Samui Diaries
I've preached it once, and I'll preach it again. Penguin and I were fortunate enough to visit Koh Samui for a while to experience the beauty of this island. While we stayed most of the time at Villa Punpreeda in Bophut, making the most out of the amenities and our private pool, we did spare some time to see the famous Big Buddha, stroll along the streets to the other beaches, and watch the sunset while we sipped cocktails by the sea at Fisherman's Village. Little bits that make up for a perfect relaxing vacation. While I might not ever go back to this place, here are a few tips I can give you if ever you find yourselves in Samui.
Banana-roti is a must-try, not just in Samui but anywhere in Thailand, for that matter. You've never tasted a perfect pancake or crepe unless you've tried a banana-roti.
The island is pretty big, and transportation can get expensive as they don't have metered taxis. If you're travelling in a group and at least one person can drive, better to rent a vehicle that you can drive anywhere. Otherwise, rent a motorcycle, which is what Penguin and I did on our second day, so that we could stroll around the island without spending too much on taxis.
On the other hand, if you'd rather take a taxi, do agree on the price with the driver first before getting in the vehicle. They can be tricky.
Like I said, the island is big, so make sure you know where you want to stay and stay there. Bophut is decent but quiet, which is exactly what Penguin and I wanted. However, if you prefer the nightlife and clamor of party-goers, better to stay in Chaweng or Lamai. Besides having a wide selection of restaurants and bars in both areas, you'll also find most of the watersports in these areas.
Also, not all beaches are accessible for swimming. Again, if you want to swim on the beach, better to stay in Chaweng or Lamai.
Taling Ngam is the best place to watch the sunset, at the InterContinental Resort Air Bar in particular.
The best place to take photos, especially at sunset, is the boat dock at Fisherman's Village.
