That Was the Week That Was — Koh Samui, Week One

Seven days ago, I left Bangkok and landed in Koh Samui — my favourite airport in the world — and in many ways this week has felt like the opening chapter of an entirely new volume of life.

The arrival was effortless. Straight into the villa. Straight into island rhythm. Within hours I’d signed up to a brand-new gym and the adjoining spa next door — genuinely one of the best setups I’ve seen anywhere. For the first four days, it became a daily ritual: gym, then straight into the spa — hot and cold plunge pools, steam, sauna, recovery, and massages that are simply out of this world. It felt like I’d cracked the code.

Settling into the Island Rhythm

I was settling in beautifully.

• The villa began to feel like home.
• Lanterns arrived from Chiang Mai.
• The kitchen was stocked.
• The frangipani trees dropped their scent into the breeze.

I was cooking for myself again, waking early, watching the sun rise over Bo Phut with a coffee in hand. These sunrise moments have already become sacred — quiet, grounding, reflective. Exactly what I needed.

Business and Healthcare Excellence

Business-wise, the week was anything but slow. I’ve been deep in Mr Paparazzi’s World, Isola Bella, Paparazzi, The Big Archive, and How Can I Help You. Vietnam plans continue to move forward. The archive site is taking shape. Mr Paparazzi’s World is evolving daily. I’ve also had two excellent meetings around the design and direction of a potential new home — early-stage conversations, but very exciting ones.

Health-wise, Thailand once again proved its worth. NAD+ and multivitamin drips, followed by an extensive blood panel — more than 40 markers. Results so far have been excellent, with testosterone still pending. The speed, care, and value of healthcare here continue to impress.

The Great Mustard Crash

And then came The Great Mustard Crash.

It started innocently enough — and stupidly, in hindsight. I was cooking a steak at home and realised I’d forgotten English or French mustard. Earlier that day at Topps Food Hall I’d actually seen it on the shelf and thought, should I grab it? — and for reasons known only to my own optimism, I didn’t. I assumed it would be easy to pick up locally.

So I nipped out — thongs, shorts, quick errand — to the local 7-Eleven, literally three minutes down the road. No mustard. Then Big C. Then the smaller local Topps. Then Makro. Still nothing. At point I thought, right, salt and pepper it is, and headed home.

I was less than a minute from the villa when it happened. A large four-wheel-drive SUV, parked on the opposite side of the road among other cars, suddenly pulled out and performed a U-turn directly in front of me. There was no warning and nowhere to go. Instinctively, I hit the brakes hard — probably the wrong move in theory, but in that moment there wasn’t another option. The scooter went into a slide.

The Reality of Recovery

What followed was brutal contact with bitumen. I slid across the road, taking the full impact through my lower body and arms. Deep abrasions, significant bruising, a badly injured ankle (likely dislocated), knees, elbows, hands, and what feels very much like a cracked rib. Not broken — but painful enough to remind you it’s there with every breath.

I managed to get home that night and tried to sleep it off. That was a mistake. The pain through the night was agonising. By morning, there was no question — hospital. The next day was spent undergoing X-rays, MRIs, scans, and a full assessment, followed by an intense and deeply painful patch-up of the wounds. The following hai days were repeat visits for redressing, cleaning, and ongoing care. Anyone who’s had road rash properly treated knows — it’s not gentle.

The accident effectively put a full stop on the gym, the spa, the plunge pools, and the massages I’d been enjoying daily. Recovery replaced routine. Ice replaced heat. Hospital visits replaced spa sessions. A sharp and humbling reminder of how quickly things can change.

A badly injured ankle

Healing and Clarity

And yet — in true Koh Samui fashion — the sunrises never stopped. Each morning has arrived quietly and magnificently. One in particular rose slowly, layered through cloud, glowing softly — as if reminding me that healing, clarity, and good days all arrive in their own time.

So this week has been exactly that:

• Villas and vision.
• Scooters and setbacks.
• Health and hospitals.
• Business and bruises.
• Serenity and shock.

Settling in beautifully — while being forced to slow down. If this is Week One, then it’s clear this chapter is going to be anything but boring.

Mr Paparazzi’s World — Koh Samui.

That was the week that was.

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