Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 3rd June, 2015

Today's weather;

It's fairly cloudy over Koh Samui this morning, with the sun trying hard to peek through. Current temp at 7am is 27.4C

This morning I find myself back at Dumaguete airport, which is actually near Sibulan in the Philippines, waiting for a flight to Manila, where I will stay for two nights and than it's off, back home to Samui again. Current temp at 8am local time is 28C under a cloudy sky.

Yesterday my candidates were successful at the Dauin PADI IE and both passed all exams.

New and modern entrance at Hin Ta Hin Yai in Lamai

Yesterday saw a nice and warm day around Koh Samui with a max temp of 33.8C

Dumaguete boulevard early morning, plenty of joggers, runners and other fitness seekers

The forecast didn't change much, for the next ten days maybe a few more clouds each day but there should be enough sun for sun lovers to be happy but be aware of the chance for tropical showers around 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; 2nd June, 2015

Today's weather;

There are a few clouds over Koh Samui but also plenty of blue sky to enjoy. Current temp at 10am on Koh Samui is 31.4C

It's a late update, due to bad internet connection down here in Dauin in the Philippines but we are enjoying a nice blue sky here with a current temp at 11am local time of 32.5C and a light breeze to keep it cool.

View from a hill near Kamalaya resort

Yesterday saw a very hot day around Koh Samui with a max temp of 35.8C

The famous sign of Dumaguete in the Philippines at the local boulevard, not too far away from our hotel

The forecast for Samui island is looking fairly good. Some cloud cover is drifting in and out over the island and chances of tropical showers are becoming less.

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; 1st June, 2015

Today's weather;

The sky over Koh Samui is looking very blue and nice and another hot day seems to be in the making. There are cloud formations straight off the beaches and coast of Samui though. Current temp at 7am is 28.8C

Right now I'm in Dauin, where the June 2015 PADI IE just got underway for my two PADI IDC candidates from the May 2015 PADI IDC in Moalboal, Philippines. However, we're based in Dumaguete, where there's a partially blue sky, with a few clouds in it. Current temp at 8am local time is 31.3C

Buddhist statues, brought in by local people at Wat Kunaram, famous for it's mummified monk

Yesterday saw a nice and warm day with a max temp of 33.9C

Campus entrance of Silliman Uni in Dumaguete, Philippines, founded in 1901

The forecast predicts mainly blue skies with some partial cloud cover except for Wednesday and Thursday morning, where there may be heavy clouds and showers. All other days you may experience a tropical shower.

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

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 31st May, 2015

Today's weather;

A slightly delayed update, due to the fact that I run my first trail half marathon in Sibulan in the Philippines. On Koh Samui it's a bit of a mixed bag, some clouds but also the sun trying to shine through. Current temp at 7am is 27.4C

Today I'm in Dumaguete in the Philippines, which is really near Sibulan, or rather, Sibulan is near the big city of Dumaguete! It's sunny here with a few clouds and current temp at 8am local time is around 30C

My trail half marathon went well this morning, it was tough, with some very hard and steep hills, but I managed to finish 8th overall in a field of around 60 runners, in a time of 2 hours and 21 minutes.

This is where the walking street is each week in Lamai

Yesterday was nice and warm around Koh Samui with a max temp of 32.4C

The ferry to Sibulan, Philippines, something that's also very different compared to Thailand, in the Philippines you find heavily armed guards all over the place

The forecast is showing a slight change, more cloud cover over the next three days and than it should clear up again, There's still the odd chance of a tropical shower here and there.

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

Camille

Food on Wheels; 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. 

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.

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.

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

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; 16th December, 2014

Today's weather;

It's partially cloudy with a bit of sunshine thrown in around Koh Samui. Current temp at 10am is 30.4C

The reason for the late update is that I ran from Dumaguete where our hotel was for two nights to Dauin where the PADI IE is being completed today, a distance of a half marathon. The weather here is similar to Samui skies, partly cloudy with bits of sunshine thrown in. Current temp at 11am local time is 31.7C

View over the local football ground towards Plai Laem temple

Yesterday saw a fairly sunny and warm day around Samui with a max temp of 30.5C

The Dumaguete Bell Tower is the oldest known Belfry in the province of Negros Oriental. It's located next to the St Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral, in downtown Dumaguete

The forecast hard wind and rain for the next two days with lots of rain during the weekend and lot of hard wind and less rain after the weekend. Doesn't look like a white Christmas but possibly a wet variation this 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

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 15th December, 2014

Today's weather;

It's a lot nicer again on Koh Samui today after two stormy and wet days, it's cloudy but the sun is peeking through again. Current temp at 7am is 27.2C

This morning I found myself back in Dauin in the Philippines, where a PADI IE is in progress for the Moalboal IDC candidates. Our base is in Dumaguete for two nights after which we will return to Moalboal. Current temp at 8am local time here is 30.9C

Christmas tree at Central festival in Chaweng

Yesterday was another stormy and wet day around Samui but there was 'only' 34mm of rain. Max temp reached 28.4C

Christmas tree in downtown Dumaguete in the Philippines

The forecast is still not looking too good, it should be cloudy but dry for today and tomorrow but come Wednesday it will be windy and wet again in various degrees until after next weekend.

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

Camille

Food on Wheels; Balut, Philippines street food par excellence

After last month's post about bread at Panagsama beach in Moalboal, we're back in the Philippines for another episode of 'Food on Wheels'. 

