The Art Club, vegan restaurant in Nathon

Last week I was invited to The Art Club, vegan restaurant in Nathon. First of all, trying out some food. Secondly, I'm interested in the vegan life style. 

The Art Club is a restaurant, bar and cafe. A space for people to get restoration, meet new and old friends and to feel inspired and open minded about what food and nourishment is to them. That should and can be you!

The Art Club has mainly plant based food. Which is good and healthy! Noteworthy, it's also yummy. At least here at the Art Club. 

On a regular there will be art exhibitions as well. You can find more info on their Facebook page here.

The Art Club, vegan restaurant in Nathon

So, what does vegan actually mean? Just in case you don't know! You will be able to find a few definitions on your friend Google. However, it kind of boils down to this; Vegans are individuals who avoid animal products for ethical, health or environmental reasons. Or a combination of the three. Instead, they eat various plant foods. This includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and products made from these foods.

My Thai wife and our kids are not really that interested to give up their meat. On the other side, you don't have to be a vegan or vegetarian, in order to enjoy vegan food. 
Occasionally I do cook vegan or vegetarian at home. I do enjoy vegan food, although I'm more a flexitarian than a vegan or vegetarian.

The Interior at the Art Club in Nathon

Co owner and chef Ollie is from the UK. He has been a vegetarian all of his life. Although, he jumped off the wagon for a few years and ate meat. However, after that he became a vegan. He is married to Khun Rapheephan. Some of you might know her as she's one of the few gynecologists on the island. Our two youngest children where born under her care. She is the other co owner.

The restaurant is located behind her Obstetrics & Gynaecology Clinic. This is near the Nathon government hospital. Currently the restaurant is located behind the clinic.

The Art Club, vegan restaurant in Nathon

Let's talk about the food. The current menu has a nice variety of options. The menu changes occasionally. Once the current 'under construction' front part of the restaurant at the road is completed, there will be a new menu once more. This should include more options. The new room will also be air conditioned. 

Since I love spinach, I could make my choice easily. Spinach quesadilla with vegan feta cheese. My drink was the 'Gemini'. A smoothie with frozen fruit, mango, turmeric, passion fruit and banana.

The quesadilla was near perfect for me. Good texture and great taste. The presentation and service were also very good. The Gemini drink was great. Super healthy and a perfect combination. Well worth trying out and it makes me curious to check out more of their menu.

The current menu at the Art Club in Nathon

Don't be shy and go and visit. The menu is varied and not expensive. All the cheeses and meats are vegan. This means that they are plant based. It's very interesting how Ollie manages to get the tastes right, although he uses plants, bans and/or legumes as meat substitutes.

Ollie, Joel and myself in the kitchen. The masters at work!

I can highly recommend the Art Cafe. As already mentioned, you don't need to be a vegan in order to enjoy vegan food. Go and find out for yourself. 

It's good to see that the Art Club is busy and doing well in these hard times. Go and support them and enjoy their lovely food.

Whilst you are here, 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. That is, once the travel restrictions have been lifted.

There are plenty Thais and foreigners, Westerners or farangs who have a hard time dealing with no income and bills to pay. Unfortunately I'm no exception to this rule. If you like this blog, this is a good time to help out and make a donation. If you can, it's much appreciated! There's a donation button on top of this page or ask me for other options. 

Camille

Goodbye to August 2020

It's the last day of the month and time to say goodbye to August 2020.

Let's start with the weather. It's been an average August. We have a small rainy season during August and this year didn't disappoint. Especially during the middle of the month we had a few wet days. Plenty of showers came along. On the other hand, we also had a few sunny days. Due to the high humidity, they could be hard to deal with. Towards the end of the month it has been sunnier and warmer again.

The month pass by without too many events, due to Covid. Not much to no travelling is happening. Hence, I was very happy to go over to Koh Phangang on Saturday, for a 'box jelly fish protection' presentation at Haad Salad's newly opened Buddha Cafe/lounge.

Also on Koh Phangan the economical damage that Covid is doing can be easily spotted. Firstly, just like on Koh Samui, many empty shops up for rent or sale. Secondly, reduced number to no tourists. Only or mainly long term expats are on the island, besides the local and 'imported' Thais. Most companies, shops, resorts etc are suffering and are having hard times to survive.

Sad to see and witness.

