The journey, NOT the destination! 22 Hours From Bangkok to Samui

Рет қаралды 8,285

Balloon Chaser

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 74

@robertmehring5135 Ай бұрын

Loved it!!!! Can't wait to go myself!

@balloonchaser Ай бұрын

I'm sure you'll love it, Robert!

@GarNelson1 4 ай бұрын

Taking the Seahorse and doing a drive back is one of my Thailand bucket list items. Thanks for the reminder.

@balloonchaser 4 ай бұрын

That sounds great! To do a journey like that without flying would be really cool. Must admit, I'd fancy taking a car on the ferry and using it to tour Samui before heading back mainly by road. That's a plan!

@WanderlustReports 3 ай бұрын

I love the idea of taking the boat to Koh Samui. Currently on Koh Samui, I must admit I took the plane from U-Tapao. Beautiful and quite deserted island at the moment.

@balloonchaser 3 ай бұрын

Thanks. I flew back after making the video. I think going both ways probably takes too much time. But I'd highly recommend it as a one off or experience, or anyone transporting a car 😀

@ajherby7820 4 ай бұрын

I like how you quote Waldo.. is he the one from "Where's Waldo?" Now there's a joke that's probably only amusing to myself!! Great video as usual. Definitely would consider taking that trip once I have some time on my hands.

@balloonchaser 4 ай бұрын

His name was Ralph Waldo Emerson, but known as Waldo. Where's Wally was a book series named by its British creator. The name was changed to Waldo for North American audiences. Why they chose that name, I have no idea! Thanks for the comment. If you get the chance, I'm sure you'd enjoy the ferry!

@minimalistation 4 ай бұрын

Camera quality just amazing.............Tbh, I'm struggling to see the value for a one person capsule with communal showers for 3500b.I guess there are the scenic 2 hour views on the river..................loadsa pros for some wanting a mini cruise though......fun and entertaining vid as always.keep working on the dad jokes............!!

@balloonchaser 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for your positive comment. Those views were just made for filming! Originally, I planned to book a seat for 1500 baht. But they closed that option just prior to my trip. The capsules were only about half full when I went. Reduce the price to (say) 2000 baht and sell out makes more money for them, and feels better value for customers! Dad jokes is a fair description 😀

@JimmyCrangle Ай бұрын

It is much cheaper than Bangkok airways and also includes a bed for a night. Great way to travel to Samui

@schlossjazz 25 күн бұрын

i want to go on 15th but is already booked out...good job, thank you

@balloonchaser 25 күн бұрын

Thanks. I thought the next trip to Samui was 19th September, and they have a few capsules still available?

@farangtravels3956 4 ай бұрын

Love your wacky video ideas, very original 🎈 🏃🏼

@balloonchaser 4 ай бұрын

Nice of you to say so! Wacky is definitely a compliment in my book! 😀

@JimmyCrangle Ай бұрын

I sailed with them 3 times and it was excellent. Comfortable capsule type bed and good food. They do have to fix the internet. I don't know how much data i use so buying MB data is pointless. Let us buy time instead! Anyway, the most comfortable way to travel to Koh Samui and much cheaper than Bangkok airways.

@balloonchaser Ай бұрын

I agree with you completely, Jimmy. Apart from the lack of free [or understandable] internet provision, the service is pretty much faultless!

@johnflynn4923 4 ай бұрын

That was pretty cool - don't know if I could hack a capsule (probably wake everyone else up with my snoring!) but it's more or less the sea going version of the Orient Express :-)

@balloonchaser 4 ай бұрын

Thanks, John. I think the gentle sound of the engines probably just about drowned out my snoring! Definitely some lovely views to film on this trip!

@iandann8788 4 ай бұрын

interesting vid ,thanks

@balloonchaser 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for your supportive comment, Ian.

@reggie5 4 ай бұрын

looks like a great option. a good tip is to download some youtube videos to your phone so you can watch them offline - there is usually a button icon on each video. i do this for the plane to BKK. in fact, you might even find you already have some there.

@balloonchaser 4 ай бұрын

Thanks, Reggie. That's a great tip. Everyone should follow that advice! Especially videos from this channel! 😂

@scottnewton3089 4 ай бұрын

Yes! With free Chang and 100 go go dancers 😅

@balloonchaser 4 ай бұрын

I think I must have missed the free Chang!

@uwestark3959 Ай бұрын

The Seahorse ferry is a welcome alternative if you want travel with car between Bangkok and Koh Samui instead of taking the ferry between Donsak and Koh Samui and driving the road yourself. Well if you do this in one rush, you are faster but it’s exhausting. If you plan to stop and sleep in a hotel on the way you probably are not much faster. But I must criticize the WiFi. You can’t buy a flat rate, just some Mega or Gigabit, who knows how much you will need. Even the free Megabytes didn’t work very well. If this would work better and a WiFi flat rate would be available I would take the ferry every time when I take the car to Bangkok.

