Koh Samui, A Tropical Paradise
Picture an island nestling in the calm, azure blue waters of the Gulf of Thailand fringed by coral reefs with beaches of powder soft white sand framed by a backdrop of coconut trees, their fronds dancing in the gentle breeze. The palms stretch upward to the central uplands, thick with lush tropical vegetation. The coast and lower slopes are awash with coconut palms making Koh Samui the ‘Coconut Capital of Thailand’. It is said the island sends 2,000.000 coconuts per month to Bangkok. This green vista is interspersed occasionally by black granite boulders. Some of these rock formations appear to defy gravity by hanging dramatically against the hillside. This tropical paradise is called Koh Samui. A 250 square kilometre rounded island which is about the same size as Penang.
Koh Samui translates from Koh, the Thai word for island, and Samui, which is probably derived from the Chinese “saboey†meaning safe harbour. The magic island first came to the attention of world travellers when it started to crop up in conversation in many of the cheap hotels that then clustered around Bangkok’s Hualamphong Railway station some 45 years ago. It was difficult to get to, requiring special negotiation with fishermen in Suratthani lying 80 kilometres across the sea on the mainland. When you reached the island, there was no road and so those intrepid voyagers hopped from beach to beach by boat. In the past forty plus years things have changed hugely.
The island is now served by an international airport that looks more like a botanical garden than the accepted tradition of functional ‘air station’. Flights leave hourly for the new Suvarnbhumi Airport in Bangkok and link the island to additional destinations such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Pattaya and Phuket. A 52-kilometre road rings Samui and links all the major towns. Nathon the capital plays host to government buildings and banks and serves as one of the ferry ports serving the Thai mainland. The road skirts the 635-metre mountain that sits centrally astride the landmass and takes in the main resorts of Lamai and Chaweng. Lamai is the smaller of the two and offers a quieter and perhaps cleaner beach. The latter caters for, perhaps, a younger and more energetic visitor. Further on lies Bangrak is better known as “Big Buddha Beach†as it takes its name from the huge Buddha statue at the eastern end of the bay. Borphut boasts a trendy fisherman’s village, much favoured by French tourists and Maenam to the north offers spectacular views across to Koh Phangan and the Ang Thong Natural Marine Park. This area is much less crowded than the bustling Chaweng and the marginally quieter Lamai. It still retains its original Thai flavour. However, to get to grips with authentic ‘Samui’ you need to rent a car or motorbike and take one of the many roads that lead up away from the coast and into the mountain. As you climb higher you come to rubber plantations and hidden away villages clustering around paddy fields, still hanging onto a traditional way of life that is far removed from the tourist dominated hotels, resorts, restaurants and bars that cluster around the coast.
Samui has over the years developed a reputation as centre of complementary medicine offering spas designed to detox inhabitants of an overstressed globe. The Health Oasis Resort located adjacent to the unspoiled Bang Po Beach to the west of Maenam offers stunning views across to Koh Phangan. Sit in the authentic vegetarian restaurant after six p.m. and turn your head to the west you will witness spectacular sunsets over the islands that comprise the Ang Thong National Park. Health Oasis is unique in that the Thai Department of Health lists it as a traditional medicine hospital. It specialises in supervised detox and fasting treatments.
Be sure of this, whatever your tastes Koh Samui will be able to provide a venue for a holiday that will linger long in your memory. So if you are planning a trip of a lifetime whether it be for tourism or health this magical island is a venue well worth considering.
Tourist Attractions of Cambodia
March 8, 2009 by admin
Filed under Tourists Attractions
The Kingdom of Cambodia is a country in South East Asia with a population of more than fifteen million people. The kingdom’s capital and largest city is Phnom Penh. Cambodia is the successor state of the once powerful Hindu and Buddhist Khmer Empire, which ruled most of the Indochinese Peninsula between the eleventh and fourteenth centuries. A citizen of Cambodia is usually identified as "Cambodian" or "Khmer," though the latter strictly refers to ethnic Khmers. Most Cambodians are Theravada Buddhists of Khmer extraction, but the country also has a substantial number of predominantly Muslim Cham, as well as ethnic Chinese, Vietnamese and small animist hill tribes. The country borders Thailand to its west and northwest, Laos to its northeast, and Vietnam to its east and southeast. In the south it faces the Gulf of Thailand. The geography of Cambodia is dominated by the Mekong river (colloquial Khmer: Tonle Thom or "the great river") and the Tonlé Sap ("the fresh water lake"), an important source of fish.
Cambodia’s main industries are garments, tourism, and construction. In 2007, foreign visitors to Angkor Wat numbered more than 4 million. Any list of Cambodia’s tourist attractions should have the following in them:
The Virachey National Park in Cambodia – It lies along the boundaries of Vietnam and Laos. This national park was set up to counter the avoidable abuse and ruin of natural biodiversity.
Yeak Laom Volcanic Lake – One of the well -known Cambodia tourist attractions, it was formed due to volcanic eruption. This lake and its forested surroundings is one of the most scenic spots in the Cambodian region of Ratanakiri.
Bokor National Park – Another one of the well-known tourist destinations in Cambodia, this national park is the last refuge to many rare species like the tiger and the elephant. The breathtaking beauty of Vietnamese and Cambodian coastal line can be admired from its lofty heights.
Kompong Luong – Among the other Cambodia tourist attractions, this floating village is worth viewing. Popular for its scenic setup with its vivid shops, restaurants, and petrol stations- all floating on the Great Lake, Kompong Luong is indeed a great experience in itself. The Tonle Sap Lake, the gigantic dumbbell shaped fresh water lake forms a picturesque background to it.
Kampong Cham – One of the top tourist destinations in Cambodia, it is one of those sites, which reflects the real charm of this nation’s cultural heritage along with Preah Vihear, Cambodia ‘s ancient temple site.
Angkor Archaeological Park – The jewel in the crown of all tourist attractions in Cambodia is this international landmark. Placed in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites, this archeological spot has immense historical and archeological significance. The Angkor Wat Temple, the Bayon Temple and the Angkor Thom are the main attractions of Angkor Archeological Park.
Cambodia offers not only such breathtaking sights but also ultra comfortable accommodation to the all that flock to it to behold its majestic beauty. Although the price range of the hotels in Cambodia is pretty large yet the comfort found even in the budget hotels are quite endearing. Some of the luxury hotels known for their services and amenities are Borei Bokor Hotel Kampot, Prince D’Angkor hotel Siem Reap, Cambodiana hotel Phnom Penh. While Steung Siem Reap hotel and Goldiana hotel Phnom Penh are for those who are more budget conscious.
