Be Unique
SAMUI WELCOMES THE ICONIC JAPANESE BRAND, UNIQLO, TO THE ISLAND
Escape Chaweng
SAMUI WINE OASIS, AS THE NAME SUGGESTS, TRULY IS AN ESCAPE FROM THE CRAZINESS OF CHAWENG
...And welcoming you on May 9th, 2014
THE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE THAT REDEFINES THE WORLD OF LUXURY
CRAFTED LIVING SPACES
T H E
H O M E
O F
I N S P I R E D
I N T E R I O R S
Phuket 424 Srisoonthorn Rd. Cherngtalay Tel/Fax: +66 (0) 76 325 419
Samui 9/18 Moo1 Maenam Tel/Fax: +66 (0) 77 247 675
info@oriental-living.net
www.oriental-living.net
A Warm Welcome
Editor
Graeme Malley graeme@siammap.com
Graphic Designer Wunvilai Punnern - Meow
Photographer
Akaphon Phongninlaarphon - Don
Feature Writer Rob De Wet
Feature Writer Rosanne Turner
Feature Writer Colleen Setchell
Feature Writer Charisma Bharadwaj
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Seksak Kerdkanno - Klauy
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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
The world changes. There are revolutions, border disputes and political upheavals on the one side and natural calamities, such as earthquakes, volcanoes and the impending ice-age, on the other. And then we have Samui, drifting along in its own timeless world of idyllic tropical beauty And Samui’s not just about its fabulous palm-fringed beaches that are lapped by the warm turquoise waters. There’s much much more. And that includes a wealth of Buddhist temples revealing the cultural side of the island. Then we have a myriad of adventurous activities available, including elephant trekking, scuba-diving, island-hopping, sailing and even bungy-jumping. Of course, if you’re after more of a sedate Samui experience, there are many world-class spas on Samui offering everything from a basic Thai massage to sumptuous all-in packages with floral baths, Jacuzzis, scrubs and wraps, aromatherapy treatments and a whole lot more. The shopaholics amongst you won’t be disappointed either, with bargaining opportunities abounding. And when it comes to restaurants, forget any preconceived ideas you may have had that all you’ll get here is a bowl of tom yam gung or a plate of fried rice.
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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. 2014
Finally, we have the nightlife. And with numerous bars, nightclubs and other entertainment venues, Samui really does offer a total tropical holiday experience. One thing’s for sure, and that’s that after spending time on this small paradise island the outside world that you’ve forgotten all about will be a much easier place to deal with upon your return. Distribution at Bangkok Airport courtesy of Bangkok Airways. Reservation Center: 1771 Samui Chaweng Office: 0 7760 1300 www.bangkokair.com
Please recycle or pass on to a friend.
Neo New World Tapas and Grill KC Beach Club – Chaweng Beach Sharing tapas planks, amazing cuts of imported meats cooked to perfection on charcoal in our Josper Grill. Free pickup available within 10km of Chaweng. See NeoSamui Facebook page for up to date offers and photos. Join us for our weekly Saturday pool party 1pm – 6pm. Happy Hour everyday 5pm – 7pm. 2 for 1 on all cocktails and beers.
Reservation: +66 (0) 77 915 155
www.kcbeachclub.com rsvn@kcbeachclubsamui.com Facebook NEOSAMUI
CONTENTS
36 20 To Dive or Not to Dive? What a silly question ...
28 Escape Chaweng Samui Wine Oasis, as the name suggests, truly is an escape from the craziness of Chaweng.
36 Foremost in Fashion Chandra Boutiques continue to provide original garments, offering style rather than just fashion.
44 Bring out Your Inner Child Coco Splash it isn’t just for children.
50 Eclectic Eatery Prepare to be wowed by the new menu at Drink Gallery.
56 What Wat is That? Wat Kiri Wongkaram is not on the main tourist drag, but it’s worth a visit.
62 Slip Sideways Fashion is an offhand word, when faced with the sheer style of Psylo.
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50 68 Everything is Going to be OK Secure your spot of tropical island paradise with OK Properties.
