Thailand which mainly affected Koh Samed.

During August my sister and her family were on Samui for their yearly visit but we also saw a fairly big fire in Bang Rak, Central Festival under construction with an opening planned in late March 2014, a parade celebrating ASEAN in which our oldest daughter participated and a famous Samui native Somdej Phra Puttajarn (Kiew) passed away.

A common sight around the island and Thailand, construction workers in the back of a pick up

September saw first of all the birth of our third child, a second daughter. On top of that there were provincial elections, a Dengue Fever danger report, which is still valid by the way and Thaa Yai, a local celebration.

During November the remains of a crashed Bangkok Airways plane at last found a resting place in the form of an artificial reef and saw me running and shopping around Bangkok for a day.

Wat Plai Laem

In November typhoon Haiyan / Yolanda raged over the Philippines including the small island of Malapascua where I have been working a few times and I celebrated for the 2nd time Loy Kratong in Khao Lak.

December saw me almost all month at home, before I take off again in early January, next year!

At last I was able to visit a Samui Green market, which should become a monthly occurrence as of February next year.

The anti government demonstrations also took place on our island and we were able to visit the very nice Banyan Tree Christmas market.

Besides the usual suspects of our fave restaurant list, we had three new additions to that list, first being Nadimos, an excellent and authentic Lebanese restaurant in Bang Rak, Sweet Sisters, a lovely organic restaurant in the deep South of the island and I had two outstanding test tastings for a new Japanese restaurant, Kobori, to be opened in late January next year in Maenam.

Hope you enjoyed the year as much as I did and I hope to see you back here next year!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 31st December, 2013

Today's weather;

It's mostly cloudy around Koh Samui again with a fairly strong wind. Current temp at 7am is 26C

Yesterday I already looked back at this month, a review of 2013 should follow later today.

A total of 75 people were killed and 503 injured in 456 road accidents on Dec 29, the third day of the "seven dangerous days of 2013 New Year, bringing the total to 161 killed and 1,390 injured in 1,322 accidents, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department's Road Safety Operation Centre reported on Monday. Drink-driving and speeding remain the major causes of accidents, the centre said. According to the Bangkok Post

Wat Kunaram with it's mummified monk

Yesterday was cloudy and fairly windy but dry. Max temp reached 28C

The forecast is looking good, as of Thursday the cloud cover should lift and the wind should drop.

Camille

Monday, 30 December 2013

Goodbye to December 2013

The month of December 2013 is almost coming to an end and it's time to say my goodbye's. It was a good month in many ways, first of all I got to spend most of this month at home and secondly, the weather was mild!

To stay with the weather, there was only some rain in the beginning of the month and the second half some mostly cloudy but dry days however, there was a strong breeze as well that didn't make the boat operators on the island too happy.

A big Buddha statue at Donsak, it's part of my car travels in Thailand

Due to injury I missed out on participating in at least 3 races but the break did me good and my current training laps are all PB (personal bests) which makes me happy.

There was also, almost traditionally during this month, some good food, Nadimos a new Lebanese restaurant in Bang Rak was visited twice, Sweets Sisters in Ban Bang Khao was visited three times this month, Juzza Pizza in Fisherman's Village was among the usual suspects we visited but I also two fantastic test tastings for Kobori, a Japanese restaurant to open late January next year in Maenam. I can easily see Kobori becoming a regular hang out for us.

Up to next year now, but first a review of this year will follow tomorrow and very early in the new year, I will find myself out on the road again.

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 30th December, 2013

Today's weather;

It's cloudy and hazy around Koh Samui this morning but the sun tries hard to break through. Current temp at 7am is 24.9C

The roof for the sports area at our children's school is almost completed

Yesterday saw a cloudy day but it's still dry and so far it has been a very dry December. Max temp reached 28C

The forecast predicts a drop of wind and more sunshine within a day or two. It looks like a nice start of the new year.

Road fatalities statistics for New Year 2013, day 2

Before we get to the new year, the road statistics are not very good. A bus accident near Chumphon with the Bangkok - Hat Yai bus, where the driver apparently fell asleep at 5am, injured 18 people.

On day two of the so-called "seven dangerous days" of the New Year holiday period, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department's Road Safety Operation Centre, reported that 47 people had been killed and 486 injured in 474 road accidents on Dec 28. Bringing the total up to 86 killed people by road accidents, with drunk driving being the biggest culprit.

