Beaches! Sun! Sand!

This year we visited our favorite spot on Koh Samui, Samui Mountain Villas, and spent xmas there. This was our first xmas not in our home. We had breakfast out on the deck overlooking the sea with giant palm fronds wisping back and forth. We had no rain this year and consistent overcast skies which kept the sunburn factor down. From crowded Samui beaches we headed overwater and land to Khao Lak where the tsunami wiped out the town and area two xmas's ago.
We rented a car and drove from Surat Thani which ended up being a good move as we did a lot of exploring and had a short commute from Kuraburi down to the beaches of Khao lak. The Khao lak area quickly became our new favorite place in Thailand. Lots of open beaches, great, cheap food and very friendly Thais.
We drove to Phang nga Bay where it is renowned for it's jutting islands out of the ocean and the Muslim fishing village built entirely on stilts. We hired a long tail boat for a 3 hour (loud) cruise around the bay stopping off at James Bond island and viewing the over tourist stops which we declined paying extra for. It is amazing being out amongst these overpowering islands that pop up out of nowhere.
When it was time to head back to Bangkok we did the one way 6 hour drive up the thin slice of land to Hua Hin. Here we spent the night and dropped off the car. It was an easy drive and a nice way to see more of Thailand. From Hua Hin we took a van into Bangkok at a reasonable price for 4 of us. It dropped us off in the downtown center of Bangkok where the bombs had gone off the night before over New Years. A little strange to be there the next day, but no sign of any danger and life carrying on as usual. We were relieved to finally be back at our home base in Bangkok, The Radisson. Great value with a family. Our last night with just enough time to get our final fitting for the tailored clothes we had waiting for us. Such decadence!
Another amazing holiday in the land of smiles:)