This month with probably one of the most controversial street foods around South East Asia; Balut, it's considered a delicacy in the Philippines. The pictures were taken during an early evening stroll along Dumaguete's promenade along the ocean in early June.

Balut eggs on display, marked to know their age

In case you don't know what it is; A balut is a developing duck embryo that is boiled alive and eaten in the shell. Pictures of an opened balut can be found here.

Balut comes in various 'ages', from a few days to possibly 15 days, which may be the limit of when the eggs still can be eaten.

Balut eggs being looked after and covered up

It's very popular around the Philippines although not all Pinoy will eat it. Over the years I've eaten a lot of 'weird' and strange things and in general I like to try new things. Balut however is something where I don't have that urge to try it out!

Plenty of folk enjoying balut in the evening at Dumaguete's promenade 

If and when in the Philippines, you probably will stumble over balut sooner or later. If you feel adventurous, go for it! I would love to hear how you liked your balut.

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; 6th June, 2014

Today's weather;

Koh Samui was grey with overcast this morning and current temp at noon is around 33C  

View over Bang Rak Bay

This morning I was in Dumaguete in the Philippines, where it was mainly cloudy but dry. Due to an early flight, which was delayed but no internet or wifi working at the airport and a massive taxi queue upon arrival, today's update is late and comes from Manila where I am right now in a partially cloudy and fairly sunny city with a current temp at 1pm local time of 33C

Dumaguete boulevard at night

Yesterday saw some rain again around Samui in the early evening. Max temp reached 33C

NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) terminal 3, Cebu Pacific in Manila

The forecast still predicts mainly cloudy skies with some strong wind come next weekend.

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; 5th June, 2014

Today's weather;

Koh Samui has a strong wind with 25km/h+ bursts and it's mostly cloudy. Current temp at 7am is 27.7C
Good news is that the curfew has been lifted on Koh Samui.

Beach road in Bang Rak

In Dumaguete and Dauin in the Philippines, it's overcast but dry and almost no wind to speak of. Current temp at 8am local time is 27C

Beach road in Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines

Yesterday saw some rain around Samui, almost 40mm over the day. Max temp reached 33C

The forecast predicts strong wind today and very strong wind tomorrow after which the wind will recede. Almost all next 7 days should be cloudy but according to the forecast, 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

Dumaguete, a walk through town

Dumaguete is the largest city in the province of Negros Oriental in the Philippine and it's also the provincial capital city, on top of that it's the largest city and the main seaport. The population is around 120.000 people.

A statue in honor to the fist 6 nuns that arrived in 1904 in Dumaguete

The city is mainly known for it's 4 universities, dentists and nurses is what they're best known for. The student population is around 30.000, almost a third of the total population.

Campanario, the 4th tower build on these foundations, looking out over the ocean

The city makes a nice and relaxed impression and it's clean and neat. There are a few things to see, small monuments like the one for the nuns, the firetruck in the municipal park and the campanario tower. I'm almost convinced that somewhere in the city there's a small and dusted local museum, maybe something to look up the next time I'm in town.

The city definitely has a small town vibe to it but a very nice one!

3 wheel fire truck in the municipal park

The city also hosts a couple of shopping malls, including a brand new Robinsons. McDonalds also has an outlet, with what looks like an original 50tees sign hanging outside their premises!

Just like Samui, there's a ferry port in Dumaguete

There's also a domestic airport, with a couple of flights a day to Manila and some flights to Cebu City. Tomorrow I will take a flight from Dumaguete to Manila.

Don't forget that the Philippines are catholic, it's strange to see churches again

Although Dumaguete does not offer the big city, bright lights variation, it's definitely worth a trip if you're looking for a small provincial town with some nice dive resorts within a couple of kilometers down the road. I'm looking forward to some more exploration time next time I'm down in these parts of the world again.

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

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 4th August, 2012

Today's weather;

Koh Samui is gearing up for a warm day. It's sunny already with just a little bit of overcast. Current temp at 7am is 27.2C

In Dauin it looks like the sun is coming out to play today. Yesterday we had a dry and fairly sunny day in Dumaguete. Current temp at 8am local time is 28C

The PADI IE went well yesterday, all 3 candidates cruised through the first two classroom parts and today is going to be a wet day. Updates later on my dive blog.

Window shopping in Dumaguete, a local butcher

Yesterday saw a warm and fairly sunny day around the island. Max temp reached

34.3C

The forecast now predicts almost no wind anymore and just a very sporadic tropical shower, if at all. Enjoy the good weather around Samui for the next 7 days!

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

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 3rd August, 2012

Today's weather;

The sky over Koh Samui is clearing up right now after a grey start and the sun is working hard on peeking out and the wind has eased. Current temp at 7am is 27.2C

Right now I'm not in Dauin but in Dumaguete, the capital of Negros Oriental province in the Philippines for the start of the PADI IE. It was sunny yesterday but rained again last night and this morning but also here the sun is breaking through the cloud cover. Current temp at 8am local time is 28C

Apo island during a surface interval between dives yesterday

Yesterday was a hot and sunny day with strong wind around Samui. Max temp reached 33.5C

The forecast is looking better by the day, the wind seems to have all but disappeared and the rain has also been turned down a few notches. Looks like the sun lovers are in for a treat.

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