Loving it all at Koh Samui

A tropical island like Koh Samui has been well-prepared to welcome the hoards of sun, beach, and fun worshippers for a great and wonderful time. Whether you prefer the lively beach scene with rockin’ nightlife or a peaceful getaway without noise pollution from partying holiday goers, Koh Samui has a place for you.

As a habit, I often look up reviews of what people have to say about a place. I find it the most honest way to really get to know what a place have to offer. For such a popular vacation choice, there are some tourists who had felt let down or betrayed during their stay in Koh Samui. After reading their ranting, it dawned on me that we cannot really fault a paradise island like Koh Samui. So what went wrong?

It's definitely too many a crowd here ><

Many bad comments lament on the fact that the island is too overcrowded with tourist and it has been developed into everything touristy to generate income from foreigners. The rich Thai culture is nothing but an empty shell at Koh Samui because it had all been sucked dry by money-making. There was also mention of overpriced food and what-nots. If I’m not a savvy research nut as I am, I would definitely have crossed out Koh Samui as a recommended holiday spot. But I beg to differ here.

Choosing a vacation venue can be really tough when we lack the knowledge of the place. We must first understand what type of holiday we’re seeking before choosing a place to go. Though Koh Samui can be tagged as a very touristy place, it does preserve some of its hidden treasures for those who seek a low-key getaway. The key to loving it all at Koh Samui is to understand what it has to offer.

Getting to know what Koh Samui has to offer...

For those of you who seek to mingle with the crowds and want to pick up a few babes or dudes, Chaweng and Lamai is the place for you to go. Chaweng and Lamai are the sandy strips on Koh Samui known for being the happening place with all noise and parties you could ask for. Restaurants, bars, clubs, and the holiday crowds will gather here to unwind and have a blast. But for those who want a quiet, peaceful holiday, head away from this two places.

Be left alone with glee on Thong Krut Beach

Most of the smaller coastal villages are still untouched at Koh Samui. Take a look at Thong Krut on the south coast and Maenam in the North. They still give you a nice feeling where you’ll be uninterrupted by other tourist. The locals there will give you their gentle smile and you can perhaps chat up with them and they’ll share with you other hidden gems in Koh Samui.

Enjoy the simplicity at these humble chalets at Maenam Beach

Nathon, the island’s capital is a great place to experience the Thai culture. It is nowhere near as touristy as Chaweng and has great food, a lively market. Every evening, there are lots of local food stalls set up at the ferry car park harbour front where you can eat well alongside the locals for a few baht only.

Eat with the locals and get a taste of the real Thai flavour

These places are only a few I get to mentioned here and there are definitely more to come. Once you get to know and understand the various locations in this paradise island, you’d be sure to love it all at Koh Samui.

An All Natural Koh Samui

Koh Samui, the third largest island in Thailand, is blessed with sandy beaches, beautiful coral reefs and mesmerizing waterfalls, capturing millions of hearts from around the world. It brings you nearer to Mother Nature in your relaxing leisure trip with extreme pleasure.

Beautiful stretch of white sandy beaches is definitely not to be missed. Don’t forget your sun tan lotion and also your Hawaiian shorts too! Sitting down under a tall swaying coconut tree, drinking cool refreshing coconut juice while enjoying yourself entirely with the sun, sea, sand (…and girls) there!

Boats by the beautiful seaside (Photo credit : 13bobby)

Since you are at the beach, indulge yourself in a snorkeling adventure! Go witness the captivating undersea kingdom in Koh Samui where the fishes tango and crabs salsa!

Underwater World (Photo credit : jurvetson)

Heard of Grandmother and Grandfather Rocks? I guess they are too symbolic to Koh Samui that everyone MUST drop by to pay a visit to these “seniors” of the rock world as a sign of respect. These rocks were artistically ‘designed’ by the nature into their current shape and form. The ‘artist’ was so imaginary that he (or she) crafted the Grandmother and Grandfather Rocks into the shape of the human sexual organs.

The Sexy Rocks (Photo credit : Badly Drawn Dad)

Well, if you can’t get enough from the sea, wait till you delight yourself in the Namuang Waterfalls. It is such an alluring scene where clear water keep falling like a curtain from the peak as high as 30 metres! Dive into the clear water for a refreshing bath while being surrounded by the lush green forest.

Namuang Waterfalls (Photo credit : Nicolai Bangsgaard)

You’ve never been Koh Samui if you’ve never been to the Elephant Camp, the place where elephants are well kept and protected. Elephants were the major mean of transportation in the good old days. They are also considered as a scared animal to most Thais. The Elephant Camp is established to honour the huge graceful creatures where they are being loved and cared for. An elephant ride to bring you around the place is not a bad idea. I wonder how different can you see from the back of the elephant. Also if you’re lucky, you may join in to help to bathe the elephants. You don’t always get a chance to do that.