Camille

Sunday, 29 December 2013

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 29th December, 2013

Today's weather;

This morning sees mostly cloudy skies with a strong breeze around Koh Samui. Current temp at 7am is 24.7C

During my early morning run, it was very busy in Chaweng, before 6am the roads were clogged with late night revelers around Soi Green Mango.

The death count for the "seven dangerous days" for the long New Year holidays saw 39 people killed and 399 others injured in road accidents nationwide on day one of the counting. The highest number of deaths, 3 each, were in the provinces of Pathum Thani, Prachin Buri and Surat Thani.

A deity at Big Buddha

Yesterday saw a mostly cloudy day with an occasional glimpse of the sun. Max temp reached 29C

The forecast is looking nice, fairly cloudy and with a good breeze but at the start of the new year, the clouds should move on and the wind is about to drop and we may have some more sunshine.

Camille

Saturday, 28 December 2013

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 28th December, 2013

Today's weather;

It's mostly clouded but there are some blue spots in the sky over Koh Samui this morning. Current temp at 7am is around 25C

The sky over Bang Rak during the afternoon yesterday

Yesterday saw a mostly clouded sky all day long with a few times the sun trying to attempt to break through. Max temp reached 29C

The forecast predicts a fairly clouded sky and still the same strong wind until the start of next year when the wind should drop and we may see some more sunshine.

Camille

Friday, 27 December 2013

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 27th December, 2013

Today's weather;

It's cloudy this morning around Koh Samui and I don't expect too much sunshine today. Current temp at 7am is 25.3C

According to the Bangkok Post; Hospitals around the country are getting ready to deal with the road accident victims, expected during the coming "seven dangerous days" of the New Year holiday, the Ministry of Public Health said on Thursday.

A total of 365 people were killed and 3,329 others injured in 3,176 traffic accidents across the country during the 2013 New Year period. 43% of drivers involved in an accident during the holiday are being intoxicated, not a great statistic, year in and year out!

View over the Banyan Tree Samui bay from reception where their Christmas Market was held recently

Yesterday saw another hazy day with mostly cloud cover and some sun breaks shortly after noon. Max temp reached 30C

The forecast keeps predicting clouds and wind with a drop in wind from the 1st January.

Camille

Thursday, 26 December 2013

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 26th December, 2013

Today's weather;

Koh Samui's sky is misty (I can't see Koh Phangan) but mostly blue with some clouds in it and there's a bit of early morning wind back. Current temp at 7am is 24.8C

It's been 9 years ago that a tsunami hit Thailand and many other countries in the region and I wish lots of strength today to survivors of the tsunami and to those who lost loved ones. Surely a day of remembrance.

Khao Lak in March 2005, when I visited for the first time, just a few months after the tsunami

Yesterday saw mostly cloudy skies over Samui with shortly after noon some clearance and a bit of sunshine and a strong afternoon wind. Max temp reached 30C

The forecast predicts the wind to hold on until early January, when it may subside but it looks like there will be bouts of sunshine, on and off.

Camille

2004 Tsunami remembrance

It's already 9 years ago that the devastating tsunami hit the Thai coast, In just a few hours time I remember seeing the first reports on Thai TV, 9 years back, about an earthquake that shook Phuket, with possibly a few people having died.

How things turned different rather quickly.

Tsunami safe points have been build along the coast, this one is at Tab Lamu

These safe houses have been build and can be used in case of a tsunami warning, to climb to higher ground when near a beach. I've seen two when I last visited Khao Lak in November.

The aftermath in Khao Lak

Next year I would expect a big remembrance ceremony at all the various locations that the tsunami struck.

For now, lots of strength to all the people who were affected 9 years ago.

Camille

Wednesday, 25 December 2013

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 25th December, 2013

Today's weather;

Merry Christmas on this first Christmas Day.

It's partially cloudy over Koh Samui this morning and the wind seems to have dropped again but may pick up during the afternoon Current temp at 7am is 24.6C

BBQ Chicken or Gai Yang at Namuang Waterfall

Yesterday was fairly cloudy during the morning but during the afternoon the sun broke through although it was slightly misty. Max temp reached 30C

The forecast predicts a drop in wind tomorrow and Friday, which will make all boat operators happy. It remains mostly cloudy but the sun will occasionally break through and no rain is predicted at the moment.

