General
Information
If variety is truly the spice of life, Thailand ensures the
most exciting holidays possible. Not only does it feature beach
resorts amongst its myriad attractions, it also offers a widely
differing choice of beach locations. Among these Samui Island
is one of those rare gems.
Whereas Pattaya blends the city with the seaside and Phuket
adds luxury comforts to natural beauty, Koh Samui preserves
the idyllic simplicity of a tropical hideaway. It is characterized
by often deserted beaches of powdery white sand, crystal-clear
waters and a hinterland of fresh green coconut plantations and
rice paddies. Here you can delight in a letter-day Robinson
Crusoe experience -- in comfort.
Away
From It All
For those
seeking a haven of rest and relaxation look no further.
Koh Samui is Thailand's third largest, measures
21 kilometers at the widest point and 25 kilometers in maximum
length. A mountain ridge runs east to west and most of the
hinterland comprises forested hills. The rich hues of wild
vegetation are dappled throughout with the contrasting greens
of coconut palms and emerald paddy.
From the moment guests arrive at the airport
it is clear that you are in a tropical paradise, a destination
where one can restore their natural balance away from the
hustle and bustle of everyday life. A stay here would present
the prefect opportunity to visit one of the many spas on the
island and enjoy being pampered from head to toe and to experience
a traditional Thai massage.
The waters offer superb diving conditions where
you can swim amongst the colourful corals and aquatic wildlife.
Other highlights would include Elephant trekking, Big Buddha
statue, Na Muang Waterfall.
A delightful way to spend the evening
would be to sample the delicious seafood in a beach front
restaurant whilst watching the sunset in the horizon.
Beaches
Against the backdrop of green hills, the
shore line of Koh Samui stands out as one of palm-fringed
beaches and quite coves and bays.
Here you can enjoy some of the most scenic and unspoiled beaches
in the world. Samui's best beaches line the northern and eastern
coasts, the most popular being Hat Chaweng and Hat Lamai,
other beaches include Hat Choeng Mon, Hat Mae Nam in the north
and Hat Na Thon, the island's major seafront settlement where
shops, restaurants and tour agencies are concentrated.
In such an idyllic setting the temptation is simply to laze
peacefully on the beach and soak up a tropical sun tan. But
if you want more there are amenities for water sports, such
as windsurfing and snorkeling. The coastal waters are exciting
to explore and are especially rich in shoals of brightly coloured
fish and exotic coral formations.
Transport
Getting around the island is easy. A 50-kilometre
ring road skirts the coast, giving ready access to all beaches
and the little administrative centre of Na Thon, a compact
beachside huddle of houses, shops, restaurants and small hotels.
The best form of transport is a motorbike which can be readily
hired. This gives the freedom to explore at your leisure,
although mini buses do ply the main routes.
Weather
|
