Nestled in the Gulf of Thailand lies a beautiful tropical island that holds a very special place in my heart: Koh Samui. This enchanting island has been woven into the fabric of my family’s story for over three decades.
Thirty years ago, my adventurous parents set off on their first backpacking journey to Southeast Asia. They explored many countries, but Thailand captivated them—particularly the island of Koh Samui. Arriving with no fixed plans, they were dropped off on a dirt road, determined to find the cheapest accommodation with their large packs in tow. At the end of that road stood a small resort called The Montien House. They were greeted warmly by a kind lady, only to discover that a room cost $30 per night—a bit steep for budget travelers. Unfazed, my parents decided to look elsewhere, only to find there was nowhere else to go. They turned back, and Ying, the kind lady, welcomed them once again with open arms and a smile. Little did they know that this simple decision would mark the beginning of a lifelong connection.
A couple of summers later, my parents returned to the same resort on the same island. By now, they had forged heartfelt connections with the resort staff and Samui locals from their first visit. The Montien House became their home away from home, and their love for this special place grew, just as their love for each other did. On May 30th, 1999, they exchanged vows in a traditional Thai wedding ceremony. My mom looked nothing short of a Thai princess, a vision captured in a cherished photograph that still hangs in our home today.
Fast forward a few years, and they returned to Samui once again, but this time with two babies. My sister Arli was just four months old on her first trip, and I was three. Traveling with small children can be challenging, but our parents never let that stop them from introducing us to the world. It’s something for which we are eternally grateful.
Our first trip to Samui was a lengthy one—we lived at The Montien House in a small apartment-style room for nine months. During that time, we became part of the local community, making memories that would last a lifetime.
During those nine months, I attended preschool at Blue Water International School. Each morning, my father would take me there on the back of his motorbike. I can still vividly recall the cheerful yellow and blue uniforms we wore and the diverse, friendly faces of students from all around the world. These early school days in Koh Samui remain some of my most treasured childhood memories.
My family and I embraced the island life in Koh Samui with open hearts. When it was finally time to say goodbye to Thailand and return to Florida, it was bittersweet. We left with heavy hearts, carrying with us the cherished memories and the deep sense of comfort and belonging that Koh Samui had given us. The island had become a part of us, and its spirit remained long after we had gone.
Two years later, my parents planned another trip for our family. At ages five and two, my sister and I returned to Koh Samui, spending two blissful months there over our summer holiday. This second visit marked the beginning of a cherished family tradition, as we continued to return every two years.
When I was 15 years old, we visited Samui once again. This particular trip stands out in my memory because it was the moment I truly fell in love with the island myself. I was finally old enough to appreciate all that Samui had to offer – the vibrant culture, the stunning beaches and the warm, welcoming community. It was during that visit that Koh Samui became more than just a family tradition; it became a personal passion.
As I mentioned before, this tradition of returning to Samui happened every two years. However, at age 16, that summer was different. I missed Samui so much after we left that I told my father how I wished we could return that upcoming summer instead of waiting another year.
One day during third period of my sophomore year of high school, I once again sent a text to him about my homesickness for Samui. This time, his response was different: “How about you find a couple of friends and go on your own this summer?” My jaw dropped. I couldn’t believe what I was reading. Was he really suggesting that his 16-year-old daughter embark on a journey to Thailand with friends, but without him?
My heart raced as I reread his message. The idea of navigating Samui with friends, without parental supervision, was both exhilarating and terrifying. This wasn’t just about missing Samui anymore; it was about the possibility of experiencing it in a whole new way, and I could hardly wait.
Earlier that school year, I had taken my first trip without my parents, to Ireland. However, that adventure was quite different. It was organized by my favorite high school teacher, who led a group of 20 students, including myself and two of my closest friends, on a 10-day trip to Europe.
When he suggested I ask a few friends, I immediately knew who my options would be, given our previous trip: Leandra and Reegan.
I immediately texted our group chat to share the unbelievable news. “Hey girls, I know it sounds crazy, but do you think your parents would let us go to Thailand for a month by ourselves this summer?”
Leandra texted back, saying she already had prior summer commitments. But Reegan, on the other hand, began to consider what a life-changing experience it could be.
Fast forward about a month, and two tickets to Koh Samui, Thailand, were booked: one for me and one for Reegan.
I know this story might sound crazy and even risky, but Thailand truly feels like my home away from home. At The Montien House, I felt incredibly comfortable, surrounded by our second family who were always there to support us.
In June 2019, Reegan and I hugged our parents goodbye as we set off on our trip across the globe.
Two 16-year-old American girls successfully traveled to Thailand, where we spent a whole month in Samui. Our time there was filled with laughter, singing, dancing, exploring, and savoring our newfound freedom and independence.
Each day, we would wake up, have breakfast, attend Muay Thai kickboxing classes, enjoy the beach and pool, make new friends, take evening walks, have dinner, and then repeat the cycle the next day.
After a month on our own in Samui, we shed a few tears when it was time to say goodbye. It was truly one of the most amazing experiences of my life, one I will never forget. That trip deepened my love for exploring the world and highlighted the life-changing moments that come with traveling independently.
In 2020, my family and I were set to return for the summer, but unfortunately, our trip was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
We weren’t able to return to Samui until 2022. I will never forget the day we arrived back on the island—everything was closed, and Samui felt like a ghost town. It was heartbreaking to see the locals struggling due to the loss of tourism.
Despite some of our friends having left the island and many of our favorite spots being closed, we still thoroughly enjoyed our time there. The beach was silent and serene, the roads were clear, and the usual crowds of tourists had vanished.
Experiencing Samui in such tranquility was unique and special. By the end of the month, the island began to regain some momentum as tourists started to return, and things slowly began to open back up.
My family and I returned home to Florida, marking our calendars for our next visit to Samui, which took place this past summer of 2024.
On June 11th, we arrived back in Samui and had the most amazing trip. My sister Arli and I spent much of our time exploring unfamiliar parts of the island. Each day, we made it a routine to relax in the ocean and watch the sky transition from dusk to night.
We indulged in mouthwatering foods every day and sipped delicious fruit shakes while lounging by the pool.
We attended Muay Thai kickboxing lessons with our trainer of six years and even watched him compete in a professional match. We reconnected with nature by exploring trails and waterfalls and spent a day with the elephants at Samui Elephant Spa, where we fed, bathed, and bonded with ten gentle giants.
We took a traditional Thai cooking class where we helped our chef make our favorite dishes, including green curry with chicken, fried rice, and mixed vegetables.
We spent time with our favorite Thai friends, including our dear friend Aoy, who was my parents’ “first baby” and now has a baby of her own, whom we absolutely adore.
We rode on the back of our dad’s motorbike to local Thai markets, where we picked up tasty treats and snacks like pork skewers and fresh fruit.
We made new friends and danced until dawn under the full moon at the Full Moon Party on the neighboring island of Koh Phangan.
We also visited the iconic Eranda Spa for the best massage we’ve ever had. And above all, we spent cherished time with our parents in our favorite place in the world.
Samui will always be our home away from home. One day, it might even become our first home, as we plan to own a place there in the future and share its magic with our own families, just as ours did for us.
Thank you for reading. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to share a small part of my family’s unique history with you.
Xoxo, Addi
