Emily writes · Koh Samui, Thailand · 23–25 September 2025
We spent four nights at the Sarann Hotel in Koh Samui. Most days were beaches, swims, walks along the coast, and food from small stalls. The infinity pool looked straight over the ocean. The hot tub in our room did not hurt either.
It was the first time in ages that I, Emily, had nothing I was supposed to be doing. We had submitted our US visa application just before arriving. No tasks. No deadlines. No work. I found that surprisingly difficult at first. Eventually I managed to read by the pool without inventing a job for myself.
Bryson did not have this problem because he decided to build this website. WordPress was not feeling cooperative. When he got tired of arguing with it, he drew.
He also made friends with the bird that visited breakfast every day and two beach dogs called Bernie and Sandy. The dogs may or may not have been expecting puppies. It is rude to assume. I was less taken with the bird trying to eat my food, or with dogs whose vaccination history we did not know.
On Thursday we took the free hotel bus to Central Samui. I found some good value pearls. Bryson found coloured leads for his mechanical pencil and was much more excited than anyone should be. We also took the obligatory White Lotus photo because we had been watching season three, which was filmed on the island.
One evening we ate coconut ice cream on the beach while fire dancers performed in front of us. That probably counts as romantic.
Thank you, Koh Samui.
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