May/June 2013

THE SAIL OF THE YEAR

A week of competitive fun with the 12th annual Samui Regatta

A glimpse into the past

Explore Samui’s less-developed southwest coast, for a taste of yesteryear

Life’s a Breeze!

Amari Palm Reef Koh Samui’s Breeze Spa takes a fresh approach to spa treatments

A Warm Welcome

Editor

Graeme Malley graeme@siammap.com

Graphic Designer Wunvilai Punnern - Meow

Photographer Ugrit Komlue - Grit

Feature Writer Rob De Wet

Feature Writer Rosanne Turner

Feature Writer Kathy Ross

Webmaster

Seksak Kerdkanno - Klauy

Sales & Marketing Director Nipawan Chuaysagul - Ning 0 898 783 891

ning@siammap.com

Financial Director Kasper Bjørk kasper@siammap.com

Managing Director Henrik Bjørk henrik@siammap.com

As the temperature drops from blistering to just boiling, so too arrives the breeze (hopefully!) at the end of May. The wind attracts hundreds of top-notch sailors to the island, ready to participate in the Samui Regatta, which forms part of the Asian Yachting Grand Prix. You don’t have to be a competitor to enjoy the regatta, and in this issue we keep you up to date on what to see and do for both yachties and spectators alike.

But if sailing isn’t your thing, not to worry, as there’s plenty more to see and do on the island. Ever wondered about the bird-singing competitions on the island? Curious about the beautiful golden Laem Sor Pagoda?

Well, we’ve done the research for you, so read on to find out what it’s all about.

And of course, part of holidaying is trying new dishes. In this issue we feature some of Samui’s favourite dining establishments; The Farmer in Maenam, RockPool between Chaweng and Choeng Mon and the aptly named, The Cliff, along the scenic drive connecting Chaweng and Lamai.

So sit back, relax, and let us guide you through a little armchair travelling around Samui, island of coconuts and smiles.

Siam Map Company Ltd. 52/6 Samui Ring Road, Moo 3 Bo Phut, Koh Samui, 84320, Thailand Tel: 0 7742 2201 Fax: 0 7741 3523 E-mail: info@siammap.com www.siammap.com

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Reproduction or use of editorial or pictorial content in any manner is prohibited without written permision from Siam Map Company Ltd. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this publication, Siam Map Company Ltd. assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

Siam Map Company Ltd. 2013

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CONTENTS

62

18 18 The Sail of the Year

A week of competitive fun with the 12th annual Samui Regatta.

82

62 Heaven on a Deck

106 Several for the Road

72 Wet, Wide and Wonderful!

112 Artistic Asia

Karma Resort’s RockPool, recently had a shake up in the way of a new and innovative chef, David Lloyd.

Everything you’ve ever wanted to know (and some things you didn’t) about getting about on Samui’s roads.

24 The Farmer’s Tale

A unique dining experience at The Farmer Restaurant & Bar.

32 Life’s a Breeze!

Amari Palm Reef Koh Samui’s Breeze Spa takes a fresh approach to spa treatments.

38 Here’s a Tip

When it comes to gratuities, being generous on Samui will make all the difference.

44

A glimpse into the past

Explore Samui’s less-developed southwest coast, for a taste of yesteryear.

52 The Lap of the Gods

Gaze down upon the world from the luxury villas at Narai Kiri.

A look at what Sa-ard’s Watersport Center has to offer in the wide wilderness of water around Samui.

118 G’Day Mate!

76 Fare America

A look at Bubba’s, Chaweng’s alluring American-themed restaurant.

82 Life’s a Song!

The Southern Thai tradition of bird-singing competitions is practiced here on Samui.

We went to take a look and listen.

88 Sky High

Chaweng Bay View Resort has an unbeatable view – and is great value for money, too!

Choose Chef in the Jungle Catering Service for your next event!

Bondi Aussie Bar & Grill offers wholesome pub grub, live music and all the major sporting events on big screen TVs.

124 Gold in the South

Down in the far south of the island lies the little-visited golden chedi at Laem Sor.

130 The Complete Package

Fitness, rest & relaxation all under one roof at Dr Fish and Bikram Yoga.

134 Finance Your Wanderlust!

94 `Going Nuts!

58 Food from the Jungle,

Fit for a King

Oriental Living, where décor dreams come true.

Coconuts play a big part in life on Samui.

Find out how to enjoy them best.

100 Wow Factor

The Cliff Bar & Grill has being wowing Samui’s diners for nine years.

Teaching English as a foreign language is a good way to see new places and earn money at the same time.

142 Mum, I’m bored!

Travelling with kids? Here’s a few outdoor activities to keep them entertained on Samui.

Mediterranean Mediterranean Cuisine Cuisine Amidst Amidst aa panoramic panoramic dreamscape dreamscape that that overlooks overlooks the the pristine pristine Crystal Crystal Bay, Bay, The The Cliff Cliff warmly warmly invites invites you you to to aa truly truly unforgettable unforgettable dining dining experience experience on on Koh Koh Samui.

Samui.

www.thecliffsamui.com www.thecliffsamui.com

Choeng ChoengMon Mon

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Island Insight An overall guide to Samui’s towns, villages, beaches and hotspots.

Samui is an idyllic tropical paradise. A blend of traditional Thai hospitality and remote island life has joined hands with modern traveller expectations. But the towns, villages and interior are home to much more than just luxury resorts, restaurants, bars and retail shops. And whilst the main beaches are recognised as some of the best in the world, there are also secluded coves and magical hideaways around many corners – if you know where to look. And this quick guide will point you in the right direction.

Chaweng

Chaweng’s main beach is five kilometres in length and is lined with 5-star luxury resorts, boutique hotels, budget accommodation and great oceanfront restaurants.

Behind the resorts, the Chaweng Beach Road is filled with restaurants, bars, spas, shops, street stalls and mobile food vendors. The lake sits to the rear of them and is a wonderful place for an early morning walk or jog. Near the southern end of the lake is the Soi Reggae entertainment area which also has two Muay Thai boxing stadiums, a temple guarded by carved monkeys and the huge Laem Din market complex. All manner of fresh produce is delivered here every day and the adjoining Dow Seafood market is a hive of activity from the early hours.

Lamai

Samui’s second most popular beach is around four kilometres long and the waters are perfect for swimming. There’s plenty of choice in accommodation, restaurants, bars, spas and health resorts. It also has a free Muay Thai event every Saturday and just off the Beach Road there’s a children’s water park. Wat Lamai is home to a cultural centre and museum that houses artifacts of Samui life before the advent of tourism. On Sundays there’s a ‘Walking Street’ along part of the Beach Road.

And just outside of Lamai town on the ring-road is the famous Hin Ta-Hin Yai rock formations that has dozens of small local Thai restaurants around it.

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Mae Nam

Nestled on the northern shores of the island, Mae Nam Beach stretches for several kilometres and overlooks the neighbouring island of Koh Pha-Ngan. High-end resorts and beach bungalows are dotted along the coast and many visitors love it for its peacefulness, soft golden sands and wonderful views. It has seven side streets that meander into the mountains: from Soi 1 you can follow the road over the mountains all the way to Lamai; Soi 4 has a ‘Walking Street’ every Thursday from mid-afternoon and also houses an ornate Chinese temple overlooking the beach and a large Buddhist temple set a few hundred metres back from the ringroad; Soi 5 has a tree-top canopy adventure theme park a few kilometres into the hills; there’s a buffalo fighting stadium a couple of hundred metres off the main road between Soi 5 and Soi 6; an early morning market is also in Soi 6; an evening market near to Soi 7; and the world-class Santiburi Golf Course in the hills above Soi 7. There’re dozens of bars and restaurants in Mae Nam, many of which are on side roads that lead down to the ocean. And at the western end of the beach the Lomprayah ferry takes passengers to the neighbouring islands several times a day.

NathoN

This is the island’s main administrative centre and the major ferry port for boats to and from the mainland. There’re some hotels but it’s more a town you would visit for an afternoon rather than stay in. Beside the terminal, there’s a local food market every day from mid-afternoon until late in the evening. Along what is known as the ‘middle road’ there’re old teak shop-houses and small businesses and a ‘Walking Street’ on Saturdays. And on the one-way road that goes through the town there’re dozens of shops and restaurants. Just off the main road there’s an ornate Chinese temple and garden in Soi 4. And near the far end there’s a renowned open-air duck restaurant – just follow the crowds around lunchtime.

Bo Phut

Bo Phut is best known for Fisherman’s Village. It’s a single narrow street that still has authentic wooden houses that Samui folk have lived in for generations. Parts of it have been modernized but it’s still awash with local foods, international restaurants, bars, shops and market stalls. It becomes one huge ‘Walking Street’ every Friday and you’ll find lots of local delicacies that few other restaurants have. Along with small hotels, there’re several 5-star luxury resorts at the far end and the beach curves around a large bay that also overlooks Koh Pha-Ngan.

And small speedboats leave from the village pier heading for the Full Moon parties that take place there every month.

Big Buddha and Plai Laem

The magnificent golden Big Buddha statue that watches over the island from the north-east corner of Samui is one of the first things you see as you fly into Samui Airport. Built on a tiny island (Koh Farn) with a connecting causeway, it’s the most iconic image of the island. Many Thais pray at the temple so dressing and acting appropriately is expected when you enter the site. There’re some very good Thai restaurants and small stores around the temple. It also affords some beautiful views and along the road from it you’ll see another large Buddha image at Wat Plai Laem. Half-way along the road between the temples is a side road that cuts through to Choeng Mon. Down this road there’s access to some quiet secluded beaches, although some of them are through resorts.

Choeng Mon

Choeng Mon lies just 15 minutes or so from the middle of Chaweng but it seems like worlds away. There’s a small town that the road runs through with a couple of dozen restaurants and bars. The beach is a favourite for many locals as it’s quiet, picturesque and safe for swimming most of the year round. There’s every class of accommodation with some old-style beach bungalows at one end. And they all overlook the tiny deserted island of Koh Farn Noi which you can walk out to if the tide is low. www.samuiholidaymagazine.com l 13

Big Buddha

Lipa Noi

Taling Ngam

Pang Ka

Bang Rak

In between Fisherman’s Village and Big Buddha is where you’ll find Bang Rak. There’s a few very good resorts and some private villas for rent along the beachfront that stretches around for several kilometres and has stunning views.

Bars and restaurants line the main street and there’re two piers. The one nearest to Big Buddha has daily ferries to Koh Pha-Ngan, Koh Tao and on to the mainland port of Chumpon, from which a VIP bus takes passengers to Hua Hin and on to Bangkok. Start to finish, it’s a 12-hour journey with about half of it on the boat.

Just beside the ferry terminal in Bang Rak is one of the busiest fish markets on the island. Local fishermen drop their catches here and the place is bustling with people all day long. At the other end of town there’s a short-cut into Chaweng on a road called Soi Bond Kai (which the locals refer to as the ‘Ghost Road’).

Taling Ngam and Lipa Noi

The south-west part of the island is known as the ‘Virgin Coast’. It’s largely unspoiled with lots of secluded bays, although most of the shoreline tends to be rocky. The west coast overlooks the famous ‘five islands’ and some of the closer islands of the Angthong National Marine Park (which is a perfect getaway for a day’s boat trip excursion). In this part of the island there’re some hotels, private villas for rent, up-market and local restaurants and several temples of note, including two that house a mummified monk. A second car ferry terminal is located in Lipa Noi and, like the one in Nathon, boats to and from Donsak on the mainland arrive and depart every hour from 5:00 am until 6:00 pm (check for details). And inland on the island’s main ring-road there’re several large waterfall sites and a safari park with elephant trekking, animal shows and adventure tours. Further along, next to the Ford and Mazda dealers is a new Butterfly and Insect Kingdom Park.

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Hua Thanon

This predominately muslim village is home to the descendants of some of the island’s earliest settlers. There’s still a thriving fishing fleet and fish market and a natural coastline that’s survived the ravages of time. Just after the village (coming from Lamai) you can turn off the ring-road to the left and signs will direct you to the nearby Tiger Zoo, Aquarium and Sea-life Show, the Butterfly Farm, the Snake Farm and the local Rum Distillery. There’re also dozens of little side roads that lead down to quiet beaches and out of the way local restaurants.

The Interior

Samui predominately consists of hills, mountains and coconut plantations. And few visitors make the time to appreciate its hidden beauty. One way to do so is to take the turning into Mae Nam Soi 1. A new road has recently been constructed that goes over the mountains all the way to Lamai. The drive is only about 20-25 minutes over 15 kilometres with a couple of stopping off areas that offer fabulous views. Another way to really get the full picture of Samui is from Tar Nim’s Magic Garden at the top of one of the island’s highest peaks. Built during a 25-year period by a local farmer the stone statues in the garden were sculpted by hand and sit over 2,000 feet above the beaches below. It’s a part of Samui that shouldn’t be missed.

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THE SAIL

OF THE YEAR

A week of competitive fun with the 12th annual Samui Regatta.

Those of you who are here between the 25th of May and the 1st of June are in for a treat. You’ll notice a change in the air. Almost overnight the feeling around the island, the atmosphere, will have ramped up a couple of notches. There’ll be a lot more merriment. The restaurants will seem more jovial. Mind you, there won’t be anything glaringly obvious to see – nothing at all like a fly-over by the RAF’s acrobatic fighter jet team, for instance.

But then what’s happening this week is rooted in a less-showy pastime. We’re on a lazy tropical island.

And there just couldn’t be a better setting for the final event of the 12 stages of the Asian Yachting Grand Prix – more commonly known as the ‘Samui Regatta’.

Hong Kong is a millionaire’s playground. Singapore doesn’t come a bad second. Even Thailand’s Phuket can boast three fully-equipped marinas. But, for lots of irritatingly different reasons, we haven’t even got one – Samui is thoroughly marina-less. And yet, every year, around about 100 sailing boats of all sizes, from ocean-going catamarans to 2-man dinghies, will quietly appear in Chaweng Bay. Over a two-or three-day period, upwards of 500 people will move into our resorts for a week. Vast amounts

of food and drink will be consumed (or should that be ‘drink and food’!). Yes, in spite of the fact that all the boats will have to anchor out in the bays, the Samui Regatta attracts a full contingent every year.

And there are two reasons for this.

The first is the Asian Yachting Grand Prix (AYGP) itself. This is almost an ongoing series of competitions that take place during the greater part of the year in the seas between Hong Kong and Singapore. There’s a short break for the typhoon season before it kicks off each year in July with Phuket Race Week. And then, over the next nine months, the events move from place to place, taking in amongst others (and not in this order), Penang and Langkawi (Malaysia), The Philippines, Vietnam, Phuket again for The King’s Cup, Singapore, and Samui. Competitors are ranked on their six best performances overall. Quite often the logistics of running a racing yacht plus crew dictate that it’s financially prudent not to compete in all 12 events.

But, whichever way you look at it, and whichever races have been run, the overall winner often doesn’t emerge until the final event. And this means that everyone wants to come to Samui to see how everything ends up.

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And this means that everyone wants to come to Samui to see how everything ends up.

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And the second reason is Samui itself. Thailand has a deserved reputation for its smiling hospitality and a laid-back approach to life, and nowhere more so than our delightfully-easy-going island. We’ve got some of the best resorts, chefs, restaurants and cuisine in the world. First-class nightlife and clubs. No monsoons or typhoons. Top shops and facilities. But all of this woven into a tropical island that still retains its lazy and rustic charm.

When you compare the built-up traffic-grid tensions of Phuket with our little island, there’s just no contest!

Simon James would agree. He’s the regatta’s Race Director and co-partner of ‘Regattas Asia’, the Phuket-based management company which organises the event. “We probably get the same turn-out here each year as we do for the world-famous King’s Cup event in Phuket,” he told me. “Everyone just loves Samui and makes a point of including this event on their race schedule. In fact I worked out that 15 people involved with the circuit have now bought property or homes here. And, quite apart from the fact that Samui is so lovely, it’s just about right in the centre of the arena.

Bangkok Airways has direct flights from Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Phuket – it only takes a couple of hours to get here from just about anywhere in the region.” www.samuiholidaymagazine.com l 21

One of the interesting aspects of all of this is that many of the competitors don’t actually sail here on their boats. As mentioned, the costs of this can be enormous, and so it’s quite common for the owners, competitors and crew to fly ahead whilst their boat comes on one of the freight transporters which are specially designed for this purpose. In fact with this event now having become a fixed part of the Samui calendar, there are now companies here where competitors can charter a suitably-professional vessel. And when you add to all of this the huge influx of revenue which 500-plus people create with their accommodations and F&B spending for a week (Simon calculates in excess of 15 million baht for this alone), then the benefit to our island is a very positive one.

Most of the competitive activity actually takes place a fair way offshore, and unless you know where to be it’s not so easy to see. The only way to really get the flavour is to book a place on one of the spectator boats, and these are readily available. Other than that, the competitors are close to land at the start and finish points, off the coast of Chaweng and Lamai. And so the high viewpoints on the rocky road between Chaweng and Lamai are a good bet.

Look out for the action between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm each day.

Keep an eye out in the southern part of Chaweng Beach in the days leading up to the weekend of 25th May, in the region of Centara Grand Beach Resort.

Boats will be mooring-up several days before the required registration, with the 22 l www.samuiholidaymagazine.com

first day of racing being the following Monday (27th). A special point of note for this year: paddleboards are making their first official appearance and Thursday is a ‘reserve’ day with the junior’s races, as well as an open paddleboard competition for those who are interested. The full program for the week can be found on the website link below, which also involves the serious business of making merry at Zico’s Brazilian Grill & Bar, Beach Republic and Tradewinds Resort, among others.

The final event is the Gala Dinner and presentation of prizes at Centara Grand Beach resort on Saturday 1st June, where the best part of 800 people will be gathered on the great lawn. And that, as they say, brings it all to a close once again – the event which can only be called ‘the sail of the year’!

Rob De Wet

_______________________________________________ For more information, visit www.samuiregatta.ning.com

THE FARMER’S TALE

A unique dining experience at The Farmer Restaurant & Bar.

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Have you ever pondered exactly what ‘authentic Thai food’ means? If it’s your first time in the Kingdom then you’ll probably assume that Thai food is . . . well, Thai food. Certainly it’s won’t look and taste much like it does back home. It’ll probably be richer, creamier, and packed full of aromas and flavours that it’s a joy to experience. But, in reality, Thailand can be considered as being four different regions, each with its own way of life, traditions, local dialect and style of food.