72 One Step at a Time Samui Tiny Steps offers nursery and preschool education in a home-from-home environment.
76 Watch This Space! Plug yourself into Samui’s stunning new XD Theater!
80 Nature’s Very Own Art gallery Showcasing nature in the form of jewellery
84 Reform Your Core, Reform Your Body Absolute Sanctuary’s Pilates Reformer class will transform your body.
92 Be Unique Samui welcomes the iconic Japanese brand, Uniqlo, to the island.
96 Stand-up Paddleboarding Have fun and get fit with Naish SUP Samui
102 Eat, Sip, Dance, Repeat Great tunes and great food at KC Beach Club.
108 Sak Yant The ancient mystical tattoos of Thailand.
114 Quadrophenia Quad bikes add a whole new dimension to heading off-road on Samui.
120 Global Citizens SCL International School’s motto of ‘Educating the mind, nurturing the soul’ is having a positive effect on its pupils.
126 Saucy Salsa The sultry sounds of salsa can be heard around Samui. Talitha Elmendorp tells us what it’s all about.
130 Word of Mouth Why everyone seems to be talking about weddings at Nora Buri Resort!
136 Magical Namuang If you’re up for a hike, you’ll be rewarded by the 80 metre high Namuang waterfall.
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
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, 2013 & 2014
Choeng ChoengMon Mon
Reservations Essential For For reservations reservations call call 077 077 448 448 508 508 Kitchen Kitchen open open 12:00 12:00 pm pm 10:00 10:00 pm pm -- Bar Bar open open 12:00 12:00 pm pm -- 2:00 2:00 am am
Tapas Tapas Bar Bar open open from from 12:00 12:00 pm pm -- 7:00 7:00 pm pm
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. 14 l www.samuiholiday.com
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.
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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.
Thong Krut
With its brightly coloured fishing boats and backdrop of small islands to the one side, and coconut plantations to the other, Thong Krut is a picturesque little village. Located in the southwest corner of the island, this is where you’ll come if you’re after a long-tail boat to take you to the nearby islands of Koh Tan and Koh Matsum. Lining the shore you’ll find a selection of simple restaurants offering Thai food, and particularly good seafood, as well as tour operators offering trips to the islands.
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.
THE R E S TA U R A N T
Pavilion presents the best in Samui Boutique Resort dining.
The Patio Restaurant serves authentic Italian and Thai delicacies. Experience a romantic meal with outstanding sea views. The Look-Out Bar is the ideal place to unwind with a drink by our beach side pool. Wedding on the Beach Experience the most special day of your life in romantic tropical surroundings at Pavilion Samui Boutique Resort. Select from our Western, Thai and Chinese wedding options. Let us tailor make a celebration for you or choose one of our wedding packages.
Lamai Beach, Koh Samui Tel: 0 7742 4420, 0 7742 4030 Fax: 0 7742 4029 info@pavilionsamui.com www.pavilionsamui.com
Serving an exciting variety of Thai, Italian and seafood from our open, show kitchen with genuine pizza oven. Choose from open air seating on the first floor with ocean view or air-conditioned seating on the ground floor. Live music every night.
Open daily from 5 pm till 11 pm Located on Lamai Beach Road opposite Pavilion Samui Boutique Resort Reservation: 077 424 420
TO DIVE OR NOT TO DIVE? What a silly question ...
As a diver, what are the first things you look for when you go diving? Warm water? Pretty corals? Rock formations? Colourful fish? Large fish? Good viz? (Visibility for those non-divers out there). Thailand is known for having all of these things, and the dive sites around Samui are the perfect place to see them. If you’re a diver, the first thing you’re going to want to know after asking about the viz, is what you can see. If you’re used to diving in Europe, you might be used to lots of fish, but cold waters and dry suits. Or you might be a warm water diver, used to diving wrecks, colourful fish and great viz. Around Samui, you can be sure to find something to appeal to you and your level of experience - coral reefs around many of the islands are filled with an abundance of exotic marine life in all sorts of colours, shapes and sizes. Float around quietly and slowly, and give everything time to get used to your presence and you could see blue spotted stingrays hiding under rocky overhangs, nudibranchs perched on hard coral fingers, tiny little fish darting in and out of corals and you could even find Nemo (and his entire extended family!)
