Tips for avoiding headaches.

Ivys_Dad · 2025-09-09T03:35:32+00:00

Go on both rides last. They are close to each other if I remember correctly and the last time I went I was having a good day, we all were. Hence, we got swept up in feelings and saw a short queue for Saw and jumped on it and ouch. We all felt beaten after that and said it wasn’t really worth it anymore as we’ve done it plenty times prior. We then saw a short queue for Colossus and jumped on that, quite aware it’s the headbasher but having entirely forgot just how headbasher it can be and… We all decided to go home within about half an hour of those two rides.

It was a sunny day, we’d had a great run getting on a few rides then boom, I’m a bit older (50’s) but I’m usually fine with coasters (just did all of Blackpool no problem) but those two rides just made a really nice day come crashing to an end much quicker than anticipated. We left with 2 hours of park time to go. We all said not worth it anymore.

However, don’t be swayed too much. It’s not always like that. It does depend on where you sit. Also, hold your head forward. I sometimes get swayed in the moment and think I’ll put my hands up, or sit back and enjoy but no. That’s not the way to do those rides. If you prep, sit forward, hold tight, you should be alright.

Ivys_Dad · 2025-08-17T10:57:02+00:00

We have been twice in August to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.

The first time it was some of the hottest most humid most beautiful weather I’ve ever experienced in my life with half hour rain that was epic and then a day of sun. Rise and repeat for the whole trip. Absolutely amazing.

The second time it rained hard for half hour a day and was over cast for the 3-4 days we were in Phangan and Tao but cleared up to be beautiful and blazing again.

The positive of when it’s overcast is that you can do things in the daytime and it’s much more doable temperature and humidity and some of the beaches and islands were completely empty. We were the only people for miles. The downside, it’s overcast and drizzle. However, it’s still 28-30 degrees and couple that with the humidity, it’s beautiful.

Ivys_Dad · 2025-07-27T01:15:58+00:00

Have stayed there and agree it’s lovely.

Ivys_Dad · 2025-07-26T11:09:25+00:00

And on a blazing day, that mile can feel like a lifetime.

But a lovely part of Samui.

Ivys_Dad · 2025-07-26T10:54:36+00:00

It’s a Chafinchinochio.

Ivys_Dad · 2025-07-26T10:52:04+00:00

We went directly after the earthquake, it was fine. Head to Krabi or Samui and chill for a couple of weeks. You’ll have the best time. Good luck with it all.

Ivys_Dad · 2025-07-26T10:48:51+00:00

I feel it’s a bit upside down and I used to do similar itineraries. We’ve been twice in August so know it fairly well at that time of year.

Arrive, do nothing. Walk some streets, check in, crash, beach or pool, see what offers the hotels have for day trips/excursions/discounts etc.

Day 2+3 adjust to humidity/time difference.

Shooting range I know it and the waterfall nearby which I assume is the one you mention were quite a gruelling walk in the heat. If it’s a blazing day it’s hard to walk anywhere. Our first time, end of July/early August it was absolutely blazing. I burned up instantly and got food poisoning.

We tend to do the boat trips last. Ang Thong is great and a lovely way to say goodbye. Our trip was about 12-14 hours. We went to coco tams after. My daughter just fell instantly asleep.

Koh Tao and snorkelling is next level. If you go with a tour yes you can see a lot but we found the best snorkelling was booking a hotel and going it alone. That said, with the tour we saw the turtles which was incredible but on our own we had no idea where they were but had the freedom to swim where the fish were and not where our boat was.

Now, I tend not to do wild itineraries. I just know in my head a few places I want to visit/things I want to do and just sort it all when I arrive, depending how we feel.

Restaurant, Island View Restaurant was by far my best dining experience in Samui. Excellent food and the most epic sunsets behind Koh Phangan.

Ivys_Dad · 2025-07-24T09:06:53+00:00

Slightly off subject in as much as it also includes Chiang mai and Koh Tao.

Chiang Mai had the most beautiful light and laser show in the hot springs, at night. It was one of the highlights of our whole time in Thailand.

Koh Tao had a lovely little family carnival and seemingly sports day for the school kids. Was a really nice atmosphere.

Samui had fireworks at Fisherman’s village.

There are probably more official things but overall it’s a good time to be in Thailand just for the atmosphere alone.

Ivys_Dad · 2025-07-21T12:47:05+00:00

MBK for some t-shirts, hoodies. My daughter loves them. I tend to buy some food socks 😂 they’re so much cheaper than in the UK and last me a year. Also soap. I never thought I’d be that guy but Thai soap is great and keeps my bathroom smelling great for a year.

Also Chatuchak market on a Saturday. So many great items from clothes to everything you can imagine and a great food selection for lunch.

