4th July Getaway: Koh Samui to Penang

• Introduction
• Getting to EWR
• Newark to Singapore
• Singapore to Koh Samui
• KC Beach Club Koh Samui
• Conrad Koh Samui
• Koh Samui to Penang
• Penang to Macau (via Hong Kong)
• Conrad Macau
• Macau to Taipei
• Taipei to Austin

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Ko Samui Airport has got to be one of the most unique airports.  Most of the airport is open air, i.e. no air conditioning but the great design that keeps reminding you that you're on vacation makes up for the heat. There's also a strip mall landside for some last minute souvenir shopping, massages and Thai food. We weren't particularly hungry but since we still had an hour or so till departure and we were "out massaged", we killed time enjoying a last Pad Thai and fresh coconut water.

After passing through security, we found out that our flight was delayed for 45 minutes. The wait wasn't fun without air-conditioning but thankfully we found lounge that accepted Priority Pass. There were a couple of snacks and even some ala carte options like Pad Thai and noodles. I enjoyed a couple of beers but more importantly we were in the comfort of an air-conditioned room. We would have headed straight here if we had known about the lounge.

The other unique thing about Koh Samui airport is that there are no aerobridges so everyone is bussed to the plane on some rather unique "trolleys". We had to stop for a couple of minutes on the way to the plane to give way to a Bangkok Airways Airbus that just landed.

Our Firefly flight to Penang was operated by a ATR-700 which was one of my favorite plane for a a short hop due to it's 2-2 seating. The two hour flight was uneventful with a round of drinks, nuts and pastries being offered.