The northeast, for example, was at one time the poorest part of Thailand, a region where simple foodstuffs needed to be heavily spiced in order to give them any kind of taste. In contrast, the central plain was the fertile area where the Royal Family and palaces were to be found, and also where foreign traders first seeded the nation with a wide variety of exotic herbs, spices and vegetables. It’s all ‘Thai food’, certainly. But, with such a wide range of cultural influences, it’s often not easy to know exactly what sort of Thai food it is. It might turn out to be the ‘mouth dynamite’ from the farming region of Issan. Or it could be the subtle blends of mellow flavours which originated from the courts of the kings. And the

latter is very much what you’ll experience when you discover and enjoy ‘The Farmer Restaurant & Bar’ in Maenam.

Well, to be exact, it’s actually just on the fringe of Ban Tai, on the left as you head around the sharp bend out of Maenam, and past the side road to the Lomprayah Ferry, heading towards Nathon. You can’t miss it: the signposts on the ring-road point directly to a long paved road, which at night is a dramatic avenue lit by blazing torches.

The Farmer is unique. Samui now boasts hundreds of quality restaurants, several of which have their own organic kitchen gardens. But here there is a full-size and functional rice paddy – more about this in a moment. And the other factor (and it’s more significant) is that several of the curries, sauces and preparations can be traced directly back five generations to the kitchens of King Rama V. They still remain secret, they’re all carefully hand-made and, after more than a decade of eating food from all over Thailand, I’ve never tasted a blend of flavours and aftertastes that has been anything at all like this. www.samuiholidaymagazine.com l 25

Khun Lek is the owner and creator of The Farmer. Although her family line stretches back for centuries in the Bangkok region, she first came to establish herself on Samui more than 25 years ago. “My great-great (and then she counted off five of these!) . . . grandmother worked in the royal kitchens,” she explained. “She was taught to prepare the curry pastes, all made by hours of hand-grinding the herbs and spices in very exact combinations of different ingredients. The recipe was passed down over the generations, and today it lies with me. Today nearly every Thai chef buys their curry pastes ready-made from the local markets. That’s the reason why many Thai dishes taste similar. But here, as soon as you taste the first mouthful, you’ll realise these are smoother, and have layers of flavours that just aren’t possible with mass-produced products.”

When you first enter The Farmer, it’s almost impossible to picture these ancient and inherited traditions. The big car park borders a low and modern building.

Passing through the entrance you’ll come out into an airy open space with a contemporary kitchen range displayed along one side, and an attractive twofloor building in front of you. The central courtyard area is terraced on several levels and equipped with sturdy dining tables and chairs, dropping to the prime spot of a lower terrace right on the fringe of the ‘sea of green’. This is the rice field, rippling and undulating in the gentle breezes and spotlit with carefullyplaced accents, right away into the distant dark violet silhouette of the mountain slopes beyond.

This is not some kind of gimmick or decorative element. There’s a team of farmers in residence to tend and harvest the crops. All the rice that goes with the restaurant’s dishes comes free of charge, and the surplus is donated to the local schools and the community in general. It’s almost an afterthought that this verdant sea adds a dimension of tranquillity that’s unparalleled by any other local dining experience.

It’s a popularly-held belief that dishes which contain duck originated due to a Chinese influence. Khun Lek tells me that this is co-incidental, and that one of the elements of Royal Thai Cuisine was the variety of game and fowl it contained.

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This very particular approach is evident in the two special duck items on the menu. The ‘Dirty Duck’ is nothing if not a surprise. Firstly it’s deep-roasted and very crisp. Second, it’s fully half a duck. And, third, it comes with a red curry sauce that’s like nothing I’ve ever come across. It’s mildly spiced, but there’s a slight sourness that’s offset by the creamy texture, and it leaves hints of cinnamon and tamarind, that linger between mouthfuls. And you’ll find the ‘herbal sauce’ that’s associated with these duck dishes another offering that’s equally royal.

Another enticing offering is the simply-titled ‘chu chi pla’. Salmon is certainly not an item you’ll find in any local Thai eatery. But this is lightly-crisped slices of grilled salmon that comes with another intriguingly-sumptuous royal sauce, presented with five little banana-leaf wraps of different sorts of rice – the five colours of jasmine, turmeric, okra, butterfly-pea and pandan.

The menu here is really top-notch and also features prime International dishes, ranging from imported Australian tenderloin to Kobe Wagyu steaks, to pizzas, pastas and salads. But Khun Lek is shrewd, and she’s put together a very special promotion that’s hard to ignore. Between the hours of midday and 3:00 pm there’s a special promo lunch menu on which you’ll find several of the items I’ve already mentioned – and the duck can be enjoyed for only 299 baht, which is a massive reduction on the usual cost. And this runs into a happy hour from 4:00 to 6:00 pm: there is 30% off all drinks, and also the snack and dessert menus, too. Taking everything into account, you’ll probably end up telling all your friends about your super dining experience and ‘the farmer’s tale’!

Rob De Wet

_____________________________________________________ For reservations or further information, telephone 0 7744 7222. www.thefarmerrestaurantsamui.com

Smile.....you are at new star

Experience your once-in-a-life-time event right on the beach of Chaweng Noi from the white-orchid entrance down to the sandy aisle. Cherish the extravagant beauty of the blue water complimenting the crimson sky. Saying “I do� with the witness of the Gulf of Siam where only the horizon is the boundary of love.

83 Moo 3 T. Bophut, Chaweng Noi Beach Koh Samui 84320 Thailand Tel: (66) 77 422407, (66) 77 414500-6 Fax (66) 77 422 325 www.weddinginkohsamui.com www.newstarresort.com info@newstarresort.com

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LIFE’S A BREEZE! Amari Palm Reef Koh Samui’s Breeze Spa takes a fresh approach to spa treatments.

Going to a spa should be fun. But sometimes for newbie spa-goers the experience can be a little daunting – not knowing what to expect, not sure what to book, and not knowing spa protocol on arrival. Breeze Spa, part of Amari Palm Reef Koh Samui at the northern end of Chaweng, has taken all the stress out of choosing a treatment, as after all, most of us visit a spa to overcome stress!

Rather than having one signature treatment, Breeze Spa has chosen five massages to ‘put the bounce back into your step’ as Spa Manager, Khun Pae, explains. The guest questionnaire to be completed on arrival, asks, amongst other things, “How do you feel at this moment?” (tired, stressed, relaxed, refreshed, tense) as well as, “How would you like to feel after the treatment?” (ready to sleep, peace and serenity, blissful and rejuvenated, refreshed and invigorated or unwind and energised). Depending on how the guest feels on arrival, as well as how they hope to feel after the treatment, the therapist will recommend one of the five mood massages, clearly explained with quirky bylines in the brochure.

The ‘Rejuvenate – Let it Glow’ massage leaves you looking and feeling radiant and lively, ready to take on any challenge.

Put it in a bubble and blow it away. That’s what we should do with problems we cannot solve. Not always so easy to do without a little help, so the ‘Invigorated – Past Tense’ massage was created especially for those who want to leave their chronic tension in the past. This is a firm massage that targets the areas where pressure builds up, forcing out the tension and releasing feel-good endorphins.

The ‘Dreamy – Take it E-Zzzz’ massage allows you to leave the busy world behind as calming sounds, hypnotic aromas and long, flowing massage strokes send you into a state of complete and utter tranquillity. This is the ideal massage for jetlag, or after a busy day when you’re ready to drift away.

If you’re feeling the knots and kinks from tension and stress, then perhaps the ‘Serene – No Worries’ massage is the best option for you, as it allows you to lie back and let it all go. Long strokes and palm pressure stretch the muscles and iron out all the knots.

A lymphatic drainage massage used with carefully selected essential oils speeds up the removal of toxins and build-up from stress, pollution and modern day life.

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Everything at Breeze Spa is bright, cheerful and, well – breezy, from the reception area to the treatment rooms, as well as the spa staff themselves.

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Enjoy the benefits of ancient Thai massage practices with the ‘Energised – Thai the Knot’ massage. Traditional Thai herbs are placed into a hot compress, releasing wonderful aromas and heat to help you loosen up. You’re then stretched, contorted and kneaded with Thai massage techniques to unwind the knots and increase blood flow, resulting in a newfound energy.

Each of the signature mood massages, which are available as either a 60- or 90-minute treatment, is followed by a cup of warm tea, specially brewed to match the mood. These teas, as well as the Pañpuri range of spa products are also available for sale. Everything at Breeze Spa is bright, cheerful and, well – breezy, from the reception area to the treatment rooms, as well as the spa staff themselves. Even the ‘slippers’ given to guests to wear are a bright turquoise blue and transparent, with soles that massage the feet as you walk to your treatment room. They’re available for sale too, ideal for walking Chaweng’s shopping strip!

Keeping with the theme, there’s a selection of mood scrubs too, which tie in with the corresponding massage. Of course there are manicures and pedicures too. Choose from ‘The Quickie’, perfect for before a special event or romantic dinner, or if you have more time to indulge, ‘The Works’, which includes an exfoliating scrub and reflexology massage. www.samuiholidaymagazine.com l 35

Nothing gives that holiday glow quite like a good facial, and at Breeze Spa, two cosmetic ranges are available. There are the aromatic botanicals of Pañpuri or the innovative science of Comfort Zone. Your therapist will assist in choosing the range, as well as facial technique best suited to your skin, age and lifestyle. There’s a choice of body treatments too, including wraps and anti-cellulite treatments.

For those in a rush, a treatment from the ‘Pick-me-ups’ range is ideal – short 30-45 minute treatments, perfect for a quick energy lift or as an add-on to another treatment. Choose from massages, get hot and steamy in a steam bath, or let the bubbles carry your worries away in a spa bath.

Khun Pae recommends choosing a spa package, whereby various treatments are combined into two-hour, leisurely three-hour or decadent four-hour sessions. Each package can be customised with a choice of mood massages, mood scrubs and facials, as well as extras and add-ons according to taste.

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What’s great about Breeze Spa too, is that there are no hidden costs, as the service charge and tax are included in the advertised rates. As with most spas, it’s advisable to arrive 15 minutes prior to your treatment so that you’re not rushed, and don’t lose any valuable treatment time filling out forms and prepping to be pampered.

Guests not staying at the resort are more than welcome to visit Breeze Spa, so should you be enjoying Chaweng, take time to ‘breeze in’ for a treatment, even if it’s just a quick ‘Pick-me-up’.

Rosanne Turner

________________________________________ For more information or to make an appointment, telephone 0 7742 2015. www.breeze-spa.com

BOUTIQUE RESORT KOH SAMUI

HERE’S A TIP

When it comes to gratuities, being generous on Samui will make all the difference.

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In Australia and New Zealand, tipping is virtually non-existent and in Japan it’s just not done.

It can be confusing. And often uncomfortable, if you don’t know the rules.

Tipping is a unique economic phenomenon, as it involves voluntary payments for service that has already been provided by the time the tip is given. Why do we tip, who do you tip and how much do you leave? I think most of us would rather contemplate one of Stephen Hawking’s theories on the origins of the universe than try and understand what the right thing to do is when it comes to leaving gratuities.

In your own country it’s usually no problem, you know the score. But that rarely means that somewhere else will be the same. And it’s the British who really are to blame for all of this. I know it’s easy and even pleasurable to blame the Americans for just about everything, and whilst they’ve had a hand in modern tipping etiquette it all goes back to 16th century England. In the late Middle Ages a master or lord of the manor might give his servant or labourer a few extra coins, either as appreciation of a good deed or in compassion for exceptional hardship. It’s known that in the sixteenth century brass urns with the inscription ‘To Insure Promptitude’ were placed first in coffee houses and later in local pubs. People tipped in advance by putting money in these urns so that they would receive attention quickly. Visitors to private homes were also expected to give sums of money (known as vails) at the end of their visit for service given by the host’s servants beyond their usual duties. Thus, at the beginning, vails were given for something the tipped person did above his duties – either additional services or extra effort. Even though vails began as a compensation for extra services or effort, they later became expected from every guest that dined or slept in another’s house. This custom became somewhat annoying for the tippers.

By 1760, footmen, valets and gentlemen’s servants all expected vails. In some 40 l www.samuiholidaymagazine.com

cases people avoided visiting their friends because of the high costs associated with doing so.

This custom of tipping spread quickly throughout Europe, especially in areas that had a servant class. Tips were not given in the United States, however, until after the Civil War, possibly because the country didn’t have a servant class.

Instead, waiters and coachmen in the United States regarded themselves as employees and were not interested in tips. European travellers wrote about their amazement in finding that they were not expected to tip in America. In the late 1800s, tipping was established in the United States as well. Affluent Americans, who travelled in Europe and had to tip there, started tipping in the US as well, to show that they had been abroad and were familiar with the customs of Europe.

While the acronym T.I.P makes sense if given first to indeed insure promptness there are several other theories on the word ‘tip’. Most of these are put forward by etymologists who contend that the word stems from Latin, Norse, Dutch, Romany or Old English words. All possible, though you really need to be a student of ancient languages to worry much more about it. Some also mistakenly believe that the word stands for ‘To Improve Performance’. It doesn’t.

So what happens, in general, around the world? You could come up with more than 30 different professions that expect a tip, depending on where you are.

Michael Lynn, an associate professor of market and consumer behaviour at Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, researched the variations of tipping in different countries. Comparing the types of services that were tipped in each country with personality tests that had been given to people in those

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countries, he came to the conclusion that countries with more extroverted and neurotic people gave tips to the greatest number of services and also tipped the largest amounts (the U.S. was at the top of both of those categories, by the way).

In Australia and New Zealand, tipping is virtually non-existent and in Japan it’s just not done. It may be that visitors from those countries don’t tend to leave tips when abroad and as such receive an unfavourable response when they return to a restaurant. That’s also the case in China, although by state-law foreign visitors get charged more. As for South Africa, Mexico and underdeveloped countries, you’ll be expected to tip almost everyone. In Europe, many restaurants have a service charge or cover charge added to the bill.

So what about here in Thailand, and Samui specifically? Well, almost all of the hotels and resorts will add a 10% service charge to your food and beverage bill as will some of the better restaurants. And it’s always printed on the menu if that’s the case. I’d advise checking or even asking if it’s not clear on the bill. Where a service charge is levied, generally this will be split between all hotel staff evenly each month, not just the restaurant staff. Fair enough, I think. How much they make, of course, depends on how busy the restaurant is, how many staff there are and what the establishment charges.

As far as average salaries go, that varies. But a housemaid will earn around 5,000 baht per month, a waiter/waitress/barperson/junior chef around 6,000-10,000 baht and supervisors and department heads a bit more.

Service charges, once shared out, can double those salaries. Most also get free accommodation, food, health insurance and uniforms. Even still, you do the arithmetic. As for stand-alone restaurants that don’t have a service charge the amount the team make on tips each month wouldn’t even cover your beer bill on a good night out, particularly at small Thai-owned restaurants. This perhaps may be the time to leave a bit more than 10%, given that the bill will only be a few 42 l www.samuiholidaymagazine.com

hundred baht. Nothing to you, but it will mean a lot to them. It’s also customary here to leave a tip in a bar, something you wouldn’t do in the UK, for instance.

One set of people not to leave a tip for, and everyone I’ve spoken to agrees on this, is taxi-drivers. For a start they won’t be using their meter, which they do in other destinations in Thailand, and they already charge exorbitant amounts for comparatively short journeys. All that’s missing is a set of pistols, a three-cornered hat and some bloke shouting, “Stand and deliver!”

That aside though, there are some potential economic reasons not to tip too much. If, say, a waiter can make 20,000 baht per month with the addition of other benefits, then they are doing very well. So well, in fact, that they are paid far more than nurses, police officers, firemen, postal workers, garbage-disposal men and teachers, to name but a few. And I think you’d agree that they all provide essential services. What you’ll also come across in the resorts is a good proportion of staff who have a college education or university degrees. They choose not to pursue other professions as they can make more money waiting tables. Okay, good for them, we all want the best for ourselves and our families.

But what happens when there just aren’t enough people in essential professions?

You don’t need me to answer that one for you. Check out any Thai public school here; around 50 pupils to a class is not unusual. Pop into a non-private hospital and tell me you’d be happy to have your family treated there. I’m not saying don’t tip, the opposite actually, but there are larger issues.

We tend to tip more out of embarrassment, a desire to perform social norms or to make a statement about ourselves. On the other hand you couldn’t survive here a week on what most Thai people are paid each month, and they bring up families on that. Here’s the only tip I’ll give you on this, listen to your own conscience – I’m sure you’ll do the right thing.

Johnny Paterson

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A GLIMPSE INTO THE PAST

Explore Samui’s less-developed southwest coast, for a taste of yesteryear.

So you’re lying on Chaweng Beach, sipping from a coconut, and the umpteenth vendor approaches you selling their wares. Now as fun as shopping on the beach can be, sometimes you just want a little peace and quiet to read a book. No music blaring from the bar next door, no jet-skis and no people yelling into their mobile phones. Wouldn’t that be nice for a day?

Well luckily it’s possible to escape the crowds and discover the ‘real’ Samui, only a 45-minute drive from the commercial areas of the island.

The unspoilt southwest is known to some as ‘The Virgin Coast’, and the village of Taling Ngam forms part of this coast. From the ring-road, turn off at Route 4170 either coming from Nathon, or going clockwise, just past Hua Thanon. Follow the signs to Baan Taling Ngam, until you reach two massive elephant statues, guarding the entrance of the road to the rustic little village.

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Most visitors to the island don’t venture past the tourist hotspots. Don’t be one of them. A trip to Taling Ngam is well worth at least a day outing, if not a couple of nights at one of the secluded resorts. The area has seen the least change on the island, it’s almost as if time has stood still.

Originally named Taling Punk (Damaged Shore) after a destructive storm in 1900 ruined the coastline, it recovered over time and was renamed Taling Ngam (Beautiful Shore) in 1942. Local families go back several generations, mainly descendants of Thai and Chinese migrants who made their living through fishing. Once used by merchant traders over 100 years ago, this was one of the first seaports on the island. Locals provided water and provisions to boats that ventured past on their journey through Southeast Asia.

