Goodbye to January 2020

Goodbye to January 2020

It's already time to say goodbye to January 2020. The last day of the first month in this new decennial  is here.

This has been a great January. Yes, we had a few showers during the month, but nothing too serious. Most days have seen partially cloudy to sunny skies. In my opinion a much better than average January around the Samui archipelago.

It was also a busy month for me. Firstly I conducted a PADI IDC program on Koh Lanta. I do this in conjunction with PADI 5* IDC center 'Blue Plant Divers'.

Secondly, I participated in two races this month. To clarify this, two half marathons! The first one was in Trang on Sunday 19th January. Here I ran a new Personal best on the half marathon distance. In the rankings I was 5th in the age group 50-59.

A week later I ran another half marathon race at Rajjaphraba dam. My first race in the 60+ age category. With 5 minutes ahead of the second runner in my age group, I won that age group. On top of that I was 15th all over. Certainly happy running times.

Goodbye to January 2020

One day there's nothing and the next day this small statue of a three headed snake popped up next to the road. To be more precise, at the Thanon Bond Kai Tambon. Also known as ghost road. Not sure what this is meant to be though! 

On a different note, it was relatively quiet around Koh Samui this month. Yes, the New year celebrations were busy. However the Chinese New year celebrations were a lot quieter due to the corona virus. It's going to be interesting to see how that pans out. Koh Samui may suffer, just like other popular Chinese tourist destinations by various travel bans.

Thanks for following the blog though! I hope I can welcome you back on a regular base! Enjoy your stay on the island. This about the best time of the year to visit our lovely island.

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. 

Join me in a private dive trip with yours sincerely! 

You may also opt for a very special dinner experience at The Thai Experience. Behind closed doors, reservation only and a very enjoyable and well worthwhile way of spending an evening on Samui. Authentic Thai food and a great atmosphere. Can highly recommend this experience. 

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

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 20th January – 26th January 2020

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 20^th January – 26^th January 2020

Here we are again with time for the Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 20th January – 26th January 2020. Last Sunday of this month, January 2020 and it's sunny and hot! At 10.30am it's already 29C and the quicksilver is climbing.

We're on the road again. A family outing to Rajjaprabha dam near Surat Thani. This morning I ran my second race and second half marathon of the year. For the first time ever I ran in the 60+ age group. I nailed it with a victory in a time of 1:46'30 or a 4'52. This is on a very hilly course. I ended up 15th overall out of 275 participants. A good result, a good race and a good start to the Sunday!

It's warming up here. After a very nice cool early morning, we're now around 31C already.

Off to some shopping in Surat Thani.

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 20^th January – 26^th January 2020

View from Sandalwood luxury villas. Very high up on the mountain, between Chaweng and Lamai. View of Plai Laem straight ahead. 

Last week was another nice week around the Samui archipelago. The first couple of days we had early morning showers. However, plenty of sunshine each day. Maximum temperature reached 31C last week. On the other hand, the minimum temperature dropped once to 21C bit was fairly steady at 22C and 23C.

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 20^th January – 26^th January 2020

Rajjaprabha dam at sunset. Yesterday evening.

The Chinese New Year week is busy on Koh Samui and the surrounding islands. However, next week looks grand. Until Sunday 1st February, strong wind and some showers are in the making. 

Enjoy this busy week and let me know if you're interested in some of the options I offer.

Happy new year and welcome to the year of the rat!

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. 

Join me in a private dive trip with yours sincerely! 

You may also opt for a very special dinner experience at The Thai Experience. Behind closed doors, reservation only and a very enjoyable and well worthwhile way of spending an evening on Samui. Authentic Thai food and a great atmosphere. Can highly recommend this experience. 

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

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 13th January – 19th January 2020

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 13^th January – 19^th January 2020

Sunday morning and the Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 13th January – 19th January 2020 is calling.

Koh Samui has a partially clouded sky, a nice bit of wind and a slight chance of some tropical showers later today. Current temperature at 10am is already 28C.

After having spent all of last week on Koh Lanta, I do find myself back in Trang this morning. After yesterday's last day of diving, I ran a half marathon this morning in Trang. The Tuntieng half marathon, which I ran last year as well. This year they got the distance right; 21.16km. I ran it in 1:37'55 or a 4'37 pace, in case that means anything to you at all. It's a new personal best and I'm well chuffed with that!

The weather in Trang is sunny and at 10am the current temperature is 28C. Soon I will hit the road, back to Koh Samui.

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 13^th January – 19^th January 2020

A traditionally build house in Hua Thanon. According to Hainan style houses. Hainan is an island in the South Cina Sea. It's China's most southern point and some of the very first Samui settlers/residents were from Hainan. 

Last week saw a nice week. Monday and Wednesday saw some isolated showers. The rest of the week saw sunshine under a blue to partially clouded sky. A nice week for early January around the Samui archipelago. Keep it coming! 

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 13^th January – 19^th January 2020

The Chom View hotel on Koh Lanta in Krabi province. This is the second hotel on Koh Lanta that I've seen, that has many statues in it's garden. Strange but kind of funny and fascinating.

The coming week is looking good again. A nice bit of wind until Wednesday with a possible tropical shower. Nothing too serious though. There should be enough sunshine next week as well. Time to enjoy your time on the island and have a look around. Explore but drive carefully!

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 13^th January – 19^th January 2020

The clock tower in down town Trang. A city mark, near the railway station.

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. 

Join me in a private dive trip with yours sincerely! 

You may also opt for a very special dinner experience at The Thai Experience. Behind closed doors, reservation only and a very enjoyable and well worthwhile way of spending an evening on Samui. Authentic Thai food and a great atmosphere. Can highly recommend this experience. 

