Another great port and good weather, just 28 degrees. Ko Samui is a tender port and we had another early day, so watched our arrival to anchorage from the back of the ship while having breakfast. Our meeting point was on the lounge and I was a little dismayed to see that there were about 100 of us "Green 6s". However we boarded the tender (which holds 120 as a tender & 150 as as lifeboat) in calm waters and made landfall in about 15 minutes. Numerous buses were waiting along with over a dozen 4WDs. Now these were proper vehicles with big wheels, tyres and big suspension. They were also modern and the seats on the tray comfortable. We had 8 to each vehicle and now became Group 3 for the excursion. Our little Thai guide was Vivian too!
So very quickly this convoy took off through the village and out into the jungle/bush. Most of the roaring is concrete, so 4WDs were a bit of a gimmick, and unfortunately the cause of a couple of people having accidents with the steps up. The villages are typically Thai (or any Asian country) and being on an open vehicle, allowed one to experience the smells as well as the sights.
We reached our destination, which was a wild life park, where we were to complete our triride (that's a new word for 3 animal rides) by riding an elephant. Our group was reformed to one of 24 to achieve this, as we were the first 3 vehicles in the convoy. This was a good number and enabled us to be loaded on the waiting elephants quickly. 3 or 4 of our group elected not to go, but most did. We also paid the 300 Baht for a photo!
Two people ride together behind the Mahout (or elephant master). Our elephant was 40 years old and as they live to 100, had plenty of life in him. Our Mahout had inherited him from his father. Thankfully we had a seatbelt on as our ride was quite extensive over a 15/20 minute period. I thought that we'd just go along the path, but no, off into the jungle along rocky paths and worst of all down towards the water. Going up is easy, but going down felt as though you were about too be thrown off. The Mahout however sits sidesaddle and controls the elephant by his ears (the elephant's, not the Mahout's!).
After our ride we were taken to a Thai cooking demonstration and while sitting there there was this loud growling sound - looked over the back & here are 2 quite unhappy Sumatrian tigers. We never found out why they were there, as they were not part of the show - but magnificent animals. Anyway, on with the show, which was the elephant show. They bought out 3 elephants, a baby about 2, another one probably 8 and an older one. All 3 were interacting with the audience, posing for photos, bring stroked and most importantly, taking the money for the Mahout's - cute.
The main show had all 3 with hula hoops on their trunks, standing on 2 legs, playing soccer against a Kiwi (elephant won) and providing elephant massage. All entertaining. It was then on to the monkey who collects coconuts from the top of the tree. The monkeys spend over a year to be trained for this task, so they are very valuable to their owners. This completed our visit and we were off again, this time to visit a "remote" waterfall. Still on concrete road we arrived in a large carpark, with all the usual stalls lining the track to the waterfall. Our guide apologised that due to the lack of monsoon (hey, they are getting it further up in Asia), there was a mere trickle. All very interesting but by now it was midday and the humidity was rising. Overall it was one of the best trips we've done and everyone we've spoken to agrees.
The dynamics of the ship have changed considerably and unfortunately we do not seem to be able to establish a dinner table group. The night before last we reached 6, with the addition of another Australian couple from Macedonia. George however does not like cruising or socialising and turned up on formal night in a polo shirt. He apparently refused to go on any excursions and neither of them turned up last night, nor did Elaine from Cairns, so it was very quiet with just Diane from the Gold Coast for company. I assured Meg our waiter that we'd showered, but he said not to worry - which I am not!! It is noticeable that many other tables are only partially full, with lots choosing to dine in the buffet. I suppose that it does make Anytime Dining a bit more attractive in some ways.
Not that our dining arrangements are hindering our ongoing enjoyment and we still bump into many of the passengers from the first segment who have similar habits to ours - which reminds me that we are almost due for our regular 11.00 coffee. Yes, on deck watching the water go by. We are in the bottom of the Gulf of Thailand and reach Ho Chi Minh tomorrow. What surprises us is the number of small fishing boats, out so far from land. Just hope that the weather holds, as it is becoming quite blustery but with smooth seas.
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