Many traditional wooden southern-style houses can be seen still standing in compounds, with other out-buildings containing the extended family. Add to that a granny sweeping outside (there’s always one), several chickens digging in the dirt, a towering pile of coconuts ready for processing and an 46 l www.samuiholidaymagazine.com

assortment of dogs stretched out in the road, and you have your average Taling Ngam neighbourhood. There’s hardly a 7-Eleven, Family Mart or Tesco Express in sight. Rather, you’ll find the front rooms of houses converted into little convenience stores, manned by granny or whoever is home.

Tables are set up roadside, selling bananas, grilled chicken or the crop of the day. The landscape is lush and green, predominantly coconut groves and banana plantations.

Here the jungle truly does meet the beach. Oh, and on the beach, don’t be alarmed to see a buffalo or two enjoying a dip in the sea, or lazing under a palm tree, they’re docile, and there’s usually a handler nearby. You’re also likely to see shellfish being collected by hand, or little clams dug out by wiggling toes in the sand, for the evening meal. Long-tail boats bring in the day’s catch.

Although much of the coastline is rocky, the waters here are clear, calm and shallow, perfect for kids – and buffaloes.

Grab a shady spot under a palm on the beach, and enjoy it all to yourself. Just mind you’re not directly under the line of fire, so to speak. The buffaloes have hard horns to deflect falling coconuts – but you don’t! To top it off it’s the best spot on the island to catch the setting sun over the beautiful and mysterious Five Islands.

So what are these mysterious islands? They’re known locally in Thai as ‘Koh Si Koh Ha’, meaning ‘Four Islands Five Islands’, as one is hidden behind another. They’re home to swifts, known for their famous nests which are the main ingredient in birds’ nest soup. The birds are protected as their nests sell for thousands of US dollars. Sea gypsies are the only human inhabitants of the Five Islands, their small wooden homes perched on rocky outcrops – much like the nests themselves. These gypsies are employed to guard the nests from poachers trying to get their hands on this strangely precious commodity. The well-known Five Islands Restaurant, a popular location for weddings and viewing the sunset, offers long-tail boat trips to view the islands.

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Ah, the sunsets. You’d be forgiven for thinking they’ve been Photoshopped, but they haven’t. Taling Ngam is perfectly positioned to make the most of the evening sky as the sun goddess, Ra, tries to outdo her sunset creation from the previous day. Sometimes they are pretty pastels, dotted with cotton-candy type clouds. Other nights are a dramatic show of towering cumulonimbus clouds, highlighted by a glowing orb sinking into the bay. You’ll find a few excellent beach establishments to enjoy a couple of sundowners. Beyond the Five Islands lies the mainland and the coastal towns of Donsak and Khanom. Home to a series of mountains vaguely visible in the distance, they add depth to the skyline as the evening turns various shades of red, orange, pink and purple. Be sure to add ‘sundowners at Taling Ngam’ to your ‘must do’ on Samui list.

Village life centres around the local temple, Wat Kiri Wongkaram.

As with most temple grounds, there’s a sense of serenity. However, here there’s a little mystery too. The grounds house the mummified body of well-known monk, Luang Por Ruam, who continues to be very much a presence at the temple today, even though he died in 1966. His body, now displayed in a glass case, simply didn’t decompose after death, and has remained in its mummified 48 l www.samuiholidaymagazine.com

condition for decades. Considering the humidity, and that no preservation chemicals have been used, the condition of his body is thought to be miraculous, and somewhat baffling to scientists.

Apparently his hair and fingernails continue to grow, and the nail clippings are made into protective charms. The fact that Samui has two mummified monks is remarkable, the other one being at Wat Kunaram, near the Namuang Waterfalls. Luang Por Ruam was born near the temple in 1879, and in the early 20th Century made a journey to Burma where he was initiated into Buddhist practices. He later returned to Samui to live a life of purity and meditation.

In 1979, the temple’s then Head Monk, Pra-kru Pairoj Kiriwong organised the building of the Elephant Gate to make the entranceway to the village and temple more welcoming. Princess Galyani Vadhana (elder sister of the revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej) came to Taling Ngam to bless the gate and black gemstone elephant’s eyes that gaze down on all passing through.

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Anyone preferring a peaceful break on Samui will be pleased with what Taling Ngam has to offer. The area is home to some of the finest resorts on the island, including Conrad Samui, and InterContinental www.samuiholidaymagazine.com l 49

Baan Taling Ngam, although a few budget and mid-range options are available too. Sure, not everyone wants to be ‘away from it all’, but it’s worth at least a day trip that lingers into cocktail hour. It’s a great place to practice the photography skills too, not only for the sunsets, but also the interesting village life and a few buffalo portraits. A visit to the Virgin Coast will be a most memorable part of your Samui experience.

Rosanne Turner

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OYSTER SUNDAY BRUNCH NOON - 4 PM With it’s breathtaking views and unrivalled ambiance, RockPool is by far one of the most beautiful dining locations on Koh Samui. Resting on the rocks just two meters above the ocean, RockPool brings you the ultimate seaside dining experience. Sit back and enjoy a lazy Sunday afternoon brunch or award winning tapas from British Chef David Lloyd’s decadent a la carte menu, while listening to the waves gently lapping the rocks below. This is one of the absolute “must do” dining experiences on the island, and is open for beautiful breakfasts, gourmet lunches and romantic dinners.

RESERVATIONS: 077 234 500 FREE PICK UP SERVICE FROM YOUR HOTEL Karma Samui 80/32 Moo 5, Bophut, Koh Samui, Suratthani 84320, Thailand www.karmasamui.com www.samuiholidaymagazine.com l 51

THE LAP OF THE GODS

Gaze down upon the world from the luxury villas at Narai Kiri.

First there were only huts on the beach. Then brick bungalows came along.

And it wasn’t long before collections of these turned into resorts. Then big hotels emerged, sitting where there once used to be four resorts together. And the better and more luxurious these were, the more you had to pay. The problem was that although your resort had 5-star facilities and service, you were basically staying in just one room with a bathroom attached. And that’s where the ideas of villas came in.

Of course, renting villas is nothing new. But the new approach was to create what was essentially a self-contained resort, but one which contained secluded luxurious multi-room villas instead of bungalows. It made perfect sense for a family to share one of these, or a couple of sets of friends. In fact, taking one of these for three or four weeks often worked out less costly than staying in 52 l www.samuiholidaymagazine.com

a quality resort for a fortnight and paying by the day. And, when it came to getting married on Samui nothing could be better than the family and friends of the lucky couple taking over several of these villas all next to each other.

But that’s only a small part of the story. People have a habit of falling in love with Samui, coming here for a stream of holidays, and then deciding to retire here. Or perhaps to invest in a holiday home. Then it becomes imperative to have an established and reliable management company to handle all the hassles of maintenance and repairs, taking care of off-peak sub-letting, cleaning and gardening, and all those other ongoing tasks that simply have to be done.

(In Thailand even simply paying an electricity bill means going along in person and handing over actual cash!) And that’s where Khun Pinyo Khumprom comes into the picture.

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Narai Kiri is probably one of the most spectacular locations to be found anywhere on the island.

Khun Pinyo (nicknamed Khun Yo) is one of the ‘Samui Folk’; his family have been here for as long as they can remember. And that’s important. There are now many Bangkok entrepreneurs investing in such property schemes, and it’s not always easy to ensure adequate caretaking from long-distance. Khun Yo is the project manager for Narai Kiri, an extensive and luxurious development placed way up high, in the hills overlooking nearby Bangrak. He actually manages several related projects, all of which go under the heading of ‘The Narai Kiri Project’ and includes The Samui Royal Holdings Project (11 prime beachfront plots at Plai Laem, near Six Senses Samui resort), Hill Top Villa (two magnificent four or six-bedroom villas to rent close to Narai Kiri), and the Narai Kiri development itself.

Narai Kiri is probably one of the most spectacular locations to be found anywhere on the island. It’s no accident that the ancient Greeks thought their gods lived up in the sky on the summit of Mount Olympus, from where they could survey all the world.

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Way over in the distance, beyond the span of Bangrak Beach below you, there’s the pastel outcrops of the far-away Angthong National Marine Park. A little to the right of Bangrak, there’s a god’s-eye-view of the Big Buddha and the neighbouring Plai Laem temple. And in the middle distance there’s a crystal clear image of Koh Pha-Ngan. Few places on Samui have such a wide-ranging panorama.

There are a total of 19 plots here, with villas differing in size and specification. Out of these just nine are still available to buy, but with several of the others being available to rent at the discretion of their owners. The most impressive feature of all of these is simply the sensation of space. Every one of the villas is individually designed, but the unifying theme is that of openness and light. Open-tread stairs coming out of a vast airy lounge are set against a back wall of house-high glass. Wall-wide picture windows in the bedrooms look out onto 100 miles of sea and sky.

Being set in the hazy climate of the tropics, all these acres of glass can be opened to let the balmy breezes through. And everywhere there is the cascading grandeur that usually only deities get a chance to enjoy.

Enjoy the beauty of the underwater world the easy way.

Seawalking is the newest and most innovative attraction to hit Koh Tao. It is the safest underwater adventure and fun for all the family Just stroll along the seabed in 10 feet of crystal clear water and observe the sea life as it swims around you.

You need no lessons or swimming ability.

For more information contact Tel: 0901 650411 www.underseawalking.com Chalok Bay, Koh Tao.

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The villas vary in size from two bedrooms with a kitchenette, to something a sultan would shout about. But, when it comes to renting a villa, the jewel in the crown is the nearby Hill Top Villa. On the crest of a slightly lower and nearby hill top are two magnificent self-contained and private villas, one with six bedrooms and the other with four. As with all the other villas in the project, no expense has been spared. The flooring ranges from designer ceramic tiling, to quartz inlays and antique quarry-stone. All the wood is hardwood and craftsman-made and fitted. The kitchen is a gleaming Euro-show-piece with fitted oven, hob and fridge. Lighting is remotely controlled via a handset. The air-conditioning throughout is of the silent ‘whisper’ variety. The bathroom comes with Balinesestyle shower and Jacuzzi. Each villa has its own super infinity pool – way up here these really do just merge into the sky, as they were designed to do. There’s a grand amount of terrace space around them too, which is perfect for parties or entertaining.

And when it comes to such social events, once again Khun Pinyo and his team have got it all sorted. It sounds just too much like a press-release, but it’s true; anything you need just ask and it shall be provided. This might be an on-site caterer with or without a DJ or live musicians. Or simply a chef who will turn up in the evening and prepare and cook for you the dishes of your choice. Or, if you fancy doing this for yourself, he’ll arrange an escorted visit to the local market (which just happens to be one of the biggest fish and seafood markets on 56 l www.samuiholidaymagazine.com

the island). You can then have your chef talk you through Thai cooking lessons so you can learn to do this the authentic Thai way. Car or motorbike rental? A minibus for the day with a driver to tour you around the island? All you have to do is ask.

Narai Kiri isn’t just about award-winning architectural excellence and décor, with a stunning location and outlook. This is about lifestyle and living. It’s the difference between a couple of weeks on vacation or delighting in a fortnight of your life with every moment enjoyed in the secluded lap of luxury. Or – dare I say it – in the lap of the gods?

Rob De Wet

___________________________________________ For further information, telephone 0 815 373 088 www.naraikiri.com

Be Sweet Be Wild Be 9Gems

EMS

Lounge Restaurant K o h

S a m u i

Koh Samui's Premier Restaurant and Lounge Indulge in the succulent cocktails and provocative global fusion cuisine of the lavish and luxurious 9Gems Restaurant & Lounge as you experience a 360 degree view of Koh Samui.

“Miami Vice meets Buddha Bar.” CNNgo.com “Gastronomic delights were served with great panache, and it's no surprise that the cuisine was absolutely divine.”

Betty Page, Mutiboko.co.uk “Without a doubt, it is Koh Samui's most precious gem.”

Nicole Christine Valdes, Samui Lifestyle Featured in ELLE Decoration, the innovative design and incredibly chic ambience makes for an experience unlike any other.

Dress code: trendy or smart casual. Minimum age: 12+ (Screaming children will not be tolerated.)

Opening Hours: Tuesday – Thursday: 16:00 – 24:00, Friday – Sunday: 16:00 – 02:00 (Kitchen Closes 23:00) (Monday Closed) Tel: 0 7725 6125 Mobile: 0 806 920 520

www.9GEMSsamui.com

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FOOD FROM THE JUNGLE, FIT FOR A KING Choose Chef in the Jungle Catering Service for your next event!

We’re all get sick of the rat race. Life sometimes feels like its just passing us by. Responsibilities get on top of us, time for rest and relaxation always feels limited and at times rushed. Urs Stoeckli felt like this, and three years ago, he and his lovely wife made the decision to relocate to Samui. After a two week holiday on the island they both fell in love with the place, the lifestyle, the people and the food.

Originally from Switzerland, Urs moved to Beijing to work as head chef at the Peninsula Hotel. He then opened his own restaurant, The Mediterraneo, in 1999, serving Mediterranean cuisine. At this time in China, there were very few Western eateries around, and most were located in major hotels. He continued with this business venture and also began travelling the world as a guest chef in many restaurants and hotels, passing on his skills and knowledge.

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Here on Samui, he decided to put his 30 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, and his great passion for food and wine to good use, by starting his own catering business – Chef in the Jungle. Whatever the occasion, Urs can come up with a menu to match as he is trained and very knowledgeable in the creation and presentation of classic French, Italian, Mediterranean, Chinese and Thai cuisine.

He follows the method of making a tailor-made package allowing everyone that he caters for to have an individual and personalised experience. There are some sample menus available on the website which will give you a taste of what’s on offer, and ignite your imagination in creating your own menu.

And with Urs being fluent in German, Italian, French and English, there’s no chance of things being lost in translation! His dedication to quality and freshness is topped only by his desire to provide you and your guests or friends with unforgettable moments of culinary highlights.

And it’s not only the food that they provide – it’s a full service catering business, and they can include provide professional service staff, bar staff, china, tables, linens, flowers, décor, lighting, fireworks, fire dancer, DJ, sound system, live bands, video and photography.

Every conceivable event can be catered to from start to finish including weddings, cocktail receptions, corporate events, wine pairing dinners, birthday parties, family style dinners, yacht catering and villa catering.

It’s certainly keeping Urs busy these days, and with the recent addition to the family of a baby daughter he is busier still. But he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Kathy Ross

___________________________________________ For further information, telephone 0 873 813 758. www.chefinthejungle.com

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Romantic views, soothing sounds and classic Italian fare with a modern approach combine to please the most discerning diner.

Olivio - a must for visitors and locals alike.

Olivio ~ beachfront at Baan Haad Ngam Boutique Resort Chaweng Beach.

Free round trip transfer from Chaweng, Bophut and Choeng Mon. For reservation please call 0 7723 1500

Baan Haad Ngam Boutique Resort & Spa 154 Moo 2, Chaweng Beach, Bophut, Koh Samui, Suratthani 84320 Tel: +66 77 231 500 Mob: +66 81 751 6073 Fax: +66 77 231 520 Email: info@baanhaadngam.com, booking@baanhaadngam.com www.baanhaadngam.com www.samuiholidaymagazine.com l 61

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HEAVEN ON A DECK Karma Resort’s RockPool, recently had a shake up in the way of a new and innovative chef, David Lloyd.

Sitting on the expansive deck suspended over the rock pools and ocean below, it’s hard to picture a more perfect setting.

Here, white tables with comfortable armchairs upholstered in shades of teal and neutrals reflect the surrounding environment. Barstools are set at a wooden balustrade at the front – the perfect spot for sun-downers while sharing a platter of oysters, which RockPool is famous for.

But just as everyone thought it couldn’t get any better, the restaurant acquired a new chef, David Lloyd, at the end of 2012. David is a breath of fresh air, like the breeze that cools the deck of RockPool. He brings with him not only a positive attitude and fantastic rapport with his customers, but also an innovative approach to cooking. When David speaks about food, it’s with true passion and his eyes light up.

Upon arriving at Karma, you’re immediately whisked away in a golf cart and driven down to the beachside cliffs where the restaurant is perched. Close enough to Chaweng for easy access, yet far enough to avoid the crowds, you’ll find the well-signposted Karma and RockPool along the road connecting Chaweng with Choeng Mon Beach.

So a good restaurant is about many things. Setting is important, and RockPool has that, no doubt about it. Professional service from charming staff also makes for a memorable evening, and General Manager, Alan Floate, has trained his staff well.

They’re genuinely friendly and attentive, yet unobtrusive. And last, but most certainly not least, the food can make or break an establishment. In this case, it makes it.

RockPool has long had a reputation for its high-quality cuisine.

This excerpt from a recent TripAdvisor review is quite fitting,

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and sums up David and his approach to cooking quite aptly, “My wife commented on how calm the chef appeared in the open kitchen. No noise or conversation interfered with our dining experience, which can often occur if the chef is a prima donna and highly strung - David Lloyd is certainly not the latter. He is a chef that cares that his customers get a great experience, and I noted that he visited each table throughout the night, a nice caring touch. He was willing to discuss briefly his methods when it came to Thai food and modern cuisine and recommended a cookbook to me, thank you chef, I am still looking for it. All up, an absolute must while on Samui, highly recommended, enjoy!” And we’ve heard how David has offered recipes to other guests who’ve particularly enjoyed a dish – not too many chefs are willing to part with their trade secrets!

Although David enjoys experimenting with molecular gastronomy, he firmly believes that a chef needs a good foundation of cooking methods first, before fiddling with modern techniques. David has a base in French cuisine, learnt from his impressive background in gourmet kitchens in the UK – specialising

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in catering for distinguished functions and events, and consulting in the opening of new fine-dining restaurants.

As GM, Alan, says, “People eat out at a fine-dining restaurant for different reasons. Some do so for the food. Others for a romantic evening with a loved one, and others to enjoy a beautiful setting with good food and good friends. Everyone wants something different, and it’s our job to make sure that everyone gets what they want from the evening, and more.” David agrees and says, “First impressions count with food. Not just the taste, but also the look and the smell.” He wants people to be ‘wowed’ by his food and remember it for all the right reasons – it should be pretty on the plate, but taste fantastic too. David enjoys playing with textures, and has brought his own equipment from the UK to help him create them.

But enough about the chef, and a little on what you can expect from him at RockPool. If you’re after a lazy Sunday, be sure to try the Gourmet

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Sunday Brunch buffet, with a strong focus on seafood, both local and freshly flown-in. There’s prawns, salmon, gravlax, scallops, sushi and sashimi on the seafood front. No Sunday lunch would be complete without roasts, and here you’ll always find two or three on the buffet along with all the accompaniments. Firm favourites are the pork belly croquettes and scotch eggs. And you’ll also find four or five Thai dishes too. Brunch is served from noon until 4:00 pm, and diners are welcome to enjoy the swimming pool, so you can linger between courses and make space for more.

