Thailand is a country rich in culture. A country that has something for everyone – brilliant sunshine, internationally renowned food, beautiful beaches and, of course, nightlife that rivals Ibiza. Picture this. You’ve been in Phuket, you have partied on Bangla Road, you’ve made friends with the staff in the many beer bars… you decide a few nights’ island hopping is the way forward. You could head over to Koh Phangan and experience a full moon party, complete with buckets of alcohol and neon face paint. You could head to Koh Phi Phi and sun yourself on the island made famous by the movie, The Beach.
But why not choose Koh Samui as your starting point and take a few days to relax and reset, before continuing your adventures? Koh Samui, Thailand’s second largest island, has many places and things to do that allow you to press the reset button and take things at a slightly slower pace. Read on to discover a few.
Secret Buddha Garden
You’ll have to pay a fee to enter here, but once in, you’ll be glad you did. In the hills of Koh Samui, you’ll find the Secret Buddha Garden, home to an array of sculptures of many different animals and creatures. Nim Thongsuk, a fruit farmer, began to erect the sculptures in 1976 and continued to do so until his death at the age of 91. Not only will you find these wonderful sculptures, but you’ll also be privy to the abundance of beautiful nature on display.
Taling Ngam Beach
Situated in the north of the island, Taling Ngam Beach is a beautiful picturesque beach. It is less crowded than others on Samui and you’ll have views of the gorgeous Angthong Marine National Park. You should be able to travel here from Nathon in less than 30 minutes by car. The sunset here is beautiful too.
Na Muang 2
Koh Samui has beautiful natural scenery, not least Na Muang 1 and Na Muang 2, which are waterfalls situated about a 25-minute drive from Nathon. Although they are a popular tourist destination you can still find some peace here. Don’t stop at the first one but continue walking for 30 minutes and you’ll arrive at Na Muang 2. Because of the extra walk, this one tends to be quieter.
Beach club
When the beach is busy, and you are in need of a refreshing pool, great food, and somewhere to watch the beautiful sunset on the beach, a beach club is a fantastic choice out of all the things to do in Koh Samui. Check out Tropics Beach Club, where you can relax by the pool, take some time out of the sun in the games hub, and refresh with drinks from the bar.
A few days on the island will allow you only to scratch the surface of everything that Koh Samui has to offer. Whatever your reason for visiting is, be it relaxation, partying, diving or hiking, you’ll be sure to find something that makes you want to return time and time again.