Change of life

Koh Samui is the rare gem of the Gulf of Thailand. Conserving the idyllic simplicity of a tropical hideaway, it is mostly characterized by its powdery white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters and welcoming locals where you will delight yourself in a late-day Robinson Crusoe experience in comfort.

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, kayaking, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling. The coastal waters are exciting to explore and are especially rich in shoals of brightly colored fish and exotic coral formations. The largest and most popular beaches on Samui are Chaweng, Lamai, Bo Phut and Maenam. For those looking for a quieter place to spend their holiday or business trip, there is another twenty or so other beaches to choose from.

Principal among Samui's natural sights are two picturesque waterfalls, Hin Lad and Na Muang. Island hopping is another attraction and boats can be easily hired for trips to Koh Phangan (the nearest and largest island next to Samui), and to the smaller islands of Koh Tao, where beautiful bays with colorful coral formations offer excellent conditions for snorkeling and scuba diving. A more adventurous full day excursion can be made to Ang Thong National Marine Park, a group of 40 islands northwest of Samui.

Here you will see spectacular limestone formations, caves, blue lagoons and amazingly beautiful beaches.

The local population consisting mainly of Buddhist Thai’s is very friendly. Until the recent arrival of tourism, coconut farming and fishing were the main sources of income. The latter are still practiced though to a lesser extent. The fish you will eat in the majority of restaurants originate from the surrounding Gulf of Thailand waters.

The Climate

The climate of Koh Samui is tropical and therefore warm throughout the whole year. At the same time it is dominated by the monsoon winds that bring about the seasonal changes from dry to wet. There are two very hot periods of weather on Samui, the first between March and June when the average temperatures range from 32 to 38 degrees Celsius and only the occasional tropical thunderstorm brings relief from the heat. This is the least crowded time of the year. It is also very hot between July and September with the temperatures rising to highs of about 35 degrees Celsius.

There are occasional showers but these hardly last more than a few hours. The months from November to February are generally cool enough to spend more time enjoying outdoor activities. Although this is, November in particular, officially the rainy season, you will probably nonetheless see a good deal of sun and clear skies, as tropical rain showers tend to last not for long.

Around the Island

Chaweng beach
Located only ten minutes from the house, this is Samui's most popular and lively beach. Along the seven kilometer stretch can be found some of the island's best hotels, together with and endless number of bungalows, beach bars restaurants, discos and shops. The strip splits naturally into three

sections, with the resort town located in the central area. In recent years it has blossomed into the island's second largest town, and is a magnet for visitors from all over the island. All the attractions are easily accessed by the road which runs parallel to the beach. Central Chaweng Beach has the greatest concentration of venues, and most of the nightlife attractions are located here. A good choice of music venues ranges from traditional Thai to jazz, rock to reggae, and many of them keep going until dawn. For a quieter evening there are plenty of bars and restaurants right on the beach, offering a dreamy view of the Gulf. Food lovers can find just about anything, whether it be Thai or western, and there are some very good seafood restaurants.Despite all the activity, however, Chaweng still maintains the classic image of a palm-fringed tropical beach.

Lamai beach
Samui's second most popular beach, Lamai is a little quieter, a little looser, and a little cheaper than Chaweng. There is something distinctly boomtown about the main strip, which is generally referred to as Lamai Gulch, with its bars, diners and shops crammed together along the roadside and down the dusty side-lanes. Ride or walk to the back of the beach road and you're in the heart of banana groves and coconut plantations, and

you can take a mountain bike ride up the hill-tracks and into the rugged interior. Or follow the road down past the headland where the famed Grandfather and Grandmother rocks (Hin Ta and Hin Yai) attract picnicking Thai’s. There is a charming old monastery with a tiny museum, and a number of local gyms where you can take Thai boxing lessons. Also a choice of dive shops and even a couple of meditation centers. After dark Lamai Gulch changes its sleepy daytime midnight and becomes a jumping nightspot. There are some real home-style alfresco places with Thai and western food, the saloons offer live bands, video features and a variety of food styles, and there are several discos which start swinging at about midnight.

Maenam Beach
This beach is located about 15 minutes from the house. Maenam Beach is some two kilometers to the west of Bo Phut. There is a largish village here with several small restaurants and some dive and windsurf centers. Maenam has a smooth white beach running for four kilometers along the calm, scenic day. This is a pleasant, secluded spot for swimming and sunbathing, and attracts families and honeymooners.

Bo Phut
Bophut is only a five minute drive from the house and well worth a visit, especially in the evening. Bo Phut is one of Samui's oldest settlements and remains a quaint little fishing village, with several of the seafront shop houses converted into restaurants. The beach itself is some two kilometers of white sand, and the

Tranquility of the bay makes this a popular spot for water skiing. Located within Bophut is Fisherman’s Village, where you will find a charming and romantic atmosphere, perfect for a little privacy, with a whole array of restaurants and bars to suit all tastes.

Big Buddha Beach
Ten minute drive from the house to the North-East of the island. Big Buddha Beach is to the east of Bophut and takes its name from the twelve meter tall statue sitting out on an islet connected to Samui by causeway. This is part of the Koh Fan temple, which is the focal point of this area; there is no town as such, although there are plenty of little shops and restaurants around the temple. The beach itself is very quiet and peaceful and the waters are calm.