Oyster-lovers won’t be disappointed at RockPool, long known for its oyster menu. Here, you’ll find more than the basic ‘squirt-of-lemon-and-a-grind-ofblack-pepper’ option, with an assortment of interesting varieties. The oysters themselves are flown in alive and fresh from Australia, the USA, Ireland and France, and shucked to order. Try the Kilpatrick, cooked with bacon, tomato and Tabasco, or the watermelon, with watermelon sorbet and yuzu tapioca to name just a couple.

But it’s with RockPool’s a la carte menu that David really shows off his flare for fabulous food. The menu is well-balanced, with options for meat, seafood and poultry lovers, as well as appealing options for vegetarians. And evening alfresco dining wouldn’t be complete without an interesting salad.

A sure-fire choice that will get your taste buds dancing is the ‘beetroot, goats cheese and local honeycomb salad’. This ‘ode to beetroot’ shows off this versatile vegetable’s many facets, as it’s presented roasted, pureed, as tiny jelly pearls and even as a sorbet. The sweetness of the honeycomb perfectly compliments the goats cheese. But with each dish deserving its own detailed and mouth-watering description, it’s best to give David’s evening menu a try for yourself, and be pleasantly surprised not only by the flavours, but by the ‘Picasso on a plate’ presentation.

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Of course a chef needs quality ingredients. Not only does David source his both locally and abroad, but also from a unique location. General Manager, Alan, is co-owner of a farm in Chiang Mai. Here they produce sausages of pork, chicken and beef as well as smoked meats and fish, and even make their own foie gras.

Having a hand in the direct source of their products means that quality will never be compromised – every chef’s dream.

With Alan’s firm but relaxed control of the floor, (well deck actually) and David at the helm of the open kitchen, RockPool can only flourish and continue to please its constant flow of happy guests. But as magazines can’t actually print tastes, smells and gentle breezes over a moonlit bay, you’ll need to try it yourself to truly appreciate it.

Rosanne Turner

__________________________________________________________ For reservations or further information, telephone 0 7723 4500. www.karmaresorts.com

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WET, WIDE AND WONDERFUL! A look at what Sa-ard’s Watersport Center has to offer in the wide wilderness of water around Samui.

We’re an island. We’re in the tropics. We’ve got sun, sand and sunset cocktails.

We’re one of the best places in the world to take a holiday break. And for some that means delighting in doing nothing – beach, book, great food and sleep until you wake. For others it means a leisurely drift around the island by rented jeep or motorbike. But, whatever Samui’s got going for it, there’s a lot more square mileage that’s not made up of real estate. We’re a tiny piece of land in the middle of a great big sea. And so, for a great many people coming here, a holiday on Samui also means taking full advantage of all the water-based sports and activities that there are on offer.

There are jet skis and water-skiing, windsurfing and parasailing, not to mention the perennial scuba diving and snorkelling. There are boat trips galore – with or without fishing thrown in. There’s even big game fishing in one or two selected spots. You can hire a boat, ranging from a tiny laser dinghy, right up to an ocean-going 6-berth catamaran with crew and onboard chef. You can choose between a sunset cruise or a five-day run up the coast. There are so many possibilities and options that it’s almost confusing – where to go, who to ask, what to go for?

Enter a man who is at home on the sea, a champion windsurfer who has represented his country many times in this discipline at the Olympic, Asian and South East Asian (SEA) games (becoming a gold medallist at the SEA Games in Singapore in 1983 and again in 1985, 1987 and 1989). He’s taken part in both the 1984 Olympic Games held in Los Angeles and the 1992 games in Barcelona. His name is Khun Sa-ard Panyawan, although he’s more usually known by his nickname of Khun Lek. And he and his brother run the very successful company known as Sa-ard’s Watersport Center.

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Between them, they can cater for just about any event you can imagine, from 25 people on a sightseeing daytrip to three couples or a family on a five-day cruise.

At Sa-ard’s, you’ll find just about every watersport activity all under one roof, as it were! With the exception of scuba diving, that is, of which there is a plethora of established companies already specialising in this area. (Although it has to be said that if you’ve maybe been out on a boat with Sa-ard’s, liked the people and the set-up and fancy some scuba diving, then they’ll happily arrange it for you.)

Khun Lek began his career here on Samui back in 1993 when he came to work in Maenam as the activities manager and watersports instructor at the 5-star establishment that, at that time, was known as the Santiburi Dusit Resort. Later, he clubbed together with his brother to buy his first speedboat, which they used to run charters to and from the neighbouring islands. Over time the business expanded, another boat was added, then several more of different specifications. Charter trips turned into charters plus boat hire. Windsurfer hire and courses of instruction (naturally!) were quickly knitted into the fabric. Charters and boat hire expanded into a range of tours also. And, just for fun, water skiing, laser dingy hire and a bounce around the bay on a big inflatable banana-boat were added into the mix. But the pride of Saard’s stable is his fleet of ocean-going boats.

Today there are four of these, ranging from the luxurious 43-foot catamaran ‘Kindred Spirit’ to an 85 HP speedboat, ‘Panyawan’, that seats five people. (And with a draft of less than two feet, this boat is the one to go for when opting to explore the little hidden or inaccessible coves on Samui and Koh Pha-Ngan.) And in the middle of these comes ‘Natalie’, a 38-footer which will carry 25 people in comfort. Between them, they can cater for just about any event you can imagine, from 25 people on a sightseeing daytrip to three couples or a family on a five-day cruise. ‘Kindred Spirit’ is luxuriously appointed and kitted out to a level that’s on a par with a 5-star hotel, complete with full bathroom and kitchen facilities (including an oven and fridge-freezer) sumptuous seating, air-conditioning and a big flat screen TV. And the crewmembers who will accompany you are all handpicked and highly experienced. All of the boats have added non-slip sunbathing decks or webs, usually a diving/swimming platform, and remote beach or island dining can be easily arranged with an attendant BBQ chef to do all the hot work!

But, quite honestly, it’s not really the luxurious trimming which are the priority, much as you’ll appreciate them. It’s partly Khun Lek’s awareness and knowledge of the seas, coves and islands around Samui, together with the associated tides and currents. But it’s more to do with safety and state-of-the-art equipment. This is absolutely the priority. Not only is there a strict limit on the numbers each boat may hold, but the navigation equipment is linked to Satnav and internet mapping. Not only the company itself, but all of the boats are Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) licensed, and also insured to international standards.

It’s most reassuring to know that at Sa-ard’s you are in competent and experienced hands.

But, at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how many certificates you have, or how glossy your advertising brochures are. Khun Lek is aware of this. He knows that a reputation is earned and not created. And he’ll readily tell you that he’s pleased to acknowledge that it’s mostly been the word of mouth and personal recommendations of his many pleased and satisfied customers that has stood him in such good stead.

Because most certainly when it comes to reliable, trustworthy and safe ways to be wet and feel wonderful, the name on most people’s lips is normally ‘Sa-ard’s Watersport Center’!

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_____________________________________________ For more information, telephone 0 7724 7656. www.saardswatersport.com www.samuiholidaymagazine.com l 75

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FARE AMERICA

A look at Bubba’s, Chaweng’s alluring American-themed restaurant.

Bubba’s American Bar & Grill is a ‘theme’ restaurant. That’s one thing. But there’s also the food to consider. No matter how glitzy an eatery might be, success depends upon customers wanting to come back. And that means quality food and excellent service, too. Paul Watson is the brains behind the project, and he’s also very much a part of the island’s life and culture. As well as establishing the very successful and longrunning Tropical Murphy’s not so far away, he also established Max Murphy’s at Samui airport. And another of these gourmet pubs has just opened in Nathon. “It’s all about quality and consistency,” he told me. “If a new customer isn’t happy he won’t come back. And we won’t get regular customers unless they know that everything’s going to be great every time they come.”

Bubba’s got off to a well-grounded start in the form of California-born Nigel Mills, who was called upon to set up the kitchen and advise on the menu. Nigel is something of a colourful character, not to mention an established authority on quality barbecue dining. Californians (and Australians!) have elevated the genre to an art form, and Nigel’s expertise with his own dips, rubs and sauces paved the way in the kitchen.

When the current masterchef and Dubliner, Neil Mann, took over, the time was ripe to extend the menu even more into the realm of ‘fine eating’. And today you’ll find that Neil has just taken over the kitchen in the new Max Murphy’s in Nathon – but more of this in a moment.

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All you have to do is to get through two burgers in no more than 30 minutes, and you’ll get them free.

Bubba’s couldn’t be better situated; right in the centre of Chaweng, next to both McDonald’s and Starbucks, close to shops and hotels and only a few minutes walk away from the busy entertainment area around Soi Green Mango. And the actual layout of the restaurant takes some beating too.

There’s a big deck outside and an impressive inner area. The inside part glows invitingly with warm and discreet lighting, revealing in one corner a big semi-circular bar with a gleaming copper top. Opposite this is a wall with a dozen diner booths – traditional American style. Everywhere there are mementos and memorabilia: a 1950s hand gas pump stands guard at the entrance; car licence plates and hub caps are tacked onto the wall here and there; and everywhere there are posters, ancient and modern, of presidents, movies, film stars and pop idols. The floor is a checkerboard of antique Spanish tiles, with a half-dozen big wooden beer kegs forming a nest of tables and, above them, a roof-full of big wooden fans turn sedately to circulate the air.

But it would seem that it’s the outer open deck which steals the show. It’s big and broad. There’s space here for up to 40 diners, either fringed along the edge of the pavement or set further back. It’s a people-watcher’s

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paradise. At one side is a very cosy thatched ‘beach bar’; a gentile spot at which to quaff. The floor-staff are lively, articulate and attentive, the service is immediate, courteous and friendly. And the food itself? Well, unless you’re used to the American way, it might come as a bit of a surprise, in more ways than one!

“People often ask me what the difference is between the American diner-style of food and the Euro street-café,” Neil told me. “I answer, quality, quantity and style. In America, if they get a sandwich, they expect a meal inside bread – it’s like an art-form. And it’s the same with their burgers. Here we don’t add anything to our big beef patties, no onions or breadcrumbs, it’s just pure, prime ground beef. And, of course, we don’t make them then freeze them like some places do. Every burger is freshmade each time. It’s the same when it comes to the steaks. Everything’s prime quality, and big portions, too. The T-bone is a full one pound of prime imported beef. The pure-ground Wagyu-burger with balsamic onions is a rarity in itself, and comes firmly under the heading of ‘slow food’ – it’s a dining experience. And, speaking of which, our rack of ribs is over 20-inches long . . .” www.samuiholidaymagazine.com l 79

This rack of ribs just has to be seen to be believed! It’s a full rack. The plates at Bubba’s are big enough anyway, but this rack hangs a couple of inches over either side. It’s soaked for four hours in a home-made sauce, and then slowcooked so the meat just drops off the bone. Plus it comes with fries and two big portions of the side-dishes of your choice.

Whilst on the subject of ‘big’, it’s also worth a mention that any and all are challenged to chomp their way through the ‘Man against Food’ 4X4 eating challenge. All you have to do is to get through two burgers in no more than 30 minutes, and you’ll get them free. Oh. Just one thing – there’s four burgers between each of the two sets of buns – eight in all. Plus a pound of fries. People do this – really! (The ones who don’t end up paying for it!)

You’ll find that Bubba’s menu is sectioned into appetizers’, ‘burgers and sandwiches’, ‘salads and soups’, Tex-Mex (‘south of the border’) and ‘mains’.

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There is enough variety here for you to come back every other day for a month, and eat something different every time. Plus there’s a comprehensive drinks menu, too including lots of shooters. And if you’re the sort of person for whom an appreciation of alcohol is close to your heart, then drop in on a Monday evening for the ‘Margarita Monday’ experience. It’s buy-one-get-one-free. Not overly impressed? You will be when you realise there are 75 different margaritas to choose from!

But back to Paul again, to put the icing on the most recent of his ‘cakes’ – Max Murphy’s in Nathon, just across the road from the police station, as you first come into the town. “We’ve taken pub dining up a notch,” he continued, “and this is now on a par with Europe’s ‘gastro pubs’. But the cuisine isn’t the same as Bubba’s; it’s a completely different style, and Max Murphy’s has what Neil refers to as ‘contemporary European’ cuisine. This is a refined, classic pub with (of course!) Guinness and simply superb food.”

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The Farmer Restaurant & Bar Maenam, Koh Samui Tel: 077 447 222, 077 247 979 email: info@thefarmerrestaurantsamui.com www.thefarmerrestaurantsamui.com

Rob De Wet

_________________________________________________________ For reservations and further information, telephone 0 7741 4611.

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LIFE’S A SONG! The southern Thai tradition of bird-singing competitions is practiced here on Samui. We went to take a look and listen.

You’ve surely seen them in the traffic. Men precariously steering scooters with one hand, while carrying a covered birdcage in the other hand. Inside the cage is a prized possession – a Red-whiskered Bulbul, used in the traditional bird-singing competitions of southern Thailand.

On Samui, the competitions are held every Tuesday and Saturday at 11:00 am. It’s not advertised, there’s nothing touristy about it, and if you don’t know where it is, you won’t find it. The location for the competition is down what is known locally as the ‘Ghost Road’ – the road that links Bangrak to Chaweng. Coming from the Bangrak side, turn into the Ghost Road opposite Dae Tong Resort, between a light blue bank and a 7-Eleven. Continue about three kilometres down this road until you get to a crossroads with another 7-Eleven on your right. Keep going straight at the crossroads, and a few hundred metres on, after a bend, you’ll see an open field with a metal grid-type structure, and a wooden sala with a few chairs.

As competitors and their owners arrive, the birds are kept in their ornate bamboo cages with brightly-coloured fabric covers.

When they’re ready, the covers are removed and the cages are hung onto hooks suspended around three metres high on the metal grid. We chatted to competition organiser, Khun Pond, who explained that for these weekly competitions, we could expect around 150 birds, but for the main one, usually held at the beginning of March, competitors arrive from the mainland too, and numbers climb to 400. Owners pay 200 baht to enter their birds, and there’s quite a status to having a winning bird. Trophies and prize money are presented at the end of the competition, and it’s not uncommon for some friendly betting to take place too. Khun Pond said that birds are usually bred in captivity, but occasionally caught in the forest too. In 1992, the Red-whiskered Bulbul was added to the Wildlife Conservation Act’s list of protected species. Under this law owners needed a Thai government document allowing them to keep the bird, and so, owners need to carry this document and be able to present it whenever they enter their bird in a competition.

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Owners pay 200 baht to enter their birds, and there’s quite a status to having a winning bird.

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Now while not everyone is a fan of birds in cages, we were assured that the birds are well taken care of, and some men jokingly said that they looked after them better than their wives – as the wives spend their money, but the birds make them money! When we asked the organisers why we only saw men at the competition, they sheepishly looked at each other and said that women were welcome, and a few do come sometimes, but “Women make too much noise,” they said, chuckling again.

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As the bell rang for the competition to start, some owners whistled and flapped their arms about to encourage their birds to respond with song. There are four judges, and each bird is given 20 seconds to show what they’ve got. They first spread their wings and lower their heads, while ruffling their feathers and shaking their bodies from side to side. Birds are judged on how well they sing, variation of tune and stamina – the judges literally count how many times they chirp in their time slot. The judges take their task seriously, and birds are eliminated as the group is narrowed down. Little slips of paper hang under each cage where judges write the scores, or mark a bird for elimination. The sound of 150 bulbuls chirruping together can be a little overwhelming, and the judges need to concentrate to isolate the song of a particular bird.

What was interesting to see was how the timekeeping was done: a small silver bowl with a hole in the bottom was placed gently on the surface of the water, in a larger glass jar. It takes exactly 20 seconds for the bowl to fill with water and, as soon as it’s full, it sinks to the bottom of the glass jar and the timekeeper rings the bell.

Khun Pond explained that birds need to be happy to sing, so tropical fruit is presented to them in their cages, and apparently birds will only sing when the sun is shining, so the competition is called off when the rain comes. In truth, what 86 l www.samuiholidaymagazine.com

some don’t realise is that by hanging two cages close together, the bulbul will belt out a song to protect its territory.

If you’re after a little Thai culture on your visit to Samui, perhaps a visit down the Ghost Road on a Tuesday or Saturday is in order. Just remember to take other Thai customs into account, so dress politely and ‘wai’ the locals. Don’t step over the line once the competitions starts, and of course, ask before taking photos.

The bird singing competition has a website (see below), and although it’s in Thai, there are several video clips as well as photos to browse. If you’d prefer to experience Thailand’s birds in the wild, turn off the iPod and look around, as within the resorts, if you sit still, look and listen, you’ll see and hear an abundance of birdlife.

Rosanne Turner ______________________________ For more information visit flyingbirdsamui.blogspot.com.

SKY HIGH

Chaweng Bay View Resort has an unbeatable view – and is great value for money, too!

Probably one of the best things about Samui is that it’s now at the stage where it has just about everything. At one time you could enjoy the tranquillity of endless deserted beaches; but couldn’t buy a loaf of bread. You could chill out in a thatched hut on the beach that only cost pennies a day; but there was no hot water. There certainly were no pharmacies, ATM machines, convenience stores or internet. But now we’ve got the lot. Plus we’ve still got the old quaint rustic aspects, too. We’ve still got

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the thatched beach huts (but not for pennies anymore) and the remote isolated beaches (if you know where to go), but we’ve also got glittering 5-star resorts with personal butler service. And there’s also a whole range of excellent accommodation that’s right in the middle range – quality resorts with great facilities and personal service but which won’t cost you an arm and a leg. And one which falls firmly into this category is Chaweng Bay View Resort, at the far north of Chaweng.

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Its name should give you more than a clue as to its nature: it’s tucked away on the crest of a hilltop which commands breathtaking, sweeping, views over the sea and most of the coast in this area. And, as such, this is not a resort which is best-suited to the old or the frail. Although it has to be said straight away that the warm and attentive staff here will fall over themselves to help-out families with small children or grannies, running them up the hill on their motorbikes, or into Chaweng, or even re-locating them in a bungalow that’s on the same level as the pool. This resort is layered onto terraces built into the hillside, you see, with the pool and restaurant area commanding the best views at the top. It’s not right on the beach (although it’s only a few minutes walk away) and it’s not exactly on the flat. But this is more than offset by its peacefulness and that stunning outlook. And also by their room-rates, which are all astonishingly and realistically reasonable.

