Day 25, Thursday, 28th March - Chumphon

Summing Up....... My concerns about Maka at Sumui were largely overcome overnight and I found the local conveniences so useful but an issue that could have been a real headache was traffic noise. I just about blotted it out but I wouldn't want to stay a second night.
Our stay in Koh Samui is almost at an end and I will have to write up a summary and conclusion in due course but I certainly have had a good feel as to what the island offers. Three full days exploring was just about enough. With regard accommodation we have definitely paid more for less compared to the mainland, and we were never really comfortable with what we secured. Being flexible though, food was relatively cheap and as for fuel there was significant saving on this island. A big extra though was the cost of the ferry at 1,440 baht, Now we must concentrate on the journey back to Bangkok which will take two days.
We manage to get a good start leaving just after 9.00 am. This time gives us a full hour free should we need it. One possibility is to check out a waterfall as so far we haven't ventured into the mountains of Koh Samui.
Wang Sao Thong Waterfall....... Wang Sao Thong Waterfall is a bit of a long shot but it's not difficult to find. When we reach the path leading to it, the parking place is deserted. Sign boards show that you need to pay a parking fee of 30 baht but if there are no visitors what's the point in somebody employed to collect it. The falls are along a path just 250 metres away but the ground is uneven with rocks and roots. As I cannot hear the sound of water in the stream below, I'm sure that what I've been told is correct: The waterfall is dry. It's not a complete waist of time however since the mountain road seems quite passable with good views, and we can head for the west of the island this way.
I note that the forest around here is on private land so it's to be expected that there are some viewpoint restaurants here which like on the coast will be expensive. I guess there will be some tour operators who will bring tourists here for the sunset. Where the hillsides are not too steep the cash crop grown here is mountain durian. We continue along the mountain road taking in the last of the scenery while we can. One attraction that we locate along the road is Tarnim Magic Garden. We have no time to investigate now, but we can get a good idea of what this park is about by the sculptures that have been created here atop Pom Mountain (also called Khun Nim Peak), one of the highest peaks on the resort island. It's not far now to the coast and Raja Ferry Pier.
Koh Samui to Don Sak....... It's time to say goodbye to the island although there's a half hour delay. The vessel today is different to the one we used to arrive. It's larger but just as old. The thing I notice most is that the seating capacity far exceeds the number of passengers although the car deck is quite full. This tells me that at one time foot passengers were the main business for the ferry company but that traffic drastically reduced when the airport opened in 1989. Cargo business though keeps these ferries running as this is the cheapest way to get most goods onto the island. The question though is how long these boats can remain in service until they are rusting hulks. Of course, I can only speak about Raja Ferries. The other vehicle ferry for Koh Samui is Seatran which has a more modern and efficient fleet.
Arriving at the ferry port on the mainland, I decide to add a couple more attractions in Donsak District even though we've lost some time. These are not far away.
Laem Thuat....... Leam Thuat is a finger of land jutting out from Donsak's northern coast 6 or 7 kilomretres west of the car ferry port. I have no idea what's here until I arrive then realise this is a passenger ferry port for the Lomprayah Ferry Company. This port is for foot passengers only serving a number of islands off the northern coast. One more attraction is hard to miss off to the left of Laem Thuat.
Wat Khao Suwan Pradit....... The magnificent chedi of Wat Khao Suwan Pradit can be seen on a hill for miles around. Suwan Pradit Phrakhru Suwanpraditkan or Luangpho Choi, was a famous Buddhist monk master of the South who pioneered the construction of this temple. He died in 1993 and his body has been kept in a glass coffin in the ordination hall. On the mountaintop is the pagoda where the Lord Buddha's relics, brought from Wat Phrakiat, Amphoe Hot, Chiang Mai, are enshrined.
For any visitor to this temple there are gorgeous views of the ocean to the north including the ferry ports and the town of Donsak itself. One potential attraction in full view is Hug Village. I don't have time to back track but this is a village connected to a small island via a pedestrian bridge. The island consists of stilt houses lined around the shore which offer food and home stay.
All Over....... Well, I'm afraid that's it as we head for Chumphon, our arrival time being about 6.30 pm, just about right. Another of my railway visits to Surat Thani Railway Station is abandoned due to no scheduled activity expected at our arrival time.
We finally get some mileage done and three and a half hours later, arrive at our destination more or less on time. After dinner before check-in we reach Hop Inn in Chumphon. Here I get a good rate due to past loyalty of less than 600 baht. Welcome to the mainland!!!
Tomorrow the only planned visits are to train stations. If we leave Chumphon at a reasonable time we should complete the six and a half hour journey to Bangkok by early evening.
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