Day 91

Monday 31^st January 2011

The alarm went off and we had to pack AGAIN! However, anything was better than staying here another night. Franky headed off to reception to ask for our money back for the remaining three nights. Not wanting to offend by telling them what we thought of their island we had simply agreed to tell them that we needed to go home unexpectedly. Due to the language barrier he got no sympathy but the lady readily agreed to give us a refund – result!

We had to collect our laundry and so couldn’t leave until the 2.30pm boat. We had a couple of tuna sandwiches for brunch and sat it out in reception. The hotel transferred us back to the pier where I was delighted to climb aboard the vessel of death from the previous day and set sail.

Fortunately the weather was a little better today and the sea a little less rough. I even saw the sun on a couple of occasions as it peeked out from behind a cloud – everything was looking up!

When we got back to Big Buddha pier we dived in the nearest internet café to sort out a hotel. Franky’s perusal of laterooms came good again and we got a great deal on a 5 star resort at the on a hill overlooking the end of Chaweng. This was maybe only 20 minutes walk from where we had been staying two nights ago. What’s more if we stretched ourselves a bit we could afford the grand suite – with a hot tub on the balcony – now this was starting to sound like a fitting end to the honeymoon.

We jumped in the nearest taxi and asked them to take us straight there. On arrival we were delighted to find welcoming reception staff who ushered us to the bar area with stunning views over the island as our room was prepared. They explained that this may take a short time as the suite was quite large (108 square metres) and we’d only booked it 30 minutes before we arrived!!!!

When we were shown to the room it was certainly worth the wait. On the 4^th floor of the hotel the views from the enormous balcony were spectacular.

The balcony itself was bigger than many of the rooms we have stayed in thus far. It has two large day beds for sunbathing, table and chairs and the hot tub jacuzzi for two – perfect.

Inside we have a huge bed and a flat screen TV in the bedroom and another flat screen with DVD player and surround sound system in the lounge which is kitted out with a couch and a couple of armchairs. We have a mini bar fridge and a coffee machine. The bathroom has his and hers sinks and his and hers showers. There are even two loos in the room – one in the bathroom and a ‘guest loo’ just off the lounge. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life!

After running around switching everything on and off and giggling like school children we thought it was time to get ourselves sorted and head out. This involved more surprises. The hotel is built at the top of a very steep hill but this is no problem for us. As we reach reception we are greeted by a member of staff in a golf buggy who is waiting to take us down to the main road that runs through the resort. We are whisked down the hill and meander along the road into Chaweng centre, much happier to be surrounded by bustling bars and restaurants that the dirty depressing venues in Had Rin.

We choose to eat at a busy restaurant called Samui Seafood. The food is fabulous. Franky is adventurous and has lobster cocktail to start followed by shark steaks. The service is too laid back to be called service at all but we have a lovely evening there. After dessert and some brutally strong liqueur coffees we decide to head back to KC resort and try out the hot tub.

We pop into a shop along the way back and pick up a bottle of red wine before we are taken back up the hill and delivered to the lifts by the golf buggy. With the hot tub full of bubbles we sit back overlooking this tropical paradise and realise finally that this is what it feels like to be on honeymoon!