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Regency Rooms. All are superbly decorated in a lavish-yet-tasteful contemporary Thai style, and kitted out with mini bar and fridge, phone with international direct dialling, flat screen TV with quality international satellite channels, and a stereo with DVD player. And each room has its own private balcony that’s comfortably furnished, and just perfect for breakfasts or lounging in the sun. Some of the villas go even further and have their own full kitchenette and outside Jacuzzi. If you consider that the prices here are about the same as staying elsewhere in a small concrete room in a block that’s closer to the beach, there’s no contest!

The space, the dimensions, the quality of the décor and the outlook make the accommodation at Chaweng Bay View exceptional value for money.

And then there’s the restaurant. Not surprisingly, in a resort that’s spent so much time, money and thought on the quality of their accommodation, the on-site eatery here is first-class, too. One of the measures of a successful resort restaurant is how often their own guests elect to eat in it. It’s fun to get out and

explore, and Chaweng’s just crammed with seductive restaurants. But the resort’s sky-top restaurant, known as ‘Yupa’s’, remains a firm favourite with its guests, who turn up to dine there again and again. It runs a full menu of both International and Thai dishes, with a specialisation in genuine southern Thai cuisine, as well as serving substantial breakfasts. One of the guests, a German visitor staying with his Thai girlfriend, told me that, “. . . although the breakfast here is big, it’s western-style. Several times my girlfriend wanted something simpler and Thai, and the kitchen staff were great and immediately provided her with what she wanted. Not only that but they wouldn’t accept any payment for it either!”

An interesting note about the name of the restaurant. The woman who owns and runs the resort is a true blue Samui local by the name of Khun Yupa Khumprom, who graduated with an accounting and marketing degree from Bangkok in 1985, and has had an interesting career since then. www.samuiholidaymagazine.com l 91

One of the measures of a successful resort restaurant is how often their own guests elect to eat in it.

She not only opened the first disco on the island in 1987 (the ‘Flamingo’, in Lamai), but then went on to establish the famous Gallery Layafette in Chaweng, which was the first painting and art-copy shop to appear. Some years later, she bought the highest plot of land in Chaweng and built the resort. Although the resort is called ‘Chaweng Bay View Resort’, it’s simply known to everyone locally as ‘Yupa’s’, as is the restaurant that goes with it!

Khun Yupa’s outlook is simple: “Whatever our guests want we’ll make sure that they get it.” And this actually goes further than simply responding to requests. She’s shrewd enough to also anticipate what sort of things are going to be needed or appreciated. One of these being a pick up and return service to the airport in the resort’s mini bus, which is also available for 92 l www.samuiholidaymagazine.com

SAREERAYA CHAWENG BEACH

SAMUI

Hot Stone Package Hot stone therapy boosts your circulation, releases stored tension and recharges your energy levels.

3 hour package includes: 30 minute choice of Herbal Steam or Water Bath 30 minute Coconut Body Scrub 90 minute Hot Stone Massage 30 minute Facial Treatment by Jurlique Only 4,750 baht net/person, 8,750 baht net/couple excursions, or runs in and out of Chaweng. And this is characteristic of the overall friendly help and responsiveness of all the staff here at the resort.

Early Spa Bird

Begin day relaxed, and rejuvenated one Thereyour are many attractively refreshed priced resorts around Samui now,with but cost ofisn’t ourthesensational Spa Treatments! advantage only consideration – you need to Take factor-in the quality ofof theour Early Bird Discount* day from 10.00 am to 2.00got pm. accommodation and theevery environment that goes with it. You’ve a choice. You could gosessions for similar quality that’s closer to the sea, but as *Early Bird must conclude by 2.00 pm. another guest observed, “If the hotel was on the beach I guess it would be five times the price that I paid.” And, taking into account the sheer quality Rayahere SpaatisChaweng open daily of the accommodation Bay from View Resort, that just about 10.00 am to 9.00 pm sums it all up!

(last booking at 8.00 pm).

Rob De Wet

___________________________________________________________ For reservations and further information, telephone 0 7741 4069-71. www.chawengbayview.com

at Sareeraya Villas & Suites, Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui.

Tel: 0 7791 4333, Email: info@sareeraya.com www.sareeraya.com

SAREERAYA CHAWENG BEACH

SAMUI

Every Monday

Thai Buffet & Seafood Beach BBQ Spice up your evening with our superb Thai Buffet using only the freshest ingredients available to create a real Thai taste.

Includes a large selection of Thai appetizers, Main Courses, Salads, Desserts, Beach BBQ, Beef, Steaks, Seafood.

From 07.00 - 10.00 pm 1,200 THB adults 600 THB kids (6-12 years) Children below 6 years old free of charge

Every Friday

Asian Buffet & Seafood Beach BBQ Come enjoy all of your tasty Asian favorites! We offer a varied menu to suit all tastes including Asian & Western food, Sushi, Sashimi, BBQ with Australian Beef, Steaks, Seafood caught fresh from the Sea, Dessert Buffet and other delicacies, over 40 dishes of delight.

From 07.00 - 10.00 pm 1,400 THB adults 700 THB kids (6-12 years) Children below 6 years old free of charge Day and location of Buffet subject to change, please double check with us for a guaranteed booking

at Sareeraya Villas & Suites, Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui.

Tel: 0 7791 4333, Email: info@sareeraya.com www.sareeraya.com www.samuiholidaymagazine.com l 93

Coconuts play a big part in life on Samui. Find out how to enjoy them best.

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What’s the first thing you think about when mentally picturing a tropical island? Most will answer with a beach scene complete with white sand and coconut palms. Well in that case, Samui fits the picture, particularly with the coconut palms. Even though the palm tree has become synonymous as a symbol of Samui, it was only fairly recently that the coconut became the largest export from the island. Although there were always coconuts, over the years Samui farmers gradually turned the island into a substantial coconut plantation.

As the island’s industry grew, so did the local farmers’ income, as they were able to negotiate a good price for their crops. Their increased wealth didn’t go unnoticed by people from the mainland, and so Samui’s native farmers were joined by people from other areas of Thailand who also wanted to benefit from the island’s growing economy.

The legacy of the islands early coconut farmers is still apparent today as Samui proudly boasts more varieties of coconuts than anywhere else in the world. A few years ago, the island’s coconut farmers suffered a knock as hundreds of trees started to lose their fronds and die off. After much research, it was discovered that a non-indigenous beetle was the culprit, brought in accidentally from South Africa. The only solution was to cut down the affected trees and kill the beetles. The agricultural department worked hard at reviving the industry which had suffered a 20% drop in production from the beetle infection. They looked at how tourism could help, and visitors were invited to donate 300 baht to plant a new palm and have their name on a tree.

You can still see patches of tall trunks with no frond heads attached, but the industry seems to have survived the setback.

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Coconut milk, made from crushing the flesh and juice, is used as a base for most Thai curries, as well as some soups, blending well with spices and the heat of chillies.

Until recently, coconut production was Samui’s main industry, and is now second only to tourism. Every month, Samui supplies Bangkok with over two million coconuts. These are harvested from the approximately three million trees that grow on the island, each of which produces around 70 coconuts per year. That’s a lot of nuts!

The coconut tree and its products play a big part in island life, and there’s more to this tree than just swinging in a hammock between two sturdy palms. And on that note, best to check that there are no coconuts directly above your head when stringing up your hammock. A blow from a falling nut can kill. Apparently, 150 people worldwide suffer this fate annually. Although Samui is one of Thailand’s tourist hot spots, what makes it different to the larger island of Phuket is the fact that there is a rule that no building may be taller than the nearest coconut palm. Now while the palms can grow quite tall, this law still keeps the skyscrapers away. And although you may see four-storey hotels, most resorts remain the bungalow type.

Coconut harvesting monkeys, specifically pig-tailed Macaques, are trained on the mainland, in a special school in Surat Thani. The school is family run, and has been in operation since 1957. Their training methods are humane and trainers develop a strong bond with their scholars. Farmers enrol their monkeys in a three to five month course, which includes training on how to twist and bite a coconut loose, how to tell a ripe from an unripe nut, as well as how to load a pickup. These monkeys are generally well looked after by their owners, as they generate a good income, and are therefore a valuable asset. A well-trained monkey can harvest 1,000 coconuts a day, whereas a human with a long stick and loop can probably only manage about 100. These monkeys are smart, another reason why they are generally well cared for. In fact, local

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and international newspapers reported an incident in March 2009, when a coconut-picking monkey killed his owner by throwing a well-aimed coconut at his head, killing him instantly. Witnesses say the man didn’t treat the monkey well, and was not appreciative of his efforts to retrieve the prized fruit!

So how can you enjoy your freshly monkey-harvested young coconut, or maprao, as it is called in Thai? There’s nothing more refreshing, or no better hangover cure than an ice-cold maprao, lid cut open, with soft white flesh to scoop out after drinking the coconut water. A coconut is sterile on opening and is full of electrolytes. In fact, it is so pure that it was used in World War 2 and the Vietnam War as emergency plasma replacement when none was available.

Coconut milk, made from crushing the flesh and juice, is used as a base for most Thai curries, as well as some soups, blending well with spices and the heat of chillies. And coconut is used for texture and flavour in most Thai sweets and desserts, including the strange gelatinous candy known as ‘garamear’ that is sold at the Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks (sometimes known as the rude rocks) and at the ferry terminals. Rich, creamy, homemade coconut ice cream is available from a vendor at the viewpoint between Chaweng and Lamai as well as at the walking street markets. It’s served in half a coconut. Have it plain, or add a topping, including a few unusual varieties, all for an affordable 40 baht.

Fine Beachfront Dining serving Thai, Seafood & International Cuisine.

Chaweng Beach Road Chaweng North Tel: 0 7742 9400 Fax: 0 7742 9498 E-mail: reservation@norabeachresort.com www.norabeachresort.com

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2 Sp dis 0% a cou tr ea nt tm en ts on

Many resorts use palm fronds to roof their salas, beach bars and even bungalows, and palms provide shade and relief from the tropical heat, but don’t forget those falling coconuts as you laze under a tree with a book! Most resorts de-fruit their trees to avoid such accidents, and thus keep the monkeys in business too. Coconut wood is hard and is often used in building. The fibres and husks are used for ropes, mattress stuffing and also as fire starters. The shells are used for ornaments and utensils, meaning that no part of a tree is ever wasted. Coconut-wood salad servers would usually be well-received as a gift or souvenir.

Cold-pressed virgin coconut oil is sold at Big Buddha, the rude rocks and markets, for around 100 baht for 100ml.

Ever wondered why most Thai women have such beautiful skin and hair? Well, they use coconut oil as a hair mask as well as a skin moisturiser. It’s excellent for treating scar tissue and blemishes, and good for mosquito bites too. Try some on salads and in cooking. It’s good for the immune system, good for cancer prevention, and also heart disease and other degenerative conditions.

Driving around Samui, particularly the less-developed south and west coasts, and you’ll see towering piles of coconuts ready for processing. If you pass a pickup piled high with nuts, look to see if there’s a monkey sitting on top of the pile. Leave the island on the car ferries, and many of the vehicles you’ll see waiting in the queues are pickups with coconuts ready to deliver to the mainland.

It is easy to see why the coconut is known as ‘the tree of life’ as it has so many uses, providing for the most basic needs of both food and shelter. And to top it, it’s not often that something so healthy can be delicious too!

Rosanne Turner

Our Siam Ten Senses Treatment focuses on the ten main senses in human body.

Restoring body systems and improving the balance.

Green Resort Green Spa Detoxifying and Slimming Program Healthy Thai Restaurant Natural Wing Health Spa & Resort 11/5 Moo 6, Maenam, Koh Samui, Thailand Tel: 0 7760 2111, 0 7760 2112 Fax: 0 7744 7243 Mobile: 0 819 682 796 Email: info@naturalwing.com, www.naturalwing.com

If you are looking for something wonderful and different, Zazen restaurant is the place for you to discover. Their master chef emphasises the use of healthy organic ingredients while infusing dining participation.

Zazen is truly one of the most romantic and serene beachside dining restaurants on the island. Every night this charming establishment lights up over 100 candles to set the ambiance for you to experience.

Tel: 0 7742 5085

Email: info@samuizazen.com

Website: www.samuizazen.com

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WOW FACTOR

The Cliff Bar & Grill has being wowing Samui’s diners for nine years.

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The name is apt. As it suggests, The Cliff Bar & Grill is perched atop a cliff overlooking the small coves between Chaweng and Lamai. And if it’s a classic island view you’re after, you couldn’t pick a better spot. On a perfect day, the colours are so intense, it’s as though the scene has been ‘Photo-shopped’.

Your eyes flicker between the vivid turquoise ocean below with bright kayaks paddling in the calm waters, vibrant local fishing boats in blue, red and orange and the cerise bougainvillea of the manicured gardens, set amid giant boulders leading to the ocean. Visit during the evening and you’re rewarded with an equally inspiring view, as the moon is reflected in the ocean, highlighting the palm trees and fishing boats.

Now many establishments with such an idyllic view would simply rest on their laurels, letting other important factors such as the food and service slip, relying on the view to draw the customers in. Sure, a good view may bring them in once, but it’s the food, ambience and service that will keep them coming back. Those that visit Samui each year will notice an ever-evolving island, 102 l www.samuiholidaymagazine.com

with new restaurants, bars and hotels pushing out older places that no longer make the grade. But there are a few places that stick around – because they are consistently good. A good restaurateur understands that just because a venue was once popular, it doesn’t mean it will always be - unless the quality of food, service and ambience are maintained. Well, The Cliff has been a firm favourite on the island since it was established in 2004, growing from strength to strength each year, a clear indication that owner Bradley Munns and General Manager, Lionel Helena know how to keep guests happy.

And adding to the winning formula is Head Chef, Sergio Martelli, who’s been with The Cliff since it opened. Hailing from Italy, he moved to Thailand 14 years ago, and specialises in Mediterranean cuisine, with a flair for sophisticated Italian cuisine. His Italian menu is available for lunch or dinner, either on the 28-seater deck over-looking the bay, or in the stylish, airconditioned dining room with expansive windows that make the most of the view. Sergio believes in using only organic vegetables, which he flies in daily

Dolce Vita Gems Samui : Samui Ring Road, Opp. Makro Contact: 077 426 959, 085 0296 046 Fax : 077 426 960 E-mail: cm_nicky@hotmail.com

Samui Discover authentic Indian Cuisine

from Bangkok, and seafood is delivered daily from the local fishermen – which is what one would expect from an establishment so close to the sea. He’s a whizz with seafood, which explains why the various seafood platters are so popular!

Peruvian chef, Adrian Torres, joined The Cliff’s strong team three years ago, adding a new dimension to the dining experience. Adrian oversees the tapas menu, served from noon till 7:00 pm, popular as a lunch option while enjoying the view. With experience working in Peru, Spain, Cuba and New Zealand, he brings a fresh, simple approach to The Cliff’s kitchen, perfectly complimenting the sophisticated menu compiled by Chef Sergio.

The look of the restaurant is elegant, yet relaxed. Dress code is casual – we’re on an island after all. Yet the food and service match any fine-dining establishment, without the fuss and pomp. Inside, the dining

Noori India Restaurant - Chaweng Center Chaweng Beach Road, opp. Chaweng Buri Noori India Restaurant - Chaweng South at Chaweng Cove Resort Noori India Cooking Center - Chaweng South Soi Colibri, opp. Centara Grand Beach Resort For reservation (English) - 0 867 407 873 or 0 7741 3108 For reservation (Thai) - 0 813 960 283 E-mail: nooriindia_samui@yahoo.com www.nooriindiasamui.com

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He’s a whizz with seafood, which explains why the various seafood platters are so popular! lounge is light and airy, with dark-wood tables, terrazzo floors, bamboo ceilings with slowly whirling fans, quirky artwork and oversized tropical flower arrangements. An assortment of awards is proudly displayed on the walls too, including the Thailand Tatler’s Best Restaurant, several years running. The cigar bar and lounge is a great place to while-away the time over a cocktail or good glass of wine from the vast selection. And be sure to pop in on Friday and Saturday nights for live music from 8:00 pm. Unlike some Samui venues, parking is no problem at The Cliff, there’s more than enough, even when a crowd gathers. Oh, and if you’re after a table on the terrace, it’s wise to book in advance as these are prized and sought after seats.

With its jaw-dropping view, impeccable service, inspiring food and ample space, The Cliff makes an ideal venue for small to medium-sized functions such as weddings, birthday parties and corporate events. Management will assist in customising a menu suited to your guests and the occasion.

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So what can you expect from the menu, compiled by Chef Sergio and Chef Adrian? The lighter tapas menu is ideal for lunch or early evenings – order an assortment and share – tapas style. The Mediterranean salad with manchego cheese and sun-dried tomatoes is delicious, as is the Spanish tortilla with aioli sauce. There’s a selection of imported Spanish hams and chorizo, as well as homemade marinated Spanish black olives. Seafood plays a big part in any tapas menu, and here, the deep-fried calamari is a winner. General Manager, Lionel, is partial to the tuna balls in a pomodoro sauce, and he recommends their Chilean house wine to compliment the tapas menu. If you’re unsure what to go for, there are several ‘chef’s selection’ platters to take the stress out of choosing.

On the main menu there’s a distinct Italian flavour. And no Italian menu would be complete without a selection of freshly baked breads. Chef Sergio prides himself on his bread-making skills, from breadsticks to bruschetta flavoured

SCL International School

International Education from Pre-school to Secondary Educating the Mind Nurturing the Soul



with herbs, cheese and tomatoes. The menu has a good selection of appetisers and salads, including fiery Portuguese piri piri prawns – not for the faint-hearted!

 Small classes  Individual education plans Fully qualified teachers  A family atmosphere

With these qualities, it’s not hard to see why the children at SCL are achieving so much A warm welcome is extended to anyone who wishes to visit the school

Main courses offer a selection for all tastes, from fresh seafood to chicken as well as red meat dishes and of course, pasta. The beef is flown in from Australia, and lamb chops from New Zealand. Only the best will do with these chefs, so meat is not frozen, but flown in chilled and well-aged, as a good steak should be.

