For the last 3 days, all I have done is tan(more like burn), swim, read, eat, and party. It is tradition on the Bangkok program for the whole group to go away right before the start of school to Ko Samet, an island off the Gulf of Thailand.
On Tuesday morning a big group of us got on a 3 hour bus ride to a ferry that took us to Ko Samet. Compared to Cambodia, the traveling was a breeze, and fairly cheap. Once we got to Ko Samet, everything became a little stressful. None of us booked a room, so all of us arrived wanting to stay close to each other and not pay a lot for the room. All of us ended up cheating the system and saving money by paying for a two person bungalow, but putting 3 or 4 people in the room. We had to do all this without the owner knowing this and charging us more. It was really stressful, and we were all so sweaty, but eventually it worked out, and we were able to enjoy the beautiful beach. In my room there were 4 girls and one bed...but it was really cheap!!! Welcome to study abroad.
The first full day we were there, we all went straight to the beach. All of our bungalows were steps from white sand, and crystal blue water. Immediately I knew I was going to get burned. Being so close to the equator, the sun is so intense, and the water is so warm and calm. All of us laid out on the beach and relaxed for most of the day. Roaming all over the beach are stray dogs and cats. They are kinda scary looking, and something that you wouldn't see on the beaches in New Jersey. None of them are aggressive to the people on the beach, they are just pretty beat up looking.
Everynight we were there, all of us ended up at a glow paint bar right down the street from our bungalows. Every surface of the bar was covered in paint that glowed under black light. All of us painted our names on the bar and we painted on each other. The bar was a ton of fun, and the three bartenders really liked the group of us. They ended up giving us all happy hour prices basically all night long since we kept going back and spending a lot of baht. All three nights were pretty crazy, but that is the reputation of Ko Samet. Adding to the craziness was the fact that all of us were together. In Cambodia all of us did our own things, but all of us were close together at the same bungalows, and at the same beach.
The one issue with Ko Samet is that it isn't the most walking friendly island. We didn't want to spend a ton of money on taxis so we ended up staying close to our bungalow the whole time we were there. However, the last day we were there, a group of us ventured to Ao Phrao, an area on the other side of the island. The beach was gorgeous and had a much stronger current and waves then where we were staying, and the water wasn't as crystal blue. All along the beach were beautiful upscale resorts that were very quiet and secluded. We went to the beach and relaxed. Though I don't think we were suppose to be there since we weren't staying at the resorts. It was nice to go to another part of the island and see another, more quiet, less rowdy, and less touristy beach.
Ko Samet isn't known to be the most beautiful island, but it is known for being fun. We all bonded as a group and got closer. We all came back to ABAC with sun burns, bug bites, friends with the stray dogs and cats, memories, and forgotten nights in Ko Samet.
Monday school starts so we are all recovering and enjoying our own beds!!!
With love from sun burns and itchy bug bites
xo
Kate
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