After breakfast, we went to book the buggy trip we had been looking at the day before. We had first asked about the trip which included Koh Samui elephant trekking without realizing it included this, so we wanted to know how much it was without this activity. Turns out it was 2200 with and about 2000 without for the two of us so was a no-brainer and we booked 45min buggy adventure up to the big Buddha including 30 mins elephant trekking.
We now had about an hour to get ready before the Minibus arrived to take us to the activities. Elephant trekking was first and was really good, much better than what we had previously done. Was a bit concerned at first as the elephant just ran up on its own to collect us and we were told to get on. luckily Jambo seemed to know what he was doing, that was the name of the elephant! Plus the guide did appear but stayed on foot to take us around. We even got the option to leave the chair and ride on the neck of the elephant which I think the elephant is supposed to prefer. Anyway, Sarah bottled it and let me have the pleasure!
Buggy adventure
Next it was time to do the buggy adventure, we got into the vehicle and set off after the guide, we did about 10 mins(at the most) on a dirt course which wasn’t too bad although there was a lot of steep section that the 200cc buggy was really not powerful enough to tackle at any great speed. Then it was onto the road up to the Buddha, this was even more of a struggle and had to weave side to side to keep up enough speed to get up the steepest sections.
We then had 20 minutes to look around the Buddha and take photos etc. The Buddha is massive and may be quite impressive when it is finished, at the moment though it is all covered in scaffolding and still being built/repaired, still worth a look though!
Anyway, the buggy adventure hadn’t been that good so far but hopefully, the next leg will make up for it…..or maybe not!!! We trundled back down the hill using nothing but the brake. Luckily we carried on past the starting point so there was still hope, but this was soon dashed as we pulled in a little further down the road and apparently that was it. Turns out the 20 mins at the Buddha was all part of the 45 minutes, hmmm won’t be doing that again!
Luckily the elephant trekking which we did not even know was included was probably worth the cost on its own plus getting up to the big budda, so, all in all, it was another good day Koh Samui.
