But First… Koh Samui & Regretful Ice Choices

On our 6:30 am trip to the airport, Kim got tips from a Minnesotan mom: Dramamine for the upcoming boat ride. Spoiler: We forgot ours and panic-bought at the airport.

Lucked out with a fabulous last-minute deal on a  sweet beachfront hotel in Koh Samui! Fortunately for you, these are photos only—no construction noise included.

Dinner at a Michelin-recognized spot, (with excellent taste in automotive memorabilia) was a win. Kim’s salted fish curry was perfect. Rob’s third-choice salad? Spicy as hell. But the real highlight? Kim watching Rob sip sparkling water over ice before casually asking, 

"You're that trusting of their ice, huh?"

Lost in Koh Tao: A Culinary and Scuba Adventure (with Extra Noise and Rain!)

There’s nothing quite like waking up to the sound of waves—unless, of course, you’re also waking up to construction noise, random fireworks, and a bed as firm as a Thai massage table. Welcome to Koh Tao, where the diving is questionable, the food is incredible, and the island’s national sport is dodging motorbikes on cobblestone streets.

What was supposed to be a short, level walk from the pier to our hotel quickly turned into an uphill battle. Literally. Whoever wrote that "mostly level" description clearly never lugged a suitcase up that hill in the midday sun. Lesson learned: we are absolutely getting a ride back.

Our accommodations at DD Hut Hotel? Let’s call them "rustic charm with a side of ants." The porch is a nice touch, but maybe—just maybe—install some screen doors? On the plus side, it’s walkable to everything, which is great because we needed to earn our cheesecake. (We stole our neighbours hammock when they left)

Scuba Diving: Murky Waters and Tiny Shrimp

Rob was up early for his Nitrox certification at Black Turtle Dive. First stop: Green Rock. Visibility? Garbage. Needed a torch during the day. Second dive: HMS Sattakut wreck, which Rob managed to hit his head on. (Don’t worry, it was just a glancing blow.) Instructor James was great, pointing out the tiniest of shrimp, but let’s be real—Rob has been spoiled by better dive sites. No more dives booked.

If the diving was disappointing, the food made up for it. (Uncle Jim & Karla may have made some different food choices) Highlights included:

Cattago! Dry-aged local fish? Incredible. Tom Yum soup? Worthy of a repeat visit.

995 Roasted Duck: Walked 20 minutes in the heat for it. Worth it? Meh. (Not even worthy of a pic)

Breeze Koh Tao: Killer coffee, amazing Shakshuka, and beach views.

Bai Toey Chicken Rice: ข้าวมันไก่ใบเตย - a true local joint. Sullen, perfunctory staff, rustic ambiance, several electrical code violations… but damn good Penang Curry! Still chasing that taste days later. 5 Stars (and multiple nose blows)

Family Kitchen: Last dinner on the island—steamed whole fish and crispy chicken curry right on the beach.

Rainstorms? Frequent. Our strategy? Act like locals—find shelter and wait. (Tourists on scooters? Good luck!). Construction noise? Non-stop. At one point, we gave up and put in earplugs and noise-canceling headphones.

Final Thoughts: Koh Tao was a mix of stunning views, great food, questionable diving, and way too many motorbikes. A solid spot to relax—if you don’t mind some construction noise and the occasional WiFi blackout.

Next stop: Koh Pha-Ngan. Let’s see what adventures (and food) await!

Koh Tao, Thailand - Motorbike Dodging & The Great Penang Curry Hunt