Joanna James
Koh Samui is situated on the east coast and is a destination that is very popular among budget travellers and backpackers. Here are some things to do.
This is one of the most distinctive landmarks of the island and one of the main Koh Samui attractions. Big Buddha, also referred to as the Wat Phra Yai is a temple that houses a 12-metre statue of a seated Buddha that was built during 1972. Due to its sheer height, it can be spotted from several kilometres away and is one of the easily spotted landmarks of the city during the aeroplane descent. At the base of the statue is a courtyard of sorts that has many stalls and food restaurants from which you can get a quick meal or enjoy some local street food.
Ang Thong, which is translated into "The Golden Basin" is an archipelago consisting of 42 islands and has a diverse landscape; thick and luscious jungles; waterfalls; pristine beaches and hidden coves. The park was established in 1980 and is home to many animals including the long-tailed monkeys, white-bellied sea turtle. One of the popular islands is Koh Mae, also dubbed as the Mother Island, which has a spectacular saltwater lagoon which is named the Emerald Lake. Because it is a national park, access to it is allowed only via government-approved tour-boats and has a minimum entrance fee of 200 baht for foreigners. The Taling Ngam beach, a low-key peaceful spot, is not so far away and is where Sunset Coast Samui Resort & Villas are located.
This is a waterfall like no other and is quite the sight with its silky water cascading down to form a natural pool. The name "Namtok Na Muang" means purple waterfalls, a name derived due to the unmissable purple hue of the rocks. The waterfall is located amidst a lush jungle which is easily accessible from the main road. The path isn't too strenuous. However, due wear sensible footwear as some parts of the path can be quite slippery. There is no entrance fee so do not fall into the trap of certain "local guides". There are plenty of food stalls and souvenir shops on the way.
Meaning 'Turtle Island', as the name suggests is a place where you can spot many turtles. The beach is quite popular for scuba diving due to its crystal-clear waters, colourful coral reefs. Ever since it was identified as a great spot for tourism only a couple of decades ago, it really has come far and still strives to provide visitors with an unforgettable experience.
This is a hidden spot among the hills of Koh Samui filled with many unique collections of statues of animals, humans and deities. It is a work of Nim Thongsuk, a fruit farmer, who decided to erect statues randomly in this land which belonged to him. There is also a small waterfall and a stream that snakes through the luscious foliage.
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A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