Goodbye to August 2020

An AED machine (Automated external defibrillator) standing outside the Bophud clinic. There was another unit hanging on the wall within 5-6 meters. It's not until fairly recently that the use of AED's by laymen is allowed by law in Thailand. Just 3 years ago or so. Nowadays you can see AED units hanging on walls or standing around in displays at various locations. The Bangkok Airways departure terminal has one for instance. If you're interested in learning more about CPR and AED units, I offer EFR (Emergency First Response) courses. Please get in touch and ask for more detailed information.

Am looking forward to September and let's cross our fingers that some positive events will come along and/or happen.

Whilst you are here, 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. That is, once the travel restrictions have been lifted.

There are plenty Thais and foreigners, Westerners or farangs who have a hard time dealing with no income and bills to pay. Unfortunately I'm no exception to this rule. If you like this blog, this is a good time to help out and make a donation. If you can, it's much appreciated! There's a donation button on top of this page or ask me for other options.

Camille

Next Samui Green Market is on 23rd April at Six Senses

Next Samui Green Market is on 23rd April at Six Senses

Our kind hosts at Six Senses Samui  are concerned about hospitality - we can't get hold of enough tents for vendors at such short notice, and the temporary car park is just a muddy puddle....quite messy, they report.
Even though it's due to clear on Sunday 9th April, the ground is still soggy and muddy, and we can't take the chance.
Six Senses Samui have kindly offered a new date for 23rd April

The Next Samui Green Market is on 9th April at Six Senses and it looks like it will be  great event, once more. This will be the second time that the Samui Green Market is welcomed by Six Senses Hideaway, the first time being end of August last year.

The setting is great, with great views over the Gulf of Thailand, shaded by trees and will be held at Sis Senses Samui Farm on the Hill. Besides the usual vendors, selling locally grown, locally sourced and locally crafted products (have you tried the French cheeses yet, delicious, or the bread for sale!!) there's also a goat farm, chickens, water recycling and more, all done with re-used materials and sustainability in mind.

It’s not hard to find, follow the signs from Big Buddha to Arayaburi and drive past that, and there’s a lot of parking space available. 

Please note the Samui Green Market will be open from 4pm to 7pm.

Next Samui Green Market is on 23rd April at Six Senses

It's always a pleasure and enjoyable to visit the Samui Green market and I hope you will find the time to visit, last August it was very busy here!

Looking forward seeing you there!

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

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 30th August, 2016

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 30^th August, 2016

Today's weather;

The sky over Koh Samui is partially cloudy this morning and it wouldn't surprise me at all if we get a nice and sunny day today, until possibly in the afternoon, when clouds and rain may move in once more, just like previous days. Current temp at 7am is 27C

A very busy and successful Samui Green Market at a one off new location at Six Senses Hideaway in Plai Laem

Yesterday saw a cloudy day, there were a few sunny moments early on in the day but the majority of the day was cloudy which culminated in heavy clouds around 5pm and drizzle and rain for around two hours. Max temp reached 33C

The forecast for the next ten days is looking fairly good, a couple of sunny day before the wind starts to pick up again and more clouds should come Samui ways with tropical showers after next weekend .

Do 'like' my Koh Samui blog Facebook page and 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, 2016

Today's weather;

It's fairly cloudy over Koh Samui this morning with a nice little bit of wind blowing to keep it cool. Current temp at 7am is 27C and I expect it to remain mostly cloudy today with possibly a tropical shower thrown in for good measure.

The Samui Green Market yesterday in full swing at the Elysia Boutique Resort in Fisherman's Village

Yesterday was sunny and warm to hot around Koh Samui but just after 9pm we had atropical downpour for about 15 minutes and a prolonged rain shower after that. Max temp reached 34C

The forecast for the next ten days has not changed much, mostly cloudy skies with a nice and cool wind blowing with possibly some trpical showers coming our way.

Do 'like' my Koh Samui blog Facebook page and 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

Samui Green Market 24th April

Samui Green Market 24th April

The next Samui Green Market 24th April is coming up soon, this coming Sunday. A great opportunity to find and purchase local produce and all local products.

Start is at 3pm and as always now, it's at the Elisya Boutique Resort & Greenlight Cafe in Fisherman's Village. 

