Thailand - January till end of April
For us 2022 started off in Thailand on Koh Samui. On 31.12.2021 we were already lying in bed for a while at the Chura Samui resort at 23:59 o'clock, when the lights of a few fireworks shining through the almost closed curtains told us that now 2022 had begun. A year full of experiences, emotions, setbacks, fears, joy, drastic decisions, and much more lying ahead of us - so actually a very regular year.
At that time, we had no idea that a war would be started in Europe by the Russians, that Covid would continue to ravage the world, that an energy crisis would arise because of the war, and that the whole world would once again become somewhat out of "balance". Whatever this balance is or ever was. Besides these global issues, we had our very own loss of balance. Diagnosis: Cancer!
We spent the first quarter of 2022 in Thailand, as planned, escaping the European winter on Koh Samui, in the north-east of our favourite island in the Gulf of Thailand. Covid had hit the Thai people hard. Not only did many people fall ill, but the lack of tourists was a blow to the economy and thus also to all the Thai people who worked in the tourism industry.
For us, this situation was both a curse and a blessing. We had never experienced nature so untouched, found so much peace and supposed tranquillity. Few tourists had strayed into Thailand during this time. The entry regulations didn't exactly make it easier either, so many a Thailand fan stayed at home.
The first weeks on Samui we were very busy looking for the right accommodation. Many houses were pretty run down due to the strong monsoon and disuse and the prices were still relatively high. You can read more about this in our posting Thailand 2021/22 – 13. Villa Searching. In total, we moved eight times.
In addition to never getting finished with not doing anything, we spent our time with smaller and bigger adventures, excursions, good food and great people. Where necessary, we tried to help other people.
For example, our friend Sopa shared with us her concern that the roof of her small Thai restaurant would collapse during the next heavy rain. She is already unable to serve customers when it rains, as it leaks in many places. To allow her resting easy again she got a new roof for her restaurant from us. .
We took a Longtail Boot to Pig Island, rode the Blue Dragon into Ang Thon National Park and watched whales, survived the teeth whitening adventure, spent hours at immigration to extend our visas, tried Thai hairdressers, met Mama Love, had conversations with lawyers, tore off tens of kilometres on our scooters, enjoyed time with our younger son, ate incredibly well and "chilled" to the point of exhaustion.
We left Thailand in a state of absolute relaxation, not knowing how quickly it would be used up.
Must eat restaurants on Samui - a selection of our favourite places
- Stop@Sopa - our regular place: all you want and more
- Mr. Eung - best prawn cakes ever
- Phensiri - simply delicious
- KOB - Egg Benedict and French Toast – all you need for breakfast
- French Bakery La Fabrique – good coffee good Baguette
- Tree House - beautiful restaurant on the beach of Maenam
- Secret Garden – filed chicken breast with mozzarella
- Rotisserie – Chicken Run
- Pecore Nere – yummy Pizza