Wednesday 31 December 2014

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 31st December, 2014

Today's weather;

It's partially cloudy this early in the morning and we have some nice blue spots in the sky over Koh Samui. Current temp at 7am is 27C

We will be leaving for Nakhon Si Thammarat this morning, where there will be a New Years Eve run at 11pm, just like 2 years ago. It's only a 4km run but the New Years celebration at Wat Prah Mahathat will be nice with prayer and fireworks. Tomorrow we should be back on Samui again.

A Prosperous and Happy New Year to you!

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 31st December, 2014

The Seatran ferry pier in Nathon

Yesterday saw a nice morning with plenty of blue skies and sunshine, followed by a more cloudy but still dry afternoon. Max temp reached 29C

The forecast is looking good, it should stay dry over the next 7 days and after next weekend the wind should have completely come to a stand still.

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

Happy New Year

 I wish you a Prosperous and Happy New Year

Happy New Year

Camille

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! 

Goodbye to December 2014

This month and the whole year actually is walking on it's last legs and it's time to say goodbye to December 2014. Yesterday I already looked back to the year 2014.

The weather was good during the first half of the month but about half way through this month, when the monsoon is supposed to be finished, a rough weather patch of strong wind and lots of rain showed up. Just before Christmas, when the island was filling up with tourists, the all dive and snorkel boats couldn't go out due to the strong wind. The last couple of days of the month are seeing less wind but there was still some some rain. Yesterday saw the first sunny day since a longer time.

Goodbye to December 2014

A cloudy Chaweng Beach at OP Bungalow earlier this month

Most of the month I spent in Moalboal in the Philippines, but the last third of the month I was able to spend some quality time with my family and some friends. 
We had good times and great food at Kobori a Japanese restaurant, Arirang for Korean food and  for excellent Thai food Sabeinglae at the Wharf this month.

Bring on 2015!

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

Tuesday 30 December 2014

Looking back at 2014

It's that time of the year again for looking back at 2014. With just one more day to go, this is the 8th year in succession that I run this blog and that I can look back at a year!

It's been really busy with work with trips to Koh Lanta, Khao Lak and Phuket in Thailand, Gili Air in Indonesia, Moalboal in the Philippines and Osan in South Korea. Although this was great, I didn't spend nearly as much time at home with family as I wanted to. That's the price I have to pay.

We were blessed to stay more or less injury and illness free all year long, besides a light dengue fever bout I had in January. I was very happy to be able to run a few races again this year and towards the end of the year with some fast times and good results. Too bad the Cebu city half marathon was postponed due to typhoon Hagupit. There's one more race to come, tomorrow we're off to Nakhon Si Thammarat, where I will participate in the New Years Eve run over 4km at 11pm, after which we will celebrate New Years Eve at the Wat Phra Mahathat.

January was busy with two PADI IDC's back to back, on Koh Lanta, Thailand and in Indonesia. During the latter I had the dengue fever bout.

In February I was able to run a half marathon Prachuap Khirikhan and we saw the opening and first of many visits to come for me and my family to one of our current favorite restaurants on the island, Japanese restaurant Kobori in Maenam.

Looking back at 2014

Central Festival still under construction back in February

March saw towards the very end of the month the long awaited opening of Central Festival and I ran a 15km race in Thung Nari in Phattalung province.

April saw the traditional Thai New Year or better known as Songkran and I took the family on a trip to Indonesia, among others to Bali. I also participated in the second Koh Samui Midnight Run.

Looking back at 2014

Sunset at Wat Bophud

May was mostly spend in Indonesia with the family, which they really enjoyed, Visakha Bucha Day was celebrated and I participated in the 7th Cancer Care run in Nathon.

During June I conducted a PADI IDC back home on Koh Samui and I had a rare appearance in a Bangkok race.

Looking back at 2014

Still one of our favorite beaches; Choengmon Beach

In July we hooked up with my sister in Khao Sok, a really enjoyable trip and we had a great day out with the Island Gem Gourmet Picnic, which comes highly recommended as a half day activity on Samui. I ran in Surat Thani province twice and towards the end of the month I was teaching in Osan, South Korea for the second time.

