HILL WALKS
On Wednesday 27th March 2013, it will be my 200th hill walk on Koh Samui. Also, on 26th March 2007 I made my first trek over the hill from Lamai to Maenam. Thirdly, my very good friend Les Hyde sadly died on only his 2nd attempt approximately half way up the hill on 28th March 2008.
To commemorate these 3 events I would like to do my original walk again, anyone who would like to join us will be more than welcome. We will be starting from the usual venue, the 7/11 next to the river bridge, 200 metres due South of Wat Lamai, at 8.15am on the 27th March.
For further information, look at other sections of the web site or phone me on '0857854574.
RING ROAD WALK FOR CHARITY
Dates of Walks & Times Achieved
3rd Jan. 2010 : GEIR - 9.50 : DES - 9.50
17th Oct. 2010 : DES - 9.05.
12th Jun. 2011 : GEIR - 7.50 : DES - 8.17.
8th Aug. 2011 : GEIR - 7.14.
18th Dec.2011 : GEIR - 7.42 : DES - 7.42 : ALAN - 8.03.
8th Jan. 2012 : GEIR - 6.56 : MARK - 7.11 : DES - 8.02.
These are the times achieved by the 4 of us, so far. The total distance is, alledgedly, 53 kms & the temperature on these 6 dates varied between 25' & 35'. On the first 2 walks we had a few heavy showers but they weren't too much of a problem because they cooled us down a little. We had a heavy shower just before we started on the 18th Dec. but after that it was fine all day & it was perfect also on the last walk, when Geir smashed his own record & broke the 7 hour barrier, doing it at an incredible average speed of over 7 kph. Tom Searle, an ex-marathon man, was Geir's pace-setter for the final 20 kms from Nathon to Lamai & he said that he had to jog most of the way to keep up with Geir's walking pace.
Geir is back home now, in the north of Norway, working out in temperatures of well below zero but he is planning to return here in time for our December ring road walk, pencilled in for the Sunday 16th Dec. As well as working in the tough outdoors, with only 1 hour of half light per day, he also trains by walking 2 hours a day, cross-country skiing & kayaking. This guy is super-fit, to say the least.
I originally planned to do it on the 23rd Dec.but unfortunately that is the day which according to Graham Hancock's book "FINGERPRINTS OF THE GODS", the World is going to end. It's all to do with the Mayan calendar, which is due to end on that day. So, in respect of his book, I'm planning a hill walk on the 23rd & we are going to the new temple on the peak & watch the end of the World from up there, (with the traditional bottle or 3 of Tiger, of course) & after the World has ended, we'll come back down to Lamai to see if there is any difference! When I told my friends about the book, I thought nobody would have heard of it but I was wrong, many have but one friend told me the date will be the 21st, so if that's the case, we'll miss the event on the 23rd, damn!
I must admit that the book was a great read, I read it about 15 years ago & since then I've read much more about the prediction from other sources but on the other hand, last year I took out a 5 year bond!
I'm planning to do the RRW again on Sunday 12th August, so if anyone out there feels up to it, give me a call on '0857854574 & we'll arrange a few practice walks of 10, 15 or 20 kms. Looking further ahead, to "THE END OF THE WORLD, AS WE KNOW IT", which is the phrase some people are attaching to the 23rd Dec. 2012, some of you may want to join us on our hill walk to the new temple on one of the highest points of Koh Samui?
When nothing happens, at least we, hopefully, will have had a good time & a nice healthy walk.
Des Gillet.
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Christmas Walk
At 7am on the cool morning of the 18th December five intrepid walkers set off from the Amy Village Resort, near Tesco’s in Lamai.
The occasion was an attempt on the current world record of 7hs 14 minutes set earlier this year by Norwegian, Gear Salamonsen to complete Koh Samui’s 53 Km ring road in an anticlockwise direction.
The event was also held to raise funds for the ‘’Rotary Club of Koh Samui Projects’’ in support of 18 underfunded Temple Schools on Koh Samui who are in desperate need of computer and IT equipment.
At the last minute following a heavy down pour before the start, record holder Salamonsen opted to use a softer trainer sole compound. He felt this together with the cooler weather conditions would be an advantage over the high ground between Lamai and Chaweng and during the later stages of the event when fatigue began to set in.
The blistering early burst of speed set by principle pacemaker Des Gillet proved to have paid off by the time the group reached the 1st stage at Tesco Chaweng at 1 hour 27 minutes.
By stage 2, the Tourist Police Station at Bhoput, walkers, Alan Wood, Alison and Jeff were strongly in contention and on their second wind at the Jack Bar, Maenam and on schedule for the record.
At Madame Jeed’s, Bang Po, stage 5 just before the half way point, Salamonsen, Gillet and Wood were in good shape and benefiting from the cooler conditions.