Camille

Tuesday, 24 December 2013

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 24th December, 2013

Today's weather;

Merry Christmas to all my readers!

It's fairly cloudy this morning around Koh Samui with the sun fighting hard to break through the cloud cover. The wind has dropped a fair bit. Current temp at 7am is 25.5C

Big Buddha

Yesterday remained dry as predicted but it was cloudy during the morning and a tiny bit misty all day long, especially over the ocean. During the afternoon the sun tried to break occasionally but not with a lot of success. Max temp reached 29C

The forecast shows cloudy skies for the next 7 days and it should stay dry for most of the time.

Camille

Merry Christmas

to all the readers and followers of my blog

This picture of a banana Christmas tree has been making the rounds on Thai social media and the general consensus was, that if Thailand would celebrate Christmas, this is what a Christmas tree in Thailand would look like

Camille

Monday, 23 December 2013

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 23rd December, 2013

Today's weather;

This morning went from cloudless at 5am at the start of my early morning run to a very nice blue sky with some misty morning clouds in it at around 6am and now at 7.40am there are dark heavy clouds and it's a bit misty on Koh Samui this morning. The breeze is still here but seems less this morning but most boat operators will still not be too happy. Current temp at 7am is 23.8C

The first worries about the upcoming New Year holidays in relation to traffic accidents and road deaths are already starting to come to the surface.

Sea side salas between Fisherman's Village and Bang Rak at a small Thai restaurant

Yesterday saw mostly a sunny sky with a few clouds in it and a fair bit of wind was going around. Max temp reached 29C

The forecast predicts a nice breeze until next weekend but the rain seems to have disappeared for the time being. It may become slightly more cloudy compared to previous predictions.

Camille

Sunday, 22 December 2013

Food on Wheels; Food on the go at Big Buddha

Whenever I visit Big Buddha, I don't even notice the food carts. Although, sometimes our kids may want a pancake, some ice cream or some fruit. Still, they're so much part of the environment after having lived here for so long, that I don't even think about it twice!

Corn and assorted deep fried junk food, Thai style

Here we are, with anther addition to the growing list of the 'Food on Wheels' series and it wasn't until a recent visit to Big Buddha that I realized that all the small street food vendors that are always present at the gates to the actual Big Buddha, are very much part of the Food on Wheels family.

The pan with oil for deep frying purposes is on the right hand of the cart

Sometimes you just have to keep an open mind and you don't even need to look so hard. As is the case this time. Most of the variations here I have posted about already, at least once or twice but in tourist locations like this, you can almost expect to find some carts selling a variety of food. Where ever you will be in Thailand.

The good old fruit seller

The more popular a destination is, the more likely you will find food vendors and the wider the selection there will be.

The salespeople here at Big Buddha may vary from time to time, as the food on offer may change occasionally but there will always be this basic core of food on offer.

The pancake, can't be missed out!

It's a fascinating and interesting phenomena and it's part of the reason I started this series. It's also nice to see that this kind of food offerings are not exclusive to Thailand, but I've already posted about 'Food on Wheels' in Indonesia, the Philippines and South Korea. These are just a few of the countries I visited since I started this blog but Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia, countries which I visited before I started this blog, also have a thriving Food on Wheels tradition.

For young and old; ice cream

This was the last addition for this year, hopefully some more interesting posts can be seen in 2014. Stay tuned!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 22nd December, 2013

Today's weather;

There are more clouds than blue spots in Koh Samui's sky this morning but there at least there are blue spots! There's still a fairly strong wind blowing which is interfering with all boat travel related activities, many dive shop owners and snorkel companies will not be too excited about this. Current temp at 7am is 25C

Valley at Baan Namuang, where around 2003 the feasibility of a second airport on Koh Samui was investigated

Yesterday saw blue skies with plenty of clouds in it but also with a strong breeze. It was a nice day and due to the wind it didn't get very warm. Max temp reached 28C

The forecast predicts blue skies mixed with clouds and a fair bit of wind until the weekend when stronger wind and rain should be coming Samui's way.

Camille

Saturday, 21 December 2013

Banyan Tree Christmas market

Today, from 1pm to 6pm there was a Christmas market at the Banyan Tree Samui in Lamai. I found out myself at a very late stage, so unfortunately I couldn't make a notification and add it to the upcoming events.

