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Koh
Samui
Koh Samui is blend of all that's best in Thailand. Natural beauty,
wonderful beaches peace and quiets friendly folk, things to do and great
places to see.
 Koh
Samui is the star in the Gulf of Thailand. If you have had enough of
Phuket, why not skip it and find out what Samui has, apart from coconut
trees, January to may is the perfect time for visiting Samui as the
monsoon is over, the sky is open and the white-long beaches welcome
you to sunbathe all lay long.
There
are few places in the world that equals Samui for its beaches its water,
its tranquility, its wonderfully laid-back atmosphere. From the most
popular Chaweng (what a shame, this beach is spoiled by jet skis) and
Lamai to Bo Phut and Mae Nam plus many other beaches hidden in quiet
bays.
Among
these, Bo Phut has few to compare. Even when all the accommodation,
which encompasses everything from the most basic of huts, all the way
to small 3-4 star hotels, is full, the beach never is. The sand is perfect:
not too coarse, not too fine. The sea is the ideal lazy swimmer's playground;
swimming depth is reached within a couple of steps and it's as smooth
as a millpond most of the time. In the evening there are just enough
people, just enough bars to ensure you wouldn't have to leave the bay
for couple of weeks, unless you want to explore. And the people who
work there are the epitome of friendliness.
Of
course, Samui is about much more than lying around on the beach. And
there's much more than simple or budget accommodation. And there's enough
nightlife in the biggest resort, Chaweng, to keep the most avid night
owl occupied. Not bad for a simple 'coconut island'
If your budget is limited, or you just like something a little more
informal, or you just like something a little more informal a little
less grand? Samui has them too. With a few hundred baths for a good
bungalow, you can relax all day doing nothing and nothing to worry about,
even your pocket.
If all you want to do is relax in the kind of place that makes you happy,
you need to know no more. But if, like most, you want to have a look
around too, Samui is quite a surprise. For somewhere that's managed
to remain almost totally unspoiled, there's load to do and see.
How you do it is up to you, but the best way is to get your own transport
for at least part of your stay. That means renting a motorbike or a
jeep, and sound advice is to steer well clear of the bikes. Samui's
roads don't always make for the safest journey, even for experienced
riders.
And a jeep doesn't have to cost a fortune if you look around Most hotels
and bungalows can arrange one, and there are plenty of individual operators.
If money doesn't matter, do it the easy way. If it does, shop around.
Where
to go? Samui takes just about an hour to drive around, so everywhere
is within easy reach, The whole central part of the island is hilly
jungle, with some fairly impressive waterfalls. Get within reach of
one of the trails; park the jeep and walk. Near Ban Thurian you'll find
Namuang Waterfall, but it's commercialized. Namuang involves a bit of
a walk through some gentle hills but is much more rewarding Then there's
Hin Lad Waterfall in the east. More of a challenge but evens more rewarding.
On
your drive round the island you'll come across the Butterfly Gardens,
the Tropical Zoo a 3-headed coconut tree, the (in) famous monkey-work-coconut"
sites, some surprisingly deserted beaches (between Mae Nam and Nathon)
a Go-Kart racing track impressive wats and on and on. Don't try and
do it all in a day. After all, Samui is all about relaxing.
One that you shouldn't miss is Hin Ta Hin Yai (grandpa rock and grandma
rock) on Lamai Bay. A local story tells of and old couple whose ship
was wrecked in the bay. Their bodies were washed ashore to create the
strangely shaped rocks.
The
evenings. No visit to Samui would be complete without at least one look
at Chaweng. Restaurants, bars, drinking competitions all the standard
stuff of swigging young resorts plus Thai Boxing. The latter's must,
particularly if you haven't seen it before. If participation's more
your style, you can put yourself forward to have a go against one of
the local boxers.
Not bad for a sleepy coconut island. Samui is somewhere to go back to
time and time again. It never disappoints. But please, If you want to
play Jet Ski Chaweng's the place.
| Comment |  |
cd
1001·þÊÎÍø 02 May 2008 22:55 | Hi Siberian
Samui is a lovely island(clean waters & pretty beaches)for sea sports. The Krabi islands would be good if you like snorkelling and rock-climbing. Pattaya is an over-developed red-district island; beaches are not fantastic, not the best place for family. I just got back from Krabi, do visit Poda and Chicken island if you are thinking about white sandy beach and crystal-clear waters.
beryl_choo@hotmail.com 04 July 2007 11:26 | been doing thailand 8 times., been everywhere.
got a new wife and kids {14 and 15, boy and girl)
we have got flights for new year/christmas-20 days - samui and pattaya, possibly phuket.
have you got any advice on itenary.
siberian272005@yahoo.co.uk 05 June 2006 03:22 | Hi, i want to get the quotation of go kart? to whom shall i contact?
Matahari 17 April 2006 15:12 | Can I Waterski. I have a slalom ski from America. I want to rent a jet ski with a hook for a rope. Or can I rent a small boat? Must go 65 Km/hr.
Thanks so much!
Jaron_Sessions@baylor.edu 22 December 2005 15:21 |
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