Flew from Man - Hrw-Bkk with Eva air, upgraded to elite class and it was worth it for extra leg room, new relaxing seats and the service and food was excellent. Arrived in Bkk for flights to Koh Samui and it was manic.Had to get bus to other terminal to check in for Bangkok airways where it was a courtesy lounge so off to a good start. Arrived in KS and some buggies were waiting to take us to airport[they had a race between them across runway] We arrived at what I thought was a bar- all twinkly lights and thatched roof- it's lovely. Got a taxi to Imperial Boathouse, unpacked and had a walk out with our friends who were there last year. This hotel is impressive and the brochures don't do it justice. The 2 pools and gardens are all lit up and spectacular, what else I didn't realise is that the hotel is on the beach. We booked a premier room on 2nd floor- massive with lovely bathroom and toiletries replenished everyday. They certainly know how to do breakfast- enough said. I enjoyed haggling with the beach sellers, it was like having my own personal shopper- if I wanted something they didn't have , they just fetched it the next day and waited for you. It was all a laugh and they said I could have a job with them if I wanted. We ate on the beach most lunch times at all the little shacks and in the evenings- probably been through most of the menus. The fish were some of the best we have eaten. We took some wine with us as I'd read it was expensive but wouldn't do it again as we found all the prices ok and palatable.
Went into Chaweng a couple of times to eat- once at Poppies which was beautiful and expensive[compared to beach prices] and another time at Zico's - the Brazilian place- awesome. We preferred to be on Choeng Mon beach as it was a lot less busy, but that's a matter of taste. Also went into 1 of the girly bars in Chaweng, it was all a laugh and when they put an Elvis tape, we got up to dance- that was it- all the girls got up with us, a good night out[they didn't want us to go but us oldies need our sleep. Went on the elephant trek and monkey show, then the waterfall but the half day trip would have been enough, the afternoon was vitually spent in the back of a jeep in the boiling sun. Liked to walk out of the front of hotel to take our laundry to a little shop we found- 60 bahts washed and ironed, she also took a top I had bought to 1 of the tailor's to have the sleeves taken up - 20 bahts.
Our friends bought dinner suits and dresses with jackets from Versace tailors opposite our hotel [we called him Dev as he looked like him off Corrie]- I bought tat on beach- ha ha. Anyhow their tailoring looked impressive. Also used internet opposite hotel 1 baht per minute, a lot cheaper than hotel. Wherever we went the people couldn't do enough to please us. Part 2 to follow