Great location at the beach, beats winter and snow anytime in my book!

It was very well organised and after we parked our car, it was all golf buggy rides from there onward, first off to reception to register and from there straight to the beach, which made for an interesting and enjoyable ride through the facilities. On the way out we flagged a big buggy down which brought us safely back to our car.

Banyan Tree Christmas market, Vanilla Blue

Old friends of Blue Vanilla out of Fisherman's Village where also selling gifts

We arrived rather early and it was not busy at that early opening hour but an hour later when we left, a steady stream of people was arriving and it was getting nicely crowded without being too busy.

A high end deli stand with delicious Parmesan cheese to try out and all kinds of exquisite oils, vinegar and you name it

Banyan Tree Christmas market, special needs

2014 calendars on sale with all proceeds going the school for children with special needs

The location was well chosen, on the beach at the bay of the resort. As already mentioned in the first picture, for me this beats snow and winter anytime!

Banyan Tree Christmas market, special food

Banyan Trees Christmas foods

There was plenty of nice food available and the above stand by the Banyan Tree had all kinds of special Christmas food, like ginger bread houses, Marzipan Christmas stollen, English fruit cake, coconut macrones and much more.

Banyan Tree Christmas market, marzipan stollen

A genuine Marzipan Weihnachts stollen, being decimated by the Lemmens clan as we speak

I'm happy we could make it to the Christmas market and also bumping into some friendly and familiar faces was nice. You all stay good and enjoy the up and coming Christmas days.

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 21st December, 2103

Today's weather;

It's mostly cloudy over Koh Samui with a few blue spots and a nice wind. Current temp at 7am is 25.4C

Over sized dining table with chairs at the New Star Resort in Chaweng

Yesterday saw mostly blue skies, laced with some clouds and a fair breeze. Max temp reached 29C

The forecast predicts a bit more clouds and some rain starting on Wednesday and currently a potential storm come Friday and next Saturday. It's still early days for it to be very accurate. so sit tight and let's see what happens.

Camille

Friday, 20 December 2013

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 20th December, 2013

Today's weather;

Koh Samui has a blue sky again this morning, although there are very thin layers of clouds in the sky, which I expect to dissolve once the sun heats up. Current temp at 7am is 25.4C

A fisherman near Fisherman's Village

Yesterday saw a very nice day with mostly blue skies and occasionally some clouds passing by. Max temp reached 29C

The forecast predicts mainly blue skies for the next 7 days with a fair bit of wind and possibly some rain as of Wednesday.

Camille

Thursday, 19 December 2013

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 19th December, 2013

Today's weather;

Koh Samui is back to how I predicted it two, two days ago, mainly blue skies with the sun out and about again and some clouds drifting by. Current temp at 7am is 24.2C

Choengmon beach yesterday with rough waves

Yesterday saw all day long heavy clouds, strong wind until noon and sometimes a trace of rain before noon. Surprisingly the cloud cover started to lift during the late afternoon and we even had a nice sunset. Max temp reached 27C

The forecast predicts a fairly strong wind but mostly blue skies and possibly some rain on Monday and Tuesday. All in all a good forecast for this time of the year.

Wednesday, 18 December 2013

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 18th December, 2013

Today's weather;

It's very cloudy and grey over Koh Samui this morning with a stiff wind. It's dry though and most likely it will stay dry, despite the sometimes dark clouds. Current temp at 7am is 25.5C

Last night's full moon over Nathon

Yesterday saw a lovely start of the day with mostly nice blue skies but by noon clouds drifted in and by 1pm it was clouded with at times very dark clouds looming over the island. There may have been a trace of rain but I didn't experience any myself. Max temp reached 31C, but that was before noon, after noon it was decidedly cooler with a max of 27C

The forecast shows a fair bit of wind this morning and wind for the coming 7 days. It may be partially cloudy although I also expect sunny moments and it should stay dry most of the time, besides a sporadic shower or some traces of rain.

Camille

Tuesday, 17 December 2013

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 17th December, 2013

Today's weather;

A nice, partly cloudy sky with plenty of blue and sunshine about to start blazing is yours if you're on Koh Samui this morning. Current temp at 7am is 25.2C

Two butterflies yesterday in our garden, in a 69 position, moments before they had a frantic 40 second bout of wild sex with wings flapping around all over the place

Yesterday was mostly a sunny day with a fair amount of clouds at times. At some parts of the island there may have been some rain but not where I was yesterday. Max temp reached 32C

The forecast for the next seven days looks great, plenty of sunshine with a nice cooling breeze and maybe an occasional shower.

