Koh Samui, Thailand

Visiting the island of Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand. White sands, coconut palms, lush vegetation. The  island's  traditionally been known for its coconuts and fishing.  These still exist but tourism is more important now. 

The market was full of wonderfully colourful and exotic fish that I didn't recognise and a range of spices and vegetables. A busy and bustling place.

The visit to the coconut plantation was interesting and we saw how the nut is hacked and sliced out of its casing.  Monkeys are trained to go up the palms and twist and knock the nuts to the ground. Humans also harvest the nuts in the same way (it's a very long way up)  or long poles are used to knock the coconuts to the ground, with the obvious accompanying hazard.  We drank the coconut water out of the nut just after it was harvested. I have bought coconut water  at home, in small cardboard packaging..   But this was much nicer.
 

The Buddhist temple Wat Phra Yai was really bright in the strong sunlight.  Our small tour group of 8 had a look around and 2 climbed the steps to the top where the Buddha was sitting, the best photos were taken from the bottom .. And it was so hot and humid we kept in the shade.

Very good guide who explained everything we saw and in such a small group we could all ask any questions that we liked.