In their own words;

New vendors and old at Samui Green Market this Sunday 24th. Come to Elysia in Fisherman village from 3pm for locally-made leather goods, vegan ice cream, organic vegetables, raw food desserts, artisanal cheese, home baked and roasted delights... including great coffee... 

We are an INCLUSIVE market - anything grown, made baked on Samui. And we try our best to EXCLUDE plastic. Bring your own shopping bags, friends....

Unfortunately I can't make it, since I will be participating in Krabi in a half marathon and won't be back on the island until fairly late. I can highly recommend a visit though!

Do 'like' my Koh Samui blog Facebook page and 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

Samui Green Market January 2016

Samui Green Market January 2016

Today we visited the Samui Green Market January 2016 version at the Elysia Boutique Resort in Fisherman's Village, where the current monthly event takes place,

Samui Green Market January 2016 entrance banner

We went early and it seemed quiet but an hour later, when we left, the pace had picked up a bit and more visitors had arrive to the Samui Green Market January 2016. 

Samui Green Market January 2016 entrance sign

Overall though, it was not as busy as the previous two events, last month's Samui Green Market was buzzing, this month it seemed a bit more quiet. 

Samui Green Market January 2016 some of the produce available today, German bread and German sour dough bread in the front and Sweet Sisters in the middle

We got our dose of German bread and sour dough bread and enjoyed a few drinks and chatting to some people. As always it was very relaxed and I hope the Samui Green Market can establish itself. There's a location now and this is the third or fourth month running. 

Samui Green Market January 2016 fizz drinks being kept cold

Samui Green Market January 2016 second hand books for sale, one copy for just 50.-THB

Hope to see you around next month for a visit at the February version of the Samui Green Market, Keep an eye out for update on the dates for February in due time.

Do 'like' my Koh Samui blog Facebook page and 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

Next Samui Green Market Sunday 31st December

Next Samui Green Market Sunday 31st December

The next Samui Green Market Sunday 31st December will be held again at the new, steady location at Fisherman's Village at Elysia Boutique Resort and starts around 3pm, with between 4.30 and 6.30pm jazz music by local jazz musicians the Tap-trio.

Have a look at last month's report here.

You can expect a mix of vendors with Samui made probiotic drinks, great juices, chocolate made with love and natural ingredients, coffee roasted on Samui, breads, locally made baked goods and even some home-grown produce...

We will make sure to be there and buy some locally made German bread and other goodies. There's a always a good atmosphere, plenty of good food to eat and/or try and the weather forecast looks splendid for Sunday afternoon.

Hope to see you there.

PS Bring your baskets/ shopping bags - no plastic please - let's be kind to our planet, today and every day.

Do 'like' my Koh Samui blog Facebook page and 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

Samui Green Market today

We just got back from the Samui Green Market today in Fisherman's Village, having bought some delicious and healthy food to take home and sampling some of the good stuff on the spot.

The 'Welcome' sign of this month' Samui Green Market today

It's a small and intimate market with a lot of potential to grow and there's always some good and healthy food to be found plus various other natural and organic products, like handmade chocolate.

The in-house Greenlight Cafe had a buffet with loads of lovely snacks, including quinoa beans rolls (what a 'super' food quinoa is!), tofu and Thai wraps, pita and some great hummus and tahini dressings to go with it

They start to draw a good crowd and Samui Mala is doing a superb job of organizing the Samui Green Market today at least once a month.

Home baked German bread for sale, including a sour dough version, which I really enjoy and some pretzels on the side

Since I changed my diet some 3 years ago and started paying a lot more attention to what I eat, organic foods are a lot more welcome and sought after in our house. Just a shame that organic food is almost always more expensive compared to the non organic version, as if you're being punished for wanting to eat healthy! At The Samui Green market today, there were some good deals and prices to be had though, another reason to visit!

Face painting, always a fave with the kids!

Stay tuned for more updates on my bog for next month's version of the Samui Green Market, it shold be roughly in 4 weeks time.

Phil of the Samui snake rescue with a rather rare Mangrove rat snake, which is rather mildly venomous, according to Phil, you will only notice and/or feel the fang bite! Due to it's colors and lines on the skin, it is easily confused with a very poisonous krait snake.

