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SAMUI: Beautiful Emerald of Thai Gulf
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The paradise
island or Koh Samui,
located in the Gulf of Thailand, is just a 90-minute express boat
riding from the village of Don Sak, near Surat Thani province. It is
the third largest island and the jewel of an archipelago comprising 80
islands, of which only six they are dweller. Most originated residents
of Samui Island are either fishermen or coconut farmers. Some two
million coconuts are shipped monthly from Samui to Bangkok.
Though
the island was originally discovered in 1981-82 by some backpackers,
transportation improvements in recent years have made access easier and
increased its appeal among travelers who are accustomed to a little
more comfort.
The main
attraction in Samui Island is its charming scenic and enjoying
stretches uncrowded beaches, soaking up the sun and reveling in the
clear blue sea waters. Sightseeing is rather limited, but you can rent
a motorbike or jeep or even hop the local public transport when you are
bored or tired of the beach activities. The Islands perimeter road is
58 kilometers, fully asphalted but a bit narrow. From the main coastal
perimeter road small unpaved access roads linking the beaches, villages
and a few other destinations.
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The starting point is the main pier at Nathon
in Ang Thong district of which you are get out from the boat. Baan
Nathon is the main pier and two main roads leading northeast through
Maenam, Bophut terminating at Chaweng Beach and southeast ending at
Lamai Beach. It is impossible to drive directly from neighboring
Chaweng to Lamai Beaches or vice versa. Nathon is a nice old fashioned
port town. The majority of some buildings are wooden structures in
mostly the old Chinese shop house style that still persists in Bangkok
on a very limited scale and lend an old world charming to this
somnolent port. Maps freely available at the port show Nathon to have
Chinese style provincial hotels, several
banks,
many
travel agencies,
an
immigration office and police station, souvenir shops with local
artistic T-shirt, silver jewelry and the variety of many restaurants
including seafood, Swiss and Arab.
Nathon’s main
allure however, is its infrastructure of telephone. Telex, ticket
offices, post office, pharmacies and a meeting place to visit and talk
with other travelers staying at different beaches on the island.
The
journey from Nathon to Chaweng Beach along the northeastern coast is
less mountainous and rich in fruit orchards and coconut plantations.
The first fishing village about a quarter of the way to Chaweng Beach
is Baan Bang Por which
has breathtaking views over the strait which separates Koh Samui from
Koh Pa Ngan. Further on is a Bophut village with its small morning
market and Bophut
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Beach
including big Buddha on nearby Fan Island. The Samui airport is located
here which you can reach Chaweng Beach northeastward (turning right
traffic) at intersection after leaving the airport way.
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Chaweng Beach is a long, long white sandy
beach with modern accommodations and several national restaurants as
well many more premium shopping houses (See Map). At the very
end, toward the rocks separating it from Lamai Beach which is near the
Coral Bay Resort, are very economic alone dwellings of thatch on stilts
a few feet of the ground with communal bathroom; nearer the center are
the better resorts blossoming side by side down the almost straight
unbroken beach. Chaweng Beach is basically its own little world
populated by old style hippies, new style yuppies, sports enthusiasts,
swinging singles and happy families, a combination of Thais and
foreigner visitors from literally everywhere. Possibly Samui is a
paradise destination for those who love Thai seas.TOP^
Go
straight through Lamai Beach
from Ang Thong district is approximately 2 kilometers according to a
national road sign and a few distance from main road of which Hin Lad
Waterfall is located inside deep Lush Mountain (See Map). Hin Lad can
be done on foot from town in one morning. Hin Lad is your archetypal
lovely cascading waterfall setting in the midst of exotic green foliage
and countless bright flourishes of extravagant flowers; a great
alteration from the burning sun, glittering beaches and seaweed laden
tropical sea breezes. It is great for clear unsalted water swimming and
being picnic. The dark, cavernous forests bespeak the primeval, so in
fact the diversity is refreshing and exhilarating.
Returning
to the main road you pass a small village called Lipa Noi
where the turn off for Tong Yang Harbor serving the Surat Thani
province (Don Sak) ferry is. However, keeping the main road, you will
pass the village of Baan Sa Ket, the almost half way point across from
the traditional villages of Baan Taling Ngam and Thong Grud which can
be reached by road of Baan Sa Ket. It should be mentioned briefly that
local points of historic or cultural interesting in Samui’s villages
are limited but for observing traditional fisher folk village life as
it has been for centuries the villages are authentic and unchanged.
Continuing on you will see many coconut plantations and odd durian
orchards or two before reaching Na Muang Waterfall.