During August I was just a few days on the island and Samui enjoyed an excellent month with the weather.

Looking back at 2014

Island Gem Picnic near Koh Madsum

My highlight in September was running the Mount Bromo half marathon in Indonesia, a fantastic race and a great experience. Most of the month I was able to spend at home, at last!

October saw the yearly Rua Chak Phra event, I was involved in box jelly fish awareness programs around the island and an interesting Tod Katin event in Wat Bophud was on the schedule as well.

Looking back at 2014

Old tradition on Koh Samui; the coconuts

November saw a visit to Chiang Mai including a trip to Doi Suthep and I ran a race there. We also visited Chiew Larn near Rajjaphraba Dam, where I ran another race and actually finished 10th in my category.
Early on in the month we also celebrated Loy Kratong.

This month, December, saw me return from the Philippines, after having spent the majority of the month in Moalboal. It's great to have a couple o days at home and enjoy too much food with good company over the last couple of days.

Looking back at 2014

Koh Samui aerial

A good and busy year, with health, lots of work and many races! Next year is about to start in a wink and work starts early, the 2nd January I leave for Koh Lanta!

Thailand has still not completely recovered from the social and political unrest earlier this year, followed by my second coup! Tourism has received a bit of a beating and hopefully next year the tourism sector will be able recover a bit.

See you next year and thanks for following this blog and checking in on a (ir)regular 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; 30th December, 2014

Today's weather;

It's grey again over Koh Samui and although it's dry at the moment, it looks like rain will come down at some stage today. Current temp at 7am is 27C

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 30th December, 2014

Yesterday was the yearly sport event day in Plai Laem with participants from all age groups. These young drum mayors were trying to avoid the water puddles on the field during their parade

Yesterday saw a nice morning with some sunshine but the afternoon had a couple of showers lined up. Max temp reached 28C

The forecast shows a lot less wind, especially next month or rather year and there should be no rain during the next seven days, but I wouldn't hold my breath on that one to be true!

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

Monday 29 December 2014

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 29th December, 2014

Today's weather;

It's cloudy and dry this morning over Koh Samui and the clouds are fairly bright. It should stay dry today but we may have a final strong wind sweeping over the island later today. Current temp at 7am is 24C

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 29th December, 2014

Sabeinglae restaurant at the newly opened The Wharf in Bophud's Fisherman Village, we visited yesterday and the food was of outstanding quality and very tasty! The Wharf is a nicely set up, open air shopping complex with few new things to add to Samui's existing shopping field but with it's great location it will most likely do well with tourists

Yesterday started out dry but round 2pm there was some long and serious rain with some more later during the afternoon. Max temp reached 29C

The forecast is looking good, by next weekend the wind should have disappeared and we should have less rain, starting as of today.
There's a 'Weather warning' by the Thai Metereologial Dept, but Samui should be excluded from this warning; "Strong Wind-Waves in Gulf of Thailand and Heavy Rain in South" 
No. 11 Time Issued : December 29, 2014

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

Sunday 28 December 2014

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 28th December, 2014

Today's weather;

We have a thin cloud layer over Koh Samui this morning and the sun is trying to break through at moments. Current temp at 7am is 26C

Chaweng beach at OP Bungalow

Chaweng beach at OP bungalows yesterday early afternoon, just before a hard shower came down

Yesterday saw a very unusual sunny morning but soon after noon we had a strong shower followed by some showers later during the afternoon. Max temp reached 31C
We enjoyed a great dinner once more at Kobori yesterday evening, a Japanese restaurant in Maenam.

The forecast predicts an easing up from the wind and rain for the next seven days with more sun showing up early next year.

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

Saturday 27 December 2014

Baan Namuang Tsunami memorial offices near Takua Pa

In yesterday's blog about the 10 year memorial of the Boxing Day Tsunami, I promised a follow up story and here it is, about the Baan Namuang Tsunami memorial offices near Takau Pa.

