Inside the Island of Koh Samui

                   Koh Samui, in Thailand, is an island of immense beauty and variety. Until the late 20th century, Samui was isolated from mainland Thailand and was in fact without roads till the early 1970s and a 15 km journey from one end of the island to another took one whole day. All that has now changed and today this oasis of natural beauty with its white sandy beaches, swaying coconut trees, virgin rainforests, dazzling coral, beautiful lagoons, scintillating waterfalls, and crystal clear waters is one of the major tourist destinations in Thailand.

                   Koh Samui is the largest island in an archipelago of over 80 islands most of which are uninhabited and which form a part of the Ang Thong National Marine Park. It was the backpackers who first discovered the island and set up the first rough-hewn hut. Over the years, the island gained a reputation of being a hippy reputation alongside with places like Bali and Goa. But all that has now changed. Koh Samui now caters equally, if not more, to the flashpackers toting Louis Vuitton and finding peace, comfort and privacy in the high-end luxury villas that dot the beaches.

Here are just some of the activities that you can enjoy in Koh Samui.

Beaches: Koh Samui is a paradise for outdoor activities. The beaches are by far the main draw. The more popular beaches are Chaweng and Lamai while the northern villages of Mae Nam, Bophut, Bang Rak and Choeng Mon are secluded and those are the west coast are comparatively quiet. Nathon is the biggest seafront settlement on the island with shops, restaurants and tour agencies.

Namtok Hin Lat: This is a scenic waterfall with several large basins for swimmers. The waterfall is easily accessible by car.

Namtok Na Mueang: Na Mueang 1 Waterfall is another scenic waterfall on the island. Walk for about 30 minutes and you will come across a more scenic Na Mueang 2 Waterfall. The stream of water gushing from a height of 79 meters is surrounded by purple rocks.

Ban Lipa Yai: This sleepy village is famous for the high-quality fruit it grows including the famed langsat, rambutan, durian, and mangosteen.

Old House: This Chinese-style house is about 200 years old and represents Samui's cultural identity. The hose is open to visitors.

Accommodation in Koh Samui

            Koh Samui initially started as a destination for the backpackers but today it has emerged as a stiff competitor to Phuket, the other most sought-out tourist destination in Thailand. The beaches are dotted with high-end luxury resorts and private Koh Samui villas catering to the swish lot. However, there are several options available for those on a budget.

                   Preety is a travel writer with Eats & retreats a modern online magazine with unique travel articles, photo galleries and a selected portfolio of holiday villas and apartments featured by Web Perspective Ltd.

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