The Samui’
people said that if you haven’t seen this cascade you haven’t seen Koh
Samui. Na Muang Waterfall is much larger and more dramatic than Hin Lad
Waterfall. Water falls down a sheer vertical colored mountain facing
into a smooth rocky bottomed pool ideal for swimming. This has been a
favorite spot for many of Thailand’s King during the past two
centuries. Further on is Hua Thanon village which once was a large
bustling market but is now decimated. A kilometer onward is Silangu
with its famous pagoda, or Chedi, reputed to enshrine a bone fragment
of the Buddha Gautama. This is calm, serene and tranquil place with the
nature that gives substance to the Buddhist doctrine of peace and non
violence. Several times a year traditional Vipasana (Meditation)
courses are conducted and foreigners are invited
to
participate. The living conditions are Spartan; the discipline is rigid
and personal spiritual result.
Next stop Lamai Beach, a long sandy beach
with smooth rocks dotting the shoreline, together with Chaweng Beach
the first beach to be visited and crowded by foreigners, although
Chaweng Beach has some developments gone more up market. Lamai Beach is
plenty of bungalows for teenager backpackers, V.D.O., restaurants, a
few wind sailors, some snorkellers but most evident of all lots of
happy people. One curiosity at Lamai is the odd rock formations aptly
enough called “Grandfather Rock” and “Grandmother Rock” because they
are similar to male and female genitals.TOP^
One
thing in reality of Chaweng and Lamai Beaches is very powdery sandy
beaches and far cry from anything. Most overseas visitors dream to
visit once in a life for paradise island. In the unusual case of Samui
for called of modernization or “commercialization” translates
“infrastructure”, the beauty of the sea beaches and the sincere of
Samui people are still remaining for
visitors all around the world anytime. Enjoy your stay on the paradise
on earth, Samui Island.
NEARBY KOH SAMUI
A group of Ang Thong Marine National Park:
This comprises some 40 islands about 20 kilometers or two hours by boat
northwest of Koh Samui.The park covers 250 sq.kilometers., of which
approximately one fifth is land mass. The most attractive islands
include Koh Wua Ta Lab (Closed-eyes
Cow Island), Koh Mae Ko, Koh Prayat, Koh Sam Sao, Ko Nai Put and Koh
Wua Te. Most islands comprise limestone masses reaching
heights of up to 400 meters, and fringed by beaches and rain forest. An
emerald salted-water lake known as Tha Le Nai (Inland Sea) on Koh Mae
Ko is the park's major scenic attraction, and entails a mildly
strenuous climb. The resultant views are well worth the effort. Another
popular venue is Koh Sam Sao where an extensive span of coral reef and
a huge rock arch offer scenic fascination.
The park office is on Koh Wua Ta Lab where bungalow-style accommodation
is available. Visitors wishing to stay overnight should make an advance
bookings and specify whether meal services are required, either through
the Ang Thong Marine National Park
office, 141/1 Talatlang Rd., Surat Thani province, Tel. 0-7728-6025 or
0-7742-0225.
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Koh Pha-ngan:
Another ideal
destination for travelers who prefer less crowded, more private beaches
set in a laid-back atmosphere. However, this is also a very hip place
to be as the island hosts the world famous, and perhaps the biggest
beach party on this planet the full
moon party on Had Rin.
Covering an area of 191 sq.kilometers., Koh Pha-ngan is located 20 kilometers
directly north of Koh Samui, or approximately 100 kilometers from Surat
Thani. The best time to visit this island is from February to
September. Interesting attractions include secluded and virgin beaches
around the island,
a hilltop temple called Wat Khao Tham(The
temple of caved-mount) which is ideal for meditation, Than Sadet
Waterfall, and Phaeng Waterfall National Park. Renting a motorcycle to
explore the island is recommended since there is a lot noted list to
see and do. TOP^
Koh Tao:
Situated 75 kilometers off the coast of Chumphon but falling under the
jurisdiction of Surat Thani, Koh Tao lies 45 kilometers north of Koh
Pha-ngan and is only 20 sq.kilometers. in area but it is well known as the best
diving site in the Gulf of Thailand. The
tranquil water of Koh Tao is crystalline, coconut plantations still
cover much of landscape, and concrete roads are built
along only a few beaches. Getting around the island is either by
pick-up taxi or by boat. Motorbikes and mountain bikes are also
available for rent to experience the island.
Infact,
Koh Tao is a sub district of Pha Ngan district Surat Thani province. It
is composed of 2 islands which is Koh
Tao and Koh Nang Yuan.
Koh Tao is far away from Koh Pha Ngan around 45 kilometers. Its
appearance is similar to un-rounded peanut which is plenty of 11
beautiful bay and 10 fascinating capes. Moreover, reefs formation is 8
kilometers long.
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Koh Nang Yuan:
The island is nothing but a group of three small islands located to the
north of Koh Tao just 15 minutes. Offering stunning and breathtaking
views, the islands are connected by
a three-way stretch of pure powdery sandy beaches. The
rich marine life around Koh Nang Yuan is similar to Koh Tao. With a
wide variety of coral formations, the island is also an ideal for
diving and snorkeling spot. Accommodations and facilities are available
on daily boat service to and from Koh Tao.
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