The ferry to Ko Samui seemed to take forever, after the uncomfortably long and loud bus trip. Once the ferry docked, another bus, this one without windows and wooden planks for seating, was waiting to bring passengers to their island destinations. After suitcases and backpacks were piled in a carefully tied heap on the roof, we headed to the Sandy Resort at Bo Phut Beach. Anna insists on offering her bag of king fruit chips that she brought with her to snack on, which I am trying very graciously to decline. The smell that erupts out of a freshly opened bag of king chips is best described as morbid. Someone with a sick sense of humour has found a way to preserve the aroma of death and disguise it as a healthy snack.
On a more pleasant thought, there's a vitamin drink here called Red Bull. It tastes like the Flintstones chewable vitamins I had as a kid, only in liquid form. It's quite the pick-me-up.
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| Sandy Beach bungalow |
Finally, we arrive and settle into the hotel room. While we feast on lunch in the hotel restaurant, I've sent the contents of my backpack to the capable, soapy, hot water treatment of the hotel laundry service for 150 baht ($6). All I have to wear until it returns is my swim suit. As I'm heading toward the beach, I am reminded of the Hideaway Hotel in Fiji, with it's bungalow style accommodations. I half expect to find a concrete wall and a building housing a dorm with 60 beds inside, although I wouldn't trade that for the little bit of luxury I'm being treated to now.
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There is nothing like an odor to stir memories.
~ William McFee
~ William McFee