Baan Namuang Tsunami memorial offices near Takua Pa

Loads of files and assorted materials used for victim identification in a corner of the room

During my visit of the Baan Namuang cemetery, I noticed some abandoned buildings, a little bit set back from the burial grounds. Upon closer inspection, they were all open and some cats seemed to have made them their home. Some rooms had things stashed away in them and with a bit of imagination you could see what they were used for, back in the couple of years after the tsunami, when the building were in use.

Baan Namuang Tsunami memorial offices near Takua Pa

Cabinets full of file folders

One small room had a lot of file holder cabinets and seemingly a lot of trash in one corner. Upon closer inspection, some of the cabinets were open and on displayed dozens of file holders, used during the victim identification and release process. Completed body release forms and victim identification forms were easily accessible.

Baan Namuang Tsunami memorial offices near Takua Pa

A body release form

Some of the file folders that I checked contained hundreds of body release forms from both Thai and foreign nationals.

Baan Namuang Tsunami memorial offices near Takua Pa

From the pile in the corner; an empty 'victim identification form', in the file folders you could find plenty of filled out and completed forms

It's a bit surprising that all this information is not better secured. For me the information is rather useless, with all due respect to the victims, but I can imagine that relatives of the victims are not too excited about this information being open to 'the public'.

Baan Namuang Tsunami memorial offices near Takua Pa

From the pile in the corner; an identification tag for the opening ceremony 26th December 2006

The pile of materials in the corner contained many items, ranging from 'biohazard' stickers to flyers of the cemetery, blank victim id forms and lots more.

Baan Namuang Tsunami memorial offices near Takua Pa

Some display poster still waiting for someone to look at them, explaining what is done in the buildings

It felt slightly disturbing to be able to access this information and I didn't push the option to invest much further since it's none of my business. I just hope that the local authorities take better care of this sensitive information and make it less publicly accessible in the near future.

RIP to all victims of the Boxing Day Tsunami 26th December 2004

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 December, 2014

Today's weather;

It's cloudy and dry at the moment but some rain may be in the air today over Koh Samui. Current temp at 7am is 28C

Nathon

Fresh fish being sold, straight off the fisherman boats in Nathon

Yesterday saw a cloudy day all day long with some heavy rain around noon and last night. Max temp reached 28C

The forecast predicts some rain today but drier days should be ahead of us and the wind should finally slow down come the new year.

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

Friday 26 December 2014

Boxing Day Tsunami 10 years ago

My Boxing Day 10 years ago; I was in front of the TV with a light hangover when around noon the first reports on Thai news came in about an earthquake in Phuket and possibly two or three people dead. The rest unfolded fairly quickly although it took a few days before I found out about Khao Lak.
So grateful for my family that we were on the 'other' coast.
Visited Khao Lak for the first time together with my family two months after the tsunami and it was overwhelming.

RIP to all those that perished that day.

Ban Nam Khem Tsunami memorial

The Ban Nam Khem Tsunami memorial

This post is about the two tsunami memorials I visited during my recent stay at Khao Lak, respectively the Ban Nam Khem and the Ban Namuang memorials. near Takua Pa. The Khao Lak tsunami memorial monuments have been covered frequently by me as well as the April 2012 tsunami warning in Khao Lak when I was there.

The Ban Nam Khem Tsunami memorial

The Ban Nam Khem Tsunami memorial

On a day off from my recent PADI IDC in Khao Lak I finally got around visiting the tsunami memorials in Ban Nam Khem and Ban Namuang. I heard a lot about them but never was able to visit and I was looking forward to see the memorials. With directions at hand, I took off.

The Ban Nam Khem Tsunami memorial

Tiles at the wall of the Ban Nam Khem Tsunami memorial

The Ban Nam Khem memorial site has been very well kept in order and is impressive. A wall resembling a wave is opposite another wall, which is covered in tiles with the names of the countries of the tsunami victims and some also with names of individual victims.


The Ban Nam Khem Tsunami memorial

There is also a small fishing boat in a small pond that's part of the memorial. The boat was washed on land by the wave. The picture above shows the boat as seen through a whole in the 'wave' wall.
The whole surrounding of the memorial is peaceful and quiet, next to the ocean and there's also a small museum with a few pictures of the tsunami and some panels displaying help and relieve actions after the tsunami. All very impressive.