For those that live here and those that are regular visitors, it’s good to know that some things will never change. Like friendly locals, coconuts galore, sizzling summers and wet Novembers – and The Cliff, standing as firmly as the giant boulders it’s constructed on.

Rosanne Turner

________________________________________________________ For reservations or further information, telephone 0 7744 8508. www.thecliffsamui.com

SCL International School

206/26 Moo 4 Maret, Lamai, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84310, Thailand Phone: 0 7741 8789 Mobile: 0 810 910 714 Email: emma@sclinternationalschool.com www.sclinternationalschool.com

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SEVERAL FOR THE ROAD

Everything you’ve ever wanted to know (and some things you didn’t) about getting around on Samui’s roads.

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“Driving in Napoli is like a video game. You just have to relax, stop thinking and feel it in your stomach.”

Giacomo Bennelli: Manager of Hertz, Naples.

Highway Code and the rules of the road. You have to. The other people on the road around you know nothing about your rules and certainly don’t drive by them.

Ever been to Rome? How about Cairo or Zimbabwe? I would dare to suggest Afghanistan, too, but seeing that it’s more or less a war zone that’s hardly fair. So how about New Delhi, then? Any ideas yet about where I’m heading with this?

All right, let’s just say that in Cairo nobody takes any notice of traffic signals at a crossroads. The technique for driving across the junction is to aim directly at the car that’s crossing your path; that way by the time you get there, you’ve missed him – just. At least in Rome or Naples everybody seems to be heading the same way and on the same side of the road.

Samui is no exception. Our island doesn’t have a good reputation when it comes to road safety, but that’s a lot to do with the fact that many of the locals don’t drive thoughtfully or with consideration towards others. Think of it this way. For generations the people here, from the ages of ten to 80, have simply climbed on their little scooters and chugged off down dirt tracks and across the fields to go to the market or to visit auntie. Each new generation of youngsters has absorbed these everyday skills without thinking. Nobody ever bothered much with driving licences, and the only things the highway code entailed was not bumping into things or falling off. Their driving instruction came by watching what their uncle/big sister did to make the motorbike go and stop. The fact that today there are now blacktop roads, two lanes of constant traffic in both directions, traffic signals and roundabouts, hasn’t much affected the local attitude

And, essentially, that’s what it’s all about. In order to get safely around the unfamiliar roads of any new destination you have to be aware of what everyone else is doing. In other words, forget everything you’ve learned about the 108 l www.samuiholidaymagazine.com

to riding about on the roads. They still mainly go around as if they are in a field, taking the shortest line, cutting corners, and driving on whatever side of the ‘field’ happens to be the most convenient – often with the entire family on the bike with them.

The first thing that you have to do is to switch on all of your senses and focus your concentration on everything that’s going on around you. This goes for what’s alongside you and behind as much as what’s in front. On Samui the lefthand edge of the road is the place for motorbikes and they’ll zip by, overtaking you on the inside, without hesitation or pause. You simply can’t afford to gaze around at the scenery and chat to your partner when you’re driving.

The last thing that you’ll expect is to see a motorcycle come flying out of a side street without pausing or even looking. The first few times this happens, it’s scary. It’s bad enough when the rider is going in the same direction as you and ends up alongside. But when one comes whanging out on the wrong side of the road and right into your face it’s terrifying. That’s only because you’d never dream of seeing anything like this back home. But here it’s quite normal, and to be expected.

Along with this, another thing you’ll notice is that Thai people instinctively always take the shortest line into any turn. This can be particularly traumatic if you still haven’t actually got to the road junction yet, and are rolling, indicating (naturally!) that you intend to turn left in a moment. Suddenly a motorbike appears from nowhere, around the blind corner to your left, into your path and heading right at you. I could go on . . .

Just keep remembering that probably 85% of riders here have no licence and have had no formal instruction about road sense or practice. And those that boast a licence have passed a test that’s so simple you just wouldn’t believe it if I told you. Turn signals? Expect that these won’t be used – what’s the point?

They know exactly where they’re going, so why use them? Also expect that if indicators are used, it can mean anything. Many times I’ve seen a bike (in front of me and going in the same direction) indicate right and then turn left without looking, right across my path. (The reason is that they were going to turn right, but it’s too busy. So they’re heading for a nervous wait at the side of the road until all is clear.)

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The last thing that you’ll expect is to see a motorcycle come flying out of a side street without pausing or even looking.

One final point, before I give you the last of the best advice you’ll ever get about our island’s roads. If you’re out at night, keep an eagle eye out for oncoming vehicles without lights. At a guess, one car or bike in every hundred will not use lights in the early part of the evening, particularly in areas with good street lighting. The reason? They can see fine, thank you. It never enters their heads that they’re effectively invisible amongst the oncoming stream of traffic. And be warned: if you happen to clip one of these dark savants, you are in the wrong.

You will pay. If they are on the correct side of the road and not doing anything other than drive along without lights, that’s okay. The police will deem you to be at fault for not having seen them. This recently happened to a friend of mine!

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All of this takes practice. You can’t just jump off the plane and into a rented vehicle and expect to enjoy a blissfully tropical ride around the island. You are not at home. You are here. There is no SS Enterprise or Scotty to beam you up off the surface of a strange and hostile planet. It’s just you and the rest of the asylum. And they are all lunatics, every one of them, except for you. That’s the mindset you need. Either that or pretend it’s all a video game – join the mob, stop thinking and just feel it in your stomach!

Rob De Wet

Big Buddha Café The signs say ‘Free Sunset at BBC’ and ‘Best Sunset on Samui’. Although no single restaurant has actually had the audacity to charge for viewing one before, there can’t be many places on the island better than BBC Restaurant where you can enjoy a sunset in such comfortable surroundings whilst eating such good food. And if there was such a place that you would ever consider paying to watch a sunset from, it would be there.

The menu’s extensive, to say the least. The fare’s both Thai and International, including favourites from both cuisines. For mains, there’s a large selection of tasty snacks, salads, tried and tested favourites of both Thai and International cuisine and a special Italian food section, including some great pizza and lasagna dishes. And if you’re a fish lover, then you’ll certainly enjoy the salmon steak with basil sauce and side salad.

It’s located right next to the Big Buddha temple complex in Bangrak. The causeway to the temple starts virtually from the restaurant and from parts of the deck you can see the ornate archway itself. And the restaurant’s a prime spot for seeing the landmark statue of Big Buddha itself, floodlit at night, which is just a couple of hundred metres away.

Whatever you order, don’t forget desserts. BBC Restaurant has a select range of them and they’re hard to resist (even if you have just got through a massive main course!). Order the chocolate mousse and it arrives as a mini-mountain topped with whipped cream. Also highly popular is the apple pie (just like mum used to make) with custard or ice-cream.

BBC Restaurant has become an institution in itself and after extensive refurbishment it’s back again. It’s bigger, better and has more choice of seating than before. And it’s one of those very versatile places that offers somewhere perfect to sit for everyone. If you’re on your own with a loved one, you’ll find sitting at one of the beachside tables for two highly romantic. And if you’ve come with your family or a group of friends, you’ll have many options, too, including sitting on the expansive decking at one of the large tables.

The wine list has been expanded to offer a more broad range of southern hemisphere wines. The owners are a Thai - New Zealand family who enjoy the quality of southern wines and meats, as well as using the best that Thailand has to offer.

Meanwhile, on another outside deck, close to the spreading branches of a tamarind tree, there’s a generous-sized patio; again ideal for groups, and for those magnificent views across the sea. And, incidentally, if you’re getting married, BBC’s also an ideal place to hold your reception, not just for the setting, but also for the excellent catering.

BBC is open every day from 9am to late (generally the kitchen is open until 10pm, with a bar snack-menu available after 10pm until closing).

For information and reservations, contact: Telephone: 0 7742 5089 or visit their website: www.bbcrestaurant.com

ARTISTIC ASIA Oriental Living, where dĂŠcor dreams come true.

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Thousands of expats have bought homes on Samui over the last two decades.

Some of them now choose to live here full time and others use their houses and villas as an additional source of income by renting them out. And that decision has a major impact on the best way to furnish and decorate your home. But, as with anything that requires more than a cursory thought, it often pays dividends to get help from a professional. And that’s where Oriental Living come in.

The moment you walk through the doors of Oriental Living you are guaranteed a warm, friendly, relaxed, individual personal experience, that’ll leave you feeling inspired. Located in Maenam, about 500-metres from the post office, their contemporary creative designs are visible from the street, enticing you inside.

And they have now expanded to open a further branch over in Phuket. But despite being in two separate locations, they’ve managed to integrate both teams to create one big family. The whole operation consists of 12 sparkling

personalities that’ll dazzle you with their designs. All your expectations will not only be met, but exceeded by the creativeness that the team offers.

One of the newest, but very capable and experienced, members of the team is Franz Gutierrez. He’s been fascinated with architecture and interior design ever since he was a young boy, and this is definitely demonstrated in the state-of-theart, cutting edge designs that he creates. His skills and knowledge have been gained not only through his interior design University course, and his previous working history in various related fields, but also through his friends and family.

They’ve encouraged him in many different aspects, including giving Franz the opportunity to carry out their personal renovations, as a means to practice his interior design skills. He was originally based in the Phuket store, although he’s constantly back and forth, offering his ideas and creativeness in order to help aid and support the team on Samui.

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All your expectations will not only be met, but exceeded by the creativeness that the team offers.

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Your One Stop Chill Spot

www.impiana.com 91/2-3 Moo 3, Chaweng Noi Beach, Koh Samui, Suratthani 84320 Thailand Tel: 66 (0) 77 448994

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Fax: 66 (0) 77 448999

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Contact: 080 522 7700, 077 426 993 Location: Samui Ring Road, Bophut next to Peace Resort www.samuiholidaymagazine.com l 115

Despite being just over a year old, Oriental Living in Phuket has already become a popular establishment. The whole team comes together and treats each other as family, and that’s something you’ll want to be a part of when it comes to meeting your design needs. Sometimes the language barrier can be a problem here in Thailand, but not at Oriental Living. All of the team are very competent Thai and English speakers, and they now have another new member, Olga. She’s responsible for the sales and marketing to Russian clients, again based in Phuket, but very flexible and easily accessible to the Samui branch as well. The huge influx of Russian expats in both places has made a native Russian speaker an essential addition to their well-established team. Plans for the future include, the possibility of

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adding to the business by opening up a third store in Bangkok, spreading the Oriental Living dream even further.

Oriental Living’s motto is ‘the home of inspired interiors’, and whatever your décor requirements are, the team will work together to help make any project a success.

Kathy Ross

__________________________________________ For further information, telephone: 0 7724 7675. www.oriental-living.net

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Plai Laem Soi 8, Choeng Mon Beach, Koh Samui, Thailand Contact: Mr. Yo Tel: 081 537 3088 sales@naraikiri.com, yochaweng@hotmail.com www.naraikiri.com, www.samui-ultimate-samui.com

SKYLINE RESIDENCES

NARAI KIRI RESIDENCES

KOH SAMUI www.samuiholidaymagazine.com

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G’DAY MATE!

Bondi Aussie Bar & Grill offers wholesome pub grub, live music and all the major sporting events on big screen TVs.

Australians – let’s call them Aussies (and there are a few other prized nicknames for them that we won’t use here) know how to have a good time. They’re not a pretentious bunch and enjoy wholesome fun, such as chatting over a beer with their mates, watching sport or having a barbie – that’s a barbecue for those who don’t know. They enjoy the sun, the surf, the great outdoors and any social event that doesn’t involve pomp and fuss.

So with this in mind, if you’re after a laid-back pub scene with hearty pub grub and a natter with like-minded sports lovers, head to one of the two branches of Bondi Aussie Bar & Grill. Both are well-signposted, with the Chaweng branch being close to the turning to Soi Green Mango, and the Lamai branch being next to McDonalds.

If there’s a sporting event that you just don’t want to miss while on holiday, Bondi is a sure-fire option, as they cover most of the main events. If you’re not sure, check out their website first, as there’s a schedule listed to ensure you don’t miss supporting your team.

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And if you feel like getting your groove on, Bondi Chaweng has a live cover band seven nights a week from 9:00 pm, and Lamai on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. They play good old rock ‘n’ roll and pop, so it’s easy to sing along and reminisce over past good times. Bondi makes an ideal place to start a night on the town, as they serve good food, perfect to line the stomach. Add to that live music, and you’re sure to get into the swing of things. Rock Island has been Bondi’s in-house band since they opened the Chaweng branch three and a half years ago. They’ve collected quite a troupe of groupies along the way, who love their renditions of Pink Floyd, AC/DC, Rolling Stones, Adele, Norah Jones, The Corrs, Bee Gees, Beyonce, Pink, and a huge list that grows by the week.

They’re happy to take requests and definitely draw in the crowds. Crazy Stone is a group of four young guys ‘imported’ from Krabi to entertain the growing

demand for quality music at the Bondi venues. These guys aren’t shy to give it all and mix it up, from The Rolling Stones, U2, and The Eagles to Bruno Mars and back to Stevie Ray Vaughn. They cover classic rock, pop and a host of classic 80s tunes, keeping the band a firm favourite in the Bondi venues.

On the food front, Bondi is famous for its ribs and burgers. There’s a selection of burgers, with the Bondi Burger being the serious one – as with all their burgers, it’s a 100% Australian beef patty on a sesame bun, and it comes topped with beetroot, a pineapple ring, bacon, cheddar cheese and grilled red onions.

There’s a side of rosa tomato salsa and French fries too. As Aussies love their barbies, there’s a good selection of other meat prepared on the charcoal grill too, such as various rib combos and a surf & turf with king prawns.

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Watch out for the daily specials (displayed on the website, or pop in and find out), such as ‘all you can eat ribs night’, when, as the name suggests, you can eat as many ribs as you like for 599 baht per person. Bondi has a firm following for its ribs, which apparently fall off the bone. They make great pizzas too, and on pizza special night, you’ll get any two pizzas for 499 baht.

Bondi is great for families, particularly during the day and early evening before the party revellers arrive, and there’s even a dedicated kids’ menu. Both branches host regular events, especially supporting days such as Australia Day in January and Lunar New Year in February. They frequently bring in worldrenowned DJs and celebrate pretty much any excuse to have a party.

No matter your favourite beverage, Bondi aims to please. Aussies love an icecold brew, and here you’ll find a variety of local and imported brands including beer on tap, and ‘bucket’ specials - five beers kept cool in an ice bucket at a special price. Of course there’s spirits too, as well as shooters and cocktails if you’re in a serious party mood. And if you’re feeling a little more sophisticated, a selection of wines too.

And if it’s your own party you need to celebrate, then Bondi Chaweng has the perfect venue. Here, you can hire the entire third floor, which is fully airconditioned, has two pool tables and its own bathrooms. It’s an ideal venue to host a stag night or hen party, for a little ‘all-in-good-fun’ craziness before the big day.

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Welcome to Sa-ard’s Watersports Center on Koh Samui. Where everyday can be an aquatic adventure – above and below the crystal clear blue waters of the Gulf of Thailand.

Join us and discover what r eally makes these islands so very special.

Our brand new catamaran Fountaine Pajot Belize 43 “Kindred Spirit” can comfortably take 15 people on a day trip and sleep 6 people on over-night excursions.

The starboard hull has a double stateroom with ensuite bathroom and living area. There are also two double state rooms in the port hull with a shared bathroom. You’ll also find a large galley and a living area with CD/DVD player and a 28 inch colour TV. All the cabins and living areas are fully air-conditioned.

Sa-ard’s Watersports Center also offers Private Speedboat tours to the beaches and snorkeling destinations of the surrounding islands.

Manager and Skipper is Sa-ard, one of Thailand’s most celebrated windsurfers. He took part in the Olympics 1984 in Los Angeles and 1992 in Barcelona, was a long time member of the Thai National Windsurfing Team, has been Asian Champion and 5 times Gold Medal Winner in the South East Asian Games. You simply could not be in better hands!

So if it’s a little laid-back fun you’re after or fancy a good meal while watching the game, you can’t go wrong at a branch of Bondi Aussie Bar & Grill. Or as an Aussie would say, “Fair dinkum mate, bring your Sheila and your mates, it’s a spiffy place to rage.”

Rosanne Turner

___________________________________________________________ For more information, telephone 0 7741 4357 (Chaweng) or 0 7760 1738 (Lamai). www.bondisamui.com

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GOLD IN THE SOUTH

Down in the far south of the island lies the little-visited golden chedi at Laem Sor. One of the best things about Samui is that it’s not huge. Even though it’s Thailand’s third-largest island, it’s still only around about 25 kilometres from side to side. This means that it’s big enough to hold lots of hidden treats tucked away here and there, but it’s not so big and complex that you’re going to get lost, or exhaust yourself travelling for hours. The other thing which makes everything so much more accessible is that probably 98% of Samui’s attractions are more or less at sea level – there are only a couple of things that are (well worth) seeing that involve a mountain day-trip or safari.

For those of you with a nervous disposition – especially if it’s your first time on our holiday island – take heart. Samui’s ring-road does just that – it goes around (almost!) the edge of the island, and it’s just about impossible to get lost, as you’ll always end up back where you began. But after you’ve been out a few times on your rented scooter (they’re not motorbikes despite what the locals like to call them) then you’re ready for the Little Adventurer’s Handbook chapter two.

And that’s when you realise that the ring-road is actually only three-quarters of a ring.

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Something to bear in mind is that the coastline south of the ring-road is where you’ll still find utterly untouched beaches with not a café or a jet-ski to be seen.

Take a look at a map of Samui. The ring-road has the highway number 4169.

And if you follow it around with your finger you’ll see that it completely cuts off the bottom quarter of the island. Something to bear in mind is that the coastline south of the ring-road is where you’ll still find utterly untouched beaches with not a café or a jet-ski to be seen. (Although it has to be said that in the last few years the sky-high prices of beach land elsewhere have prompted several quite large resorts to put down roots in this area.) This is the part of the island where, if you venture off down an unmarked track into the fringes of the jungle, you’ll still be able to come across 100 year-old wooden houses up on stilts, with no electricity or running water, or catch a glimpse of a style of life that has faded out elsewhere. And it’s also where you’ll discover Laem Sor Pagoda.

