Big Buddha of Koh Tan

On a trip to the island of Koh Samui in Thailand, I took a small boat excursion to the much smaller island of Koh Tan. This is really just an island for tourists with few locals living here. But, as I was traveling during the pandemic, tourists were all but nonexistent. So, this normally very busy island was anything but that.

After I exited the boat, I looked for my travel options. Yes, it was a small island but not so small I wanted to walk it. They rented golf carts there but no one greeted this sole traveler to offer their goods. I sought out a man who agreed to rent me one for about $5.00 USD.

Off I was to explore from the comforts of my golf cart! Well, there is really just one main attraction on this island of Koh Tan and that is the Big Buddha located at the highest point of the island.

Typically they put statues of Buddha in the highest, most prominent places. I expect it is done out of respect. But certainly this statue had the best view from all of the island:

After securing my golf cart it was about a 10 minute drive to the foot of this steep hill. From there I exited the vehicle and walked the well worn path to the top. It was a fairly strenuous 15 minute walk to the summit.

Koh Samui is a very, very popular tourist area in Thailand. This excursion from Koh Samui is also a very popular one. Although there were few tourists, the locals who lived there still were offering their services to anyone who would venture their way. I was very fortunate to be able to experience this place in a once in a multi lifetime situation. I know during normal tourist times I would never make this trip and compete with the crowds.

More pictures from the top:

I kept my personal Buddha company on top of the hill for about 15 minutes, then I trekked back down. I enjoyed these views for a short period, but Buddha looks at it all day every day. I'm sure he welcomes the relief of the wayward stranger. (Ok not so wayward during normal times).

These were rare times of travel during the pandemic. I don't wish this on the world in any way. But there were certain things a traveler could take advantage of during these times.

I will remember these two shutdown years as the years of extraordinary travel. It took some quarantine time to enjoy it, but that was not any hardship. I mean, if you've got the time and the points for free travel, it was not really much of a burden.

Ok, time to say goodbye to my friend!