The Ban Namuang tsunami memorial

The entrance to the the Ban Namuang tsunami memorial 

The Ban Namuang tsunami memorial is a completely different story. Although many famous world leaders have visited this memorial, including former US president Bill Clinton among others, this memorial has been neglected for many years and has been fixed again for today's memorial. 

The Ban Namuang tsunami memorial

Part of the burial grounds at the Ban Namuang tsunami memorial 

After my visit I heard a few stories about money being funneled away from the intended purposes and I have a follow up story, soon to be published about what I found here. 

The Ban Namuang tsunami memorial

The 'wave' monument at the Ban Namuang tsunami memorial with a cleaner on the left

The Ban Namuang tsunami memorial is actually a cemetery for unidentified foreigners. It' still impressive, looking at the size of the burial field but although it was being cleaned and fixed up again, it still was in a bit of a disarray. Marker stones were all over the place and not always where they were supposed to be.

The Tsunami Victim identification and repatriation Center

The Tsunami Victim identification and repatriation Center opposite the Ban Namuang cemetery

If in the neighborhood I can recommend visiting both places. Today they will be both very busy, especially at Ban Namuang where the official ceremony will take place.

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 December, 2014

Today's weather;

It's 10 years ago to the date when the big Boxing day Tsunami wave hit Thailand among others, where some 5.000 people perished out of the approximate 228.000 total amount of people that died that day. Later today I will write something more about the 2004 Tsunami.

Back to Koh Samui, where there's a grey sky and rain is in the air. Everything is still wet from last nights rain. Current temp at 7am is 26C

Nathon

The waves in Nathon and around the island have reduced in size

Yesterday we had a dry day with even some sun and blue skies around noon around the island. After dark, around 7pm, there was a short but very hard shower in Chaweng which blacked out Big C for a few moments. During the evening and night there was more hard rain and a storm. Max temp reached 31C

Tsunami wave 10 years ago

The tsunami wave 10 years ago

The forecast predicts a wet weekend but less wind. 

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

Thursday 25 December 2014

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 25th December, 2014

Today's weather;

Merry Christmas to all my readers. It's a grey but probably going to be a dry Christmas this year around Koh Samui. Current temp at 7am is 26.8C

Plai Laem

View from our garden this morning

Yesterday saw a dry but cloudy and grey sky over the island. Max temp reached 29C

The forecast predicts maybe a short shower for today but some more rain over the next couple of days until after the weekend. The hard wind is gone bit it's still a decent wind blowing and boat traffic may be restricted.

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

Merry Chistmas

Merry Christmas to all my readers


The picture was taken at Manila airport in the Philippines

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

Wednesday 24 December 2014

Bei Otto, Chaweng, German restaurant

A couple of months ago, Bei Otto, a well renowned German restaurant and delicatessen shop based in Bangkok, opened it's doors on Samui. The Bangkok main hq has been visited by us a few times, so I was looking forward to enjoy the Samui variation.

Bei Otto Samui, exterior

Exterior

A few weeks ago I had lunch there with some friends and I had the 'Herzhafte Käsespätzle mit Röstzwiebel' or Cheese spätzle with roasted onions. It was very good and delicious but a rather small portion. This can be found on their vegetarian menu. Yes, things change, back in the 8-tees, when I lived in Germany, there was no such thing as a vegetarian menu in the local restaurants. The 21st century made German restaurants catch up, I guess.

Bei Otto Samui, Ottos wurstplatte

Ottos wurstplatte

It's mostly meat though at Bei Otto and some fish options as well. A few days ago my wife and myself had lunch and I went for the above pictured 'Ottos Wustplatte', or assorted homemade grilled German sausages with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes.
My wife had this once in Bangkok and now it was my turn. The sausages were delicious, but the sauerkraut slightly tasteless, not 'sauer' enough and the mashed potatoes very thin. The sausages did hold the plate together though and with the added mustard, it went down very well.
I also ordered tea, next time I hope to receive a full pot of hot water and not just have a pot or barely one cup, it's the tea bag that's expensive, not the hot water I take it.

