The,Thai,Island,Samui,Normal,f travel,insurance The Thai Island of Samui

Torres del Paine is among the biggest of Chile’s national parks, occupying almost 600,000 acres (242,000 ha) of land in the south on the border with Argentina. It is also among the most important, receiving a significant proportion of domes Like any American, traveling occasionally is just what I love doing and I bet you share the same stuff with me. But traveling does not mean that you would be safe. Escaping from our job and other stressful activities is just something that w

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-priority:99;mso-style-qformat:yes;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;mso-para-margin-top:0in;mso-para-margin-right:0in;mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;mso-para-margin-left:0in;line-height:115%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:"Cordia New";}Surprisingly to some, Samui, a beautiful tropical island in Thailand, has a high season in July andAugust. This precedes the September/October monsoon period and can be seen asan Indian summer for the tourist retreat that opposes Phuket both seasonallyand for tourist facilities. Samui has no golf and really is cut off from themainland. Far smaller and more of the paradisiacal island than its sisterresort island in the Andaman, this is where people come to kick back ratherthan play.Part of the laid-back routine now sees thousands flock to themonthly Koh Phangan full moon parties.However, there is an alternative Samui away from Chaweng andfull moons. Even allowing for its rise in popularity since the opening ofBangkok Airway's own airport over 20 years ago, there is still plenty to find inSamui away from the madding crowd.For so long the backpacker hippie style retreat, the islandnow caters to the more up market clientele as well, with such properties as TheBaan Taling Ngam and the Dusit Santiburi.The new spa trend has also spread to the Gulf Island with twonoticeable establishments leading the way. The laid-back Axolotl is situated atBan Tai beach and offers accommodation from baht 500-2000 as well as Tibetanmeditation, kundalini, tarot reading, Chakra reading and Yoga classes. Holisticmassage and flower and herb remedies add to the sense of well being experiencedthrough the small resort's activities.With excellent snorkeling and swimming right off the beach atAxlotl it's hard to leave once you have checked in, especially with theadjoining La Luna restaurant serving perhaps the island's best vegetarian food.The Tamarind Springs Retreat is very successful yet notspoiled by its surge forward since it's opening in 1998. Situated at theentrance to Lamai, its acreage now encompasses small short-stay cottages aswell as the original massage and therapy center. The central attraction is theherbal spa located between two huge boulders on the hillside. Here is a plungepool and relaxation area connected to the main open-roofed massage rooms.Entrepreneur Shelley Poplak has added 10 self-catering cottages. Rates arearound baht 3500 in low season and up to baht 6000 in high season. Themanagement are linked with the alternative cuisine restaurant, Beetlenut, atChaweng and its vision for health and sanity is virtually second to none.A full-day relaxation session with 90 minute massage andherbal steam bath with lots of other goodies still costs baht 1000 and it'snatural setting on the slopes of Tamarind Hill lend a lot to the sense of wellbeing one can experience from a visit here.Looking at other areas, Bophut remains somewhat secludedalthough its stature as the boarding point for the full moon transfer boat hasseen its popularity grow. However it is mostly pass-through traffic andevenings are quiet. Only problem here is the shallow waters, not so great forthe avid swimmer.MaeNam, Thong Yang and Cheong Mon still offer simpleseclusion for those requiring no-frills beachcombing. Sandy Resort is one ofmany properties with excellent facilities at budget rates.Central Butterfly Resort should appeal to the "veg outwith comfort" punter and its location away from the relative hustle andbustle of Chaweng/Lamai guarantees that.Long-established Laem Set Inn caters to the upper market clientelewith a "basic" in comfort theme, similar to Pattaya's Sugar Hut.Rates here start at baht 2900 and the architecture and landscaping are worth aone-night stay in themselves.As well as the recent catering to up market clientele, Samuiis also establishing itself as a stop off point for visitors to the outlyingislands, particular Phangan and Ko Tao. Ko Phangan has Haad Rin of course, butif prepared to take the high road, as it were, the more secluded Bottle Beachand others are excellent retreats for peace and tranquility.On to Khao Tao is perhaps now the jaunt to make as full moonextensions take over at Phangan. Diving is the order of the day here and as yetfacilities are not overpowering the delicate balance of the island's ecosystem.Koh NangNguan is perhaps one of the prettiest beaches aroundand may well remain so; as to reach there one has to travel via Koh Phangan andKoh Tao. It's worth the effort and rivals any white sand beach in SoutheastAsia.These islands are what Samui was 10 years ago and have yet toreach out for the up market client. Beach huts and Robinson Crusoe-style livingare seen as the expectation of most visitors. Direct boats now operate directto Phangan from the mainland.Back on base (Samui), Budget Rent A Car is now firmlyestablished at Samui Airport and Caribians are the order of the day. This is anexcellent way to see the island or one may prefer off-road scooter vehicles aspromoted by several off-road companies now plying the interior with excursionsto Na Muang and Hin Lat waterfalls. These falls provide a good alternative tosea swimming with their cool deep fresh pools and Angthong Marine Park, aNational Park in its own right, has visits leaving daily with snorkelingavailable from the boat. Blue Star, amongst other sea kayaking companies rivalsPhuket's Sea Canoe and takes in sea caves and offshore sandbars and islands.Most longer stay visitors should attempt at least one marine excursion and thelatter's day excursions are great for soft adventurers.Nathon is the port town of Samui and beaches south of hereare often deserted with small bungalow properties on the water's edge. Being onthe leeward side of the island they offer very good swimming and a certainseclusion not found on the eastern side.If you don't arrive by boat, it has to be by air. And, thereis a noticeable difference in fare from Utapao for those living on the eastside of the capital, especially with the quicker road routes to the easternseaboard