"Kosmobui"

I was getting all excited about our "Babymooners Getaway" (not sure if we actually qualify for this category with a three year old attachment!) when Shad called me the afternoon before we were scheduled to leave with a bombshell. The Thai Prime Minister had just declared a state of emergency in Bangkok. So should we still go to Koh Samui? It seems like we just aren't meant to visit this island. The last time we went, the tsunami happened the day before we were to fly there. Anyway, after making numerous calls to the Australian embassy in Bangkok, our travel agent, the airport in Koh Samui and the hotel who all assured us that Koh Samui was unaffected by the unrest, we decided to go ahead with our plans.

Day 1... After a short flight from Hong Kong to Kosmobui (as Ryan calls it) and an even shorter ride from the airport to the Anantara Resort in Bo Phut, we were sitting on lounge chairs by the infiniti pool enjoying an afternoon snack of satays, spring rolls, samosas, coconut prawns and ice cold tropical juices.

A quick afternoon snack by the pool - Thai style

An evening stroll along the beach to Fisherman's Village to work off all that food...

Mama and son - how romantic

A play on the beach before dinner - a rare pleasure

When he got cold he just jumped into the water which was still balmy

Tired out from a long afternoon's play on the beach, we enjoyed a "romantic" (if that is at all possible with a three year old in tow!) seafood dinner on the beach infront of our resort. Somehow food just tastes better when accompanied by the sound of the rolling waves and the feel of sand between our toes :)

Seafood BBQ on the beach ("How come we don't need shoes?" asked Ryan)

Day 2... we set out after breakfast in search of an elephant adventure at the Samui Island Safari. That was the highlight of Ryan's day, he'd been looking forward to this from the moment we told him about going to Samui to see the elephants.

A quick portrait with Mama on the way out of the hotel grounds

Waiting for a taxi by the road infront of the resort

"Bye Mama, sorry no preggie ladies allowed on the elephant ride"

Coming back in from the ride - but what is the Mahut doing?

Making a little souvenier for Ryan

Not bad handiwork - Ryan was very impressed

Feeding the baby elephant ("How come he eats the skin?")

Back at Fisherman's Village for a late lunch and a quick walk through the market.

Catching a little shade at a market stall

Looking for a place to eat

A perfect place for a fruity drink and lunch - looking out over the beach

One of the nicer things about staying at the Anantara was its close proximity to Fisherman's Village. Each day we would have a yummy lunch there after an outing followed by a slow walk along the beach back to the resort. Ryan absolutely loved running along the beach, picking up all sorts of treasures including old coconuts, shells and stones, then jumping in and cooling off in the salty sea water.

Walking back to the hotel along the beach - did you need to take my pants off Mama?

I found a coconut, can I keep it?

Cooling off in the sea

Ryan going for the Baywatch look

One tired little boy - catching his afternoon nap back in the room, tail up

Day 3... crocodile show, snake show, how scary can that be? Well, in Thailand it can get pretty darn scary, especially since it involves sticking one's head into the crocodile's mouth and kissing a king cobra!

Patiently waiting for Mama to get ready for breakfast (of course the Cartoon Network made the waiting much easier!)

Not feeling so comfortable with the whole crocodile show concept

Then again maybe it's ok after all

Crazy!!!!!!!

Very brave or very ......

I can't look Mama!

But once again, curiosity gets the better of him and he can't resist touching the croc's tail

Who needs a pram...

This man is a trained professional/lunatic

That was enough excitement for the day so we headed to Fisherman's Village again for a nice pad thai, tom yum gung, red duck curry and basil chicken lunch, and more ice cold fruit punch of course.

What a gorgeous couple :)

The walk back to the hotel again - Mama can't you move faster?

Ok I guess I can slow down and keep you company

An ice cream on the beach - what a luxury!

Seriously loving the beach

Afternoon naps on the beach - definitely on holiday

Daddy practicing his technique

Out for a paddle

Nice end to the day - room service Thai fried rice while watching the cartoon network

Day 4... this was "Pamper Mama and Daddy Morning". We left Ryan playing happily at the Kids' Club and sneaked out for a one and a half hour session at the Anantara Spa. Shad chose to have a traditional Thai massage while I had a relaxing aromatherapy massage. What a way to spoil ourselves, both our masseuse were serenaded with frequent snorts and snores!

A new friend to entertain me while Mama and Daddy sneak off for a bit of pampering

Don't I look relaxed after my massage?

Feeling all rejuvenated, we went on another animal adventure, this time to watch the Samui tiger and bird show. But before that, we stopped to recharge our batteries with more delicious Thai food (including a catfish salad which I'd been craving for some time now) at a roadside restaurant. We suspect that this is the same restaurant we ate at with the Pashas and Shens when we were last here in 2005.

Thai style lunch by the beach

Catfish salad

A tiger show (mildly impressive)

So you want me to just hold this thing out there...?

What the ...?

Not happy!

Another day, another elephant ride (this time at the Na Muang Waterfalls)

A short walk down to the bottom of the waterfall

A quick dip to cool off

Day 5... our last day :( Today was all about relaxing and being pampered. After spending the morning in Chaweng getting pedicures and walking around the shops, we lazed the rest of the day away at the beach back at the resort, much to Ryan's delight. This really was the perfect holiday, just the three of us together doing the things that we love best!

Mama and son getting pedicures

A mobile BBQ (carried on this lady's shoulder)

Back at the beach with Daddy

Lunch on the beach - what else but Pad Thai

Three year old heaven, a bubble bath and cartoons

Chilling out after another room service dinner from the famous Half Moon Italian restaurant

An impromptu family portrait