Each of the many beaches here in Samui seem to have a "character" and Mae Nam, where I moved today is still known as the backpacker's beach. Quite close to the ferry to Koh Phangan, it may have grown up as a before and after place around the huge Full Moon party there. It's yet another long curve of sand on the north of the island with a spectacular view of the other islands. Development is low key and like of all Koh Samui, low rise. A hotch potch of small local hotels, all on the beach and not a five star amongst them. There are a lot of beach bungalows, and a few places that have been developed just a bit more. I am at the Florist Hotel, and the old SE Asian language continues to dominate. Logging on to the wifi network you click on "Frorist". Family owned by people who unsurprisingly used to own a florist business, it's a nice little place, rustic, but the rooms have all mod cons and are clean with a nice stylish bathroom. The website pictures though are a masterclass in Photoshop.... The location is great. A few minutes up the road behind the hotel is the main island ring road where the local songtheows are plentiful, but it's far enough away that you don't hear it. There are also lots of little shops and restaurants and the very useful 7Eleven. On the beach there are also a few nice looking beach restaurants within walking distance and close together so no problem in the dark. And all for £35 a night, in my "deluxe room" at the edge of the pool with free wifi and included breakfast.
But it is said breakfast that made me sorry for the group of French people who are here - not an emotion I am used to! The two things the French pride themselves on to start the day is decent, fresh bread from the baker and a good coffee. Well the bread may have been fresh at one time before it was processed, sliced, wrapped in plastic and frozen, ready to be put, still with the ice crystals into the ancient turquoise toaster. And the coffee, well, dipping a glass cup in to a bucket of hot water, then adding some congealed crystals of Makro own label instant with a bit of long life milk hardly qualifies as a Parisian cafe au lait..... Bless 'em, they all sat there sipping away at a glass of black tea looking horrified! But it might be a backpacker breakfast, but certainly not a backpacker view, how lucky am I to be sipping my albeit instant coffee on the warm sands with a view like this....
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