Experience Koh Samui in Thailand for a True Tropical Island Adventure Most people visit the Thai island of Koh Samui for the beaches and they're never disappointed. The beaches fulfill all the promise of a tropical island with their expanses of white sand lapped by a crystal clear sea under an endless warm sun. Samui's beaches are wonderful but if you limit yourself to beaches on your Samui sojourn, you'll be missing out on a host of other attractions that the island offers. Here's your guide to making the most of your island experience. Hop on a bike, rent a car or book a tour and get away from the beaches for a day or two to discover the other side of the island. These include Buddhist temples and pagodas, stunning rock formations, elephant treks and waterfalls, or you can get off Samui completely and visit other islands in the archipelago. It may seem like a world apart but Koh Samui is a part of Thailand and is a great place to experience Thai culture and the unique Thai lifestyle. Thai culture is best experienced in the beautiful Buddhist temples and Samui has its fair share. The most famous Buddhist temple on the island is probably Wat Phu Yai which translates as Big Buddha Temple. It's so-named owing to its 15-meter high Buddha image which looms over the headline and is a haunting sight if your boating offshore, especially at sunset. Another unique Samui sight is the twin rocks of Hin Ta and Hin Yai, literally Grandfather Rock and Grandmother Rock. Visitors have commented on the phallic appearance. According to legend these rocks represent two lovers who committed suicide at this spot because their families disapproved of their love. Elephants play a major role in Thai culture and Samui offers you the great experience of riding an elephant into the jungle. Many of the island's natural sites lie deep in the jungle and the best way to reach them is on elephant back. Some of Samui’s waterfalls such as Na Mung are easily accessible; for others such as Hin Lad falls, you'll need to trek along a jungle path. These falls are delightful after the rainy season but can get dry in the summer. And by climbing to the peaks of the mountains, you can gain spectacular views of the surrounding area as far as distant islands in the archipelago. In fact it's a great idea to charter a boat and get off the island completely and visit neighbouring islands in the archipelago. For an unforgettable day out, head some 27 km to the Ang Thong archipelago. This cluster of 40 small islands is said to have been the inspiration for the movie â€The Beach’. The area is one of haunting beauty of caves and lagoons with limestone karsts thrusting out of the sea. Only one of the islands is inhabited and you'll get a true desert island experience. This area is home to the seafaring nomads of southern Thailand known as chao-le or sea gypsies. They live a unique lifestyle based on fishing and traces of their animistic beliefs can be seen in the decoration of their boats. But it’s the nature that is the most alluring part of Ang Thong; the whole area is a national park and home to protected wildlife including otters, langurs, crab-eating monkeys, silver haired bats, along with over 54 species of bird and 14 species of reptile. Kayaking and snorkeling are popular here and it's a paradise. National Park Headquarters on Koh Wua Talap offers accommodation in the form of basic bungalows should you wish to stay overnight. So make the most of your Samui experience. Getting around is easy; the island is just 25 km long and 21 km wide. Samui travel is convenient via a ring road that loops around the island linking beaches and all the island's attractions. Koh Samui Thailand was made for lounging on beaches but once in a while you'll want to get away from the sand and see more of what the island has to offer. And when you're done exploring, you can always head back to Chaweng Beach for another day in the sun.
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