Koh Samui, Thailand (Part I)

We were at Koh Samui last weekend for 5 days. That was my first time there. We stayed at the second most happening place in Koh Samui, which is at the Lamai Beach (the most happening place is called Chaweng Beach), because I wanted to be slightly away from the hustle and bustle of the shopping area (Chaweng would have been precisely what ST wanted). But since I was the one making the reservation, so, well, too bad, I decide.. :-D

I will feature in here, some of those stuffs which I feel I would like to highlight. 

Koh Samui, the way Moon sees it..

SkyPark Airport

Taking off from the SkyPark Airport, Subang, was such a pleasant and peaceful experience. Not only it was convenient and near, it is not as chaotic, packed and busy like LCCT. Of course you pay a bit more for the flight ticket, but if you’re going off on a holiday, SkyPark Airport is a better choice. I am thankful that they now have direct flight into Koh Samui from Subang. Makes life so much easier.

                            Feel free to click on any of the pix for a clearer view

Island airport

Upon arrival into Koh Samui Airport, another pleasant surprise awaited. The island airport is small yet it’s extremely cozy, casual, easy and the surrounding green and water feature welcomes you to nature at it’s best. That was just the beginning of our journey. Aaaah... the laid back island charm..

Waiting to clear immigration (below)

While waiting for our turn to be attended to, I walked around snapping pictures. It was bright and sunny outside, hence, the big contrast between the bright and the dark. Click on pix for a clearer view.

Notice the water feature all around the airport. From the plane to the arrival hall, we took a shuttle (ref below pix).

Luggage collection (pix below)

Our resort

This is our resort – Pavillion Samui Boutique Resort

The resort lies on a pristine white sandy beach of its own, in the fabled Gulf of Siam. It’s a perfect hideaway, nestled in a splendid lush tropical garden, blending beautifully and naturally into the island’s landscape & seaside.

It’s the kind of resort where you give your soul, body & mind a complete rest, feeling fully re-charged and rejuvenated after that. The whole resort’s landscaping, design, atmosphere, environment, food and people all work as one to promote calm, peace and beauty.

Reception

The courtyard from reception to various venues (rooms, beach, gym, pool, etc) in within the entire resort.

Below are some of the more expensive "Plunge Pool Suite" & "Hydra Pool Villas", where they have their own private outdoor pool & courtyard, in within their unit. Click here for better picture gallery. 

Our room

I really like the musical notes on the wall (pix abv), as it adds a touch of class and finesse in the room atmosphere. However, ST was saying it's a waste of space, coz it would have been more practical if they added hooks or bar on the wall instead, to hang clothes, towels, etc, etc (which they have on the other side), but it's never enough for him, as usual.. ;-)

The balcony has a jacuzzi of our own, with two daybeds flanking on each side. I love to relax and read my book here.

The pool & beach area

Majority of the occupant of the resort are couple, or couple with only a child or at most two. And the kids are, oh my goodness, so well behaved that you do not get a whole group of people laughing, playing loud music, talking loudly, kids screaming, etc, etc.


Beautiful resort with good location. You just need to walk out and you get all the eateries, pubs, bistros, shops, massage centers and spas, travel agents, etc..  You can wait at the reception, if you wish to take the “tuk tuk” to Chaweng Beach. The “tuk tuk” passes by our resort and it cost only RM 10 to and fro per person for a 25 min ride. If you take the taxi, it's RM 50 one way. On weekend, it’s slightly more expensive, but it’s negotiable. There are plenty of motorbikes for rent too. RM 20 for 24 hrs.

Oh, I forgot to mention, the resort is a heavenly place to relax and chill off, to lose yourself in there for a complete getaway, only if you stay put in there. But if you are with someone like ST, who keeps asking me, "Uh, what are we gonna do now ah..? Shall we go scour the beach from end to end? Shall we walk out and check out the temple? Shall we go to Chaweng again and again?", then you'll also die of exhaustion, despite staying in such a luxurious resort. When you get home, you will need another vacation to recuperate from all the walking in the extreme heat.


If I have it my way, I'll be in the resort for the full 5 days, relaxing either on the beach, or on the day bed.


September is Koh Samui's low season, so most of the hotels/resorts there throw prices like nobody's business. They even have buy 1 FREE 1, meaning stay 1 night, FREE 1 night kind of crazy promos. Check them out. This is the chance to experience those luxurious resorts at more affordable price.


Next post - Features my favourite activities & stuffs and the glorious food.

Blog name - carrot head and applemint

Simple exercises for a sharp mind

                                

1) Use your left hand several times a day to ensure balance (if you’re a right hander) or vice versa, and for stimulation of the side of the brain which is seldom used.

