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.