Personal Picture Gallery
Many readers have asked to see more of the photographs I share in my newsletters as - for some reason - they express an interest in my life, so I thought I would add a gallery here and expand the content over time.
All the images and videos were snapped on my trusty Samsung smartphone (Galaxy S7 Edge) and no effects have been added. They are not meant to be taken more seriously than holiday snaps and are not pro quality but I think they show how picturesque this area can be.
This first short video clip was taken June 2019 from a scruffy beach restaurant that serves really good food in Thong Krut, a fishing village on the south coast of Samui, not far from my rented house. The music was playing as I had a banana smoothie and watched the world go by. I was suffering from concussion at the time after a nasty fall.
All the images and videos were snapped on my trusty Samsung smartphone (Galaxy S7 Edge) and no effects have been added. They are not meant to be taken more seriously than holiday snaps and are not pro quality but I think they show how picturesque this area can be.
This first short video clip was taken June 2019 from a scruffy beach restaurant that serves really good food in Thong Krut, a fishing village on the south coast of Samui, not far from my rented house. The music was playing as I had a banana smoothie and watched the world go by. I was suffering from concussion at the time after a nasty fall.
Thong Krut, Koh Samui
Many of the traditional long-tail fishing boats have been repurposed as tourist transport to explore the nearby tropical islands of Koh Tan and Koh Mudsum. The bay is very shallow and the beach not suitable for sun worshippers or swimmers. This is really a working 'port' and the fishermen who still operate in the area provide several local restaurants with excellent seafood.
Click on the first photograph (any of them in fact, except panoramic ones) if you would like to see the images in their full glory in a slideshow:
Many of the traditional long-tail fishing boats have been repurposed as tourist transport to explore the nearby tropical islands of Koh Tan and Koh Mudsum. The bay is very shallow and the beach not suitable for sun worshippers or swimmers. This is really a working 'port' and the fishermen who still operate in the area provide several local restaurants with excellent seafood.
Click on the first photograph (any of them in fact, except panoramic ones) if you would like to see the images in their full glory in a slideshow:
Panoramic view of the pier at Thong Krut
Why Samui?
I moved overseas from the UK in 2001, firstly to Mallorca, Spain and then came on holiday from there to Koh Samui, Thailand in 2004. I stepped off the plane at the most beautiful airport in the world (that I've seen, anyway) and felt immediately at home.
For around ten years from 2008 I lived in Phuket as my business was there - until disaster struck in 2012 (I may post a blog/article/newsletter about that later) - and recently decided to return to the much more laid back island of Samui, my spiritual home.
For many years when I lived in England, I was a workaholic, commuting 50 miles each way, each day into the heart of London, working a stupid number of hours with little time for myself or my family, and no time for creative writing. When I had the opportunity to change my lifestyle I decided I would live somewhere corporate suits like me tend to go on vacation after saving hard all year.
Having lived for my holidays abroad, working my socks off to earn enough money to spend three or four weeks relaxing overseas each year, I downshifted to paradise and have not looked back. The images on this page will give you some idea of why I made the transition from high-flying CEO to 'beach bum' pauper-author.
Incidentally, in 2018, I travelled a fair bit around Asia too, so will add some images from my time in Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar and Bali when I have a moment - if enough readers ask for more.
Meanwhile, this initial gallery will give you some idea of why I chose to live in my new home (June 2019) in Samui not too far from the sea - and yes, I do realise how lucky I am...
I moved overseas from the UK in 2001, firstly to Mallorca, Spain and then came on holiday from there to Koh Samui, Thailand in 2004. I stepped off the plane at the most beautiful airport in the world (that I've seen, anyway) and felt immediately at home.
For around ten years from 2008 I lived in Phuket as my business was there - until disaster struck in 2012 (I may post a blog/article/newsletter about that later) - and recently decided to return to the much more laid back island of Samui, my spiritual home.
For many years when I lived in England, I was a workaholic, commuting 50 miles each way, each day into the heart of London, working a stupid number of hours with little time for myself or my family, and no time for creative writing. When I had the opportunity to change my lifestyle I decided I would live somewhere corporate suits like me tend to go on vacation after saving hard all year.
Having lived for my holidays abroad, working my socks off to earn enough money to spend three or four weeks relaxing overseas each year, I downshifted to paradise and have not looked back. The images on this page will give you some idea of why I made the transition from high-flying CEO to 'beach bum' pauper-author.
Incidentally, in 2018, I travelled a fair bit around Asia too, so will add some images from my time in Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar and Bali when I have a moment - if enough readers ask for more.
Meanwhile, this initial gallery will give you some idea of why I chose to live in my new home (June 2019) in Samui not too far from the sea - and yes, I do realise how lucky I am...
Spicy beef salad and very hot fish curry - 'aroy' means delicious in Thai!
Want to see more? Let me know and I will do my best to oblige!
Panoramic composite view of Bang Por beach to the north of Samui looking towards Koh Phangan