An overview of the Samui Green Market today, with plenty of tables to sit down and enjoy the food on offer and stalls around the pool, where you can buy lots of local made organic produce

Sweet Sisters Cafe has always had a stand on all previous Samui Green Markets and today was no exception. They had plenty of goodies on offer and it's well worth a visit in the South of the island, at Ban Bang Kao for some of the best lunches on the island. They're now open 7 days a week, just since last week.

Freshly roasted coffee was also for sale, roasted whilst you waited for it

Hope you enjoy this entry and try to visit the Samui Green Market next time, Somewhere during January 2016, exact date still to be announced, watch this site!

Do 'like' my Koh Samui blog Facebook page and 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

Samui green market tomorrow at Fisherman's Village

The Samui Green Market is back, there will be a Samui green market tomorrow at Fisherman's Village and has found a new location at the Elysia Boutique Resort in Bophud/Fisherman's Village, kind of opposite Juzza Pizza. It all starts at 3pm or 15.00. There's parking space, a green space, loads of room and it will be great for kids.
It looks like this will be a monthly event again, with the next event scheduled for 6th December, same location. 

As always, there will be plenty of activities, besides selling organic veggies and fruit;

- Green market with locally sourced, locally made, locally grown products
- Great music
- Good food, loads to drink and enjoy

Inspiring, innovative and optimistic people...
* Sharing 'a green resort in the making'
* Creating solution-orientated discussions
* Exchanging resources and skills with others
* Speaker's forum - we provide the soap box
* Healing on offer
* Laughing yoga
* Silent auction prizes to raise funds for childrens' visits to organic farms
* Fun for children, and their parents

It's good to support your local farmers and producers, here you will have a great opportunity to do so. I hope many will be able to come out tomorrow and I hope to see you there. Former editions were fun and we always picked up some good, organic and healthy food.

See you there!

Do 'like' my Koh Samui blog Facebook page and 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

Sheep and hydroponics farm in Maenam

Sheep and hydroponics farm in Maenam

Recently we visit the sheep and hydroponics farm in Maenam on a regular base.

The sheep farm is a great trip to make with your children in this very child friendly sheep farm! We mainly go for the hydroponics (a subset of hydroculture and is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions, in water, without soil. Terrestrial plants may be grown with their roots in the mineral nutrient solution only, or in an inert medium, such as perlite or gravel) and buy various sorts of green salad!

An overview over the sheep farm

The sheep farm has obviously a few sheep running around, but also a few goats and some rabbits. For children a great day out, with plenty of opportunities to interact with the animals, feed them and play at the various playgrounds at site.

Some of the hydroponics

The sheep farm is literally surrounded by hydroponics, the main attraction for us. Currently one kilo of mixed salad greens or hydroponic produce costs as little as 120.-THB. A very good deal indeed and we can make 3 large salads out of this. Which we do on a regular base now. A healthy food choice as well!

When you wander through the hydroponics part it almost feels as the greenhouses in the Netherlands but without the glass.

More hydroponic produce

There's also a restaurant on the premises at the sheep and hydroponics farm in Maenam, where you can order drinks and various great salads. It's a nice place to kick back, relax and keep an eye out on the kids or the young ones can play with toys and a small playground at the restaurant.

The restaurant can also be used for birthday parties of your little ones!

The sheep pen

The prices are very decent, 40.-THB for a child and 80.-THB for an adult to visit the sheep and other animals and use the facilities and playground within the farm grounds.

A view on the restaurant

The location of the sheep and hydroponics farm in Maenam is fairly easy to find, at the traffic lights in Maenam at Soi 4, turn away from the ocean, towards Wat Maenam and just before the Wat or temple entrance, you hang a left and follow the road until you arrive at the sheep farm after about a kilometer at most.

Inside the restaurant

There are excellent posts along the side of the road, guiding you to the sheep farm. Very easy to follow. Once you find this, you can find your way back to the main ring road via various different ways that lead to Maenam Soi 3 and 2.

The entrance price list to the sheep farm

A very child friendly toilet door

There's even a small Dutch touch to the sheep farm!

Visit the sheep and hydroponics farm in Maenam Facebook page for additional information. It comes highly recommended by me and it's a great day out with and for the kids!

Do 'like' my Koh Samui blog Facebook page and 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

Blood donors Koh Samui need your help

Koh Samui is a lovely beach, resort and island destination but unfortunately the roads on the island are becoming too busy and many accidents happen. Sometimes rare blood types are needed and the blood donors of Koh Samui try to help out with this demand.

