Delectable Exotic Fruits in Samui

Depicted above is some of the delicious fruit that can be found in Koh Samui (photo courtesy of  flickr.com)

Thailand is not only the land of smiles, but the land of delicious fruits as well. A traveller’s list of things to do in Koh Samui should include buying a sample of all the fruits found on the island. As a starter, try the fruits after you enjoy your breakfast.

Jackfruit is an exotic fruit available during summer and even rainy months. The fruit is exotic and is tasty in ice cream, while its massive seeds are used in cooking. Tamarind, on the other hand can be found during the winter. Its taste is tart and tangy when fresh, but it is sweet when dried. Open the shell and chew pieces of the fruit inside! Mangosteen is a spring or autumn fruit. These fruits are like little presents, as one has to cut through the thick red skin to find a bite-sized treat waiting within.

During the summer season, things to do in Koh Samui include sampling Thai fruits like: Salak fruit or snake fruit, which is available in the late spring or summer. Open the scaly skin and enjoy the neat white cloves of this fruit inside. It is truly a brand new experience for travellers looking for exotic and interesting things to eat. Rose apples can also be bought in the summer. This fruit is crunchy and bitter, with a texture resembling a very moist apple. Rambutan is another summer fruit, and it really looks like a tropical fruit because of its spikes. It’s also one of the cheapest fruits in Thailand. It is very tasty and can be eaten in large quantities. Custard apple or sugar apple is sold during summer, too. Open the fruit and scoop the inside with a spoon.

Durian is a summer fruit. It is known as the king of fruits, but its bad scent is offensive for some people. The skin is so tough that it makes a formidable weapon. It’s very hard to open especially for people who have never done it before.

Sapodilla is out in the autumn. Just remove the skin and eat it like a pear. This is the best fruit to use for fruit carving practice. Pomelo is another autumn fruit, and it’s actually the biggest citrus fruit. It is really like an improved grapefruit, but sweeter and easier to eat. For convenience, travellers should buy one that’s already been cut and prepared.

People who eat lots of fruit live longer and lead healthier lives. Thailand is also a paradise of fruits; it reminds visitors of the Garden of Eden. There are fruits of different sizes, shapes and colour everywhere. And they are not only cheap, but fresh too! So many of these fruits are home grown, so a lot of vendors just pluck them out from its source. Include indulging in a fruit holiday as part of your things to do in Koh Samui.

When Is The Koh Samui Weather At Its Best?

View of the ShaSa hotel in Koh Samui (photo courtesy ShaSahotels.com)

Anyone traveling from countries, which experience cold weather throughout most of the year, should take a break from that weather and visit the island, Koh Samui weather is mostly hot and sunny during most months, making this getaway attractive in the eyes of travellers from around the world.

As mentioned earlier, the majority of the months are hot and sunny, but not all every month has great weather – there are certain times of the year where the island experiences torrential rain showers. In some instances, this can last several days up to a week, which in turn can lead to flash floods, and ultimately ruin any vacationer’s carefully planned holiday.

However, it should be noted that tropical storms hitting the islet relentlessly is a rare occurrence. Moreover, while the months October to December are the usual times of year when the rain keeps coming, it usually pours during the late afternoons only. Furthermore, the rain typically last for five to thirty minutes only, making it hardly a nuisance to a tourist’s plans.

Regardless, traveling during the other months would be a wiser choice – why risk the rain when the can be avoided in the first place? With that being said, seasoned travellers like to come to this tropical paradise during January, February and March, mainly because the Koh Samui weather is expected to be hot and sunny.

During April, the temperature is at its highest. This sudden spike of heat is appreciated by the majority of foreign visitors, but may be a little too uncomfortable for people coming from colder climates. Luckily, Songkran (which is the Thai version of New Year) is celebrated between April 13 and 15. During this time, locals and tourists cool themselves off by engaging a variety of water-related activities.

From May to September, the temperature drops a few degrees, which generally is a more comfortable temperature than the month of April. Throughout the year except during the raining season, tourists are able to go to this tropical island to do tons of outdoor activities within the island. This may include kayaking, playing volleyball; going on cruises to adjacent islands, or having a little party with friend on the beach!

Nevertheless, the weather in Thailand is great for most of the year – the duration in which the rain pours usually isn’t that long, so there’s basically no bad time to go to this tourist hotspot!

What Kind Of Clothes Should You Wear On the Island

What type of clothes should wear when you come to the island of Koh Samui? (photo courtesy of flickr.com)

Don't know what to wear in Koh Samui? Well, it's just a matter of two factors – one is the cultural consideration while the other is the yearlong tropical climate. Here, we'll discuss how to combine the two and feel at home while exploring what this beautiful island has to offer.

For starters, you should be aware that your shoulders and knees must be covered at the minimum, when visiting various temples and shrines. Flip-flops are also taboo when dropping by these sacred places. The key here is to be observant and sensitive to your environment. In Thailand, most women dress modestly and you'll never see any Thai guy walking shirtless on the streets. When taking a trip to the gorgeous beaches such as those in Koh Samui, topless sunbathing and swimming is a big no-no. In addition, avoid dangling in your bikinis when strolling outside the vicinity of the shorelines. Put some tank top or sarong on.

To cope with the tropical climate, avoid wearing jeans and anything polyester unless you want to combust right on the spot. The locals have acclimatized to the weather that's why they can pull-off wearing those outfits even on a bright sunny day but for the average Joe, who's used to moderate temperature and cold winter days, walking in jeans and polyester under direct sunlight is like being baked alive. Shoes and socks are also a hassle to wear if you're planning to visit multiple tourist spots and shops that require you to leave your footwear outside. Therefore, your best bet is nice sandals or slippers, which you can easily wear and remove.

