Tips for Avoiding Sunburns in Koh Samui

Don't let this happen to you!

The Koh Samui weather will be reaching its highest temperatures between March and June. This hot season is something that many vacationists look forward to, as temperatures average around 34°C, which is perfect for having a little fun under the sun at the island’s white sand beaches.

However, the management at ShaSa Resort & Residences say that the heat can elevate anywhere from 37 to 40°C, making it even easier to develop nasty sunburns through prolonged exposure to the planet’s closest star. They also warn that the cool breeze coming from the ocean can easily fool tourists into thinking they aren’t getting burned by that big ball of fire hovering in the sky.

Considering the dangers involved, several measures must be taken by any vacationer to negate the risks of developing sunburn. First tip is to lather on a little organic coconut oil – available for sale at local pharmacies -- all over the body before heading out to the beach. Alternatively, applying the innards of a ripe avocado to the skin may provide some protection from the sun as well.

Second tip is to be wary of the “broken-cloud-effect” – although very cloudy days (like the ones accompanied by rainfall) means less UV ray absorption for beachgoers, partly cloudy overcast Koh Samui weather has the tendency to amplify these harmful rays, especially UV-B frequencies, by up to 25 per cent.

For those looking to get a few tones darker during their tropical vacation, the third tip is more of common sense, but is often neglected: don’t get impatient to get brown. The management at ShaSa Resort would like to remind its valued guests that Thailand is pretty close to the equator, meaning the intensity of UV rays will always be stronger in comparison to that of countries further away from the earth’s middle portion.

Fourth and last tip is to set a time limit the duration of sunlight exposure – very light-coloured individuals are advised to start with ten minutes of exposure before 11am, or after 3pm, to be safe.

Always keep in mind that Koh Samui weather is quite deceptive, especially with all that sea breeze blowing in from the ocean. The management at ShaSa Resort would also like to remind tourists to pack sunblock and sunglasses before departing for this sizzling hot island, as well as limit their duration of exposure to the sun to steer clear of painful sunburns.

HISTORIC TEMPLES OF KOH SAMUI

Stunning view of the Wat Phra Yai, Big Buddha (photo courtesy of  http://bluedandelion.net/)

Koh Samui, or simply Samui, is famed not only for being a beach-and-coconut tourist destination island, but also for its historic temples, which serve as one of KohSamui’s attractions. Immerse yourself in the rich Buddhist culture by visiting any one of several temples that attest to how the island is steeped in Buddhist tradition and how the veneration of the Supreme Buddha is a most significant part of this island’s inhabitants. Sawadee!

TheWat Phra Yai and Big Buddha

Home to the island’s most famous image, Wat Phra Yai is undeniably the most visited Koh Samui attraction on this island. The Big Buddha, majestic at 12 feet, visibly towers towards the skies as travelers get to Koh Samui Island. Located on the northeast tip of the island on route 4171, this Koh Samui attraction is easily accessible to travelers from the airport. And for travelers wanting to get the best accommodations possible at a similarly located resort, your best bet is to get yourself booked--and literally hooked--at ShaSa Resort and Residences, just a mere 45-minute-drive from the airport. After you’ve gone through the many shops and restaurants designed for travelers and Buddhist devotees alike, rest your shopping-tired but spiritually-invigorated selves at ShaSa Resort and Residences, where lovely service and pampering are unarguably one of the greatest of Koh Samui attractions.

TheWat Plai Laem

Nestled north of Samui on route 4171 at about the same general area as the Wat Phra Yai, this temple is another showcase of magnificence of Koh Samui attractions as it is home to the colorful statue of the 18-armed Buddha that sits right in the middle of a lake.  Feeding the big, lovely fish that abound in the lake waters will prove to be an enjoyable experience, as fish food packs can be had for a relatively cheap 10-baht donation. And for those looking to enjoy bigger and more fascinating water adventures, situated along the same general location as the ShaSa Resort.

The Laem Sor Pagoda

Majestically constructed on the rocks at the water’s edge, this ornately designed edifice easily stands tall among Koh Samui attractions because of its shimmering yellow tiles that appear golden when viewed from a distance. Lying south off the island, it is easily accessible via road 4170 between Ban Tale and Ban Pang Ka.

The Coral Buddha

Located not far from ShaSa Resort and Residences at 4169 ring road are the ruins of what used to be a jewel among Koh Samui’s attractions--the Coral Buddha. Lying to the right side of Hua Thanon at approximately 800 meters, the small, crumbling figure of the Coral Buddha is a revered place of devotion among devout Buddhists, especially among monks from nearby Wat Sumret.

ShaSa Resort and Residences Announce Surge in Russian Visitor Numbers

One of ShaSa's trademark structures.  

ShaSa Resorts and Residences is delighted to announce a huge surge in its popularity with visitors from Russia and other former CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries so far in 2011.

The year began with a bang for ShaSa Resorts, with a total of 83 Russian guests arriving to stay at the award-winning accommodations at the resort in the month of January, 2011. This number of Russian visitors really took ShaSa staff by surprise, as it was in excess of the total amount of Russian tourists staying at the resort for the whole of 2008-2010, a two-year period.

Throughout the rest of the year, up until the end of October 2011, ShaSa had welcomed more than 1,000 Russian visitors through its doors, something that has strengthen the company’s belief that it can crack the Russian market and become the luxury resort of choice for all Russian visitors to Koh Samui.

It seems that ShaSa Resort and Residences marketing efforts in Eastern Europe are finally bearing fruit, and the excellent services, facilities and standard of luxury afforded at the resort is becoming more and more popular with Russian visitors. The reputation of ShaSa amongst Russian tourists seems to be spreading by word of mouth as much as through the company’s own marketing efforts, with many guests telling staff they had come to ShaSa on the recommendation of others.

As a result of this deluge of interest from Russia and other Eastern European nations, ShaSa has announced that it is sending its staff on a new training program to be able to accommodate these guests. As of this month, all ShaSa staff members are being encouraged to begin taking Russian language classes, so that they can better communicate with the honored Russian guests. In addition, ShaSa has purchased a number of children’s books in Russian language so that the children of guests from these countries can be accommodated in the ShaSa Kids Club.

ShaSa Resort and Residences is an award-winning boutique hotel at Laem Sett Beach on Koh Samui, and offers superb facilities for its guests, including top grade spa facilities, water sports, car rental, travel and tour assistance and much more. Guests are also able to dine at the renowned Beyond the Sea Restaurant, which offers gourmet Thai and International cuisine, as well as a number of delicacies by its guest Head Chef Oan Kuldiloke of the Felice Pasta & Dessert Bar.