Up the energy sapping long grinding drag past The Four Seasons Resort left Wood feeling the pace, down towards Nathon, past Tesco Lotus in 4 hours 20 minutes and onto the home run.
Even though Sandra, Dorra and Chris joined the group 5Km on from Nathon as new pacemakers, Gear felt he was too far behind schedule for serious assault on his previous record.
Gear and Des crossed Finish line together at Amy Village Resort, in a total time of 7 hours 42 minutes, disappointingly outside the world record by 28 minutes. A great effort by Alan Wood crossed the line in a personal best time of 8 hours 3 minutes
Those who took part, together with the road support teams and members of ‘’The Rotary Club ‘’ went on to the One Way Bar and Restaurant, Lamai for refreshments and a well earned beer or three. Well done teams!
Anyone wishing to donate to this worthy cause, educating the next generation of Koh Samui employees can do so by telephoning, Adele the treasurer of the ‘’Rotary Club of Koh Samui Project’’ on 0897256795. These people who give their time freely to help others really do need your support.
Donations can also be made by bankers drafts or direct bank transfers to :
SIAM COMMERCIAL BANK, LAMAI.
A/C. NO: 809-2-048020
The occasion was an attempt on the current world record of 7hs 14 minutes set earlier this year by Norwegian, Gear Salamonsen to complete Koh Samui’s 53 Km ring road in an anticlockwise direction.
The event was also held to raise funds for the ‘’Rotary Club of Koh Samui Projects’’ in support of 18 underfunded Temple Schools on Koh Samui who are in desperate need of computer and IT equipment.
At the last minute following a heavy down pour before the start, record holder Salamonsen opted to use a softer trainer sole compound. He felt this together with the cooler weather conditions would be an advantage over the high ground between Lamai and Chaweng and during the later stages of the event when fatigue began to set in.
The blistering early burst of speed set by principle pacemaker Des Gillet proved to have paid off by the time the group reached the 1st stage at Tesco Chaweng at 1 hour 27 minutes.
By stage 2, the Tourist Police Station at Bhoput, walkers, Alan Wood, Alison and Jeff were strongly in contention and on their second wind at the Jack Bar, Maenam and on schedule for the record.
At Madame Jeed’s, Bang Po, stage 5 just before the half way point, Salamonsen, Gillet and Wood were in good shape and benefiting from the cooler conditions.
Up the energy sapping long grinding drag past The Four Seasons Resort left Wood feeling the pace, down towards Nathon, past Tesco Lotus in 4 hours 20 minutes and onto the home run.
Even though Sandra, Dorra and Chris joined the group 5Km on from Nathon as new pacemakers, Gear felt he was too far behind schedule for serious assault on his previous record.
Gear and Des crossed Finish line together at Amy Village Resort, in a total time of 7 hours 42 minutes, disappointingly outside the world record by 28 minutes. A great effort by Alan Wood crossed the line in a personal best time of 8 hours 3 minutes
Those who took part, together with the road support teams and members of ‘’The Rotary Club ‘’ went on to the One Way Bar and Restaurant, Lamai for refreshments and a well earned beer or three. Well done teams!
Anyone wishing to donate to this worthy cause, educating the next generation of Koh Samui employees can do so by telephoning, Adele the treasurer of the ‘’Rotary Club of Koh Samui Project’’ on 0897256795. These people who give their time freely to help others really do need your support.
Donations can also be made by bankers drafts or direct bank transfers to :
SIAM COMMERCIAL BANK, LAMAI.
A/C. NO: 809-2-048020
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Hill Walks
Every Wednesday at 8.15am, subject to unforeseen circumstances, we meet at the 7/11 shop near the river bridge, 200m south of Wat Lamai (map reference 6/1).
If you would like to join us, phone either me, Des Gillet on '0857854574 or Tom Searle on '0801465377.
There is no charge & no liability, just an enjoyable trek up into the hills, breathing in fresh air & seeing how beautiful Koh Samui is, from between 400 & 600m.
The walks usually take from 4 to 6 hours.
If you think that it is a little too much for you, we can also arrange for short walks around the foothills of Lamai, which will take from 2 to 3 hours. Very pleasant but not encountering the steep hills in the centre of the island.
WHAT YOU NEED :
Good walking shoes or trainers (not new, not old).
600ml drinking water.
600ml drinking water with electrolyte (available from any pharmacy).
Hat, small towel & small backpack.
Sunbloc on exposed skin.
Mosquito repellant or Tiger Balm on legs.
Spare shirt & socks.
First aid kit (including mosquito bite cream).
300/400 baht for songthaew & drinks.
Fully charged phone with credit.
Sandwiches.
Waterproof bag or container for phone & camera.
IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS :
Tourist Police - 1155
Local Police - 191
Samui Rescue - 077421444
Snake Bite Phil - 0896635085
Nathon hospital - 077421332
