Back To Reality

*Sigh*

Well our cruise came to an end when we sailed into Singapore on Friday afternoon. We were already a little depressed (we always feel slightly depressed at the end of holidays. But then again doesn't everybody?) but to further highlight the mood we came back to a bleak skies and heavy rain. The roads on our way home was flooded and there was poor visibility.

It was a depressing home coming after an incredible holiday with constant good weather. There were a few incidents of rain but we simply sailed right through it. It was quite cool to see the patch of rain in the distance.

I think I can safely say that this cruise is by far our best one. But it wasn't without some mistakes. One of which was going off to Koh Samui.

After uploading the last entry we decided at the last minute to go out to Koh Samui afterall. It was about 3.45pm when we boarded the boat and took a 45min ride from the SuperStar Virgo towards Koh Samui. We were quite surprised, well actually more like shocked, when we arrived on the island. It was nothing like what we expected. There was no white sandy beaches, quite resorts or clear waters. Instead there was traffic, both motor and human, buildings, a concrete pier and not so inviting waters.

We found after walking about for a while that we were at the island's 'town centre'. There were a few commercial buildings, a stretch of street hawkers selling mainly food, restaurants, and quite a fair bit of traffic. After being in relative quiet, order and cool climate on board for the past 6 days, we did not welcome the heat, dust and noise all that much.

Not giving up on searching for the beach we decided to trek back to where we landed and ask the cruise staff. (We made the stupid mistake of just walking off towards town without asking directions.) By the time we walked back, found out that the beaches we seek are on the other side of the island and boarded one of the transports chartered by Star Cruises, we have already wasted 20min.

The journey to the beach resort took a whopping 1hr and 15 min! And along the way I was rather unceremonious hit by a chilling surprise, literally. We were not informed that it was the Songkran Festival (Thai water festival) and I got sprayed with a water hose from behind by a man on the roadside when we went past in our transport. We didn't realize that it was the water festival until I got sprayed again, this time by a couple of Caucasians with water guns. Although it was part of the festival and I was not suppose to be angry, I can't help but be slightly cheesed off for being caught unawares and unprepared. The hubby escaped being wet since most of the water got blocked by me. My first taste of Songkran, and I wasn't thrilled.

Anyway, we managed to arrive at the resort without further incidences but what a disappointment, again. The beach, thought quieter then the streets, wasn't white and it was lined with people (mainly tourists). We took a walk up and down the stretch for about 30min and decided to head back. It was such a non event. And on the way back we witnessed more water splashing, although thankfully this time the targets were our other companions on the transport. So after another bone rattling 1hr and 15min later we arrived back at the pier, eager to get back onboard the ship. But there was another 45min of boat ride to get through before we get back. All in all this entire excursion took close to 5 hours, with most of it spent traveling from one place to another. It would have been a total waste of time and effort if not for the view we caught of the ship as we were heading back.

Well at least our last full day onboard was a good one. We enjoyed a great view and workout at the gym in the morning, spent a leisurely afternoon lounging around, had a wonderful dinner (it was also the only time we got dressed up on the entire cruise) at the Italian restaurant, and ended the night with drinks and good music at the bar.

I will try to get some pics of the trip uploaded soon. Meanwhile it is back to reality.