Ahoy, prospective island-hoppers and globetrotters! Let me paint you a picture of maritime adventure and the capricious whims of Mother Nature, as experienced by sea-bound voyagers aiming for the tropical haven of Koh Samui. On a sunny, yet tempestuous Sunday, the great expanse of emerald waves that is the Gulf of Thailand played host to a suspenseful scenario. The coast of Surat Thani province buzzed with anticipation, but alas, the seas had a different plan for our travelers.
The ocean, churning with untamed winds and towering surges, played gatekeeper to approximately 5,500 spirited souls, mainly Europeans, who were set on exploring the enchanting island of Koh Samui. These passengers, with dreams of golden beaches and coconut-laden palms, found themselves momentarily anchored in a sea of uncertainty as two majestic cruise liners, the Celebrity Solstice and the Diamond Princess, postponed their one-day sojourns on the island’s welcoming shores.
The Celebrity Solstice, brimming with 2,852 eager explorers, along with the Diamond Princess and her 2,670 adventurers, both voyaged from Singapore, accompanied by around 2,000 devoted crew members. Unfortunately, they faced Neptune’s bluster head-on, as the winds and waves deemed the smaller boats unfit to ferry these island dreamers to Koh Samui’s coastal bliss.
In a twist of seafaring luck, the day prior saw the Norwegian Jewel disgorge about 1,800 European tourists who successfully navigated the capricious sea aboard petite boats, securing a taste of the island’s legendary allure. Following closely in their wake, Monday promised to bring yet another flotilla, the MS Westerdam, bearing 2,000 more seekers of sand and sun.
Suthin Prompalat, warden of the majestic Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park, with a cautious eye on the whimsical waves, wisely waved off visits to the breathtaking archipelago nestled within Koh Samui’s district. These island jewels were to remain untouched from Friday to Monday, a respectful nod to the sea’s mighty roar.
While adventure beckoned, safety ruled the waves — Kanrawee Sitthicheewapak, the director-general of the Meteorological Department, served as the harbinger of nautical caution, prophesying waves of 2-4 meters. He earnestly advised that all small vessels should cling to the embrace of the mainland during this turbulent period.
Though the vagaries of the ocean may have delayed their escapades, the cruising congregation’s spirits remained unbroken, knowing full well that the treasured isle would await them in calmer tides. Koh Samui, with its siren’s call, still sings a balmy lullaby to those who traverse the waters to bask in its tropical splendor.
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