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Just 45 minutes (in a speedboat) north of Samui, in between the islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, is a pinnacle shaped rock which rises up out of the water making a really good wall dive. This is known as Sail Rock, and because it is a wall dive, which starts out above the water and sinks down to 40 metres, it means divers of all levels can enjoy the schooling trevally, giant morays, barracuda, batfish, groupers and much more. You might even spot a whale shark! The island of Koh Tao is around one and a half hours by speedboat north of Koh Samui. Here you can find many dive sites suitable for most levels such Mango Bay, Lighthouse, Hin Wong, Ao Tanote, Ao Leuk and Shark Island. White Rock, Green Rock and the Twins are dive sites around the island of Koh Nangyuan, north of Koh Tao. Travel further north still and you’ll find yourself at Chumphon Pinnacle - four interconnected pinnacles starting at 14 metres and dropping down to around 30 metres. This is a site best tackled by experienced divers.
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There have been sightings of the elusive whale shark at Chumphon Pinnacle, and even though other sharks (grey reef, leopard and black tip) are spotted at many other dive sites, they are generally only curious from a distance and tend to leave divers alone, so don’t panic. If you do see them, please remember they are wild animals and you are not the man from Atlantis. You need to give them space. Don’t attempt to touch them, ride them or fire off a massive flash gun in their faces. That’s likely to annoy them and I don’t know about you, I don’t want to be anywhere near an annoyed shark. If it’s wreck diving that inspires you, there are plenty of these around the island of Koh Tao. But be careful, most of the wrecks here are only suitable for technical divers or those with deep diving specialties, because of the depths involved. These are not dives for novices.
Located on the tropical stretch of golden sands and turquoise waters off Koh Samui’s up market Bophut bay, Beach Bar offers wide variety of cocktails, champagne, wines, snacks, delicious home made ice cream and freshly blended fruit drink
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Come and join our happy hour as day turns to dusk before strolling down to the quaint cobblestone ‘Bophut Fisherman village’
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Good things come in three, enjoy our Happy Hours daily at
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01:30 - 02:30 pm 06:30 - 07:30 pm 09:30 - 10:30 pm
! - buy one get one free !
Many boats that sail around Samui offer snorkelling as part of their trips, so you don’t even have to travel far to experience the magic that lies beneath the sea. The surrounding reefs offer much to see and sometimes all you’ve got to do is jump in, and you’ll be surrounded by hundreds of playful fusiliers. The Angthong National Marine Park is less than two hours away and most diving operations offer trips here. Koh Wao (Dragon Island) and Koh Yippon are both home to colourful hard and soft corals, sea anemones, stag-horn corals and sponges as well as big snappers, barracuda, trevallies and groupers. In January and February around Koh Wao, you might even be lucky enough (I think) to observe mating cuttlefish.
HANSAR SAMUI 101/27-28 Moo 1, Bophut Koh Samui 84320 Thailand +66 77 245 511 | www.hansarsamui.com
Many diving companies rent (and sometimes sell) the latest scuba diving equipment from well known, reputable brands such as Aqua Lung, Mares, Suunto and Scubapro. BCD’s, regulators, wetsuits, fins, masks and even dive computers are all available for hire, to let you concentrate on enjoying your dive rather than worrying about the quality of your equipment. If you’d like to capture your time underwater, some companies offer photography services and even hire out underwater cameras. Do bear in mind that this will require an extra level of concentration, so if you’re a complete beginner or haven’t dived for a while, this perhaps is a good time to ask someone else to take the photos!
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Put together the warm waters, lack of big fish threatening to eat you, pretty reefs, plentiful fish, and experienced dive guides and instructors who have chosen to make these islands their home, and you’ve got a perfect place to explore or learn about the breath-taking underwater world around Koh Samui.