Adapting to Koh Samui weather is easy as long as you don't wear any white dresses, skirts or shirts especially during the rainy season. There's no cultural reason to it, just the fact that Koh Samui's roads can be a bit rocky and dusty. And it's the kind of reddish dust that's hard to remove on white clothes. Of course, it's much worse when it's raining hard as the puddle of mud could really ruin that white dress of yours. Generally, you should opt to wear light cotton when traveling here.

No matter how tempting it is to wear your bikini everywhere when you are away from the Koh Samui beaches, you should always remember to wear appropriate attire when going to nearby shops, restaurants, and other establishments. During formal occasions such as having dinner in a fancy restaurant, you can show respect by wearing a modest dress for women and collared shirt for men. Moreover, you can add a cardigan or a light windbreaker if it happens to be a rainy day.

Tips For Taking Good Snapshots

Lovely Koh Samui photo (photo courtesy of flickr.com

When making Koh Samui travel plans, remembering to bring a camera is a must. Anyone that’d go on a vacation without taking any pictures would be considered foolish in today’s world. Practically every phone or electronic device has a camera built-in, so there’s really no valid reason as to why a vacationer can’t take any snapshots for commemorating the holiday.

However, whipping out the cam and taking photos of people, food or places at free doesn’t always guarantee good results. Taking snapshots at a random angle will only result in unimpressive or ugly pictures, all of which are hardly worthy for framing or uploading onto Facebook.

Fortunately, there are several useful tips, which can help any inexperienced photographer produce better results. First one is to identify a range of different focal points, and take a shot at the best ones. Taking pictures of the beach and ocean is a typical practice by vacationists.

Rather than sticking to dull, lifeless points of interest, finding something that tells the story of actually going to the beach is a tip given by Koh Samui travel guides (who have some experience in the world of photography of course!)

A focal point can be a sand castle near the shoreline, waves smashing into a rock, footprints in the sand, and practically anything that serves as “eye-candy” or gives life to the entire photograph.

Second tip is to observe proper timing – lighting conditions can change drastically, but are at its best during the beginning or end of the day. The right amount of sunlight can create outstanding effects of shadows and colours, thereby significantly enhancing the aesthetic value of the entire photo. As an added bonus, not many people can be seen during these times of the day, thereby eliminating potential distractions while trying to capture a certain moment.

The third and last tip on the list is to bring a range of camera equipment to improve the overall quality of photos produced. This may sound like a matter of common sense, but nevertheless, countless vacationists fail to capitalize on the benefits the right gear can bring about.

When making travel plans, bringing things such as a polarizing filter and travel-size tripod would definitely come in handy. Moreover, since most of the shots will probably be taken at wet environments, a waterproof digital camera casing should be brought as well. 

Unwinding on the Island

Relax and unwind during your trip to Koh Samui (photo courtesy of  shasahotels.com)

Forget Phuket, think Koh Samui. As Thailand’s third biggest island, it boasts of unique attractions such as lovely beaches, stunning waterfalls, spectacular coves, magnificent islets, and diverse flora and fauna collection; it’s truly a beautiful paradise. 

There are various beautiful beaches that travellers can enjoy while staying on the island.  The longest and most famous beach on the island is the Chaweng Beach. With several world-class resorts, hotels, nightclubs, and restaurants scattered in the area, Chaweng Beach becomes a hotspot among seasoned and first-time travellers. There is also the Lamai Beach, which offers visitors an exciting nightlife aside from its clear waters.  

For tourists interested in experiencing the island’s mystical feel, the Laemsett Beach is the best choice.  A number of eateries, Chinese stores, and wonderful gift shops can be found within the beach area.  Choengmon Beach, which lies near the Bophut Beach, is also a famous recreational spot.  There is also the famous Maenam Beach, which offers peaceful background and perfect for tourists who want privacy. 

These breath-taking Koh Samui beaches make the island more appealing to tourists. However these are not the only Koh Samui attractions that travellers can enjoy while on the island. Activities such as scuba diving, fishing, sea canoeing, parasailing, and sea skiing are also a must-try. 

Tired of beaches? Why not try other activities such as Thai cooking lessons or Thai boxing? How about watching monkey shows or going for a ride on an elephant?  These activities are something new and can provide tourists with fun and excitement during the vacation. 

The presence of significant landmarks can also be enjoyed on this island. The Big Buddha temple houses the golden Buddha idol measuring 12 meters in height. The Butterfly Garden/Sanctuary is another popular site for tourists.  The sanctuary offers rare butterfly species, a museum of rare insect species, and a bee house.  The island’s Crocodile Farm is not to be missed as well. At the crocodile farm tourists can have a close encounter with several crocodile species including the Caimans, saltwater crocodiles, and the Siam crocodiles. 

There are also other Koh Samui attractions that are worth trying out. These include the various rocks and rock formations, the Lamai Overlap Boulder Stone, Buddha’s Secret Garden, the Snake Farm with its collection of Asia’s most frightening and toxic snakes, and the Samui Aquarium & Zoo. Temples are also abundant in the island such as the Hainan, the Hin Lad Waterfall, and the Laem Sor and Kaho Chedi Pagodas. 

Koh Samui is truly a top destination among travellers. With all the Samui beaches and attractions, every tourist who visits the island will definitely keep coming back for more.