Feburary - the sunny month!

The record-breaking heavy rains finally ceased about a week or two ago.  We've done a lot of bike riding, been in the swimming pool and will soon get back out in the kayak.

We only have 4 weeks left.  Seems like we spent a LOT of time indoors out of the rain.  But we'll make sure we get lots of outdoor time during this last month.

Danny goes out every morning at 6am (unless it's raining) and does a 7.5 miles bike ride.  I usually go to the gym M-F when it opens at 7.  I join him on weekends and sometimes weekdays for the ride.  It's a lovely time to ride as there is little traffic, it is still very cool out, and it's very quiet.

Yesterday we FINALLY got to go out on a longboat to snorkel!

The island of Matsum where the boat takes us for an hour or so after snorkeling:

The all important bar with icy cold beer

Saturday's ritual - a bike ride to Villa Chocolat which is owned by a Belgian with great skill at making pastries.  

Finally lots of pool time!

Rain, clouds, sun.....

Nice long bike ride today and stopped at our favourite pagoda and temple and restaurants.

Walking back down the hill after visiting Rattanakosin Chedi

From the top of the hill at Rattanakosin

Wild waves at Laem Sor Pagoda

Laem Sor Pagoda

Happy New Year

Weather being temperamental - still more dry than rainy.  And several days of nice, warm breezes. 

Christmas was very toned down due to Thailand still mourning its late King. 

Some random photos:

Lunches

Xmas dinner - pad thai with tofu, salad with seeds and cashews

Our pool

Wat Samret (Temple)

Wat Samret - off the beaten track.

https://theitravelchannel.tv/samret-temple-samui-thailand/

After visiting the temple we cycled to Villa Chocolat for a decadent dessert.

A few videos from my GoPro

Biking through the market area of what's called 'Muslim Village'.  Most of Samui's fishermen live here. We like to take a shortcut through here to avoid the main road and busy intersection.

Kayaking between our beach and a the beachside bar called 'Bob Marley'.

Update

The rain doesn't want to stay away.  We have occasional episodes of dry days, and even had blue skies yesterday.  This is an abnormally large volume of rain.  Should have been into the dry season before now.  We have been able to bike ride and went out in the kayak once.  No swimming yet though.

This morning at 6 we went for a bike ride.  Few cars and the air is still cool then.

Yesterday we went for a walk on our beach and were hopeful when we saw blue skies.  However, today is pouring rain.

A visit to my favourite Buddhist site (temples, pagodas)

Pagoda Khao Chedi is a Srivijaya-style chedi situated on a hill above Laem Sor.  Laem Sor Pagoda is a golden pagoda on a beach.  The pagoda on the hill is white.

The site conists of many statues of the Budda including a golden reclining Buddha, a pagoda, statues of monks, a baby Buddha, and a display of the Buddha sitting and teaching several monks sitting at his feet.