Samui has more than a few temples and venerable places of related interest, but many people now feel that some of the bigger sites – such as Wat Phra Yai which houses the huge statue of the golden Buddha – are becoming overcommercialised, and losing their inherent charm. Certainly it’s hard to relate all the gift and novelty shops and the cafés selling overpriced T-shirts and souvenirs, 126 l www.samuiholidaymagazine.com

to the Buddhist ideal of tranquillity of life and self-elevation. And the complete lack of all this is one of the most delightful aspects of Wat Laem Sor (wat is Thai for temple, by the way).

A Thai Buddhist temple is not just one building, but rather a collection of buildings, shrines and monuments. This may include not only congregation halls but also the monastery, a crematorium area, shrines, even a school or sports ground, and so on. Often there are isolated covered areas or gardens for walks or meditation. There is usually a chedi, too (sometimes translated as stupa or even pagoda). This generally-bell-shaped tower may sometimes contain a relic of the Buddha, but will more usually be built to contain the ashes of an important monk or personality.

The chedi at Wat Laem Sor must rate as one of the most spectacular not just on Samui, but in the whole of the southern region. It’s not actually ‘golden’ or covered in gold leaf, as many of the smaller images of the Buddha or other artefacts sometimes are but, rather, it’s a complex patchwork of small, pure

yellow tiles. There are many styles of chedi, each from a different era and many representing differing elements of Enlightenment, such as ‘miracles’, ‘reconciliation’, victory’ ‘Nirvana’ and so on. In the original blend of Tibetan Buddhism there are just eight of these chedis, each of a specific shape.

But Thailand has a land and culture of its own, and its adaptations of the originals have taken a local twist along the way, often as a result of local politics or simply courtly fashion. It’s unclear quite what the design pedigree was for the chedi at Wat Laem Sor, but it’s huge and very old, and was recently restored to perfection. It’s right on the water’s edge, and is stepped and layered into three or four stories topped by a futuristic pinnacle that, if it was matt black and made of zirconium, would go perfectly on the front of one of George Lucas’ starfighters. There are two gigantic golden warrior statues on either side of the doorway, tusked and bearing immense swords, to keep away malign spirits, and possibly immodest tourists!

But if you can sidestep these two intimidating behemoths then the photo opportunity here is unique: there is nothing at all between you, the chedi that’s framed by the foreground trees, with the sea and sky beyond, and the pastel-hued islands in the background.

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But, then, I rather suspect that it has the Thai-Buddhist equivalent of a mojo protecting it. The monks themselves are some of the most friendly I’ve ever come across, and will smile and deeplynod at you (they can’t actually wai you, but it comes humbly close to it). That’s indubitably because you’ve managed to solve the puzzle of the maze and actually found the place, untangling the clues, defeating the Minotaur and the Meter-Taxi monsters en route, and not having been misled by the false clue of the other golden chedi, also named ‘Laem Sor Pagoda’, actually all glittery and gold-coloured but much smaller, and situated visibly on the hill above.

Okay – because you are a reader of this prestigious publication, I can let you in on the cheat-codes that’ll get you to the real Wat Laem Sor. It’s on just about the furthest and most-southern tip of the island, close to Bang Kao village. Follow Route 4170 just past the village and turn into a smaller road leading to the beach where the pagoda is. The nearest major landmarks are ShaSa Resort and Centara Villas – get on that road and it won’t be long before you’ll find the gold in the south!

Rob De Wet

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Dream Holiday under Palms Only a 35 minutes drive from Koh Samui’s small scenic airport, close to the island´s picturesque little town Nathon and near the Public hospital this prestigious address is one of the best known secrets of the island.

Located on Santi Beach the Siam Residence Deluxe is nestled in tropical gardens. Created to provide the very best of Thai hospitality, this small luxury retreat incorporates luxurious accommodations, attentive service and excellent cuisine in an atmosphere of calm and seclusion.

The perfect destination for an unforgettable holiday ‐ a place to return to …

1 or 2 bedroom luxury villas, separate living room, marble bath, two toilets, party second open air bath, familiy villas (130 m2!).

Tropical garden, designer‐pool, german‐speaking management, Restaurant, Sala directly at the beach!

Enjoy your lunch or spectacular sunset dinner at the open air Pavilion restaurant directly at the beach overlooking the sea and the intimate atmosphere of a small luxury villa resort.

Authentic Thai and international cuisine and wines.

Join us for a relaxed and unforgetable dining experience!

Open daily from 7.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. (ask for free pick‐up service)

Santi Beach – Lipanoi Tel: 077‐420008 – Fax: 077‐420009 e‐mail: samui@siamresidence.com www.siamresidence.com www.samuiholidaymagazine.com l 129

THE COMPLETE PACKAGE Fitness, rest & relaxation all under one roof at Dr Fish and Bikram Yoga.

Everybody enjoys a good story, especially when it’s a true tale. And in this case there’s romance and babies, work and business and travel and health, all thrown into the mix. If you’re sitting comfortably we’ll begin!

We’ll commence our journey with the charismatic, energetic and lovely Lola Lavaud, who originates from Brussels, Belgium. After moving to Vancouver, Canada to study Philosophy, she soon realised that whilst being interesting, this was not her destiny. And so she embarked on a yoga teaching training course. As luck would have it, her teacher was the great yoga guru, Bikram Choudhury. A practitioner from the age of four, his knowledge and experience in this art form mean that his teaching methods are second to none. He originally developed the 26 hatha (or hot) yoga positions as a simple 90-minute workout sequence, which can stimulate all the core points in the body, helping to eradicate aches, pains and illness.

After completing the course, Lola travelled around the world to teach and

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practice yoga. She found that yoga aided her in such a way that she could never imagine not being able to at least practice this art form. But really her passion comes from being able to pass it onto others. Previous to practicing yoga, she suffered from anxiety and panic attacks and also had a lack of flexibility in her body. After discovering yoga, all of these problems have been eradicated.

During her travels, Lola met the lovely, down-to-earth Alex Prestwich, who also enjoys practicing yoga, and finds some real health benefits from doing so. After several years of travelling, they both decided it was time to put down some roots. They scoured Europe looking for that ideal spot, but without success. In need of a break, they travelled to Thailand, and by happy chance this trip included a short stay on Samui. They both fell in love with the place and decided that this was going to be the setting for their new business venture.

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They both fell in love with the place and decided that this was going to be the setting for their new business venture.

After careful consideration they selected a two-storey building located next to the exit to Tops Supermarket on Chaweng Beach Road. It’s the perfect location to allow customers easy access and ample parking. Here Lola created her Bikram hatha yoga suite on the top floor, and Alex carefully designed a therapy pool to house 1,000s of garra rufa fish, in preparation for Dr Fish to be created.

The hot Yoga is conducted in an approximately 40-degrees Celsius, clean spacious room, with towels and mats being provided for every customer. There are also ample changing facilities with showers, toilets and lockers available.

The yoga classes follow the 26 hatha yoga postures and two breathing exercises, and the heat warms up your whole body allowing increased flexibility. This is an art form that focuses on connecting the mind, body and soul. With complete relaxation of the mind, you’re able to attain postures that you never thought possible. Regular practice can have enormous health and general wellbeing benefits, which are individual to each person. Once you’ve completed the 90-minute vigorous, but very rewarding, workout, spend some time relaxing on your mat, as your body readjusts to the temperature change and gives you time to cool down.

When you’re ready, head downstairs in your swimwear (after showering of course, and remember to use no soap!) to indulge yourself in an amazing, almost out of body experience at Dr Fish. They use only garra rufa fish, which originate from the hot springs of the Kengal valley in Turkey. They’re well-known for their therapeutic and healing properties because of the enzyme dithranol, which they secrete as they slowly nibble away any dead and flaky skin.

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Dr Fish is bright and airy, with one huge tank containing 17,000-litres of water and more than 5,000 fish, divided into three separate areas. The water is fresh and clean, and is filtered every 30-minutes to ensure hygiene. The experience is almost indescribable, which demonstrates how important it is that you try this unusual concept for yourself. The fish aren’t harmful in any way. As you enter the pool they only come to lightly brush the surface of your skin, which can only be described as like a very, very low shock of electricity being sent through your body. As a good distraction when you first begin, enjoy the pot of warm green tea that you’ll be offered, watch as the fish flap around your body as you move, and then return to continue to nibble your skin as you become still again. As time passes you’ll notice that some of the fish begin to drop to the bottom of the tank to rest, they’re full already. But rest assured that they’ll still be plenty others ready to take their place!

Bikram Yoga and Dr Fish offer the complete package of an MOT, not for your car but for your whole body. And Lola and Alex are also fortunate enough to have the complete package with the birth of their baby Lilou just six months ago, which ends our story very nicely.

Kathy Ross

___________________________________________ For further information, telephone 0 7796 0511 or 0 836 477 332. www.drfishthailand.com www.bikramyogakohsamui.com

B Smart B Smart Sys. Co., LTD has been providing top level security solutions, lighting control systems, CCTV systems, access control, fire alarms and WiFi solutions since 1999.

B Smart has quickly earned the reputation for being one of the most progressive and innovative system integrators in Thailand.

Along with high quality products and a very knowledgeable work force, you can be confident that B Smart Sys. Co., LTD will meet and exceed your expectations.

Hotline: 0 815 631 685 Email: bsmartsys@gmail.com For Taxi: ร้านตั้งอยู่ตรงข้ามโรงแรมนภาใส แม่น้ำ�

Captain Kirk First floor restaurant in a central location on Chaweng Beach Road. Huge portions and reasonable prices make it a very popular choice. Highly recommended are both the Plate of Mixed Grill Seafood and the Australian Beef Tenderloin. Desserts are equally tasty and there’s a good selection of value-for-money wine to complete the dining experience.

Tel.: 0 812 705 376 Email: captainkirksamui@hotmail.com For Taxi: ร้านตั้งอยู่ชั้นสองของตึก ติดกับพิซซ่าฮัท

ถนนเลียบหาดเฉวง เฉวงเซ็นเตอร์

Villa Bianca RISTORANTE ”EXCLUSIVE” ITALIANO Tastefully designed, and located at the beach, Villa Bianca features lobster specialties, and other superb cuisine prepared by its own Italian Chef. Excellent wines and French champagne complement all dishes. A unique experience that leaves diners wishing to return for more.

Villa Bianca is nestled in amongst the converted old Chinese shop-houses overlooking the water in Fisherman’s Village.

Tel.: 0 7724 5041 Email: curraglass@yahoo.com For Taxi: ร้านตั้งอยู่ที่ถนนหาดบ่อผุด

Asia Travel Asia Travel is the most popular travel agency on Koh Samui. Established 15 years ago, they are well known to provide updated travel information reasonably priced for all international and domestic needs. Their second to none consultancy service will help you with all aspects of long or short stay requirements such as visa, work permit or company registration and finances. Asia Travel is well known for their quality services as mentioned in The Lonely Planet.

Tel.: 0 7723 6120, 0 7742 1342 Fax: 0 7742 1185 Email: asia_int@samart.co.th For Taxi: ร้านตั้งอยู่ที่ถนนหน้าทอน

Simply the best

Brite Smile The Original BriteSmile Centre from Hollywood’s Professional Teeth Whitening. . One Hour . One Visit . One Dazzling Smile Offering other new services: Painless dentistry, depigmentation with laser and dental implants, as well as a wide range of dental hygiene and care.

Bangkok Samui Dental Clinic Open daily from 9:oo - 20.00 Tel : 0 7742 9500 www.DentalSamui.com

Tel.: 0 7742 9500 Website: www.DentalSamui.com For Taxi: ร้านตั้งอยู่ในโรงพยาบาลกรุงเทพ

ถนนรอบเกาะ เฉวง

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FINANCE YOUR WANDERLUST! Teaching English as a foreign language is a good way to see new places and earn money at the same time.

Let’s face it. Few of us are trust fund babies or have inherited a fortune, and so it’s unlikely we can afford to travel the world and finance such adventures ourselves.

Well here’s one solution: TEFL - Teaching English as a Foreign Language. This small but well-used acronym describes the industry, the profession and the courses you can take to qualify as a teacher. TEFL can be temporary or permanent. Some people do it as a career break or as a gap year, as it’s a great way of earning money while travelling and discovering new cultures, and in Southeast Asia particularly, this is a way that many finance their wanderlust.

So who would normally decide to do this? More often that not, TEFL teachers are new graduates, fresh out of university, not yet ready to settle down in the corporate world. Others - in fact many - are tired of the ‘rat race’,

daydreaming while staring out of their office windows.

Seeing new countries and exotic places forms part of many people’s ‘bucket list’. (And for those not familiar with the term, that’s a list of things you wish to do before you, well, kick the bucket so to speak.) Before we know it, the years speed by, and the ideas and inspirations we had when fresh out of school, now seem a distant, unachievable goal. Many follow the ‘responsible’ path, and study a profession that is safe in the eyes of their parents or career advisors. After four years at university or college, they realise that this isn’t what they want to do with their lives, or perhaps they just want a few years break before entering the real world, with responsibilities, mortgages etc. For a young school-leaver who’s not sure what career path they want to take, a gap year makes perfect sense rather than wasting four years studying the wrong profession.

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TEFL courses often see older students, who realise that 40-plus is not too old to change your life. Some are newly divorced or widowed, some are just bored with day-to-day life, and want to fulfil the promises that they made to themselves as young adults, years ago. Some are recently retrenched, due to the current economic climate. Sometimes life’s knocks are blessings in disguise, allowing you to make a life change that you may not have otherwise considered, or had the courage to attempt.

Teaching is a very rewarding profession, and teachers are highly respected in the East. Asian children are very different to those in the West – better behaved as well as respectful, making them a pleasure to teach – most of the time! If the thought of teaching children brings on a panic attack, perhaps you would prefer to teach adult learners. There are language schools throughout Asia catering to adults, and many TEFL teachers end up at hotels and resorts, teaching English to staff.

Teaching hours are not too long, leaving plenty of time to explore new surroundings.

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longer expeditions during school holidays. As a teacher, you experience the ‘real’ Asia, making you a traveller, not merely a tourist.

No one teaches to become rich. Rather, it’s about lifestyle. Average teacher’s salaries in Thailand are about 38,000 baht per month for teachers with a degree, and about 32,000 baht for those without a degree. A teacher can live comfortably on such a wage, with accommodation costing about 20 per cent of this salary. This is of course if you don’t have children to support, or a big household to run. Often accommodation is included in the job package, and many teachers increase their income by offering private lessons after school hours, usually at around 300 to 400 baht per hour. It should be noted that many schools in Thailand only hire teachers who have a degree, so enquire about job prospects with the TEFL school prior to signing up if you’re worried about job placements. That’s not to say those without degrees don’t get employed, but they have a better chance at language schools rather than the government schools. www.samuiholidaymagazine.com l 137

Teachers who do their TEFL course in Thailand often move on to explore other parts of Asia after first working a year or two in Thailand. Packages in China usually include accommodation in the form of a private apartment, meals included, and a salary large enough to live on and save a bit, and for China, a degree is seldom required. Although Thailand and China are the biggest employers right now, positions are also available in Myanmar as well as Vietnam. Those holding a four-year degree as well as a TEFL certificate can earn a good income in countries such as South Korea or Taiwan, where salaries are considerably higher than in Thailand.

classroom management, phonology and phonetics, teaching pronunciation, lesson planning, grammar, icebreakers and games in the classroom, as well as various assignments such as one-to-one projects and making your own teaching materials. Practical training will be in the way of delivering lessons to real students, across several age groups and ability levels, from preschool through to adult, from low level to advanced learners. Lessons are held in local schools, language schools and businesses or with students that come to the TEFL training centre for free English lessons. Most TEFL courses assist with tailoring a resumĂŠ to the Asian market, as well as assistance with job placement.

So what does an average TEFL course involve? Well, generally speaking, they’re 120 hours, spread over four weeks, Monday to Friday, and consist of both theory and practical training. Courses include topics such as Thai culture,

Expect to pay between 35,000 baht and 50,000 baht for the course, excluding accommodation and flights. The course provider will usually have a recommended resort for their trainees at a discounted rate of a months’ stay.

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KHAO SOK

The Cliff and River Jungle Resort

Come and Relax with us at The Cliff and River Jungle Resort in magnificent Khao Sok. Enjoy the natural beauty and fresh air at this Scenic Riverside location.

Sightseeing Info - Canoeing - International Restaurant Luxury Recreation Facilities - Elephant Trekking

for more information and reservation please call 0 872 718 787, 0 812 721 221, 0 7791 3050 Fax. 0 7791 3099 www.thecliffandriver.com

And with all students staying at the same place, this is a great way to make new like-minded friends to explore the surroundings with during down time, as well as possibly making a new travel buddy to travel and teach with around Asia. Remember to bring enough money for food and expenses during your month of study, as well as for an extra two months, allowing enough time to find a job and see you through to your first pay cheque.

Rosanne Turner

_____________________________________________________________ For more information on TEFL courses on Samui, visit www.samuitefl.com

P. CHAWENG GUEST HOUSE

100 ISLANDS RESORT

Located at the end of Soi Colibri, opposite Centara Grand Beach Resort.

Thai owned and managed, offering the beauty of Thai style architecture combined with European comforts.

The first boutique hotel in Suratthani.

Reasonably priced with friendly service and a family atmosphere. Relax by the pool or ease your tensions at the luxurious spa.

Recommended by Lonely Planet

Tel.: 0 7723 0684

Tel.: 0 7720 1150-8 www.samuiholidaymagazine.com l 139

Beach hotel fisherman's village sale/rent

PROPERTY CLASSIFIEDS

Boutique hotel with 6 large rooms available for rent starting March 2013. Year to year lease. Established market. Furnished, modern, all ocean front rooms, two Lanais ocean/street view. Big kitchen, large freezer.

Best location in village direct in center of action.

Rent with option to buy. Rent 1.2-million per year paid upfront. This is a great investment up to 300% return Rent with option to buy the apartments. Price 39 million. Outright freehold, 30% down. Owner financing available.

For virtual tour of rooms www.Youtube.Com/84320 Website: www.Beachfrontapartment.Blog.Com Information: mr-zia@hotmail.com Tel: 0.850.438.122

House for Sale or Rent

Guesthouse for Sale - Chaweng

2 story house with 2 bedrooms en suite, upstairs master bathroom has bathtub, both bedrooms have separate dry and wet area. Downstairs has 2 rooms; kitchen and entertainment room. Flat screen TV with sound system. All 4 rooms have air-conditioning.

Kitchen has oven, 4 burners & 2 refrigerators.