@balloonchaser Ай бұрын

You make an excellent point about travelling with a car. Taking the seahorse ferry isn't really that slow compared with having to break overnight. And it's probably a lot less stressful on seahorse! I agree completely about the WiFi. The complimentary amount barely allowed me to scan my purchases onboard, and the additional amount I purchased was gone in minutes! Free WiFi would make a huge difference! Thanks!

@nujjarin 4 ай бұрын

👍👍👍👍

@balloonchaser 4 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@bigbopper6311 4 ай бұрын

fantastic job BC, great subject. Guess dinner was not black tie then.

@balloonchaser 4 ай бұрын

Thanks, BB. There probably was a ballroom somewhere, but I was in the cheap seats!

@WalkingmanPattaya 4 ай бұрын

Brilliant sea voyage episode BC. Glad you enjoyed it. Good to hear some rooms fully booked as it looks very empty. OMG, no internet or Data out in the Gulf! What if you want to watch KZbin! 555 Visions of Titanic BC? Bring a friend with you or searching for a new HiSo friend on the ferry? Very interested, need to know where to stay and what to do on Koh Samui. Are you going to have another vlog on Koh Samui? Again, thank you for the great travel vlog .

@balloonchaser 4 ай бұрын

Thanks, Ric. Yes, it was really interesting, but, as you say, there weren't many people onboard. They only launched this service from it's new start point in Bangkok a few weeks ago, so I wanted to check it out! I did have concerns about titanic, I mean, you don't know if there's any icebergs off Samui! Probably more chance of that than me meeting a rich widow onboard anyway. I'd done a couple of videos on samui on my last trip. This time flew straight back!!

@keith9970 4 ай бұрын

Thanks Balloon Chaser.....I checked with Oscar and he attributes T S Eliot with the quote

@balloonchaser 4 ай бұрын

Thanks, Keith. Apparently TS Eliot said "The journey, not the destination matters," whilst Ralph Waldo Emerson said: "It's not the destination, it's the journey”. Can't remember what I said on the video - but I definitely wasn't the first to say it, that's for sure!! 😃 😊 Thanks a lot for your comment, mate!

@vgshwk 2 ай бұрын

It would probably take that long by train or bus and ferry.

@balloonchaser 2 ай бұрын

Thanks. I thunk that's right. Maybe overnight train to surat thani, wait for van and then fast ferry to samui. Wouldn't be a lot of difference in terms of total time. Good point 👍

@rburns4048 4 ай бұрын

Great video but you didn't post the bar prices :(

@balloonchaser 4 ай бұрын

Thanks. I can tell you bottled local beer was 150 Baht, and bottled water was 25 Baht. Maybe that gives an idea for the other prices. Sorry!

@rburns4048 4 ай бұрын

@@balloonchaser thanks! I checked their website but they have no menus online for food or drink

@balloonchaser 4 ай бұрын

@rburns4048 They should tell that, really. I thought their prices were not bad and the food was decent. The coffees, teas, smoothies and Italian sodas were all 70-100 baht. Again, not the cheapest but it would have been a long swim to the nearest 7 Eleven 😀

@rburns4048 4 ай бұрын

@@balloonchaser I agree! I suppose you could also stock up at 7 pre journey to save a few baht as well

@balloonchaser 4 ай бұрын

@rburns4048 They always say "no outside food and drink", but I saw several people eating their own food! 🤫

@mikereid1873 4 ай бұрын

Where do you keep your suitcase whilst sleeping in the pod?

@balloonchaser 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for your question. I was travelling light so I kept my bag in the pod. I saw others leave bags on the steps (you can see them in the video). As the ferry wasn't full I also saw someone put bags in another vacant pod. But if that doesn't work for you, there are also lockers available for your stuff, or at least your valuables. I didn't see anyone use these, but you'd be advised to bring your own padlock and I think they also rent them from reception. Hope this makes sense!

@Russ12189 4 ай бұрын

Some parallels to cruising. I would not see you cruising but hey. 1982 UTC

@balloonchaser 4 ай бұрын

Villa cruising into Champions League! 2025 is the new 1982!