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

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 6th January – 12th January 2020

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 6^th January – 12^th January 2020

Another week with a brand new Sunday morning and time to check the Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 6th January – 12th January 2020.

I find myself still back on Koh Lanta though, for another week.

In the meantime, back on Koh Samui the current temperature is 27C. The sky is almost completely blue with an isolated cloud in it. It could well be a very warm day, since it's only 730am.

At the same time, Koh Lanta has a current temperature of 25C at 7.30am. I just completed a very nice long Sunday morning run. 22.6km in two hours.

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 6^th January – 12^th January 2020

 Wat Kanuram, near Lamai. This is the most known place to see a mummified monk on Koh Samui. A very interesting concept during which monks could predict their death. Which a special diet they would be mummified once they died.

Last week the weather on Koh Samui was good, most of the week saw partially clouded to sunny skies. Except on Wednesday when there was some rain.

Maximum temperatures last week crawled up to 32C. The minimum temperature, however, dropped down to 21C on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday. Still, a good week weather wise and the nice start to the new year is continued.

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update; 6^th January – 12^th January 2020

On my work on Koh Lanta. Each morning I walk along this small soi (street), next to the klong (river) to work. This is in the most northern tip of Koh Lanta Yai, in Ban Saladan. This is the busiest and biggest village on the island.

The forecast for next week is looking good. Monday and Tuesday probably has some stronger wind and some wind. The rest of the week should be fairly sunny! A good time to be here and enjoy the relaxed island life Koh Samui has to offer.

Hope you're here to enjoy this! The beaches, the ocean and the weather plus everything else that Samui has to offer.

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. 

Join me in a private dive trip with yours sincerely! 

You may also opt for a very special dinner experience at The Thai Experience. Behind closed doors, reservation only and a very enjoyable and well worthwhile way of spending an evening on Samui. Authentic Thai food and a great atmosphere. Can highly recommend this experience. 

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

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update;30th December 2019 – 5th January 2020

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update;30^th December 2019 – 5^th January 2020

The first Sunday morning of the new year and time for the Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update;30th December 2019 – 5th January 2020. It's almost 9am and I'm on a sunny Koh Lanta in Krabi province. Yesterday i started the first PADI IDC of the year here. This morning I completed the first long run of the year. 21.55km in 2 hours. Everything seems to be on schedule so far!

On Koh Samui we have a nice blue sky with an occasional fluffy cloud in it. Current temperature at 9am is 28C and rising.

On Koh Lanta we have 29C in a very similar blue sky!

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update;30^th December 2019 – 5^th January 2020

The end of the Seatran ferry pier in Nathon. Ready to board the ferry to Don Sak. My first road trip of the year will bring me all the way to Koh Lanta in Krabi province.

Last week saw a fairly nice week. Surprisingly enough, there were some showers on new years eve. The first days of January saw also an occasional shower, However, since yesterday it has been dry and sunny. Maximum temperature reached 31C last week. The minimum dropped to 22C just once, a few times 23C and mostly it got stuck at 24C

Koh Samui, Thailand weekly weather update;30^th December 2019 – 5^th January 2020

Early morning on Koh Lanta. The new bridge connecting Koh Lanta Yai and koh Lanta Noi. Basking in the early morning sun beams.

The forecast for next week is looking fine. Maybe some showers from Thursday onward. However, the sun should never be far away. A good start to the year!

Enjoy the island. It's quite busy, so be careful on the road.

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. 

Join me in a private dive trip with yours sincerely! 

You may also opt for a very special dinner experience at The Thai Experience. Behind closed doors, reservation only and a very enjoyable and well worthwhile way of spending an evening on Samui. Authentic Thai food and a great atmosphere. Can highly recommend this experience. 

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

Camille

Welcome to January 2020

Welcome to January 2020

It's the first day of the New Year and even decade, certainly time to say welcome to January 2020.

January usually is a nice month around the Samui archipelago. Although we're supposed to be in the dry season, January can still have a few showers. However, this should be your typical shower. Short but hard.
On the other hand, last year we narrowly escaped typhoon Pabuk! Especially early on in the month there's a higher chance of rain. The last 3 years we actually had more rain than average. Still, according to statistics, we should have an average of 11 days during a typical January on Samui with rain! Check out my 'weather statistics page'.

In this vein, we had a few showers yesterday, during new years eve!

Welcome to January 2020

 Wat Ratchathammaram or Wat Sila Nguu in Hua Thanon, but near Lamai! This is the  the "BOT" (โบสถ์), which is the finest building where monks are assembled for religious rites (สังฆกรรม) such as morning and evening prayers or ordination. It is the most sacred part of the temple. This Bot has a very distinct red color and is easily recognizable. You can see it from street, when you pass by. Check this link out when this Bot was still under construction in June 2008.

Having said all that, it looks however, that the first week of this new year looks rather nice. Today we may have some strong wind and a few showers. The rest of the week should see plenty of sunshine. A great start to the month, year and decade!

Come 3rd January, I will be off direction Koh Lanta, for my first PADI IDC of the year. I am planning to run 2 half marathons, but both on the mainland. One in Trang and one at the Rajjaphraba Dam. Respectively on 19th and 26th January.

In the meantime, enjoy your stay on the island and most certainly a Happy New Year to you all!

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. 

Join me in a private dive trip with yours sincerely!

You may also opt for a very special dinner experience at The Thai Experience. Behind closed doors, reservation only and a very enjoyable and well worthwhile way of spending an evening on Samui. Authentic Thai food and a great atmosphere. Can highly recommend this experience. 

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

Camille