Camille

Monday, 16 December 2013

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 16th December, 2013

Today's weather;

The sky over Koh Samui is very blue with just an occasional cloud floating by. It looks like a nice and warm day is ahead of us. Current temp at 7am is 25.7C

The cozy and inviting interior of the Sweet Sisters Café in Ban Bang Kao

Yesterday saw occasionally a glimpse of the sun but it remained mostly cloudy but dry all day long. Max temp reached 31C

The forecast had a drastic change, Tuesday the wind will still pick but the predicted stormy day is gone and all rain had pretty much disappeared from the predictions until Monday next week besides a few drops later today or tomorrow. That sounds promising and is this the end of this year's rainy season?

Camille

Sunday, 15 December 2013

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 15th December, 2013

Today's weather;

There's a thin cloud layer over Koh Samui which most likely will be evaporated soon by the sun and we may have a nice and sunny day. Current temp at 7am is 25.3C

The steep path leading down to the waterfall at Namuang, with water running between the rocks during the rainy season

Yesterday saw a cloudy start of the day but the sun kept working the clouds and during the afternoon we had more and more blue skies around the island with an almost near blue sky during the late afternoon. Max temp reached 30C

The forecast predicts sunny day up until Tuesday evening with a storm raging over Samui from Tuesday to Wednesday and strong wind after that. Tuesday afternoon through Thursday may see some rain but other than that the sun should be out and about as well.

Camille

Saturday, 14 December 2013

EVIL MAN OF KRABI JAILED FOR 20 YEARS

DAD SAYS THANK YOU- PUTS DOWN SHOTGUN

Reports surfaced on Andrew Drummond's blog yesterday that the Thai man dubbed ‘The Evil Man of Krabi’ has been jailed for 20 years for rape and assault at Krabi Provincial Court.

As reported on this blog 9th November last year, a bit over a year ago.

Chumpol Khaonuang was sentenced on Friday for the brutal attack on a 19-year-old Dutch model near Ao Nang, Krabi, after her birthday party.

Because of the initial failure of local police to catch him the young woman’s father a musician composed the song ‘Evil Man of Krabi’ which went viral after initially being picked up on this site. For your information, the song has now been removed from YouTube.

After his arrest it was discovered that Chumpol, from Koh Phangan, had been convicted and jailed for murder when he was 17. He was jailed for nine years for stabbing another Thai to death.

In a letter to this site the girl’s father said today: “He can go to higher court but his bail is 700,000 baht

Our government will follow it day by day now.

“I´m so excited that I forgot to thank you for all the work you put in on this case."

“In the beginning we didn´t expect it to be so viral. Visiting the (Netherlands) Ministry of Foreign Affairs they told me first to give up hope. Later they became as excited as me .."

“But great respect for you. You put the oil on the fire. Contact me anytime if you find a similar case , so we can do something for the victims.”

Thanks Andrew

Interesting fact though, is that a Google search for the rapist's name in Thai (Chumpol Khaonuang นายชุมพล ขาวนวล), could find nothing in the Thai language news as yet regarding the verdict.

Remember the late Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism and Sports of the time being, Chumpol Silpa-archa who passed away 21st January this year? When he became aware of the 'Evil man from Krabi' YouTube song associated with this story and took action to have it blocked in Thailand and removed from YouTube for damaging the reputation of tourism in the Kingdom? The reason given at the time was that he thought the rape victim's father had misunderstood what had actually happened to his daughter and the daughter had willingly gone off with the tour guide rapist after her boyfriend left and rape was too strong a word for what subsequently happened. Amazing Thailand indeed.

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 14th December, 2014

Today's weather;

There's a fairly think cloud layer over Koh Samui this morning but the sun tries very hard to break through, although not very successful thus far. Current temp at 7am is 25C

Nadimos, Lebanese restaurant in Bang Rak

The Nadimos Lebanese restaurant exterior inside the Prana resort in Bang Rak

Yesterday saw a a very cloudy morning but the longer the day lasted, the more sunshine and blue emerged, resulting in an almost near blue sky by 5pm. It stayed dry all day and night with a max temp of 30C

The forecast changed for the better. Tuesday may see a peak in wind and some rain but from Wednesday onward there's a good chance of sunshine with an occasional shower. A fair wind will likely remain though. Exactly how the weather should be this time of the year, although the dive centers and other boat operators would welcome a bit less wind.