Try brushing your hair and your teeth with your left hand everyday or write 10 simple alphabets or sentences a day.

2) Exercise your fingers (both left and right) using the Chinese Boading exercise balls.

A traditional product of China, thought to have been created during the Ming Dynasty, two of more of them are rotated repetitively to orbit in the hand.

3) Practice this eye exercise 2-3 times a day. Move your eye balls to the left and right. Repeat 10 times slowly.

4) Eat curry at least once or twice a week. It is believed that certain spices used in curry (such as turmeric amongst one of them) helps improve brain capacity.

By using your non-dominant hand, it becomes a brain exercise because different, under-used nerve pathways & connections get activated. This will stimulate the growth of new brain cells & will initiate neutral connections between the right and left hemisphere of your brain. This is how geniuses unleash their creative intelligence and make solid decisions.

Leonardo Da Vinci was ambidextrous. He could write and paint with both hands at the same time.

Leonardo was a great painter, sculptor, composer, scientist, engineer, instrument inventor, anatomist, philosopher, cartographer, geologist, botanist, riddler, and was famous for excelling in whatever he applied himself to.

Blog name – carrot head and applemint

Wandering aimlessly...

Blog name - carrot head and applemint

Snapshot of the day

                                       Olympic National Park, Washington




1) How strange that nature does not knock, yet does not intrude! - Emily Dickinson


2) Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience - Ralph Waldo Emerson


3) I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in - John Muir




--moon


Blog name - carrot head and applemint

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!

Here's wishing all my Muslim friends Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri! Drive safe for those who will be travelling long distance.

Blog name - carrot head and applemint

Coffee Talk

The tug-of-war dialectics of close relationships.

Social life is a dynamic knot of contradictions - a ceaseless interplay between contrary or opposing tendencies.

A ceaseless interplay between contradictory or opposing tendencies, such as :

a) integration-separation

b) stability-change

c) expression-non expression.

Quality relationships are constituted through dialogue, which is an aesthetic accomplishment that produces fleeting moments of unity through a profound respect for the disparate voices.

Although most of us embrace the traditional ideals of closeness, certainty, and openness in our relationships, our actual communication within family, friendship, and romance "seldom" follows a straight path toward these goals.

This is because we are also drawn toward the exact opposite – autonomy, novelty and privacy.

These conflicting forces can’t be resolved by simply “either/or” decisions. The “both/and” nature of dialectical pressures guarantees that our relationships will be complex, messy, and always somewhat on edge.

Integration & Separation

This is a primary strain within all relationships. If one side wins this “me-we” tug of war, the relationship loses.

No relationship can exist by definition unless the parties sacrifice some individual autonomy. However, too much connection destroys the relationship because the individual identities become lost.

Stability & Change

Normal people want stability and predictability in their relationships. However, we cannot ignore our simultaneous need for the opposite, novelty.

We want a bit of mystery, a touch of spontaneity, the occasional surprise that are necessary for having fun. Without the spice of variety to season our time together, the relationship becomes bland, boring and ultimately, emotionally dead.

Expression & Non Expression

Revelation & concealment

In an interpersonal relationship, communication partners feel the pressure to be transparent and reveal extensive personal information. 

However, this pull counters a natural individual desire for privacy.  This dynamic struggle demonstrates that intimacy in relationships is not a straight-line path.

Relational Dialectics Theory by Leslie Baxter & Barbara Montgomery highlights the tension, struggle, and general messiness of close personal ties.

What is dialectics? Check out the dictionary and learn a new word today. Here you go - www.dictionary.com

This blog post is written based on my understanding of Baxter & Montgomery's theory, extracted from the book - A First Look at Communication Theory by Em Griffin.

You might be interested to check out my previous blog post below : Trapped in a system with no place to go What is your personal space expectations? Why do people try their utmost to avoid distressing mental state?

Blog name – carrot head and applemint

Relief for insomnia, fatigue & stress

My yoga pose of the month - The Child Pose (Balasana)

On those days when you feel extremely tired, yet unable to fall asleep, you can try practicing the child pose. It is a relaxing and resting pose that normalizes circulation and gently stretches certain parts of your body, and calms the body, mind and spirit, by slowing down your heart rate, body processes and emotions.

Benefits

1. Gently stretches the hips, thighs, ankles and spine

2. Calms the brain and help relieve stress and fatigue

3. Relieves back and neck pain (when done with head and torso supported)

Breathe deep and slow. Stay in this position for 2-3 minutes.

Click here for direction on how to execute the child pose.


Sweet dreams!

You might be interested to check out my other related post below :

1) Want a strong ankle, back torso & toned tummy? 2) Release negative emotions, improve alignment & back pain 3) Relief for stiff neck and upper back

Blog name – carrot head and applemint