 |
 |
|
|
Don't be shy on coconut island 
Don't be shy on coconut island
PALM trees, golden beaches,
sunshine - the dream tropical holiday doesn't get a lot better than
that.
Plai Laem temple, Koh Samui, Thailand.
These treats,
and more, draw thousands of Brits to Koh Samui, dubbed the Island of
Coconuts, in the Gulf of Thailand.
Many visitors have so fallen
in love with the place that they've bought holiday homes.
Long
ago Koh Samui was a magnet for hippies and you can still stay in a
wooden hut for just £2 a night.
But now celebs such as the
Beckhams and Sven Goran Eriksson also own luxury villas there.
There
are fabulous tropical beaches, including the palm-fringed strip at
Chaweng.
Just beware of timeshare touts.
You can tour the
island in half a day. A taxi for four hours costs about £25.
But
get a driver with enough English to explain where you want to go.
Just
north of Ban Hua Thanon you can tackle the interestingly shaped
Grandmother and Grandfather rocks, a rude combination of geology and
biology.
At the Khunaram monastery is a mummified Buddhist monk
who predicted the date of his death.
Plai Laem Buddhist temple,
Koh Samui, Thailand,
When he died in 1973, aged 79, his followers
sat him up in his coffin and that is where he greets visitors today.
The
Na Muang 1 waterfalls cascade 60ft into a rock pool and a short uphill
hike takes you to the more remote Na Muang 2 falls.
Na Muang 1
falls are reached by road and you can try an elephant ride through the
jungle.
Check out the Samui Butterfly Farm, while Koh Samui also
has centres displaying monkeys, crocodiles and snakes.
Thai
boxing is popular and bouts occur several times a week.
On the
north coast at Bangrak is the 40ft Big Buddha, next to the ornate Plai
Laem temple.
In Bophut Bay, known as Fisherman's Village for its
relaxed and traditional lifestyle, you can dine on the beach at a number
of good restaurants.
Some of the best sunsets in Asia can be
enjoyed in the south west of the island around Taling Ngam Bay.
The
stunning Tongsai Bay eco-resort comprises villas, cottages and
apartments that blend in with the landscape and wildlife.
Every
room has a bath on the balcony so you can freshen up while enjoying the
views.
If you fancy tropical chilling, the Island of Coconuts is
the answer.
You'd be nuts not to.
Read more:
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/travel/1413081/Sunny-Koh-Samui-makes-dream-holiday-destination.html#ixzz0TbQbUFP1
Source: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/travel/1413081/Sunny-Koh-Samui...
|
|
|