Bei Otto Samui, Salatschüssel nach “Art des Hauses”

Salatschüssel nach “Art des Hauses”

My wife opted for the above pictured Salatschüssel nach “Art des Hauses” or a mixed green salad with marinated shrimps, mussels, tuna fish and octopus on house dressing and garlic bead. The salad was really good with a delicious dressing.

Bei Otto Samui, delicatessen shop

Part of the delicatessen shop

In Bangkok, the delicatessen shop is big and has an extensive of goodies on offer. On Samui this is understandably smaller, especially the bread section was too small I found, but then again, I wouldn't whiz over on a regular base to buy their outstanding bread.
A nice selection of meat and sausages, cakes and German chocolates are on display as well as some other assorted delicatessen.

It's located opposite the Starbucks in Central Festival, a location where I used to work for about 6 or 7 years, when a dive center was located there.
There's aground floor restaurant but upstairs is also a very nice seating arrangement, which I can recommend.
The staff was very friendly and accommodating.

Well worth a visit with good food but it doesn't come cheap. I hope that Sascha, the manager will be successful, since it adds another international food option to the island.

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 December, 2014

Today's weather;

It's grey and windy over Koh Samui this morning and rain is in the air. Current temp at 7am is 25.9C

Plai Laem sky

The sky over Plai Laem this morning, grey and windy

Yesterday saw a very windy but dry day with grey clouds almost all day long and some rain during the night. Max temp reached 28.6C
The Seatran ferry between Nathon and Donsak at the mainland cancelled a few scheduled services yesterday, due to wind and high waves.

The forecast see all the strong wind gone but it will still be risky for all boats leaving Samui. The boat operators are not happy at all at the moment, during the rainy season, when it was quiet on the island there was no wind and now when the island is full of people, they can't go out and miss all income.
Tomorrow afternoon until Friday afternoon may see rain, the rest of the week it may be fairly dry.

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

Tuesday 23 December 2014

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 23rd December, 2014

Today's weather;

We have a very grey sky this morning with a very strong wind blowing over Koh Samui. The ocean is swapping over the reinforcements. Haven't seen that since a few years. Current temp at 7am is 26.7C

Fisherman's village flooding

The recent rain and sea level have flooded this home in Fisherman's Village

Yesterday saw a cloudy day, after a few early morning blue spots in the sky. A strong wind blew over the island all day long and we had a short drizzle around noon. Max temp reached 28.3C

The forecast keeps getting slightly better, there still will be strong wind but not as strong as predicted earlier on, a wet Christmas is still on the cards but without an all day pouring now. Most of the daytime may be dry. The 26th may see a lot more 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

Monday 22 December 2014

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 22nd December, 2014

Today's weather;

It's good to be back home again and we have a mixed bag over Koh Samui this morning, party cloudy but there are blue spots! Current temp at 7am is 27.6C

Wat PLai Laem

The new 'Both' at Wat Plai Laem is almost finished, this one will be used for the 'day to day' events and yesterday's pictured 'Bot' for the more official events.

Yesterday saw some rain around noon and a mixed bag before and after that with wind, clouds and blue spots in the sky. Max temp reached 29.8C

The forecast still predicts wind and rain but it seems to become a little bit less, at this moment a wet Christmas is still in the making though.

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

Sunday 21 December 2014

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 21st December, 2014

Today's weather;

It's already afternoon and I finally made it into Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok after a 50 minute delay on the first flight of the day. The connecting flight from Manila, Philippines to Bangkok left also 50 minutes late but caught almost up on that time upon arrival in Bangkok. Now I have an almost 3 and a half hour layover in Bangkok. Immigration was extremely busy but the queue moved swiftly along.

On to the weather though, It's nice and sunny around Koh Samui with a current temp of 28.4C at 1pm. Unfortunately I did miss the Samui marathon this morning!

Cebu, my departure point and Manila were both cloudy and partially wet this morning.