Colleen Setchell
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
The Place! The People! The Party! …amazing place for extraordinary people…
KC Beach Club & Pool Villas – new stylish & modern hotel with 42 luxury rooms & pool villas. Great entertainment program in the Beach Club. Open bar & à la carte dining.
Follow us on
: KC Beach Club & Pool Villas Koh Samui
KC Beach Club & Pool Villas Koh Samui on Chaweng Beach Every Saturday & Sunday Pool Party from 12 – 6 pm Weekend Lunch Buffet from 1-5 pm In House DJ Club Music
www.kcbeachclub.com rsvn@kcbeachclubsamui.com Tel: +66 (0) 77 915 155
ESCAPE
CHAWENG
Samui Wine Oasis, as the name suggests, truly is an escape from the craziness of Chaweng.
Chaweng most certainly has the island’s highest concentration of bars and clubs – but generally the beverages of choice are beer and cocktails. Add to that pumping music and a rowdy crowd, and you have your average Chaweng establishment, give or take a few that don’t adhere to this norm. And one that most certainly stands out is Samui Wine Oasis – situated slap bang in the middle of the madness. Its name is fitting. Here you can sit under the canopy of tall trees that are dressed in fairy lights, and sip on a perfectly chilled Chenin Blanc, watching the world go by and contemplating the good life. While the rest of Chaweng seems to be in a rush, at Samui Wine Oasis, life slows down to a more relaxing pace, and what better way to enjoy it than over a bottle of good wine and a tasty meal. 28 l www.samuiholiday.com
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Samui Wine Oasis is the brainchild of Khun Napasoon Chayuntaradilok (Khun Laem), a pilot with Thai Airways, who has travelled the world with his wife, and developed a love of wine during his travels. He is lucky enough to have visited wine regions around the globe and has attended several winemaking and wine appreciation courses abroad. Khun Laem wanted to share his appreciation of wine, and spread wine culture within Thailand, so opened Samui Wine Oasis in 2012, vowing to provide top quality wines at reasonable prices – not an easy goal with Thailand’s tax on wine being 200 – 300%! Yet, he’s managed to live up to his word, and his staff have been well trained to know which wines go best with menu items, and equally as important, how to serve each wine correctly. Chatting to Khun Laem, he revealed his goals and the core concept of the restaurant. Firstly, Samui Wine Oasis and its staff are professional in all matters wine, and will only provide good quality wines. From the cheapest to the most expensive bottle, quality wines have been sourced from around the world. Khun Laem is also keen to promote local Thai wines, which have made their mark in the wine world in recent years, so you’ll see a selection from Thai estates too. All aspects of wine service have been thoroughly researched, and all staff are trained in serving wine – from the temperature of the wine, the glass it’s served in, the manner in which the wine is opened and poured, as well as the climate controlled cellar and wine fridges. To accompany the quality wine, all meals are prepared with the finest and freshest ingredients. All sauces are made from scratch in traditional homemade style, and presentation is paramount, down to the vine leaves used on the plates. You won’t find any store bought dipping sauces here, everything is made to order – so you might wait slightly longer for certain dishes, but you’re guaranteed freshness, and you can always enjoy another glass of wine while you wait! Lastly, Khun Laem has created a restaurant with a relaxed and casual feel – there’s nothing stuffy or pretentious about Samui Wine Oasis. Choose from several dining areas, from the wooden deck under the trees and vines (Yes, real vines on Samui!), to the elegant yet laid back dining room overlooking the tasting room and cellar. Or you can move to the barrels at the street front if you’re just after a drink and want to do a spot of people watching. The restaurant is attached to the beautiful Chaweng Garden Beach Resort, easy to find along Chaweng Beach Road, a few hundred metres north of Central Festival, and is open daily from 4:00 pm to midnight.
