Ko Samui Things to Do Tips by austarman Top 5 Page for this destination

Big Buddha temple Part 1 (2007) Big Buddha Review

The Big Buddha temple is possibly the biggest tourist attraction in Koh Samui.
The statue is so big that it can be seen as you fly in to Samui on the plane and from a long way out to sea as well if you are coming to Bohput by boat because it sits on it's own little headland just outside of Bohput.
There are many shops and restuarants that share the headland with the Big Buddha and many small colourful statues of various kinds as well.
It is definatly worth the trip out to here, to understand a bit about the Thai Buddhist religion and culture.

Address: Bohput Koh Samui

Directions: You cant miss it head for the airport and follow the signs it's on the main road 4171 just outside of Bohphut.

Website: http://thailandforvisitors.com/south/samui/bigbuddha/index.html

Big Buddha temple Part 2 (2005) Big Buddha Review

While you are here you can participate in burning incense ,applying gold leaf onto the image or offering flowers to the Buddha.
There are also a series of small Bells around the statue that can be tapped with a coin to bring you good luck..
Even if you do not want to participate it is nevertheless interesting to see how the Thai's worship him.
A good dose of culture that is worth experiencing.
The Thai girl in the photo below is trying to throw a 1 Baht piece up onto the lap of the big Buddha because if you make a wish and the money stays on his lap then it is supposed to be good luck.

Address: Bohput Koh Samui

Directions: You cant miss it head for the airport and follow the signs it's on the main road 4171

Website: http://thailandforvisitors.com/south/samui/bigbuddha/index.html

Jungle Elephant trekking at Na Muang Wildlife & Nature Review

Elephant jungle trekking at the Na Muang waterfall is a bit bumpy but at least in the thick jungle near the waterfalls the trek is well shaded and so more enjoyable than the others.

Address: On road between Nathon and Lamai

Directions: The waterfalls are located just 10 kms south of Nathon near Ban Thurian.
You will see the elephant trekking on the entrance road to the main Na Muang water fall. (Na Muang 2.)

Phone: tel +66 77 230 247

Website: http://www.thailand.com/travel/eco/eco_surat_other_samui.htm

Tiger Zoo and Aquarium Samui Aquarium & Tiger Zoo Review

This place is much more than just a Tiger show,it's a bird show,aquarium,resort,beach and a fun way to spend a few hours while in Samui.
There is a great resort here called the Samui Orchid resort with pools and a nice beach.
There is also a very large and interesting aquarium where you can go down under the water level and look at all the fish close up.
They will even allow you to feed the Turtles if you want.
The Tiger show itself is about 1pm each day and quite good but not very long, although the bird show that preceeds it is very well done and a lot of fun.
The audience and in particular children are urged to participate in the bird show.
All up it is well worth the money and time for a great day out.

Address: Hua Thanon, 33/2, Moo 2, Tambon Maret

Directions: Samui Orchid Resort & Aquarium, South Lamai Beach (Baan Harn Village).

Other Contact: email orchid@sawadee.com

Phone: 0 7742 4017-8, 0 7723 2198

Website: http://www.samuiorchid.com/aquarium.html

Chill out on Chaweng beach (part2) Beaches Review

Early in the morning the beach is a great place for a quiet dip to help you to decide how you will spend another day in paradise.
One of the photo's here is the view from my breakfast table over-looking Chaweng beach.
Not too long after I took these photo's I was in there for my morning wake up swim.
I wasn't there long before the Jet-ski guys arrived to start thier wheeling and dealing for another day.
They have a very good business here and must make a fortune as their jet-ski's were always in use.
Also you can buy just about anything you want on this beach, once the merchants start trotting up and down the beach with there wide range of products for sale.
You can get a great massage here too for only a few hundred baht per hour! (oil or Thai style)

Address: Chaweng Beach

Directions: Turn left of the mian street of Chaweng and you will be there.

Lamai Beach Beaches Review

Lamai beach is a lot more quite and laid back compared to to Chaweng beaches hive of activity.
However the resturants and beach service drinks is still close-by and so are the Jet-ski's if you want one.
Also (as you can see in the photo) there are still sarong and cloths sellers walking up and down the beach just in case you get a sudden urge to buy something.
There are less people around though when compared with Chaweng beach.
It is a beautiful place to go for a relaxing swim though and in some places the water gets very deep quite quickly.

Address: Lamai beach.

Directions: Left from the main Lamai shops.
If need be you can go though one of the beach-side bungalo's to get there like I did.

Chill out on Chaweng beach (Part 1) Beaches Review

Some days there were almost no waves at all off Chaweng beach and other days the swell was fairly big.
The jet-ski's on Chaweng beach are very fast with a 1100CC engine in them.
It's 600 Baht for 15 minutes though...but heaps of fun..SANUK MAAK
After a big night the deck chairs on Chaweng beach were fantastic and many poeple just went there to crash during the day..
All day long the beach vendors will walk up and down this beach with beach balls,boogie boards and different types of beach games that you can buy from them and then enjoy with your friends.
The most popular is the short handled beach tennis that is fun to play in the cooler parts of the day..like sunset.
If you like to be served your food and drinks on the beach then there is no better place than Chaweng beach to relax eat, drink and people watch.
The food is good at most places along the beach and the Barracuda bar is one of the best places for a drink.
The Barracuda bar went off on new years eve where I was drinking Vodka & Red bull buckets with my friends until about 3am with fireworks and lanterns being let go into the warm night sky.

Address: Chaweng Beach

Directions: Turn left of the main street in Chaweng and you will be at the beach.