![ocean](http://www.johnsunter.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/ocean-300x171.jpg) |
Thailand was a place I had heard rave reviews about.
It was the first time I was going to visit a non western country and I was looking forward to seeing the culture there.
As it was, the months previous to this had been extremely stressful and my x wife recommended going straight to an island and relaxing. |
We found a nice beach resort, and had our own hut.
I spent much of the time relaxing on the chair outside the hut reading (I have never been a great fan of swimming, so didn’t often venture to the pool)
Here in my sandals, T-shirt and shorts I sit reading enterprise .com by Jeffrey Papows, the designer/inventor of Lotus Notes. |
![hut](http://www.johnsunter.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/hut-300x201.jpg) |
![bar](http://www.johnsunter.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/bar1-300x212.jpg) |
When I arrived at the airport, there were a number of signs saying smile country. What I quickly realised, is that the Thai’s are just about the happiest and friendliest people on the plant.
This chap ran the bar, with a girl called “A” (I am not joking she was literally called A)
In the 10 days I was there, I never saw either of them frowning !. |
As mentioned elsewhere, I had always wanted to see real elephants in there natural habitat.
This elephant was helping a farmer move logs. |
![elephant](http://www.johnsunter.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/elephant-300x213.jpg) |
![jungle](http://www.johnsunter.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/jungle-300x213.jpg) |
Another first for me, was to visit the Jungle.
It was on 300 metres from a road, but it felt like a jungle to me ! |
Nearby, another elephant was walking through my “jungle”, which completed the scene. |
![elephant2](http://www.johnsunter.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/elephant2-300x189.jpg) |
![budha2](http://www.johnsunter.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/budha2-300x230.jpg) |
We decided to go walking, and visit Koh Samui most famous landmark, The Big Buddha.
The map we were using was not to scale and instead of the mile and a half walk we thought it would be, it was about 8 miles in stifling heat !. |
Me in the forecourt next to the Buddha.
The Big Buddha is 15 meters tall was built in 1972 and located near the northern shore of Koh Samui. |
![budha](http://www.johnsunter.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/budha-300x212.jpg) |
![docks](http://www.johnsunter.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/docks-300x213.jpg) |
In the main village of Bo Phut, there were a number of nice restaurants and bars to relax in.
After having a 20oz Steak for only £2, I decided to walk along the docks next to the village. |
We decided to go on a boat trip to the nearby Angthong National Marine Park.
We got of the boat, and walked up a hill, which gave a great view off the whole park. |
![marine](http://www.johnsunter.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/marine-300x214.jpg) |
![marine2](http://www.johnsunter.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/marine2-300x213.jpg) |
Sitting on a boat, drinking bear is something I could get used to doing.
I could see how this area was featured in the film, The Beach, with Leonardo DeCaprio. |