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“In Europe we thought of wine as something as healthy and normal as food and also a great giver of happiness and well-being and delight. Drinking wine was not a snobbism, nor a sign of sophistication, nor a cult; it was as natural as eating and to me as necessary.” Some (incorrectly) perceive wine drinking to be only for the elite, or a beverage only for special occasions, but these words by Ernest Hemmingway ring true, and show that wine appreciation is not only for a select few, and can in fact be enjoyed by all, every day. At Samui Wine Oasis you’ll find a wide selection of wines, all personally selected by Khun Laem, and some are priced as low as 490 baht per bottle. In fact most bottles are under 1,000 baht in the ‘casual wines’ category. For those looking for something a little more special, try the ‘smart wines’ selection, ranging from 1,400 to 1,900 baht per bottle, and for a special occasion, select a bottle from the ‘classic wines’ range, which are prices from 3,300 baht to 7,500 baht per bottle. Wines are sourced from around the world, including Argentina, Italy, France, Australia, South Africa, Chile, USA, New Zealand, Austria and Spain.
Of course, to pair with these great wines, you’ll have a choice of delicious food too, from classic Thai dishes with a twist, to European favourites such as pastas or steaks. The menu is diverse, with a vast selection of appetisers, salads, entrées and desserts. For something different from the appetiser menu, try the shrimp cakes coated in almonds - light, with a crunchy crust and served with a homemade dipping sauce. Those with an adventurous palate will enjoy the fusion dish ‘tom yum lobster ravioli’ – lobster filled ravioli with a Thai flavour, spicy cream soup, with a mushroom and kaffir lime foam. Seafood is a major focus on the menu, and fresh fish and shellfish are on display, ready for you to choose. Samui Wine Oasis has a strong connection with the local fishermen, so all seafood is straight from the sea, and is prepared to order. And do leave space for a chocolate tortina – this warm chocolate cake with chocolate lava oozing from the centre is served with vanilla ice-cream and fruit, the perfect way to end a meal. Or better yet, keep going with a cheese platter and a bottle of bubbly… Benjamin Franklin once said, “Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance.” Well, if you like the sound of that philosophy, then head down to Samui Wine Oasis for a change of pace and a taste of the good life.
Rosanne Turner
________________________________________________________ For reservations or further information, telephone 0 848 361 855. www.samuiwine.com
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BOUTIQUE RESORT KOH SAMUI
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FOREMOST IN FASHION Chandra Boutiques continue to provide original garments, offering style rather than just fashion.
Just follow the island’s fashionistas wearing the flowing dresses, pretty summer sandals and stylish handbags, and no doubt, you’ll end up at one of the two Chandra boutiques along Chaweng Beach Road. Locals with a sense of style, as well as regular visitors to the island from the fashion hubs of the world, all know Chandra and the brand’s reputation for stylish, yet timeless garments. Barak and Dana, owners and designers at Chandra, are on the right path to success, keeping their clientele ever impressed with their original garments and accessories. Chandra designs are elegant and stylish, yet much of the range has a fun element, by incorporating funky prints and quirky accessories. And Barak and Dana prefer using natural fibres such as cotton, rayon and silk, ideal for a hot climate. Dana designs the women’s wear, and the latest range showcases a cotton and silk collection in earthy tones. You’ll find kaftans and tunics, and both mini and maxi dresses, all cut to flatter the female form. A range of white dresses, blouses, pants and singlets balances out the trademark bright print range. Dana explains, “It’s become popular for the dress code at weddings and other functions to be white, perfect for a beach or poolside party. We’ve had so many requests for white dresses for weddings… and not only from the bride!” Chandra’s fashions are unique and not what you’ll find in your everyday clothes store. Their designs carefully play with colours and prints, fabric and cut to create special pieces that flatter the female form. And they haven’t forgotten about men with a love of fashion. While Dana creates the ladies’ range, Barak designs for the men, which includes shirts, pants, vests, tees, and tie-pants in cotton and silk blends, allowing men to look great effortlessly. While most of the range leans towards a natural colour scheme, there are also a few funky prints for the more adventurous – all available up to size XXL.
