Tuesday, 27 March 2012

Koh Samui Weather: When is the best time of the year to go?

People like to joke that there are 3 seasons in Koh Samui, hot, very hot, and very very very hot (photo courtesy of Kohsamui.thailandtravelo.com)

Koh Samui is an island located off the east coast of Kra Isthmus in Thailand. Being Thailand’s third largest island, it is a palm tree-lined haven with white sand beaches, bright blue waters, and bright sunshine. This island, being a beautiful place where one can soak up the sun and enjoy the warm Samui weather, attracts many tourists year after year.

Having a typical tropical climate, Samui weather is generally warm and sunny. The usual temperature varies from 25 to 34 degrees Celsius.  Samui shares the same kind of weather like its surrounding areas in Asia. It has one dry season----a period where Samui weather is ideal to visit the beaches and do all kinds of water activities like surfing and swimming. To offset the very high humidity, there is the so-called rainy season. During this time, light to heavy rains can be observed. Most of the time however, these precipitations are only brief, and the tourists can enjoy the sun again after a few hours.

The best period to visit is from December to June. These are the months when the Koh Samui weather  is perfect. Tourists flock the island around this time of the year and take the time off to see this hidden haven in Thailand. This is a blissful place with impressive luxurious resorts such as the ShaSa hotel, where one can enjoy the beauty of islands in comfort. Samui is also the place to sample the most authentic local delicacies. There are a variety of delicious foods here to try.

If you came here for the beaches, you won’t be disappointed. This island will delight you with the purity of its waters and rich natural wonders that you kind find here. It is known that many people go here to fish, as most of the best catches are in this island. If you are not that fond of the beach however, you can still find plenty of excuses to visit Samui. There’s a butterfly farm, a crocodile farm, interesting rock formations, monkey shows and a snake farm in Samui. Life in the island is simple and it’s a place where time moves slowly, allowing one to relax.

The rainy season in the island is from the end of September to November. If you like to make the most of your stay, then just be wary of this period. Generally though, Samui weather won't affect your visit that much. 

Monday, 26 March 2012

Rent a Car in Koh Samui

Depicted above are some of the cars you'll be able to rent in Koh Samui


It is so much more convenient to rent a car in Koh Samui when you are on vacation then constantly having to look for public transportation. Renting a car means you don't have to stress out  carrying your luggage everywhere until you get to your destination. There is also less risk of frauds and drivers who will overcharge you and rip you off if you rent a ar in Koh Samui. 

There are a number of rent-a-car companies in Koh Samui and you can book one at the following locations: Chiang Rai International Airport, Chiang Mai International Airport, Udon Thani Airport, Khon Khaen Airport, Samui International Airport, Phuket International Airport, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok Downtown Petchburee Road, Hua Hin Downtown Villa Market, Pattaya Downtown Outlet Mall, Khao Lak Downtown Palm Galleria and Krabi Downtown Krabi Maritime. There are twelve types of cars to choose from depending on your preference and the number of people who will be seated in the car with you.

Car rentals in Koh Samui or anywhere in Thailand for that matter have extra fuel costs excluded from the rate that you will be paying so it is best to prepare extra baht for this. You may also choose some add-ons such as child seat, GPS navigator and super LDW.

If you have a change of plans and need to cancel your car rental reservations, being able to do so 24 hours prior to vehicle pick up will give you the privilege of not having to pay for a cancellation fee. If the cancellation is made later, there will be a fee which is equivalent to one day rental.
                 
 Koh Samui is a beautiful place to explore, it's full of fantastic hotels and resorts such as the ShaSa Resort and with the convenience of having your personal driver and car take you to wherever you want to go is a great stress reliever.

Payment for renting a car in Koh Samui may be paid in cash, valid major credit cards such as Visa, Master, Amex and Credit card.  Make sure to prepare the following vital documents when making a rent : Copy of ID card or passport, and a valid copy of the credit card made to pay the reservation along with the pre- authorized amount from customer's credit card as guarantee.

There is a 24 hour emergency assistance service number which you can call. It may be reached through (66) 2 6351234 or (66) 81 7107967. 

Saturday, 24 March 2012

5 Drinks you Must Try while in Koh Samui

Picture of the ShaSa Mojito, the most refreshing and  delicious alcoholic beverage you'll find in Ko Samui. 
The ShaSa Resort is great place to go to grab a drink for a celebration with your crazy friends or loved ones. It is never a real occasion without drinks and cocktails. And when you are in the beautiful and thrilling island of Koh Samui, there are a few drinks that you shouldn’t miss out on.

