KOH SAMUI LONG WEEKEND - MAY 2005
Following a bit of confusion regarding the Thailand long weekend and the UK Bank Holiday weekend, we went (with another couple visitng us from England) to Koh Samui for a long weekend, the weekend after the long weekend in Thailand!
It was a 4 day fun and action packed weekend.
We arrived at Samui Airport at 7am on Friday morning. Huge developments since Pat's last visit to Samui (6 years ago) have transformed the charming dusty Chaweng main street into a buzzing tarred high street with many trendy shops; and of course our beach bargain shops that we can always rely on for flip flops, bandanas and board-shorts. As well as the many concrete buildings that have been going up, the cute little thatched-roofed airport has had a conveyer belt for the luggage added.
We arrived, and were sunburned within the first few hours; We checked-in at Anantara Resort (www.anantara.com) which had a lovely infinity pool overlooking the beach; and my favourite - a bar inside the pool - where we spent so much time that we had "old" man's hands' most of the time.
Apart from relaxing next to the pool, we did two dives - on the first dive the visibility was very poor (was quite scary as you could only see up to about one meter in front of you) 
and the second dive was perfect. Didn't see any sharks which suited me fine! The dive spot was called Twins in Koh Tao.
We also did some sailing (the boys doing most of the work) and took up weight-boarding - we all managed to do a few tricks, whether it was intentional or a stylish fall.
I think the highlight of the weekend was hiring a little, black beach-jeep from a dodgy looking travel shop on Chaweng High Street which we drove around whilst we were there.
One late afternoon we decided to explore the island, in particular searching for waterfalls shown on maps, with absolutely no roads marked that actually led to the waterfalls. Well, that did not stop the guys - we went "off-road",
driving amongst coconut palms with no sign of civilisation beyond our tiny jeep. It was all good fun until a black cloud covered the "jungle", and we had to stop due to a burning-clutch-smell. To me it felt like it would be seconds before we saw smoke, and then flames, rising from the engine. We were at the top of one of the steepest hills on the mountain, where we had the most scenic views of the ocean but the way down on the other side of the hill was almost vertical! By this point us girls had just about had enough of this man-loving-danger; we put our foot down and announced that if we didn't turn back the way we came we would be walking down - even that looked dangerous to me. On our way back, that black cloud opened and needless to say, us girls in the back were not very well covered and got soaked! Nevertheless, it is a great day to remember.
On the final morning our friends left early for Bangkok to catch their flight back to London, so Pat (my husband) and I hired another jeep (from Budget at the airport) - this time one that could manage the off-road driving, and we continued the search for waterfalls. We did find one - which was 79 meters high and very beautiful!
Samui has many hills, 
and for some reason the Thais don't seem to think you need to build a road up a hill that climbs with a safe gradient. "No, lets just do a straight road up!" When try and drive these dirt roads, you will know what I mean. (They are busy tarring them, but I'm not sure whether this will make any difference!)
Over the weekend we also went for sun-downer drinks and dinner at the Sila Evason Resort (www.sixsenses.com). From Bophut beach just past the Big Buddha on the very tip you will find this understated elegant resort. It is slightly more pricey to stay here and you have to book far in advance, but it is great for sun-downer drinks and even perhaps dinner - the Thai food we had here was excellent: Thai Beef Salad and Chicken Green Curry.
Also make sure you get a view of the swimming pool. Very beautiful!
Other restaurants that I will recommend are Poppies for dinner (www.poppiessamui.com) and Eat Sense for lunch and dinner (near Charlie Hut, next to Banana Fancy Resort on Chaweng Beach). Both have very good Thai food.
Regarding accommodation, try to avoid North Chaweng Beach as South Chaweng Beach is more relaxing. 
We stayed at the Anantara Resort on Bophut beach - from here you have a beautiful view of Koh Phangan islands in the distance - and this is the beach to head to for watersports (weight-boarding, sailing and skiing). This beach is quieter than Chaweng and has more space to try out a few tricks. Chaweng beach is nice for swimming and building sandcastles and both are good for sunbathing. Neither has long-tail boats.
The rest of the island is beautiful to drive around, but I wouldn't bother with the accommodation at the other beaches except these two mentioned. I definitetly recommend hiring a jeep. We hired ours for Bt800 from a shop in Chaweng high street that was selling day trips etc.
The Dive School that we used to go diving with was Captain Caveman, a 5 star Padi Dive Center (159/32 Moo2, Bophut, Koh Samui, (www.samuireef.com). The instructor was quite young. It is the same dive school that the Sila Evason uses.
We traveled Bangkok Airways, which has a very regular service every day.
When you arrive in Samui, if your hotel rate does not include a free pick up, use the white mini vans. The brilliant businessmen driving taxis and sawngthaews in Samui, will charge you a fortune for getting from A to B, so much better renting your own wheels. Have Fun!
Jurina Dean