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You’ll find two Chandra Boutiques along Chaweng Beach Road. Chandra 1 is near Tropical Murphy’s opposite McDonalds and the other, Chandra 2, near the entrance to the old Tops Supermarket. In fact, if you’re standing at the front of the new Central Festival, both stores are only a few steps away. Why the two stores? Well each shop has its own signature. And you won’t find the same merchandise in both. Currently, men’swear is only stocked at Chandra 2. It’s only a five-minute walk between the two stores, so pop into both to get the full Chandra experience.
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Aside from clothing, Chandra also carries a range of accessories, to help complete your look. Most garments in the stores are designed by Dana and Barak, but they also work with designers and manufacturers that they’ve sourced during years of travelling around Southeast Asia. Each piece has been carefully selected to create the look that tells the Chandra story, and the latest accessories range includes colourful oversized Italian leather handbags, designed for Chandra, and made in Hong Kong. They make perfect holdalls, and are ideal for shopping. Smaller bags are available in black, brown and tan, embedded with studs for an elegant evening look. You’ll also find a new range of scarves in silk and cotton, as well as flat sandals and wedges from size 36 to 41, perfect to show off pretty summer toes. Men haven’t been forgotten when it comes to accessories, and they have a choice of leather sandals and leather portfolio bags for a casual work look.
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Clothing Designers: Dana Cohen & Barak Weiss, Chandra Photographer: Barak Weiss Styling: Dana Cohen Model: Chanok Sayoungkul Makeup & Hair: Alena Tsimoshyna Assistants: Bow & Fai Location: Villa Samudra Koh Samui Special Thanks: Photographer Lesley Fisher
Chandra is well-known for its range of bikinis, very different to those you’ll find at every other market stand on the island. South American designers were chosen by Dana to feature as the boutiques’ swimwear ranges. The bikinis, crafted from carefully selected fabrics that allow for movement, are cut to impress – these are not bikinis for wallflowers who want to fade into the background. Wear a Chandra bikini and you’ll surely be noticed! What makes them stand out is the intricate detailing work, such as stitching and beading as well as incorporating unusual materials. Most designs are available in two cuts – the regular Western cut, and the more daring South American cut, which reveals a little more of the derriere, yet isn’t quite as risqué as a thong! And if you’re in Phuket, be sure to pop in to the newly opened Chandra Boutique located on Surin Beach – home to the hip-and-happening beach club scene. To be around for more than a decade in the fickle fashion business, it seems that Barak and Dana must be doing something right!
Rosanne Turner ______________________________________________
For further information telephone 0 7742 2311 (Chandra 1) or 0 7796 0788 (Chandra 2). www.chandra-exotic.com
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BRING OUT YOUR INNER CHILD
Coco Splash isn’t just for children.
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With Samui temperatures reaching over 30 degrees for most of the year, it becomes a necessity to cool down regularly. How you choose to do that is the question. Is it taking regular dips in the sea? Is it hiding from the midday sun in an air-conditioned room? Perhaps taking a cold shower followed by an ice cold cocktail? Or perhaps spending a day in a water park where you can swim, slide, climb, swim, play golf, swim, jump, fly, swim, eat drink and swim - with the emphasis on swimming … and keeping cool. Coco Splash Adventure and Water Park is a 10,000 square metre plot of land filled with water slides, swimming pools, an inflatable castle, bungee trampolines, an air bag for exciting high jumps, go-karting, bumper boats (a great twist on traditional bumper cars), a tree-to-tree course and a restaurant and bar. It can be found signposted off the Lamai beachfront road, just before crossing the river. And don’t be fooled, while this park makes children’s eyes light up like it’s Christmas morning, it offers more than enough to thrill the adults too (and that’s not only the selection of frozen cocktails on offer).
