1st to 5th February, 2024

Well, we are firmly into our routine – up around 0700, get Val her meds and wait for those to kick in, off to breakfast, back, digest, then to the gym for a 30 minute workout, then relax again. Maybe fit in a massage, a swim and definitely a cold coconut. A few games of Yahtzee (current position JB 507, VB 491 – a bit of daylight there), some fiendish Scrabble (Val doing well there) and then it is time for the major decision of the day – where to have supper.

The good news is that we are very relaxed. Val is still suffering with her knees to the extent that we paid a visit to the hospital, who took X-rays and put her on some anti-inflammatory pills. Her mouth ulcer is also still bothering her so we are off to the dentist tomorrow. Overall, the new pills that she has switched to for her Parkinson’s are working fairly well, though possibly not as well as the ones they have replaced. That said, she is not getting stomach cramps….. So mobility is a bit hit and miss at the moment, but we are managing.

As you can see we have been enjoying our pool…

We did have a bit of a drive yesterday, circumnavigating the island in an anti-clockwise direction. There are not a lot of ‘sights’ on Koh Samui and it certainly lacks an old Phuket Town. The west side is less developed, though there are some smart hotels in places, and is a bit more local and rural. We found some back roads which gave us more of a flavour of local life with a mix of housing from very grand to pretty basic. Lots of coconut palms.

We came across one sight, which is the rather odd Darsit Dhewa – Samui Cultural Centre. I have tried to find out more about it on the internet and have only managed to find this wonderful description. A bit long, but a terrific read!

Dusit Deva or Samui Cultural Center Fine Arts Center) is the result of many years of work by one very rich thai Khun Chat was passionate about collecting Southeast Asian items. In particular, costumes, figures and sculpture. Today it is one of the most interesting places on the island, in terms of authentic aesthetics and color. Favorite wedding place photographers and tourists that are not looking for souvenirs and spas, but the real beauty of Thailand.

The mansion is located in the depths of a quiet area of Lipa Noi, on the usual country road. It would be easy to slip, if not fantastic decor of the main entrance gate and unusual for Samui, stone fence along the road. Immediately opposite the gate there is a rather ample gravel parking about a dozen machines.

At the entrance to the territory there is a small kiosk-cash desk, in which Thais are on duty. The ticket price includes a cup of local drink. out of some blue flower, wet cold napkin for face and bag with something fruit. After talking with the cashier hurry to run through the gate – this is almost the most important beauty the whole cultural center.

The mansion in which the collection is stored, stands on natural the rocks. One edge, it adjoins the river, from which held drainage inside the room – the house has a small pool. Or rather even the entrance to the pool, because, ducking under the wall, you find yourself in an external reservoir with the bridge. Although I would not regard all this as swimming pool. Judging by the quality of water and size, it is rather a kind of pond for fish.

The area around the house is planted with flowers and fruit trees, There is a pavilion with a mountain of national outfits and decorations that stored here between holidays. In addition to the elegant gates and alleys bas-reliefs, there are two more pagodas in Balinese style, big an enclosure with peacocks, a suspension bridge over the river, and many statues deities and heroes of folklore Southeast Asia. All the statues, according to Khun Chatu, made by him personally.

History reference

Here I will give an approximate translation of the text from the plates, which hang at the entrance to the garden in Dusit Dhewa.

“Khun Chat from an early age was fascinated by the architecture of Thailand and He had a dream to get an education in this direction. However, by the requirement of parents, he had to go to the faculty of business and IT technology.

He did not leave his hobby, and devoted all his free time history and architecture of Thailand. And with the start of travel in Southeast Asia it interest has expanded. He visited culturally significant places, museums, antique shops while continuing to increase their knowledge base and collection of rare things.

When life was such that Khun Chat settled on Samui, it’s time to realize one of the collector’s ideas – a corner authentic beauty Southeast Asia. For this was chosen plot in the plain parts of the island, in the jungle, on the bank of a small river. Selling some real estate, Khun Chat added this money to their savings and built everything that you can see in Dusit Deva.

Everything was built only on his personal money and from local materials. The Government of Thailand and the administration of Samui, to Unfortunately, they did not help him in all this. ”

Information to visit

Open from 10 to 17 hours.

For the entrance charge 50 baht from the citizens of the Kingdom of Thailand, and 120 – with farang. Money from fees is allegedly transferred to local community to pay for education of children from poor families. Judging by the fact that Dusit Maiden is slowly declining – most likely really give.”

I am not sure when that article was written, but we either missed quite a bit (the mansion, the pagodas) or they are no longer there or buried so deep in the jungle that it is not obvious where they are. The whole thing was rather odd, with loads of lighting and cables left lying around. It looked as if they had just had an event or something. The lady at the kiosk did not speak any English (and as you might have guessed it, we don’t speak Thai), so it will remain a mystery.

We travelled on, stopping by a pier for the inevitable arty photo…

We did make a stop at what are known as Grandmother’s and Grandfather’s Rocks, which were of mild interest. It was at least an excuse for a welcome coconut!

And other than driving up the west side of the island along the main, not much else to report.

More soon – assuming something happens…..