July 17: On to KL

We had wanted to try to get up to Bangkok at least and see the big crazy city. However, we were so sick – we really didn’t want to risk being in such a hectic and hot place in that condition. So we stayed at Samui a little longer than we would have. Today we were to head out on a flight back to Malaysia to Kuala Lumpur (known by Malaysian’s as KL).

There was a bit of challenge getting good airlines tickets. We found out about some cheap flights with Berjaya Airlines, but you couldn’t really buy the tickets online.

I used Skype to try to call some local offices around Thailand but was definitely having language barrier issues. We ended up buying a little bit pricier tickets from a travel office across the street from the hotel.

Probably looking back we could have saved a fair amount of money if we took buses and ferries and didn’t fly around so much. But there is a little bit of hassle and risk (of theft) involved in these routes and we just didn’t want to deal with it.

We flew out of the Koh Samui airport.

I have to comment on this. It was probably the most unique and beautiful airport I have seen. It was all outdoors for the most part. There were roofs to cover from rain, but it was all open-air from the check in area, to where you pick up your bags when you arrive. There are beautiful gardens, bamboo walls and roofs, nice fountains. Apparently it has won some design awards.

More pics of Samui and the airport can be found here.

We arrived in KL and awaited my friend Aida at the airport. This is another one of my old friends from Purdue that I met somehow through dancing. I actually haven’t seen or talked to her (besides the occasional email) for I dunno, 5 years?!

Aida picked us up and took us to a little restaurant near our house for some nice, cheap Malay food. It was a 24 hour “Denny’s” type place. Sorry no pancakes, eggs, and such though.