Welcome To The Continuing Adventures of Bonanza Jellybean & Cowboy Bob
We are Canadian 🇨🇦 snowbirds, but with a twist. Instead of heading south, we go west… far to the west…. ironically to the Far East…. Southeast Asia. 🌴
In December 1979, we sold most of our belongings 😱 and set out on an extended journey to Southeast Asia. Imagine buying a one-way ticket to Bangkok, Thailand…. we did just that. Our journey took us from California > Hawaii > South Korea > Japan > Taiwan > Hong Kong, and finally, six weeks later, we arrived in Bangkok.
Bangkok was overwhelming at first, so after five intense days, we set off for the tropical island of Ko Samui, where we stayed for three weeks. We then continued on to Penang, Malaysia, but soon found ourselves missing the culture and people of Thailand. So, with a new 60-day visa, we returned to Thailand, eventually settling at Nai Harn Beach in Phuket, where life was a beach.
For the next year and a half, we continued around the Pacific Rim, exploring Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, and French Polynesia, finally returning to Vancouver in June 1981.
Fast forward to 1988, the longing for Thailand has brought us back. They say you can never go back, but it was just as we had left it. While in Bangkok, we heard about a great beach called Railay, located on a landlocked peninsula outside Krabi Town. There, we discovered Pine Bungalows, a simple and affordable beachfront establishment. The Andaman Sea was a paradise of white beaches and towering limestone karsts. (Fun fact: the James Bond movie “Man with the Golden Gun” was filmed in this fantastically scenic area.)
We returned to Pine Bungalows every winter for the next eight years, becoming close friends with the manager, Mr. Chung, his wife Kaew, and many other foreigners like us who also returned yearly. During this time, Chung often talked about his dream of owning his own place and even asked if we wanted our own bungalow. Who could say no?
In January 1994, while we were at Pine Bungalows waiting for a friend to join us on a trip to Vietnam, Chung invited us to go pick out a piece of land. He had purchased 10 acres of waterfront property on Ko Siboya, with the help of his family, and was leasing 18 plots to a select few. We had our choice of several available plots and chose one in the second tier, 20m back from the beach, slightly elevated with a beautiful sunset view through the palm trees.
So Chung’s dream became a reality in 1995 when his family moved to Ko Siboya and built Siboya Bungalows. Ko Siboya continues to be a quiet island, home to about 3,000 locals (2024) who live fairly simple lives in rubber plantations or as fishermen. Most f the island now has running water and electricity was brought here about 2000.
In January 1995, we secured an option on an additional waterfront plot. By 1996, we built our bungalow, “Coconut Beach,” on the waterfront. That first year, we only had about two weeks to enjoy it before heading home, but over the next six years, it became our second home. Initially, we were hesitant about building a house in a foreign culture, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions we ever made. Who doesn’t dream of a grass shack on a tropical beach?
Now, let’s talk about the food. The food at Siboya Bungalows is nothing short of amazing. People often come for a couple of days just to check out the vibe, but end up staying longer as they worked their way through the menu. The authentic Thai dishes are mouth-watering, and the Westernized meals satisfy any palate. Mr. Chung designed and built a fantastic kitchen, and during the evening rush, he orchestrates the kitchen like a maestro, with his extended family assisting.
The beach at Siboya is shallow, with the water receding up to 100 meters during low tide. We often planned our days around the tide. If it was out all day, we would book a long-tail boat and head to an uninhabited island for snorkeling. Sometimes, 8-10 of us would go, with the kitchen packing a lunch for us.
For those interested in activities, there were games of badminton, volleyball, and Mr. Chung’s favourite, Takraw, played on a section of old rice paddies. He was always eager to teach newcomers, much to the delight of spectators. Over time, many of the people who used to return to Pine Bungalows now came to Ko Siboya instead. Chung had built quite a following, and the place continues to have the vibe of a peaceful retreat for seasoned travellers. There’s no advertising except for the website I built and maintain for him. Mr. Chung prefers word of mouth and dislikes using touts to lure visitors with false promises.
In 2002, we decided to see if we could sell the waterfront plot and build anew on our original land. We had built the front bungalow in such a way that it didn’t block the view from the rear. Coincidentally, Alan, who had given up his option in 1996, was now in a better financial position and wanted to buy it. Long story short, he’s now the owner where he originally started.
We continue to return to Ko Siboya, renting one of the now 25 bungalows/houses built by fellow travellers. It has truly become a secluded enclave for old adventurers like us.