Koh Samui: Finding Sunshine in the Storm

Leaving Khao Sok was harder than expected. We said heartfelt goodbyes to Coit and Mrs. Joy—friends we never would have met had we not traveled. That’s the magic of wandering: no matter the country, no matter the differences in background, when you’re open to new ways of living, friendships form. And those bonds, however brief, carry forward.

The journey to Koh Samui took about four hours: two van rides across the Thai countryside and a 90‑minute ferry ride. Being veteran ferry riders, Sonja and I settled right in, watching the water roll by. 

At the island, our taxi driver—a fun, energetic young Thai woman with perfect English—had us laughing the whole way. Palm trees, beach houses, ocean‑side shops… it felt like driving through Maui.

Then she turned into the driveway of the Anantara Bophut Resort & Spa, and suddenly we were in a world that looked straight out of The White Lotus. Three bellhops sprang into action, whisking away our bags before we could touch them. We were seated in a stunning lobby, handed ice‑cold fruit drinks, and treated with the kind of attention I only used to get when sent to the principal’s office—though this time it was all positive.

The surprise? A complimentary upgrade to a suite. I thought Sonja was going to fall out of her chair. When we toured the room, she was speechless—possibly the most luxurious hotel room she’d ever seen. We wandered the property, snapping photos, basking in the coddling of staff, and feeling like royalty.

And then Mother Nature decided we’d had enough joy.

A storm rolled in—not a Seattle drizzle, but a “hold onto your hat” kind of tempest. Wind, rain, lightning, thunder shaking the walls. From our third‑floor balcony, we watched the pool and ocean rise together under sheets of rain, the sky flashing spectacularly. It was beautiful, but also daunting. The forecast promised more storms. Our beach holiday of epic proportions seemed doomed.

The next morning, umbrella in hand, we headed to breakfast. Eggs, noodles, fried rice, fruit—you name it, it was there. And over that meal, Sonja and I looked at each other and decided: we were going to roll with the weather.

And that’s when the silver lining appeared.

The rain stopped. We walked the beach, dipped our feet into the Gulf of Thailand, sipped fruit drinks at seaside tables, and soaked in the peace between storms. Sonja swam in the pool while I worked on our travel videos. Those few hours became some of the best of the entire trip.

The Lesson For My Grandchildren

Life will throw storms at you—sometimes literally. Plans will change, expectations will be upended. But things are never as bad as they seem. If you stay patient, flexible, and open to joy, you’ll find silver linings even in the heaviest weather.

Koh Samui wasn’t what we expected. Mother Nature threw us a curveball. Yet by refusing to let the storm dictate our attitude, we discovered some of the most memorable moments of our journey.

That’s the gift of travel—and of life. Don’t dwell on the storm. Step outside, find the calm between the clouds, and you’ll carry home memories that shine brighter than the sun.

Coming Attractions

Today, we're flying back to Bangkok to spend a few days at a golf resort.  We've been feeling pretty confident lately and it's time to humble us and bring us back to earth with a few rounds of golf.  Then it's off to a new country...  Sri Lanka.  We're almost halfway through our "getting out of Seattle winter" excursion and the best is yet to come.