Garuda Indonesia Colours Magazine April 2018 | Page 134

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Travel | Koh Samui
Some resorts such as Hansar Samui
are located right on the beach.
Thailand is an ideal holiday destination for slowing down
at luxurious resorts, enjoying delicious and spicy food, and
indulging in affordable wellness treatments. There
are several well-known Thai beachside destinations such
as Phuket, Phi Phi, Krabi, Pattaya and Hua Hin,
and each has its own special charm.
1
Koh Samui, located in the Gulf of Thailand,
is recognised in Thailand for its coconuts,
with many parts of the 250 km 2 island
supporting swaying coconut palms.
While international airlines do fly here,
the airport still takes on the appearance of a
domestic airstrip – with passengers alighting
onto the tarmac ready to be transferred in
open-sided carts to the arrival hall.
Koh Samui is a small island, but to
circumnavigate it and admire the sights
takes most of the day. Towns, villages and
resort precincts grip the sandy fringes,
with most resorts vying for the best
beachfront locations on the northern
and eastern coastlines.
Colourful Buddhist temples are located
all over Samui, with Big Buddha and
Wat Plai Laem the temples most visited.
Plan to be near Big Buddha in the early
evening to enjoy the sunset and the cool
beverages served at beachside bars located
along Bophut bay near the temple’s
entrance. Wat Khao Hua Jook,
perched high above Chaweng beach,
is recommended for its panoramic views.
Chaweng is the most popular beach
and best for those who want around-the-
clock beachside action. Its four-kilometre
sweep of golden sand is where all the
daytime sun-worshipping happens,
while the road behind is full of outlets
for dining, drinking, partying
and shopping.
This main street is lined with every
retail opportunity from tattoo artists
to the expansive shopping mall Central
Festival. Many outlets offer massage
treatments, while the restaurants serve
Thai and global cuisines.