Chaweng

On with the moltley!

Since it was the first time for me on Samui, I did the obligatory tourisity thingie. I visited Koh Samui's most "beautiful" beach, Chaweng.

Banburee had a shuttle that ran to Chaweng and I got to spend some time there. Shuttle dropped me off at this really swanky looking place called Eat Sense. And you know? It wouldn't look out of place in Singapore. Really upmarket, beautiful decor.

And the waters.... oh my.... There were various shades of blue and green in the ocean, and it was a white-sand beach. Gently surrounded by smaler isles in the distance, and the all embracing curve of the shoreline.


Alas, it was also hugely commercial. It's going to be like Phuket soon, if they don't watch the rapid development. Which is a *real* pity because Samui has a charm all of it's own... Oh, I fully intend to go back again!


By the way, this "posh" place was reinventing some well-loved dishes. I had stopped here because this was where the shuttle was going to pick me at day's end. And I had an hour to kill. And it was bloody hot. And I wanted something cold. So I ordered waffles with ice cream. Can't go wrong, right? Argh! Mistake! Mistake!
What was with all the fruit? That's not waffles and ice cream? I had all the ice cream, and the mango, and shoved everything else aside. lol

By the way, places like Eat Sense were practically mushrooming up. Places being built as I sat there! And for sure, the place is literally swarming with tourists. At the end of the low-season, mind you! I don't think I want to be here when it's fully packed :S

As I explored the busy main street, I opted for a hole-in-the-wall place to rest up. I mean, the reason I enjoy my holidays is so I can get a flavour for the location. But the main street was nothing but sqanky eating places and stalls selling tacky tourist souvenirs. In the end, I stopped at (of all places) a British Pub. lol But it was the only "homely" looking place, believe it or not! So I was sold. If I want swank, I can bloody get that a'plenty in Singapore. The upside? Since it's Thailand, I had my green curry!




Chaweng, I guess, showed me the best and the worst. Best, because this beach is beautiful and I am reminded how blessed Thailand is. Worst, because they're "westernising" everything. I don't mind the hotels.... but for crying out loud, there was a McDonalds! Why on earth would you want to skip Thailand's extremely tasty food and have the cardboard that is a McDonald's beef patty?
*shakes head*
Koh Samui started as a back-packer's secret hideaway. And I really hope they don't spoil things.

You can see where some tourists left their mark
I tried to get an angle that showed both the artwork and the tin-walls behind.... there really were people in that area and it looks like someone was actually living there. I guess what hit home most was how tourism is helping the locals earn a living. But how vastly different things are. The have and the have nots.


Sometimes holidays are eye-openers.