Let's Partee!!! (Photo credit : brettmarlow1)

Flying there to unwind yourself is no hassle with meticulous packages lined up by PYO Travel.com. Koh Samui, here we come!!!

"Koh Samui" --- Another Island ---

Do you know that there's ridiculous amount of islands here in South East Asia? Just in Thailand itself, there's Phuket, Phi Phi Island, Coral Island, Krabi, Pattaya Beach, Koh Tao, Koh Samet, Koh Chang, Koh ... Koh... Koh......and more Koh! (Koh=island in Thai). And here, you're looking at the 3rd largest "Koh" called "Samui" in Thailand located at the Gulf of Thailand.

Can anyone understand why islands are always such a big hit as a tourism spot? Everyone, I mean EVERYONE just love being on the gritty beach, in the fishy sea, at the dirt-covered mountain trails, under a skinny coconut tree where a coconut might just fall and hit you flat on the nose... and more bizarrely, their facial expression normally indicates that they're in an oneiric paradise on earth.

Especially in Koh Samui, who would actually want to walk along barefoot/sun bathe/ build sand castle/ play volleyball on this fine white sand? I know the hot-blooded-below-25-year-olds would choose the 'happening' stretch of Chaweng beach to hang out. As for the peace-seekers, you'll catch them at Lamai Beach where they offer small bars and other pampering in a more comfortable style. It doesn't really matter, it's still the same quality of sand that will get stuck under your toe nails...

Then, there's these towering skinny malnourished coconut trees that barely offer any shade for the people who insanely love to bake themselves under the blazing tropical sun. (Someone told me that there's even more of these skinny trees in a plantation that mass produce them for fresh coconut juice. There are even monkeys trained to pick the coconuts too!)

Sunsets are always so much more awesome when one sees it by the water. I think it's because of the reflection from the water, people get blinded not only by the piercing light of the setting sun, but also the perfect symmetrical reflection in the water. Just watch out if you happened to stand by a bridge with a shaky hand rail, we don't want anyone getting too dazzled by the view and fall off.
When night falls, it gets even more romantic with the full moon illuminating a shiny path on the sandy beach. Your heart is quiet and at peace as the soothing sound of waves and soft breeze caresses your cheeks. If this sounds boring, there are always the other choices of clubs, discos, live music, cool bars, and restaurants, they can be easily found at the 'happening' stretch of beach. Just follow the noise.
So when one is done with the night and wakes in the morning, be not surprised to see some bald-headed men clad in orange-robe walking around town. People normally give them food. It's part of the Buddhism culture. It's also good karma for the people who give charity to them. You can give them food too. It's good karma for you.
In water that is crystal clear and turquoise blue at Koh Samui, many people choose to take up a PADI license course to scuba dive there. It's a world famous diving spot with a whole different world underneath for the goggled human to explore. I personally think it's a good choice to learn this sport here. I mean, you'll have better chance to see a shark coming your way in this pristine water condition rather than some murky dark water, right?

Being an island in Thailand, you wouldn't be able to escape seeing these Gods. They're not called Gods for no reasons. Gods are omnipresent and in Thailand, these golden shiny Buddhas are seated everywhere, even at Koh Samui. They even have some mummified bodies of revered monks located at the Buddhism Centre there too.
Koh Samui has been a secret place for only backpackers until now, where it has opened its doors to a wider range of visitors. Yet, how things were back then, fortunately are still the same. I believe it'll be a valuable experience to be culturally enlightened about the happy-laid-back-no-worries-easy-simple life that the smiley people lead over there. We grumpy people from the city could use some of that to lead our lives.

For the adventurous and energy-filled peeps, a good rowing on the canoe works great although it's a "No, thank you" for me as I do not want to yelp whenever I lift my arms after all the rowing. I rather jet ski, ride on the banana boat, para-ski, snorkel, dive, than risking the chance to a comfortable arm stretch in the morning.

If salt water from the sea gets too much into the eyes, there's always the fresh mountain water thundering down some waterfall somewhere in Koh Samui. It's easy to hike up to any of the several waterfalls and have a dip in it. It would definitely be more refreshing than the salty sticky sea water. Be careful of leeches though, unless you want to be kind and feed them your blood. No harm's done.

After the refreshing splashes at the waterfall, a hike further up will bring you to this. There, on the top of the hill, we sit and wait and catch our breath, to see the sun set again. (Be even more careful this time, there's no handrails)

Now I understand why EVERYONE wants to go to an island for a holiday. Especially an island like Koh Samui, there's just so much to do, so much to see. And most of them, if I change my way of seeing things a little, it'll become a wonderful time for me to be there at Koh Samui.

You think you'll like Koh Samui? Let me know when you get back from there!