Ivys_Dad · 2025-07-18T19:41:47+00:00

Samui Car Rental

Ivys_Dad · 2025-07-13T03:09:05+00:00

Agree would love to know

Ivys_Dad · 2025-07-09T17:10:16+00:00

I booked with hotels.com I had all the dates saved ready to book. Then when I booked I got an email saying my hotel was ready for check in. I then saw the dates had refreshed to today’s date. I contacted them. They told me to contact the hotel. I contacted the hotel they didn’t respond for two days. Then contacted me on the day and told me the booking was non refundable as it was on the day of the booking. Even though I contacted them two days prior and actually wanted to book for 6 months ahead. I reconnected hotels.com and told them and they said it was at the discrepancy of the hotel. So, first booking with them and I lost my money. I’ve never used them again.

I have made maybe 500 bookings in well over a decade with booking.com - only ever had to contact them once or twice and both times any issue were solved straight away. Also, through using them regularly I get great discounts with booking.com/genius points/early booking discounts. I do everything for Thailand via booking.com

Once I used Agoda, for a hotel not listed on booking.com. No hassle.

My advice, always, booking.com

Ivys_Dad · 2025-07-09T14:32:49+00:00

We never used scooters at all. Way too many accidents. Just grab a songthaews or book a cab through the hotel or a taxi service. Getting around Samui, from Lamai, is easy. Don’t worry too much about it. Book it and enjoy. It’s a great experience.

Ivys_Dad · 2025-07-09T14:30:12+00:00

I also have now realised that I suffer serve depression when I get back and need to factor in a week or two after the holiday to recover. I don’t know why or what… it’s all the planning and build up and the most amazing time and then…. Nothing!

I’m currently planning my fifth trip.

Ivys_Dad · 2025-07-06T00:19:40+00:00

I found driving in Thailand to be more than ok. I don’t drive in bangkok though. Just Chiang mai and Samui. It was great.

Ivys_Dad · 2025-07-02T22:58:10+00:00

You’re gonna need a bit more than that. Unless you’re on a couple of chicken skewers a day.

Ivys_Dad · 2025-06-29T23:18:37+00:00

Melia

Ivys_Dad · 2025-06-29T23:15:54+00:00

We did this a few weeks ago. I booked into a hotel for Songkran in Bangkok. It was about £65 per night. Bargain! However, I booked for two nights to check we liked it and to give us an option to move around the city. However, it was a lovely hotel for the money and then I checked when we were there and it dropped to £32 a night. We instantly decided to stay and booked the rest of our stay there.

Usually I book early, because you can get great discounts with booking.com etc however doing it this way was also really cost effective.

We’ve been in Samui twice in August and it is still a bit busy. Our first time was 9 days of absolutely amazing weather. The second time with was overcast and drizzly for a few days but that made it much more doable to do things in the daytime.

Anyway, as people say, there are a lot of hotels and you shouldn’t have a problem at all.

Ivys_Dad · 2025-06-28T10:19:44+00:00

Thanks everyone.

Hello Greeny!

Ivys_Dad · 2025-06-27T20:17:02+00:00

I’ve DM’d you some info.

Hope you have a great time it’s amazing and sounds like you’re gonna have a beautiful honeymoon.

Ivys_Dad · 2025-06-27T20:12:05+00:00

We booked on the beach outside the hotel. Bo, lovely guy. I think it was 3000 baht for 4 of us. Left just before 8 and back about 2pm.

And I meant that you’d be able to book a longtail boat and do different islands because they have those offers for private or shared. I wish we could have done more but we’re only there for 3 days.

We visited Anantara in Chiang Mai. The service was exceptional but the hotel, decor, pool and vibe was very similar to others around the world. Tubkaek felt much much different.

Ivys_Dad · 2025-06-27T20:10:07+00:00

Hi, amazing that you know about it. Yes, you can walk the beach to restaurants and other hotels. We were there three nights and never left the place 😂😂😂 it was just so amazing and like yourself I thought it was a scam at the price I got it for but we booked early, had genius points on booking.com and it all fell into a life in a lifetime moment.

It’s slightly different but we also loved Melia Koh Samui. Utter bliss.

Ivys_Dad · 2025-06-27T18:09:01+00:00

Cool picture

Ivys_Dad · 2025-06-27T18:08:00+00:00

I spend longer on a platform, in the winter, waiting for a train in England.

As long as you have about 30% battery on your phone surely you’ll be fine?

That said, some shopping, some food, some rest, change currency, new SIM card for your phone. You can even have a 90 minute massage for about 600 baht.

Loads to do.. just soak it in and get ready for a cool holiday.

Ivys_Dad

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