SHASA MOJITO

The Shasa Mojito is ShaSa Resort's signature drink that is perfectly blended to be both strong and sweet. Stay by the bar, order a glass of this cocktail and will probably want more! This drink is made from the finest Samui Rum and is currently the most popular drink sold at their hotel, the ShaSa Resort's famous mojito is worth trying, everybody has to have at least a sip of it once.

LA PINA COLADA

Enjoy a delicious glass of the piƱa colada with a Thai twist that is made of pineapple, rum, coconut cream and pineapple juice. ShaSa Resort has a generous offering of this Puerto Rican drink topped with a slice of fresh pineapple. Variations of this fruity cocktail could also be ordered. There is the amaretto colada which uses amaretto instead of rum, the Kahlua colada which uses Kahlua instead of rum and the King Henry or Chi Chi which uses vodka.

MARGARITA

A wild concoction of tequila, lime, salt and a variety of other delicious flavours, this fancily served drink never fails to assure its drinkers of a good time. The best thing about margaritas is that they are offered almost anywhere. The ShaSa ResSgort makes one of the margaritas you’ll find on the island.

SHOTS AT VIKING BAR

For numerous variety of shots, head to Viking Bar in the heart of Chaweng and show your drinking prowess by joining in on a shot competition while making new friends from all over the world. Viking offers the yummiest flavours of shots including chocolate, strawberry and other flavours.

BEER AT SHAMROCK

Get the best beer on the island from the Shamrock Irish Pub located in the very center of Lamai. Try out a variety of beer from all over the world here. Shamrock offers Tiger beer, Chang, Heineken, Erdinger Weissbier, Magners and Kilkenny Irish beer. Don't be afraid to discover the beer which is perfect for your taste.

Thursday, 22 March 2012

Snorkeling in Heavenly Clear Water

The water is crystal clear in Koh Samui, so clear that you can easily capture  pictures of the  sea creatures. (photo courtesy of sodahead.com)

Bored of monkey shows and elephant riding? Looking for a Koh Samui adventure? Most people go to Koh Samui to unwind and take advantage of the islands amazing beaches. It doesn’t matter if you prefer lounging on the beach while getting a tan and enjoying a magnificent view or swimming and doing water sports, Koh Samui has it all. However, perhaps the biggest tourist attraction is the islands underwater world.

Discover a whole new world that you never knew existed by snorkeling or scuba diving in Koh Samui. Some of the aquatic creatures and coral you’ll see will surprise you and go beyond your imagination and what you expected. Never in your wildest dreams did you probably ever think you’ll be able to swim with sharks and dolphins but in Koh Samui you can.

This Koh Samui adventure will truly make you feel alive and refreshed.

In Koh Samui you’ll be able to snorkel and dive deep into the Gulf of Thailand. The ShaSa resort will be able to help you find discounted snorkeling and scuba diving tours for you to go on while you in Koh Samui. Unfortunately, if you have never scuba dived before you will need to take some classes and get trained otherwise you won’t be able to go scuba diving anywhere in Thailand or other parts of the world. This is the predominant reason why the majority of people who go to Koh Samui will choose to go snorkeling instead of scuba diving.

If you decide to go on a Koh Samui adventure tour either scuba diving or snorkelling you won’t be disappointed. The captains of the boat know all the best spots for you to go to. Some of the most popular full day snorkeling sites are in Koh Tao and Nang Yang via a speedboat. The sandbar beaches here will absolutely take your breath away.  

Since you will be traveling using a speedboat you’ll also be able to arrive at these beaches faster and be able to spend more time underwater checking sea creatures and coral reef. Sites you’ll most likely be stopping by include Tian Nok, Hin Wong and Sairee bays. The full day snorkeling trip, which is the one we recommend also includes lunch, snacks and beverages.

What are you waiting for? Book a trip to Thailand now and go on a Koh Samui adventure that will you will remember for the rest of your life! 

Sunday, 18 March 2012

Golfing Paradise

Golf in paradise at the the Santiburi Samui Country Club, pictured here (photo courtesy of golfasian.com) 

There are many amazing golf courses around the world, which allow avid golfers to exercise, relax and enjoy a beautiful view. One of the top Koh Samui attractions is golfing.