Swimming pool 8x6 m with Jacuzzi. All furnished and ready to move in.

Guesthouse for sale with freehold land in Soi Green Mango. 5-storey building with 20 recently renovated rooms. Irish Pub and restaurant on ground floor with 4 pool tables and wide screen projector for sporting events. Chanote land title with limited company.

Contact: 0 818 921 990 Email: info@mobydick-guesthouse.com

Land size 1600m2, floor size 430m2 Price: 17 million baht Contact: Dr. Donya 0 846 257 222

Chaweng - Bar for Rent / Sale

House for Sale - Bang Por

Bar for rent in Soi Colibri, opposite Centara Samui Resort. Includes apartment on 1st floor with 2 ensuite bedrooms and seperate access.

Price for rent : 29,000 Baht per month 3 months deposit No key money Price for sale: 4.9 million Baht

Thai style house located in peaceful residental area of Bang Por. Family home with 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, spacious living room and kitchen area.

Private swimming pool and large mature garden.

Drive in garage and storage area under the house.

Private sale by owner.

Price: 12,000,000 Baht Land title: Chanote Land: 1,000 m2 House: 200 m2

Contact Khun Na: 0892914747 (English and Thai)

Contact: 0 818 921 990 E-mail: tuulakohsamui@hotmail.com

Private real estate 180-Degree views

with

incredible

Shophouse for Rent - Chaweng

The actual view from this house is the picture above.

This 4-bedroom house has been built according to European standards on 972 sqm. It is centrally located near Nathon and only 500 metres from the main road in a small, warm and tidy community.

Priced very competitively, this house is ideal for couples or young families ready to live in paradise.

Price: 8 Million THB only

2 unit shophouse for rent in Soi Colibri, opposite Centara Grand. 2 floors (each floor appx. 8 x 14 meters). Ground floor comprises of an unfurnished restaurant. 2nd floor comprises of 2 unfurnished rooms/apartments (no kitchen).

Tel: 0 819 709 632 Email: asiatravel_international@yahoo.com

Contact Khun Na: 0892914747 (English and Thai)

Price: 40.000 Baht / month, paid every 6 months in advance. (no deposit or key money).

Shophouse for Sale - Chaweng

House for Sale - Chaweng

2 unit shophouse for sale in Soi Colibri, opposite Centara Grand. 3 floors (each floor appx. 8 x 14 meters). Ground floor comprises of an unfurnished restaurant. 2nd floor comprises of 2 unfurnished rooms/apartments (no kitchen). 3rd floor comprises of one large luxury apartment with jacuzzi, western kitchen etc. 3rd floor apartment has separate entrance.

House for Sale close to central Chaweng with small private garden. This kid-friendly residential project features a communal swimming pool, concrete road access, security and no through traffic. Located 5 minutes from Chaweng Beach, Bangkok Samui Hospital, Tesco Lotus, Big C, Makro.

Price: 13,900,000 Baht

Land title: Chanote

Contact Khun Na: 0892914747 (English and Thai)

Call Khun Na: 0 892 914 747

Price: 3.200.000 Baht

Chaweng - Shophouse for Sale Shophouse for sale in Soi Colibri, opposite Centara Samui Resort. Ground floor ideal for office space, retail shop or small bar/restaurant. Apartment on 1st floor with 2 ensuite bedrooms and seperate access.

Price:

4 million Baht

Contact:

Graeme 0 860 193 166

Profitable Established Business for Sale 18 hole, concrete tracked, mini golf course. Member of the World Mini Golf Federation (one of only 2 in Thailand). 3020 m2 of land including 2 storey house with foreign ownership. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and 2 extra apartments. Sale includes well established, profitable Thai Limited Company.

Location: Near Choeng Mon Price: 1,300,000 Euro Contact:

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Jojo, 0 817 879 148 www.minigolfsamui.com

Chaweng Whispering Palms Condominium Suites for Rent / Sale

Samujana Villa 17

1-2 bedroom apartments, 51 sqm - 117 sqm. Fully furnished, TV, DVD, fully fitted kitchen, fridge, microwave. Free Wi-Fi Internet, Telephone, CCTV, 24 hour security. Tropical landscaping, 2 Swimming Pools, Sauna/Steam, Fitness. Free shuttle Service. Located in Chaweng (near Tesco Lotus).

Rent from 15,000 baht monthly (yearly contract), sale from 2.8 million baht.

Combine nature and luxury at this spectacular, contemporary residence built right into the Samui hillside. Situated just ten minutes from the island's airport, Samujana 17 crowns a brand new development on Koh Samui's northwest coast and offers the ultimate in secluded luxury living. The award winning design features flat, planted roofs, open-plan living spaces with natural rock features and tropical landscaping.

Contact: Steve: 081 452 5895, Pop: 081 832 5895 Website: www.samui-condo.com, www.dsdsamui.com Email: info@dsdsamui.com

Price: US$1,800,000 Tel: 0 811 901 540 Email: narisa@punrai.com Website: www.punrai.com

LH0012: Bangmakham 2 Bedroom House Located in the up and coming area of Bang Makham. Two double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, infinity pool, high specification Kitchen and fittings throughout. Good off street parking and easy access to the beach, less than a kilometre away.

Stunning sea & sunset views. Land area 1,120 sqm, Chanote Title. Priced to sell at 15.8m Thai Baht.

Tel: Email: Website:

0 811 901 540 narisa@punrai.com www.punrai.com

Bophut - Whispering Palms Private Pool Villa House for rent/sale 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms with shower and bath tub.

Living room with furniture, TV, DVD and UBC. Fully fitted kitchen. A/C throughout. ADSL, telephone line.

Private swimming pool. 24 hour security & CCTV. Land size 440 sqm, floor size: 240 sqm. Locatied in Bophut (near Sunday Resort). Rent from 55,000 baht per month (yearly contract), sale 9.7 million baht.

Contact: Steve 081 452 5895, Pop 081 832 5895 Website: www.dsdsamui.com Email: info@dsdsamui.com

RH0015: Samujana Villa 19

Chaweng – Holiday Villa Houses for rent/sale

Located in the desirable Choeng Mon area overlooking Chaweng Bay & Koh Matlang is the up market Samujana Estate. Villa 19 has 4 double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, massive infinity edge swimming pool, great in door outdoor flow for dining and living, fully equipped Media room with Sono’s surround sound system indoors and out. Fully specified Kitchen, Jacuzzi, BBQ area, ample pool deck space and fully furnished. On-site staff, maid quarters. The estate has a doubles Tennis court, full CCTV and manned security patrols and only a stone’s throw to the beach. Just move in! Priced well at USD2.5m.

2 storey villas with 2/3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms with shower and bath tub. Living room with furniture, TV & DVD, fully fitted kitchen. 4 A/C’s.

ADSL, CCTV and 24 hour security. Landscaped garden with swimming pool, pavilion and waterfall.

Private jacuzzi and whirlpool. Located in Chaweng (near Tesco Lotus). Rent from 25,000 baht per month (yearly contract), sale: 4.5 million baht.

Contact: Steve 081 452 5895, Pop 081 832 5895 Website: www.dsdsamui.com Email: info@dsdsamui.com

Tel: 0 811 901 540 Email: narisa@punrai.com Website: www.punrai.com

Samujana Villa 11 A contemporary design home with 3/4 bedrooms, with stunning sea views across Koh Samui's east coast toward Chaweng Bay. Stylish & unique this beautiful villa is a highly specified build, residential project in the desirable Choeng Mon area, just 10 minutes from Chaweng. Sale US$1.5 million, rent from US$250 / night Tel: Email: Website:

0 811 901 540 narisa@punrai.com www.punrai.com

Bophut - Whispering Palms Resort Houses for rent/sale (2 BR) 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with shower and bath tub. Living room with furniture, TV, DVD and cable.

Fully fitted kitchen. 3 A/C's. ADSL, telephone line.

Communal swimming pool, sauna and steam room.

24 hour security & CCTV. Located in Bophut (near Sunday Resort). Rent from 25,000 baht per month (yearly contract), sale: 4.2 million baht Contact: Steve 081 452 5895, Pop 081 832 5895 Website: www.dsdsamui.com Email: info@dsdsamui.com

Chaweng - Chaweng Pattana Townhouses for rent/sale

LH0013: Bangmakham 3 Bedroom House Bang Makham, less than a kilometre drive from beach & restaurants. Presentable 3 double bedroom, 2 en-suite bathrooms, 1 separate bathroom, large living, dining & kitchen, maids quarters, ample off street parking. Sea & sunset views. Ample room on 1,560 sqm site for renovations, pool etc to make this a very desirable property. Chanote Title. Priced to sell at 11.7m Thai Baht.

2 storey townhouses with 2 bedrooms and bathrooms. Living room with furniture, TV, DVD and cable. Fully fitted kitchen. 3 A/C’s. ADSL, telephone line. Landscaped garden with communal swimming pool and pavilion. 24 hour security. Located in Chaweng (near Tesco Lotus) Rent from 15,000 baht per month (yearly contract), sale: 2.2 million baht

Tel: 0 811 901 540 Email: narisa@punrai.com Website: www.punrai.com

Contact: Steve 081 452 5895, Pop 081 832 5895 Website: www.dsdsamui.com Email: info@dsdsamui.com

LH0015: Bang Por 1 Bedroom House Bang Por - 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, living & dining room. Great sea view. Land size 140 Tarangwa.

Chanote title.

Price: 3 Million Baht

Tel: Email: Website:

0 811 901 540 narisa@punrai.com www.punrai.com

Bophut - Whispering Palms Resort Maenam - Baan Suan Neramit House for rent/sale 2 storey house with 3 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.Living room with furniture, TV, DVD and cable. Fully fitted kitchen. 5 A/C's. ADSL, telephone line. Landscaped garden with private swimming pool and pavilion. 24 hour security. Located in Maenam (opposite Maenam post office). Sale 5 million baht.

Contact: Steve 081 452 5895, Pop 081 832 5895 Website: www.dsdsamui.com Email: info@dsdsamui.com

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MUM, I’M BORED! Travelling with kids? Here’s a few outdoor activities to keep them entertained on Samui.

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Many of the companies offer discounted rates for children, or even let them tag along for free.

“What can we do? I’m bored! Take us somewhere fun!” What parent hasn’t groaned at the sound of their kids uttering these phrases while on holiday. Now while Mum and Dad might be quite happy to read a book for hours on end, swinging in a hammock between two coconut palms, children generally need to be entertained, and few can entertain themselves for long.

Sure, you can bring the ‘electronic babysitter’ along – that would be the iPad – but really, being on holiday is about spending time together as a family, and doing things you wouldn’t usually get a chance to do back home. Being on a tropical island means that the weather is good most of the year, and so there’s a lot of scope to enjoy outdoor activities.

‘Beaching it’ means something different to everyone. To some, it involves lazing on a sunbed and topping up the tan. To a kid, this is borrrring! So if you’re determined to soak up some rays, be sure to stock up on a few props to keep the little ones entertained. On the main beaches you’ll see vendors patrolling up and down, selling beach bats, buckets and spades and inflatable water toys. Isn’t it worth it to spend a few hundred baht to keep them busy so you can enjoy the peace and quiet? And remember that you can catch as much of a tan building a sand castle with them as reading your book, and your efforts will be much appreciated.

And staying on the beach, why not rent a kayak for the older children? It’s around 200 baht an hour, and usually life jackets are provided. Little ones will need supervision of course. Aquapark Chaweng will please kids of all ages and parents will enjoy the change of pace too. Here, giant inflatable obstacles are anchored in the water in front of Monkey Bay Beach Bar. At 200 baht an hour or 350 baht for a half-day, it’s well worth it. Life jackets are provided, and there are staff to supervise.

The beach in front is great with large trees for shade too, so it’s easy to keep an eye on the kids while they negotiate the obstacle course.

Sticking with watery fun, Coco Splash waterpark in Lamai is good for younger and preteen children, with an assortment of slides and play areas in the water. There’s a restaurant and several salas for parents to relax in while the kids do their thing. Samui has several boat trips either around the island or to the Angthong National Marine Park. As Samui’s waters are calm most of the year, boat trips are good for children too. Many of the companies offer discounted rates for children, or even let them tag along for free.

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If your kids are into creepy-crawlies, take them to the Samui Butterfly Farm, opposite Centara Villas in the south of the island. It’s located on a steep hill, in a pleasant floral garden, covered by a high net to contain the flying insects. The farm breeds its own butterflies, and has a fair selection of caterpillars, cocoons and adult butterflies.

Try to go early in the morning, as it’s a steep climb to the top and can get very steamy. Also at the top there’s a small bee-keeping display and a souvenir shop.

Located 635 metres up Khao Pom Mountain, above Lipa Noi, Paradise Park Farm makes a pleasant family excursion. The drive up can be a little hairy, so make use of the pickup service from the main road if you haven’t hired a 4x4. Walkways and trails wind through 20 acres of tropical mountain forest, where temperatures are considerably cooler than the rest of Samui due to the higher altitude. The park’s restaurant and infinity pool share endless views over the west coast and to the Five Islands. Interesting residents include the tiny hedgehogs, deer that harass you for food and Coco The Monkey who has a pet guinea pig that he likes to brush.

Spacious aviaries are home to a variety of colourful birds that keep up a constant rowdy chorus.

But if your little darlings are into larger beasts, why not take them elephant trekking?

This is a pleasant way to encounter these animals that were once employed in Thailand’s logging industry, and trekking is offered in several locations on Samui. The most popular locations are either at Namuang One Waterfall, or Wat Hin Lad in Nathon. Sit in specially designed seats strapped to the elephant’s back and explore the jungles and rivers of Samui’s interior on these sure-footed pachyderms. Trekking is often incorporated into the many safari tours operated on the island. Standard rides last half an hour, but longer ones are available too. Jungle Safaris cover several adventure activities and sight-seeing, with half and full-day packages available.

Keep your eyes and ears open for community fairs, usually hosted at temples to raise funds. It’s hard to know when and where these fairs will be held, but look out for large banners and blinding decorative lights pointing the way. Watch for the stream of locals parking their scooters at the entrance, listen for festive music, and follow your nose towards the aroma of edible goodies mingling in the air. The usual market food vendors are in abundance, as well as stalls selling everything under the sun.

Children throw darts at balloons in the hope of winning oversized fluffy toys, or fish in tanks of water for prizes. Fairs take place in the evening to avoid the heat and there’s usually a stage for local celebrities and impromptu performances. www.samuiholidaymagazine.com l 145

If your idea of a retirement fund is setting your child up as a world-class golfer, get them hooked on the sport with mini golf, or the more unusual football golf. Samui Football Golf is set amid a coconut grove near Choeng Mon Beach, the fairways and greens offers a fair amount of shade, but an early morning or late afternoon start would still be recommended. Regular golf rules apply, but instead of using clubs, a football is kicked from hole to hole, making a fun family day out when you tire of the beach. Balls are provided, so no kit is required. The grounds of the 18-hole, par 66 course are well maintained, and the course is easy to follow. Samui has several

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options for mini golf enthusiasts. Two of these are in Choeng Mon – one at the Arayaburi Resort and the other on route 4171 leading into Choeng Mon. Treasure Island Mini Golf is attached to Gringos Mexican Restaurant in Chaweng, just off the beach road.

On a more spiritual note, many children find the colourful temples interesting, particularly Wat Plai Laem, where they can feed the thousands of teeming catfish, or take a ride in a swan-shaped paddleboat.

Zico’s is an electric combination of colourful calypso, vibrant carnival rhythm and dance a unique party experience not to be missed! Every night is fiesta night at Zico’s.

The beat goes on, and so does the dancing. Party down until the early hours at our spacious bar and lounge area with Brazilian influenced bargrooves.

Tuck into a superb selection of all you can eat grilled seafood and meats, prepared just for you, complimented by Samui’s largest salad bar.

ZICO’S BRAZILIAN GRILL & BAR Discover a fantastic Churrascaria Service with 17 different meats while bumping to the beats of samba performed by 2 authentic professional dancers from Brazil.

Price 885THB net per person Price 440THB net per child (6- 12 years old) Finish your evening at the Zico’s Bar and listen to the greatest hits while sipping on a fresh and tasty Caipirinha. An unforgettable evening to enjoy with your friends and family!!!

Get 10% off our buffet with 1 free Caipirinha, signature cocktail LIVE from Brazil 100% LIVE

Everyday except Mondays From 20.00 - 22.00 hrs.

Enjoy live Samba at the Zico’s restaurant & Bar performanced By 2 authentic Brazilian dancers from Sao Paulo.

A true “Not to Miss “evening with your friends and family.

CHAWENG BEACH: OPPOSITE CENTARA GRAND BEACH RESORT SAMUI

T : 077 230 500 I E : zicos@chr.co.th I Facebook: Zico’s Grill’n Bar Open daily: Bar 17.00 - 01.00 hrs., Restaurant 18.00 - 23.00 hrs.

W W W .CEN TA RA HO TELS RE S OR T S . C OM

Sure, Samui may not have big outdoor amusement parks like Singapore or Hong Kong, but there’s still plenty to entertain kids. If you give them a chance, you’ll see that children are more open to trying new things than you may expect. And if you tire them out in the day, you might just get some much needed peace and quiet in the evenings.

Well, you can only hope…

Rosanne Turner

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Santib

Santiburi Beach Resort Golf & Spa

Rim Talay Restaurant at Santiburi Beach Resort, Golf & Spa

Premier Pool Villa at Bo Phut Resort & Spa

Sala Thai Restaurant at Bo Phut Resort and Spa

buri Resort

Bo Phut Resort & Spa

FEATURING THE OUTSTANDING 18 HOLE CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF COURSE FOR YOUR PLAYING PLEASURE, THE SANTIBURI GROUP WELCOMES YOU TO EXPERIENCE OUR FINE DINING AND THE HOSPITALITY OF TWO EXCEPTIONAL BEACH RESORT GOLF AND SPA.

12/12 Moo1, Maenam, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84330 Tel: +66 (0) 7742 5031-5 Fax: +66 (0) 7742 5040

12/12 Moo 1, Bo Phut, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84320 Tel: +66 (0) 7724 5777 Fax: +66 (0) 7724 5776

Sales Office: 245/7 Sukhumvit 31, Klongton Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand Tel: +66 (0) 2260 2530-5 Fax: +66 (0) 2260 7570 E-mail: info@santiburi-samui-resort.com Website: www.santiburi.com

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