Wat Plai Laem

The 'Bot' or most important building at Wat Plai Laem

Yesterday saw a bit of a mixed bag around Samui, a bit of sunshine, clouds and some rain as well with a max temp of 29.7C

New taxi brand in Cebu City, Philippines

A new taxi brand in Cebu City, Philippines, fluffy pink ears on top of the car and a short pink tail at the rear end. They most certainly look memorable

The next seven days seem to be fairly windy with rain possibly at any moment, but at least it doesn't look like non stop rain. Towards next weekend the sun might break through 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

Saturday 20 December 2014

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 20th December, 2014

Today's weather;

It's dry but cloudy and very windy around Koh Samui this morning. Current temp at 7am is 27C

Today is my last day for this trip at Panagsama beach near Moalboal in the Philippines. After lunch I will be en route again, first one night in Cebu City and tomorrow morning, very early, I will board the first of three flights that should bring me back to Samui!

The weather is a lot nicer here again, after a rainy day yesterday, the sun is breaking through occasionally bit it's still cloudy. Current temp at 8am local time is 26C

All diving and specialty instructor training has been done here, I'm already looking forward to March 2015, when the next PADI IDC is scheduled here.

Buddha statue at Wat Nara Charoen Suk in Lipa Noi

Buddha statue at Wat Nara Charoen Suk in Lipa Noi

Yesterday saw a dry but windy day around Samui with a max temp of 29.7C

Panagsama beach, Moalboal, Cebu, Philippines

It was sunny again this morning at Panagsama beach near Moalboal in the Philippines

The forecast has changed slightly for the better, a few dry days should be ahead of us, the strong wind has been pushed back after the weekend but it still looks like a wet Christmas is in the making.

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

Friday 19 December 2014

Food on Wheels; Peanuts, ice cream and fish balls in Dumaguete, Philippines

When visiting other countries, outside of Thailand, in this case the Philippines and when in Dumaguete, I saw the perfect addition for this month contribution. 

Peanut bicycle

A first for me is the kind of bicycles being used in this series of pictures. The first two pictures show a person who sells peanuts and handmade icecream.

Peanut bicycle

The peanuts are on the display on the left and the ice cream is in he big container on the right, very similar to Thailand.

Peanut and fish ball bicycle

This vendor adds one more item for sale, deep fried fish balls. It gives her some additional income!

Peanut and fish ball bicycle

The pictures were taken at Dumaguete's main park whilst a fair was going on.

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 December, 2014

Today's weather;

It's very cloudy but dry at the moment around Koh Samui but there's a fairly strong wind. Current temp at 7am is 26.8C

Back here at Panagsama beach near Moalboal in the Philippines, it's also cloudy and we have a drizzle on and off and it rained last night. Yesterday we had a nice and sunny day here. Current temp at 8am local time is 25C
All diving has been completed and today is an unexpected day off with some final classroom teaching later in the day.

Plai Laem

The road leading through Plai Laem

Yesterday saw a cloudy and windy day with a trace of rain around Samui. Max temp reached 28.9C

Panagsama beach, Moalboal, Philippines

Panagsama beach near Moalboal in the Philippines

The forecast shows strong to very strong wind, the latter after the weekend, accompanied by rain. The wet Christmas is more and more looking like it's going to happen.

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

Thursday 18 December 2014

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 17th December, 2014

Today's weather;

It's windy but dry at the moment around Koh Samui and a few glances of sunshine can be observed. Current temp at 7am is 27.2C

At Panagsama beach near Moalboal in the Philippines we have a sunny sky back again after yesterday's rain. Current temp at 8am is 27C
Today I will be doing three dives, two before lunch and a night dive.

Wat Plai Laem

This statue faces the statue posted yesterday at Wat Plai Laem

Yesterday saw a very windy day around Koh Samui with a strong wind. Max temp reached 29.3C

Panagsama beach, Moalboal, Philippines

A wider body tricycle at Panagsama beach near Moalboal in the Philippines, a lot more comfortable choice for us long legged Westerners when in need of one these tricycles in contrast to the more standard small ones, pictured here

The forecast predicts a bit less wind and slightly drier days to be followed by strong winds come Monday and Tuesday with more rain to accompany this.

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