Koh Samui

The mini van from Penang was cool, only 4 people in it. Malay & Thai borders were a breeze although the Thai immigration man was a grumpy old sod - no response at all to my Sawasdee kup & Khrap con kup. I was accosted in Had Yai by a tout and led to a private firm who tried to sell me a minivan ticket to Surat Thani. I left and purchased a 260B ticket for the big bus with all the locals. Was OK, met a Thai guy called Sam who was great company and big buses are not as scary as minivans.
Arrived in Surat Thani at around 7pm. Trouble started within 30 seconds. Taxi tout agrees to take me to the night ferry pier for 20B. 1 min later we're outside his mates shop and they're telling me that there's no night ferry tonight and that I must buy a day ferry ticket & nights accommodation from them. Yeah right!! I'll walk to the night ferry pier then. So, back in the open back bedford rascal type vehicle and off to the night ferry pier - now it's 40B though. I was annoyed but put into perspective, we're talking about 65p for a taxi ride so I let it slide. And what do you know? The night ferry is running. Lying gits. I hate liars!
So I bought my ticket and politely refused the boat owners offer of leaving my pack on board. Went off to find food & beer and grabbed the first western face I saw. Yaan, a German guy was my victim. We ate together, drank too many beers and chatted until about 20 mins before our individual boats 11pm departure time. His boat is for Koh Tao, mine for Samui. He too is not over keen on the brief encounters. Hi, how you doing, where you going, where you been - good or bad? How long you travelling etc? And then, well I'm going this way, take care, travel safe and nice to meet you - hand shake & part company.
The night ferry was great. 6-7 hours of drunken slumber on a 3" thick mattress laid straight on the deck of an ancient wooden cargo boat. 76km of calm sea passed away slowly with barely a murmur. I arrived in Na Thon at 6 am safe & sound with all my possessions intact. Went & found somewhere to get a hot drink & wait until the swangtheaw's start running at around 7.
Koh samui was a rude awakening. 100B for a 50B swangthaew ride - I don't think so! Got him down to 60B. I can handle that, 16p over the top - OK dude but Buddha is watching you. Have you heard of Karma?
So I arrived in Hat Lamai early. Booked into Lamai Pearl bungalows. Got a stilt bungalow with attached bathroom near the beach for 200B a night. It is a very tired bungalow though, a million miles from where I was last week. I really must move from here. Walking down the main strip I was offered drugs twice, tailor made clothing 9 times and lost count of the number of massages - I have something special inside for you lover! I think not - hmmmm - No, Billy, No!
I was initially pleased to be back in Thailand. Perhaps I should of listened when folk said "give Samui a wide berth". But, at least I've seen it. 37 years ago the first backpackers arrived here on a coconut boat and now the place is so touristy that they would never recognise it as that deserted beautiful island. Why do people come here? Oh, of course!