Dining on the Rocks, Snorkeling Koh Tao and Lunch at Sabeinglae

On one of the nights in Koh Samui, we went to dinner at the beautiful and quiet and very romantic Six Senses restaurant, Dining on the Rocks, where our table was set dramatically at the edge of a cliff overlooking smooth boulders.  The light of a full moon flitted over the glass surface of the ocean, which lapped quietly at the shore, providing a soothing backdrop to the lulls in our conversation. 

The food looked like art. 

The tuna amuse bouche.

The shrimp and scallop ceviche, artfully served on a plate of smoking seashells.

The grilled sea bass, in a fragrant broth.

We also went on a full day excursion to Koh Tao, one of the islands near Koh Samui, which is known for its abundant, beautiful snorkeling sites.  The first place we went was called the Japanese Gardens, and it was one of the best snorkeling sites I've done in a while, in its sheer breadth and variety of coral and fish.  We were probably in the water for an hour and a half or so, before we all returned to the boat for a hearty, tasty, home-cooked Thai meal.

After that, we motored to the other side of the island, where we again dropped anchor and snorkeled for another hour.  The second site was equally impressive, and I saw two medium sized stingrays, so translucent under water that they appeared milky and reflective, as if a mother of pearl film coated them.  Sadly, I missed the barracuda and the reef shark.  Overall, we couldn't have been more pleased with the snorkeling excursion.  They picked us up and took us home, door to door service, provided unlimited food and drink and fresh fruit, and were attentive and kind.  One of the guides took Michael's mom on a personal excursion, holding and guiding her, ensuring that she was able to see all the flora and fauna without coughing or snorting saltwater.  It was really wonderful, and, to my great relief, there was no stinging plankton in Thailand!

Finally, on our last day in Thailand, we went to Sabeinglae for a big lunch.
I had previously been to this restaurant for dinner.

The food was as fresh and tasty as I remembered it, but I think it's even better during the day because the view is stunning and adds to the atmosphere.

Color coordinated!