70th Birthday

We booked a seaside resort about 3 miles from our bungalow for 3 nights for my big 7-0. 

Centara Villas Samui

I 'happened' to mention in an email I sent to management that I was looking forward to spending my birthday here. We were given the best possible location for our villa - closest one to the main pool, the beach, the restaurant, and the bar. 

On my birthday two staff showed up at our villa with a brownie and wished me happy birthday. Photo below. 

They have guaranteed themselves a great review on Tripadvisor. 

The entire complex is very clean including the beach. The villa is cosy with a big bathroom and a great shower/round tub. It also has a very big terrace. The staff are sincerely friendly, very helpful and efficient. The food is good as well. Restaurant and bar are open air and covered in most areas in case of rain.

Normally on Samui the rainy season is November and into the first half of December. Jan - March are always dry with very little rain. However, this year is backward. December was dry as was most of Jan. Feb has been very, very wet.

As I'm typing this there was sudden torrential rain for about 5 minutes, and then the sun came out! Now it's cloudy again. Arghh...I am getting in that gorgeous pool! Our pool near our winter bungalow is nice, but does not have a view of the beach and sea. 

Sun is out! Pool after lunch. No bikini photos, although I will be wearing one. 

So, these are for my non-Facebook sister.

Just random photos from our stay here.....

Very quiet here due to stricter rules to enter the country and people who fear traveling internationally. We feel very safe here because masks are mandatory, most Thais are vaccinated and double boosted, and most activities are outdoors. We eat at beach cafes and bars or in open air restaurants. My gym is open air except for the A/C cardio room. The only time we are indoors is at the massage shop and the masseuses and us are masked the entire time, and like us, the masseuses are double boosted. The mall and supermarket are indoors but everyone is masked and people don't get too close to each other. 

I post a lot of photos on Facebook so this is for those who aren't on it (Cathy). 

Home for the winter

Finally adjusted to the time zone. We've only been to 4 restaurants and we usually have 6 or 7. Two are closed and we haven't found out yet if the other is open. Our very favourite Thai restaurant is open and it's always good to see our friends there - owner, cook, waitress. I've joined a proper gym with TONS of equipment. I spend 90 minutes there early morning - cardio and muscle work. 

Koh Fit Fitness

Danny bought a new bike. I'm keeping my old one.

Danny's new bike

Our house - veranda

House - veranda off bedroom

My bike

in front of house - loads of trees everywhere, especially palm

Settling in.....

 

Well, we were impressed with the efficiency of the Thailand governments processing of tourists and making sure all rules were followed. We had a PCR test before leaving Scotland, another when we landed at our island airport, and a self test on the 6th day after arrival. We were fortunate that our one night quarantine was in our usual house. Our 6 crates and 2 bicycles were waiting for us. Many businesses are shut including at least one of our usual restaurants. But our favourite one is open! I post my photos to FB but 'some' do not use FB so I am posting a few here.

Finally back to Thailand!

Heading back to our usual bungalow for the winter. 

Much more complicated than previous trips due to Covid restrictions. 

Since we are staying for 4 months instead of 3 we had to apply for a longer term visa which required more documents. 

The rules in Thailand kept changing every month for tourists but now it seems to be set for us. 

In order to enter we need: 

• negative Covid PCR test before we fly
• proof of vaccinations
• visa 
• proof of one night quarantine hotel upon arrival
• proof that a PCR test upon arrival in Thailand is paid for
• proof of travel insurance that includes Covid

Once our test shows negative we are free to travel anywhere on our island or in Thailand. Masks are mandatory as they are in Scotland. 

And on this trip I will have my 70th birthday! Don't know where. I was told I can't plan my own birthday. 

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Vietnam

Spent 4 nights in Saigon with my sis and brother in law (Danny's brother).  Loved it!

Our hotel:  http://www.saigonprincehotel.com/

Day 1: Arrived early evening.  View from the plane leaving Koh Samui.

Day 2:  Hop on hop off bus - museums, Independence Palace, etc.

Inside Independence Palace

Mummy

Bright coloured lights all over the city

Day 3:  Mekong Delta all day tour - chocolate factory, bees and honey factory, coconut candy factory, a stop for traditional music and fruits and tea and a taste of cobra whisky. Boat trip on the Mekong River then short trip on a canoe.  Walk in villages. Big lunch of tilapia, shrimp soup, catfish, etc. Final stop at a pagoda. 

Cacao beans

Chocolate factory

Souvenir which was taken by security in Bangkok Airport

Cobra whisky

Coconut candy factory

Tilapia

Mekong River

Budai - called Laughing Buddha but is a Chinese God, not a Buddha

Day 4: wandered around the markets and shops.  Went up to the Skydeck which overlooks the city - 48th floor.  Windows were dirty so photos aren't great. Cocktails on the 50th floor made a clear photo though.

For those who want to be fasionable whilst being paranoid about catching coronavirus

The dragons bring luck to businesses in the new year