@johnMarnell-e7h 4 ай бұрын

I was expecting the bunk to be 300. 3500 must include travel. Did you do the voice for Hartley hare from Pipkins

@balloonchaser 4 ай бұрын

Yes, that's correct. All of the prices quoted include the travel. Until recently they had a VIP seat option for 1500 baht. But that section of the boat is now closed and the entry level option is 3500 (capsule plus transfer). I'll have to check out Hartley Hare. Was it a nice voice the hare had? 😀

@thecryptostrategist2433 4 ай бұрын

If you like boats, go for it. I doubt I could tolerate 2 hours on a boat, let alone 22. I also worry about safety on Thai boats. Didn't they have actual naval vessels that could not make it through a storm? it makes me worry about the state of their commercial fleet id even the military is incapable of handling bad weather.

@balloonchaser 4 ай бұрын

Thanks, David. I do quite like boats, but didn't think I'd enjoy such as long trip. In the event, it was really relaxing. I actually liked the trip down the river he most! They seemed pretty clued up on safety. Lots of notices and instructions around. They actually had a small electrical problem on the top deck shortly after departure, but it was dealt with in seconds. One of the safer forms of transport in Thailand, I'd venture!

@markdumbrell2618 4 ай бұрын

You here now? I just arrived and b Samui today 😀

@balloonchaser 4 ай бұрын

Hi Mark. Already returned to Bangkok (by air) unfortunately! Have a great time on Samui, mate!

@markdumbrell2618 4 ай бұрын

@@balloonchaser that’s unfortunate, I would have bought you a beer. I’ll be in Pattaya in June so try and buy you a beer then 🍺

@balloonchaser 4 ай бұрын

@@markdumbrell2618 I'm looking forward to a free beer in June, then! Many thanks! 😀

@tolgaerdinc4914 3 ай бұрын

I will try this sunday 🤦‍♂️ samui > bangkok In capsule room 🫥🫣

@balloonchaser 3 ай бұрын

That's great! I'm sure you will have a nice trip!

@TigW007 4 ай бұрын

Only someone who has edited KZbin videos can appreciate the amount of work you put into editing this. I'm guessing 12 hours or more. Thank You🎉 I took this same boat when it went from Songkla to Rayong with my car on board. I'm glad I did it, but once was enough. Caution to people, though, this isn't a cruise ship. You will feel the waves! 😫

@balloonchaser 4 ай бұрын

I appreciate comments like this, and you definitely know your subject. Yes, it probably did take about 12 hours to put together! It's lovely when someone notices. Thanks! I think I was lucky with the weather. Sea was flat and hardly any movement. Not sure I'd fancy it in rough seas!

@Goldfinger555 4 ай бұрын

The beauty of being retired and not on a rigid schedule anymore. Love it! I’ve looked at this option before and glad they have restarted their schedule but not sure if I’ll partake. Thank you, however, for showing us what it’s like.

@balloonchaser 4 ай бұрын

Thanks, Rick. Definitely for those with time on their hands, like me! The other big benefit is being able to take a car, I think. If it was a beautiful summer's day, I'm sure you'd love it. But, of course, it's not for everyone! Thanks, again!

@PREPFORIT 4 ай бұрын

Better a slow boat than a busy chaotic airport. I will definitely consider this option.

@balloonchaser 4 ай бұрын

I agree with you, PFI. If you have time available this way is much more civilised and relaxing!

@JimmyCrangle Ай бұрын

Yes, it was fantastic. Did not feel like I was traveling at all

@peapaulofthailand6539 4 ай бұрын

Fancy you hanging around the Docking area of Bangkok 😉 those chimneys are a nightmare to build on boats I believe 🤣

@balloonchaser 4 ай бұрын

I think I met Stan Collymore there once! Decent player for your team. Pretty rubbish for mine. Chim chiminey Chim chim cher-oo. We are the bar stewards in claret and blue...

@herrmeistermann2426 4 ай бұрын

Looks awesome. Do they do minicruises packages, return tickets, back and forth? (or whatever you want to call it). Could be nice for an extended weekend holiday. Regarding safety, I am sure thai ferries are in better conditions than the Philippine ones. "To travel is to live" -H.C. Andersen.

@balloonchaser 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for you comment. I definitely got the impression that the ferry was well maintained. I'm not aware of any specific packages on offer. The ship returned to Bangkok 2 days after it'd arrival in Samui. I did the about taking it in both directions, but in the end I decided to fly back, not least because the weather turned!

@sandgroper1980 3 ай бұрын

A beautiful relaxing way to travel. I have never been on a cruise but I own a fishing boat and being at sea is my "happy place" . I think my missus would love it too , not sure the daughter would though. I love Koh Samui and would definitely considering this journey. Thanks for letting us all in on another little gem BC 👍🏼🍻🇦🇺

@balloonchaser 3 ай бұрын

My pleasure, SG! All I can say is I saw several families on board and never saw anyone complaining or looking bored. The kids looked like they were having a great adventure. I found the part going down the river to be absolutely fascinating!