Camille

Friday, 13 December 2013

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 13th December, 2013

Today's weather;

Friday the 13th but not full moon. It's cloudy around Koh Samui but it's dry again. Current temp at 7am is 27.5C
Don't forget to check out the review I posted yesterday evening about the lovely Sweet Sisters Café in Ban Bang Kao.

Big Buddha, details at the stairs up to the big statue

Yesterday saw a lot of rain during the early morning, just after 10am it started to dry up and remain cloudy all day long with just a single shower during the early evening again. Max temp reached 28C

The forecast looks fairly good, possibly some sunshine on Monday en Tuesday but strong wind and plenty of rain come Tuesday and Wednesday. After that it's predicted to stay windy but potentially with breaks of sunshine.

Camille

Thursday, 12 December 2013

Sweet Sisters Café, Ban Bang Kao

After having seen and met the sisters of the Sweet Sisters Café, Ban Bang Kao at the recent Samui Green Market in Chaweng and having read their reviews on Trip Advisor, I was looking for an opportunity to visit them and try out their food.

Sweet Sisters Café, Ban Bang Kao; Their signage

Unfortunately they're not located near the busy touristy part of the island but rather in a fairly remote area named Ban Bang Kao, where the roads 4170 and 4173 meet and they're right there, near a 4 road intersection. See on a map here. The rum distillery in Ban Thale is not far away, on the same 4170 road, of which they have rum for sale by the way.

Sweet Sisters Café, Ban Bang Kao; The entrance

This morning a great opportunity presented itself, when we had to go to the Ford garage to have our car checked for the half yearly maintenance check up. This happens to be not too far away and after a two and a half hour car check, we were hungry and ready for the Sweet Sisters Café, where we arrived shortly after noon.

Sweet Sisters Café, Ban Bang Kao; The daily specials menu

First impressions do count and our first impressions were positive. The café radiates a warm feeling and the interior is warm and looks inviting, There are games for children and comfortable tables with chairs to sit at and plenty of interesting and relaxing eye catching things on the walls, like paintings for sale which fitted right into the atmosphere and a shelf with grains and other food items for sale.

Sweet Sisters Café, Ban Bang Kao; Bruchetta with rice crackers

All the produce used is either grown by themselves or bought from local farmers or bought on the local markets, as long as it's natural and organic. It may come as no surprise that no MSG is used no any other chemical enhancing agents, white sugar or polished rice. Diary is also not used unless mentioned in the menu and there are various gluten free foods as well.

Sweet Sisters Café, Ban Bang Kao; Some of the mains we had, baked brown rice with cashew nuts and pineapple, a pumpkin soup and laab tofu

The menu is not too big but just big enough to make you think about what you want with some good and interesting choices and the prices seem to be all right. The menu holds some interesting fusion dishes and I'm already looking forward to our next visit so I can order new and different items from the menu.

Sweet Sisters Café, Ban Bang Kao; My main, quinoa with avocado salad

The food was good and tasty and for the first time in my life I ate quinoa and I found it tasty and will try it again, when I have the opportunity. The pumpkin soup was delicious and so was the laab with tofu and baked brown rice! As a desert I managed to finish off a delicious organic cashew nut cake. We had a terrific meal and were fully satisfied and full!

Sweet Sisters Café, Ban Bang Kao; Various kinds of food, grains, nuts and the like are for sale

My wife bought some fresh bananas, straight off a trunk from a tree, which you can see hiding in the left corner on the picture below and some fresh farm eggs (there were also fresh duck eggs straight off the farm), it's always worthwhile checking what's available, I would expect that to have daily changes.

Sweet Sisters Café, Ban Bang Kao; Various enamel items for sale, like old style Thai food containers and cups

Their opening times are between 11am and 9pm and they're open all week long. For more information call them on 08 6470 8631 or 08 1892 1922 or check their Facebook page.

Great job Noiy, the older sister and the chef. Unfortunately I didn't catch the name of the younger sister and of Noiy's daughter, who are both very pleasant and give an excellent service. One more reason to go back and find out!

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 27th July, 2017