CampariO

The room was ok.

It was a spontaneous trip and little planning had been done. It was highseason, the Chinese New Year was just around the corner, so many hotels were fully booked and expensive. As we didn't want to stay at the overcrowded main beach, we booked the last available bungalow at the Samed Villa Resort in Ao Phai for 3250 Bt per night in the second row with gardenview on booking.com. She was a bit camery-shy.

Entrance fee for the pier is 20 Bt p.p. We took one of the green songtaews to Ao Pai Beach, 30 Bt each for the 2 km ride. At the entrance to the first and largest beach (Hat Sai Kaew) the boys in camouflage are collecting the national park fee, 200 Bt for foreigners and 40 for Thais.

Some bungalows in the north, not far from the main pier:

Looking back: Speed boat is an alternative if you want to be faster. The boat returning from Samet: There is a faster option leaving from the Nuanthip pier, a couple of 100 meters east.

2 nights trip to Koh Samet: drove by car on highway 36, took over 1,5 hours due to all these construction sites, bridges being built,... Parked the car in a covered car park at the Sri Ban Phe pier for 100 Bt/night. Purchased the ticket for the boat (120 Bt return per person) and a songtaew drove us to the pier. Looks a little bit gay, that tub. Koh Samet is not far from the mainland, just a bit over 30 minutest ride if I recall correctly.

Damn, that Irish boy can be persistant. Had no chance other than signing up. Good to see so many familiar names here.