The Unexpected Trip

As I said before, Koh Phangan was getting too boring and crowded for me. Once I've already taken my shower, I took the liberty of heading down to the travel agency and asked when the next ferry to Koh Samui would be. I didn't care whether I was travelling alone. As far as I was concerned, I had to leave.


The next ferry was leaving in about 30mins time. I bought the tickets without knowing where I would go once I hit Koh Samui and ran back to pack my stuff. Threw everything in my backpack and said goodbye to Amy who was resting on the hammock. While the rest were still sleeping and trying to recuperate for another round of mayhem, I needed to justify my 14 hours of train ride plus 4 hours of ferry ride to Koh Phangan from Bangkok. I didn't go all the way there just to disappoint myself.


Indeed, I was the only one who was making the trip. On board with yet another ferry full of farangs, I laid my straw mat on the ground and slept on deck to prevent myself from getting seasick. Seemed to work.



Koh Samui is about 1 and half hour from Koh Phangan.


The normal sight of locals beckoning the farangs to take their transportation. Me? I don't like people to tell me what to do. I control what I want to do. As far as I know and those avid backpackers would have already known, hopping into one of these transportations will only bring you to the expensive lodgings. They are not guesthouses mine you, they're like bungalows and hotels. I'm not in for that.


Don't be fooled. They make you think that their offer is the best and you can't get better deals anywhere else. As you can see, it costs 100 baht per person to get to Chawaeng, a popular area closer to the night spots.


While the rest were busy figuring out what to do downstairs, I was busy sipping on my Coke and absorbing the nice Koh Samui breeze. Ahhhhhhh... Shioook.... I'll tell you guys what I did. Knowing Thai really helped me a lot that day.

I walked around the Port area and managed to find a map of Koh Samui. I took a look and familiarized myself with the island. Chawaeng seemed to be in the eastern area of Koh Samui. Looking at the area, getting from one point to another doesn't seem far. I brought the map to the lady at the counter who was selling drinks and asked her for the cheapest place in Koh Samui. What she said was to hit Ban Thai, Northwest of Koh Samui. The normal range for an average guesthouse would be between 700 and 1000 if you do not know where to go.

Here's a map.


Mine? I got mine for 200 baht. Sooksebai is the name of the place. Ok, now that I've found a place to stay, I need to find a way to get there. The motorsai guy (motorbike taxi) wanted to charge me 300 for a ride. YOU CRAZY?!

I took a short walk and realized that renting a bike would be cheaper. How much? 150 baht. With gas? Another 70 baht. Now, THAT'S my way of travelling. Smart travelling instead of giving yourself no choices at all.

Getting there was a terrible headache. I constantly stopped and asked for directions with the piece of paper that was written in Thai. Sooksebai. Do ask any Thai to write them for you in Thai. In any case you get lost, just show to them the paper. There was a time I was constantly heading back and forth in the same area because I've gone short of the place or even passed by it without realizing. But finally,


My 200 baht villa! With TV and fan!


Kickass bed! Love it.


And a room big enough to roll around freely on the floor. Not that I do that of course.

Once I've settled down in my new haven, I took my motorbike and decided to head down to Chawaeng. That was what the Lonely Planet recommended. With just a Koh Samui map and a full-tank motorbike, it's time to find the best place to listen to live music and learn from the musicians.


On my way towards Chawaeng, I could hear loud music being played from afar. As I got closer, a crowd had already formed around many lighted automobiles. PIMP MY RIDEEEE!!!!




How can you exclude the dancing ladies. They're part of the whole deal.


Finally when I hit Chawaeng, I was greeted warmly by the nation's favourite food.


Managed to watch some Muay Thai at the door of an arena.

None of the clubs really hit it off with me. Not until I stopped by at Raggae Bar where I met a happy man.




He looks scary. The kid. Like some kind of ghost appearing out of nowhere.

After getting bored of Raggae Bar, I tried other places.


Ok... Where is my bike?


This club had too many youngsters.


Didn't really like it.

NEXT!


I almost gave up hope in search of a good band to watch but on my way home, I passed by Polo Pub and decided to give one last shot.


They have a very nice concept on how the whole show goes. They would have 5 singers rotating to sing different songs each time. I wonder how much they get paid for a person. I mean, being realistic, when you have 10 people on board, each would certainly get less unless they are an exception.



I was minding my own business when somebody nudged me and spoke to me in Thai. She was trying to say that my furry jacket is nice. Her name is Off. Very nice girl, very pleasant. We chatted for a while and she told me she is the backup dancer for the band. The most heartwrenching part came when she took out her wallet and showed me her family photo.

Off: -pointed to somebody in the picture- "Brother", -pointed to somebody in the picture- "Sister", -pointed to somebody in the picture- "Papa Mama, died. Tsunami" -pointed to somebody in the picture and smiled "Me".

Well guys, knowing one's hardship is possible but knowing one's loss is quite impossible unless you've gone through the same thing. Sometimes at the back of many people's minds, they would question someone's actions. Why do they go into prostitution, why do they become Coyote dancers, why do they beg on the streets.

Well you stupid motherfuckers, let me tell you this. That's because they're not as fortunate as you. Stop judging people for having tatoos, stop staring teenagers who had unwanted pregnancies and start commenting on their behaviour. We always wonder why and always do not give them the benefit of doubt. Nobody wants to become bad. Really. Tell me somebody who wants to become a prostitute when they grow up? You? No right? There are reasons for certain things and the least we can do is to feel blessed for still being able to be healthy and blessed with good fortunes.


Off made my day. She was constantly trying to communicate with me in her half past six English while I was struggling with my Thai. Another chicken and duck situation.


Nevertheless, this cute girl from Krabi wishes everybody goodnight and more to come on my Koh Samui rendezvous.

Tell them baby girl.

Off: Peace Out Ya'll!

jamiel
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