Koh Samui day 8

What a difference couple of days make! The new moon high tides have receded, the winds are now just a pleasant breeze, the sun is out and the sea is blue. The windbreaks have been rolled up and we have a beach which has doubled in size. Tables and chairs have reclaimed their place on the beach and in the evening fairy lights adorn the trees outside the bars. What a transformation!Tropical paradise regained. This is the weather we have been waiting for and in the evening we even venture on to the beach for dinner.

We take the bike down to Lamai beach on the east coast. Similar to Chaweng, this resort is smaller and a bit less developed but still full of the usual touristy shops selling beachwear and the rest. We walk about half the length of this arcing, palm-fringed bay stopping for a ridiculously cheap Thai lunch on the beach. The weather is glorious – this is more like it! In the late afternoon we bike on a bit further to Rocky’s beach which is almost deserted with only a couple of bars and some bungalows set well back amongst the palm groves.

With the sun out Samui’s beautiful, white beaches come into their own and for the most part the established beach-side developments are low rise set back amongst the palms with only bars, restaurants and massage platforms on the beach itself. On the quieter beaches it’s easy to find a deserted spot and have the place to yourself. Ah, this is the lazy life!