Independent travel in South-East Asia
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Vietnam
Where Next?
Ko Samet, that is often seen written as Kho Samet or Koh Samet, is the closest island destination to Bangkok, and yet is often forgotten when western visitors are considering an island holiday. This is may be the case for Ko Samet, as it is not as spectacular as the other tourist islands of the southern coast, being that it is fairly flat, while the others are mountainous, and it is covered with a scrubby dryer vegetation, as against tropical rainforest of many of the other islands. However, we believe it would be a mistake to not visit the island on the back of less appealing travel shop or Internet photos, as along with most other western tourists, you would be missing out.
Ko Samet
Next - Getting to Ko Chang
A couple of other websites, that may be a useful reference, would include
www.koh-samet.org
www.gothailand.com
www.koh-samet.org
www.gothailand.com
Finding accommodation on Ko Samet isn't difficult, so long as you don't arrive on a Saturday morning. This is when locals from Bangkok book just about everything up. When you approach the beaches on the ferry you will see all the accommodation options of that particular beach, as almost everything is beach front, with almost nothing more than 50 meters back from the waters edge. Each bay or stretch of beach has a variety of accommodation options, from basic to mid range, and each beach is connected by paths over the separating headlands to the next bay. Ideally, you could walk a couple of bays and check a few out, as prices vary - those close to the ferry's drop off point will tend to be the most expensive!
The dense bush, and very rough vehicle tracks between beaches, ensure everything is centred around the beach, and a resulting very relaxed atmosphere prevails - beach restaurants and bars, water sports, food hawkers patrolling the beach, massages & deck chair hire all dominate. This beach atmosphere is most prevalent on beaches south of Hat Sai Kaew, including our favorites, Ao Phai, Ao Wong Deuan, Ao Thian and Ao Cho.
Arrive in Bangkok --> Bangkok --> Farmstay -->
Ayuthaya --> Pattaya --> Ko Samet --> Ko Chang -->
Back to Bangkok
Ayuthaya --> Pattaya --> Ko Samet --> Ko Chang -->
Back to Bangkok
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