Angthong Marine Park: as good as day-trips get

May 042012
 

Let’s cover the basics of Angthong Marine Park quite quickly: it’s beautiful, and you need to go there. Actually, you’ve probably already seen it without realising. When Leonardo DiCaprio wasn’t splendidly shirtless and fighting crocodiles, his character in The Beach spent some time at Angthong’s beautiful, bright blue lake: Thale Nai, or Emerald Lake.

Angthong Marine Park Emerald Lake  

Angthong Marine Park: quick stats
  • 42 islands comprise this protected archipelago. If you’re picturing a “park-park”, replace picnic benches in your mind with, oh, three dozen more islands.
  • 41 of the islands are uninhabited. Sea gypsies are said to live on one, living as traditional fishermen. Continue reading »
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Samui’s yoga: where to get bendy on Koh Samui

May 032012
 

You bend, you stretch… you get to feel impossibly smug. Whether you already love yoga, or want to try it while on holiday, just about anything is better with an ocean backdrop or smells of frangipani. As Koh Samui positions itself more and more as a destination for all things green, organic and healthy, Samui’s yoga options are really expanding.

Koh Samui yoga

Koh Samui yoga retreats – for the dedicated

For serious sessions of Koh Samui yoga – consider booking into a yoga retreat. A number of resorts with a health-focus offer holidays composed of early mornings, lots of yoga, and perhaps little else (certainly not Singha). Will you see results? Absolutely. Will you be sad never to see a Samui nutella pancake? Only you can say. Continue reading »

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Men – 7 ways to treat your girl on Koh Samui

Apr 192012
 

It may have been your idea, or it might have been hers. One way or another, you and the missus are coming to Koh Samui for a holiday, and you have several days of uncomplicated, soothing bliss ahead of you. Sure, the simple pleasure of allowing time to saunter on by itself is as pure and enjoyable on Samui as it is anywhere. But what if you want a head start? A few extra points, say? Whether she’s your girlfriend, fiancee or wife (or you’re hoping she’ll come as one and leave as another – in which case, bon chance, mon frère), consider the following your cheat sheet to relationship harmony while on Samui.

Spas & massage

1. Spas

Samui was voted second best destination in Asia for spas in TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards 2010, so be sure she samples some of the best the world has to offer in terms of prodding and pampering – even if it’s not your thing, it’s very likely to be hers!

Cutting to the chase, the following should do the trick:

  • Six Senses Spa in the hills above Plai Laem, on Samui’s quiet but accessible north-east
  • Tamarind Springs on the east coast, between Chaweng and Lamai
  • Eranda Spa, the “spa with a view”, on the coast road between Choeng Mon and Chaweng

And failing that, you can get a very good standard massage pretty much anywhere on Samui. If you’re worried about wandering into a den of iniquity, actual massage parlours usually have uniformed staff and no pink lights. If you’re in the area, try our current favourite – Charlie’s in Choeng Mon. Continue reading »

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Koh Samui nightlife: 7 big and small nights out

Mar 172012
 

Are you 19 or 59? Rest assured, Koh Samui’s nightlife can meet all needs – whether you’re looking for a starlit glass of wine, or something that involves glow sticks. Indeed, Koh Samui nightlife offers something for all tastes and temperaments.

Koh Samui nightlife

By beach, your options include:

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Two for Koh Samui: romantic holiday ideas perhaps?

Mar 072012
 

Make it a perfect holiday for two. Samui makes a great destination for groups of all sorts – families, friends and couples alike. If you’re coming on vacation as a couple or for your honeymoon, here’s what we recommend – a starter-pack for a perfectly romantic break.

Koh Samui’s romantic basics:

  • Chocolates – Handmade chocolates available at Angela’s Bakery. Tasty selection of cakes and tarts, too. Perfect for earning some points. (Samui Ring Road, Mae Nam, Tel: 077 427-396)
  • MEN – We’ve written you an idiot-proof cheat-sheet to Koh Samui with your wife/girlfriend (or whatever you hope she’ll be after the trip). This advice, plus our Koh Samui Guide – you can’t go wrong. You’re welcome.
     Continue reading »
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“Charlie’s Thai Massage” – a Choeng Mon spa to try

Feb 252012
 

While Samui is rightly a top worldwide spa destination (see its latest awards & accolades), our vote is an underdog choice. Pampering luxury spas rely on appointments, plans, changes of clothes and general faffing about. The local massage service is ready and waiting, whenever needs must. (And Thai massages are rather addictive….)

Choeng Mon massage

Opposite the Muang Samui Hotel in Choeng Mon, next to Charlie Chaplin restaurant, sits Charlie’s Thai Massage. If its orange sign doesn’t beckon from halfway down the street, happy staff awaiting your patronage will surely let you know you’ve arrived. Continue reading »

Tempted by the Koh Samui tailor? Maybe not.

Feb 012012
 

“Hello boss, nice to meet you.” Another day at the office? No, this is a street in Koh Samui and an Indian tailor has just identified you as a potential customer. He’s eager to get you looking your very best in one of his creations. A familiar approach, “Armani suit for you, my friend?”, occurs all over and ranges from affable to obseqious, at various levels of tenacity.

Tailors Koh Samui

With dozens of tailors around Samui, you’re bound to encounter one during your stay. Their shop-fronts (found on the beach, along high streets and in towns) suggest direct access to designs and fabrics from the big names in fashion, at very low prices. Some have shop names you’ll recognise, in familiar fonts: ARMANI! ZARA! (and friends). Continue reading »

Samui Jenga Championships: a really good idea?

Jan 242012
 

One of the best parts of a Koh Samui holiday is doing nothing. Glorious fat nothing! To this end, Jenga tops our list of favourite pastimes. It’s the perfect game for all ages whether poolside or barside. When was the last time you indulged your scary competitive streak and played a few rounds?

JENGA

Many Samui pubs have the game available for patrons, and you can buy your own set (mini or normal-sized) at the Fisherman’s Village market Continue reading »

Koh Samui sports: getting your island endorphins

Jan 212012
 

While Koh Samui is the ideal destination for doing little more than laying by the pool and occasionally raising a cold drink to your lips, the sporty types are well catered for, too. If you’re exercising outside, just remember plenty of sunscreen and a big bottle of cold water!

Golf. Santiburi Samui Country Club, high up in the hills above (and with an incredible view of) Samui’s north coast, is Samui’s top golf course, which offers full cart and caddy service. Shoes and clubs are available for rent, and other golfing paraphernalia is available at the pro shop. After a round, relax with a light lunch and refreshing drink in Santiburi’s breezy patio restaurant. A dress code is in place (add it to your Thailand packing list) and reservations are necessary. (Green fees are 3,350 THB plus cart/caddy charges). 12/15 Moo 4 Tambol Maenam.   Continue reading »

Raining? 13 rainy day activities on Koh Samui

Jan 162012
 

Whether you’re coming to Samui during its rainy season, or meet some soggy weather for a day or two of your trip – here are a few activity ideas to best enjoy (or completely forget about) Koh Samui rain.

1. Eat two breakfasts… two lunches… Most restaurants, including those on the beach, have rain screens. Consider precipitation an invitation to gluttony & rain is no hardship. With nowhere else to be, the day unfolds at a leisurely pace. Continue reading »

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