An unexpected gem

[flossie009]

Sometimes something unexpected occurs on a cruise which is better than expected. Yesterday on Explorer was one such time.

The original itinerary for this cruise included Ko Samui, Thailand.

When the itinerary was changed in August 2022 to remove Chinese ports, Ko Samui also disappeared. Very disappointing.

Koh Kut-Kood island was added to the itinerary, but with no excursions.

Later two excursions were made available; both using the facilities of a beach resort on the island

At the start of this cruise segment the excursions were cancelled, so things didn’t look at all promising for this stop.

 

Yesterday we anchored off the island. In the morning the seas were too rough for tendering, but at midday the Captain announced that tender operations would start.

Many stayed on board but some of us ventured on shore to find an idyllic white sandy beach, with warm shallow waters.

Some of the F&B team also went ashore to provide drinks and snacks.

So what looked to be a bust actually turned into a very enjoyable afternoon. Wish we could have stayed longer.

 

You just never know how things will turn out when cruising 😎

At present we are ploughing through 17ft seas on the way to Nha Trang in Vietnam. Since it is a tender port we are unlikely to get ashore unless the weather calms by morning 🤞

 

 

[flossie009]

Koh Kut-Kood Island

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[RachelG]

looks beautiful and just the sort of place George and I enjoy--not overly touristy, lots of natural beauty and white sand.

[puppyluv1]

Very beautiful. So glad you got to enjoy it!

[Gilly]

Here's hoping for calmer seas and safe tendering into Nha Trang - another lovely beach but hardly likely to be as beautifully deserted as Koh Kut Kood!

[Mudhen]

When life gives lemons, lemonade? or perhaps a Margaritta?!

Looked like a most wonderful stop!

[1982CruzStart]

Thanks Susan, great photos and looked like a wonderful afternoon.  Have a super cruise. 

[kjbacon]

Wow, that’s a great story with gorgeous pictures. Thank you!

[NCCruzQueen]

On 2/28/2023 at 12:53 PM, Mudhen said:

When life gives lemons, lemonade? or perhaps a Margaritta?!

Looked like a most wonderful stop!

 

@flossie009. So happy it turned into a wonderful experience.

 

@Mudhen My addition is Limoncello!!🧋

 

 

Edited March 1, 2023 by NCCruzQueen

[Zqueeze1]

Excellent result to what could have been a downer port.  All you needed was a little Thai Mehkong whiskey. Sawadee kap. 
 

Z and TB

[flossie009]

On 3/1/2023 at 12:41 AM, flossie009 said:

Since it is a tender port we are unlikely to get ashore unless the weather calms by morning

Surprisingly we did make it into Nha Trang, and can thoroughly recommend tour NHA-GL1 Life on the river

 

 

One of our two boats on the river trip 

 

 

Making the traditional Vietnamese conical hat

 

Intricate sewing of beautiful silk flower pictures

 

A wooden toll bridge for cycles & scooters. Much of the bridge has to be replaced every year after the rainy season when the river floods 

 

 

By the time our tour finished, the wind had risen in strength again making our tender trip back to Explorer an experience in itself 😉 

 

 

 

Edited March 2, 2023 by flossie009

[nigelc]

What a lovely looking island - thanks for the pictures.

[phil1107]

Do you know why Ko Samui was removed? I am curious since I will be there in April on Viking.

[flossie009]

4 hours ago, phil1107 said:

Do you know why Ko Samui was removed? I am curious since I will be there in April on Viking.

It was simply an unfortunate casualty when the itinerary was revised; as was Seoul in S Korea 🙁