The next blood donor session will be held at the Centara Grand Beach Resort on Monday 23rd of June between 10am and 3-30pm. Everybody is invited to donate and you can help their Facebook page by liking it!

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

Samui Green Market, 25th January, 2014

The next Samui Green market will take place on January 25th from 9am until 2pm at Plu Chaweng. The market will be full of locally grown, locally sourced and locally made products.

Remember please bring your own shopping bags and vendors will use no plastic bags or polystyrene.

The idea is that the Samui Green market will be held on a monthly base and once enough demand is there, the frequency might go up.

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

Dengue fever warning around Koh Samui

According to the Samui Times, today a public information truck was driving around the island giving out a long message in Thai. We missed the truck since I was visiting the Immigration office to extend my yearly visa.

The truck was supposedly from the health service and is asking island residents to take preventative measures against the spread of dengue fever that is now a huge problem on the island.

In July the Bangkok Post already warned for a dengue epidemic, numbers already being three times higher compared to last year and The Wall Street Journal, Asia edition in August mentioned a three fold death toll this year alone in Thailand compared to last year.

 Aedes aegypti mosquitoes carry the virus that causes dengue fever

The message transmitted today asked residents of Koh Samui to make sure there's no standing water around your houses since this standing water can quickly become a breeding ground for  the mosquitoes that spread this disease.

If you have any standing pots of water please cover them and check your house and outdoor plants to ensure they are not sitting in a pool of water in the saucer underneath.

If you have plants that grow in tubs of water then please either buy some fish to live in the water that will eat the mosquito eggs or buy some fertilizer to put into the water that will prevent mosquitoes from laying their eggs there.

Please check around your house for any stagnant water or still water and either pour it away, cover it or put fish in it.

From the Bumrungrad Hospital website;

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes carry the virus that causes dengue fever, and they infect 50 million people a year, including 500,000 serious cases requiring hospitalization. (source: WHO)

Transmission: Virus-carrying mosquitoes breed in clear water and are usually found in and around housing developments in urban areas. They are most active in the daytime. The virus can only be transmitted from mosquito to human; it is not passed from one person to another.

Symptoms: Once a person is bitten by a virus-carrying mosquito, symptoms only appear after an incubation period of three to 15 days (5 to 8 days in most cases). Dengue fever’s most common symptoms include:

• Sudden chills and pain around the eyes;
• High fever, up to 104° F / 40° C;
• Headaches, muscle pain and neck pain;
• Unexplained lethargy, loss of appetite;
• Nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea;
• Skin rash that usual starts around the abdomen and upper torso.

The high fever and other symptoms usually persist for two to four days and are followed by a rapid drop in temperature and profuse sweating. Next, a temporary respite usually lasting about a day brings a feeling of well-being as body temperature returns to normal. That’s followed by a second round of fast-rising fever accompanied by a rash which spreads from the extremities until it covers the full body except the face. Some patients suffer swelling and redness on the palms and soles of their feet.

Treating dengue:  There is no specific treatment for dengue fever, but it’s important to see your doctor if you develop dengue-like symptoms. In mild cases, doctors usually recommend patients drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, take Tylenol or acetaminophen to relieve pain and reduce fever, and be sure to get plenty of rest.

More severe dengue cases require hospital admission. Patients usually undergo intravenous (IV) fluid and electrolyte replacement, blood pressure monitoring, and in some cases patients may require transfusions to replace lost blood.

Less than 1% of dengue cases are fatal. The acute phase of the illness marked by fever and muscle pain lasts about one to two weeks. Patients usually feel quite weak, and full recovery can take several weeks.

Prevention tips:  Since the virus is transmitted mosquito-to-human, prevention entails both controlling and eradicating mosquitoes and taking action to protect oneself from being bitten.It’s important to empty standing water from places mosquitoes breed such as discarded old tires, trash cans and flower pots.

Wearing long pants and long-sleeve shirts helps guard against mosquito bites, and consider using a mosquito repellent containing DEET when visiting places where dengue is endemic. Avoid areas with standing water and stay indoors in the morning until two hours after sunrise and at sunset to further reduce your risk of being bitten, although nowadays it's also thought the the Dengue mosquitoes also are at work during the night time.

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