Playing golf has been scientifically proven to help individuals relieve stress. The game is fun and forces players to concentrate solely on hitting the ball. Most golf courses are natural and provide great scenery that promotes peace within the body and soul. Golf has become one of the most well-liked Koh Samui attractions over the years.

People from all around the world have travelled to Koh Samui to not only swim at their top notch beaches but also to go golfing in paradise. Koh Samui is home to Santiburi Samui Country Club. Some of the greatest golfers in the world have come to Thailand to play at this golf course.

Each one of the golf holes at the Santiburi Samui Country Club provides its own unique obstacles and challenges. The entire golf course (18 holes) is over 6,900 yards. Golfers should be prepared to have to avoid coconut trees, sand pits and hills that will lead to water. It’s no wonder that this golf course has quickly become one of the most popular Koh Samui attractions in the area.

The gorgeous natural setting of the golf course is breath-taking. While playing on the golf course you’ll be able to enjoy a magnificent view of beaches and the exquisiteness of island.

Another fun event that takes place annually in Koh Samui is the Mini Golf International. There are numerous mini golf courses spread out across the island but the most professional one in located at Choeng Mon.

The Bophut Hills Golf Club is yet another golf course that players like going to, although it isn’t as well-known as the Mini Golf International or Santiburi Golf Course, it’s still a great place to go to relax. The ShaSa resort is able to provide you with more information about several Koh Samui attractions  including golf packages and exclusive deals that you can only get from the hotel. 

Saturday, 3 March 2012

ShaSa Biggest Party Facebook Application



The world-renowned ShaSa resort is one of the most popular hotels in Thailand.  This hotel has received numerous awards and has received great reviews from several respected online sites including Trip Advisor.

ShaSa is situated in Koh Samui close to a private beach and located next to many tourist destinations. Koh Samui is a must see place and there’s no better place to stay in Koh Samui than the ShaSa resort.

Now you may get your chance to finally stay at this hotel without paying any money!
Four lucky individuals will have a chance to go to this prominent hotel located in paradise for free. All you have to do is go to the ShaSa Facebook page and click like, find the tab that says Biggest Party (Facebook Application), follow the instructions and then invite your friends. It’s very easy!

Prizes include 3 days and 2 nights at the ShaSa resort, ShaSa signature Spa treatment, daily breakfast at Beyond the Sea and even domestic airline tickets for 4 persons.



For more information about the hotel you might be soon staying at check out http://www.shasahotels.com/.  

Wednesday, 29 February 2012

Best Koh Samui Diving School

Diving Schol in Koh Samui. (Photo courtesy of tripadvisor.com) 

All around the world, divers want to experience the unique beauty of the sea and explore the underwater places that offer some of the greatest sights laid out for man’s eyes.  This is one of the reasons why scuba diving is becoming more popular these days.  

This underwater diving is considered as a recreational activity and finding the best place to scuba dive has become as significant as the activity itself.   For anyone who dreams of experiencing paradise under the sea, then Koh Samui Island is the top destination for you.

For over four decades, Koh Samui Island has opened its door to the world to allow everyone to feel and witness the magical beauty of Thailand.  Located in the East Coast part of the country this is the third largest island that you can find in the gulf area.  The dive sites in Koh Samui Island are open all year round and this is the place where you can find one of the most colourful corals and impressive marine life in the whole of Southeast Asia.
 
Hailed as one of the best spots to dive around the world, there is no wonder a lot of excellent diving schools can be found in the area.  There is the 100 Degrees east which is an award-winning dive centre that can offer you top rental scuba diving equipment on board their 35-feet custom-built diving speedboat.  You also have the Bho Put Diving School that has multilingual professional instructors who offer tailor-made courses to anyone who wants to try diving. 

Another diving school is the Planet Scuba, which offers beginner diving courses as well as classes for those who plan to be dive instructors.  Aside from being reputable when it comes to diving courses, these schools are also near the 5 star ShaSa Resort and Residences as well as other tourist accommodations found in Koh Samui Island.  This is ideal for tourists because they won’t have a hard time travelling from one place to another.

These diving schools can give you short-term courses that will enable you to explore the different diving sites found in Thailand. Once you learn the basics, there’s no stopping you from discovering the rich and stunning marine life of Thailand.  You might even get a glimpse of the famous majestic whale sharks that make frequent visits to the island.  When you want to experience diving at its best, Koh Samui Island will provide you the memory you’ll never forget.