Koh Samui

Koh Samui is an island off the east coast of Thailand.  It is a beach resort type of place with lots of sandy beaches (although the tide went out a very long way) and bars on the beach etc.  A bit of a paradise for young people – although these days they've got to be very careful about what they're actually drinking.  Some of the really cheap drinks are lethal – literally!

When I stayed there we were at the more family friendly end of the beach – there were still quite a lot of hawkers wandering along and trying to sell you food, silks, all sorts but nowhere as many as further along the beach.  At the middle of Chaweng beach there were baby elephants on show for pictures with tourists.

While it is touristy, it is also warm and a pleasant escape from winter.  Accommodation ranges from 5 star to very budget.

It is not crimeless, while we were there some people in our hotel were robbed by a pair on a motorbike as they walked back in the early evening to the resort.

There is shopping in the main street – mostly t-shirts and souvenirs.