[Ms. Miao’s Memoirs] — Me and the Sea Series （3）

Koh Samui Moments

By Miao Huiqiong

In the summer when Sichen was six, fueled by curiosity about the unknown, our family stepped beyond our national borders for the first time to explore Thailand.

The moment the plane touched down safely at Koh Samui Airport, the cabin erupted in warm applause and cheers. Surprised, I looked around and saw mostly Western faces. It suddenly dawned on me: they are prepared for disaster and grateful for safety. This was the first life lesson of our journey—life is full of uncertainty, and every moment of peace is worth celebrating.

Sichen Orders Food Using Google Translate

In the afternoon, we arrived at our hotel located on the most beautiful stretch of Chaweng Beach. Opening the door, we were met with white sand as soft as snow. For the next four days, this sea would be our companion. No sooner had we dropped our luggage than the three of us rushed toward the crystal-clear turquoise waters. The beach sloped gently, the water was shallow, and the view was vast. Stepping on the fine white sand, the warm seawater surged over our feet with grains of sand and then receded in a soothing, rhythmic cycle. We watched the sunset spill over the ocean, the shimmering ripples turning into sparkling crystals. Hand in hand, laughing and chasing one another, we faded into the horizon. Instantly, a long-lost sense of relaxation spread from the soles of my feet to my entire body. My heart became as open as the sea before me, allowing my mind and body to stretch freely in the sea breeze.

In the evening, Chaweng Street was bustling yet orderly. People of different skin tones wove through the streets, forming a vibrant exotic tapestry. In an open-air restaurant filled with jazz music, we faced a menu written only in Thai and English. Though a bit awkward, we found it quite interesting. Sichen seriously used Google Translate to check the words and ordered the dishes we liked. Our family enjoyed a delicious dinner in a warm, romantic atmosphere. I believe this experience had a more profound impact on him regarding the importance of English as a global language than any amount of my daily nagging.

Sichen Drags His Favorite Inflatable Float

The next morning, the sun was bright, and the sky and sea were vast. Sichen had already dragged his inflatable float toward the ocean, throwing himself into the embrace of the waves. Surfing, chasing small fish, moving sand from the sea to the shore... he never tired of it and didn't want to leave the water for a single minute. Seeing the unbridled smile on his sun-reddened face—a burst of pure joy, contentment, and freedom—was like a beam of sunlight that instantly lit up our hearts. We began to play with him just like children.

During a break, I saw a young Caucasian couple walking toward us with a baby only a few months old. The father supported the child as they walked back and forth in the seawater, smiling and whispering to the baby. He even waded into the deep water, holding the baby with both hands as the child floated like a little fish. This scene deeply moved me. As a mother raised in a traditional Eastern educational background, it was my first time seeing such a young life embrace nature so freely, unafraid of the sun or the splashing waves. At that moment, for me, the sea was not just a landscape, but a silent dialogue and enlightenment regarding life education.

Chaweng Beach in the Evening Breeze

As night fell, various chairs and flickering candlelight were set up on the sand in front of every hotel. People with different accents and skin colors sat, lay down, strolled, or stood in silence in the gentle breeze. Amidst the music and the sound of waves hitting the shore, everyone enjoyed their own unique romantic moment. Men, women, young, and old from all over the world wove together a peaceful and magnificent night belonging to Koh Samui.

W Koh Samui

Since then, we have driven to Koh Samui several more times. The island's scenery changes; things disappear, and new surprises grow. We visited the cliffside restaurant, witnessed the stunning views at the W Hotel, and experienced its trendy, avant-garde afternoon tea atmosphere. We toured the entire island, learning the different characteristics of various beaches. Bustling shopping malls have also been built... The most dazzling open-air restaurant on Chaweng Beach has quietly closed, and some of the beautiful coconut trees by the shore have withered into dry shadows in the wind and rain. Prices have also increased several times after the pandemic.

Facing the same sea, we are the same people, yet the state of mind each time we enter is irreplaceable. Those vanished scenes and dried trees have become part of our memories. The sea remains there, but every time the tide washes over our ankles, the different temperatures and emotions it brings have been etched into the depths of our souls.

Morning of February 8, 2026, in Bangkok.