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Open from 10:30 am until 5:30 pm daily, the park provides hours of entertainment for all ages, and has gone from strength to strength since opening its gates three years ago. Adding activities like the inflatable castle, bumper boats, the bungee trampolines, minigolf, go-karting and the tree-to-tree course, Coco Splash has changed from ‘merely’ a water park to a complete adventure playground. As well as the recent additions, there are four swimming pools (including a toddler pool and a volley ball pool) and a grand total of seven sliders (including the aptly named ‘Twister’ slider and the ‘Banana Slider’ with its long drop). There are various fountains, squirting water jets and a hanging bucket which intermittently empties its forever-filling contents onto unsuspecting swimmers. There is also a Jacuzzi that seats up to ten people - there is no need to overheat here. The bungee trampolines are as exciting for adults as they are for children, so don’t be afraid to join your children in the fun. You’ll be safely strapped into your harness so relax, bounce, somersault and have fun. The bumper boats are also for children and adults. Coming in ‘two person’ and ‘one person’ versions, you can bump or splash each other, or create family teams and have an all-out battle. Spray, push or shove each other and cool down in the process.
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What about the inflatable castle? That’s just for children, right? Guess again, this one has slides, areas to climb, and some other surprises. So no, this inflatable castle is most definitely not just for children. The air bag jump is popular and allows you to jump from two heights. To jump from the lower level, you need to be at least 1.2 metres tall and to jump from the higher level, at least 1.3 metres. You can just jump, or you can spin, somersault, or practice your attempts at martial art kicks on the way down. But whatever you do, you’ll land safely in the gigantic air bag that you’ll see as soon as you enter the gates to the park. The three newest activities, the mini-golf, the go-kart and the tree-to-tree course, are the only things not included in the park’s entrance fee. But fear not, if you’ve already paid for entrance to the park, you’ll get a discounted rate for these activities. The go-kart course is just outside the water park, and one ride lasts for eight minutes, but you’re welcome to purchase as many rides as you want. There are two types of kart: the adult ones are larger and gasoline driven and safe for anyone over the age of eight. For those younger than eight (but older than three), there are smaller electric karts. There are also two tree-to-tree courses. Level 1 is for three to eight year olds, and level 2 is for eight years old and above. If you’ve not seen a tree-to-tree course before, it’s an exciting elevated obstacle course set up between trees, and here it’s between the coconut trees close to the car park. After being strapped into your harness (which will always be connected to a safety line), you will have to balance, walk, swing, jump or climb your way from tree to tree. Ropes, nets, ramps and rods all add an extra challenging element. Lastly if you have enough energy, you can have a round of mini-golf, battling it out with friends, family or your children.
Finally, after a wonderful day in the sun, keeping cool and having fun, it’s time to relax. Head to the restaurant and bar, and replenish your energy levels. A selection of substantial paninis, sandwiches, burgers, Thai dishes and smaller finger foods are available. Or choose from their drinks menu throughout the day. Fresh fruit shakes, ice cream shakes, soft drinks, tea, coffee and chocolate drinks. And for the adults who’ve worked hard all day, reward comes in the form of an ice cold beer or cocktail, a Kool-Mix frozen cocktail or simply a glass of wine. There is ample parking on site, as well as lockers available to store your belongings. In the restaurant areas, there are more than enough bamboo salas in which to relax while deciding which part of the park you’re going to tackle
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next. The park also has activity supervisors who provide support, and safety instruction on each and every activity. So why not treat your children, or get in touch with your inner child and spend the day just having some fun!
Colleen Setchell
____________________________________________ For further information, telephone 0 810 826 035. www.samuiwaterpark.com
HAND-MADE JEWELRY MADE TO ORDER. GOLD, SILVER, LEATHER, PRECIOUS AND SEMI PRECIOUS STONES. LEARN TO MAKE SILVER JEWELRY WITH US IN 1, 2 OR 3 DAYS TWO LOCATIONS IN CHAWENG: 1ST: CHAWENG BEACH ROAD, PHONE: +(66)0 7742 2594 2ND: CENTRAL FESTIVAL SAMUI 2ND FLOOR, PHONE: +(66)0 7796 3811 WWW.THAILAND-JEWELRY.COM Nature Art Gallery Central Festival Samui CHAWENG BEACH ROAD
Supermarket
Eclectic Eatery
Prepare to be wowed by the new menu at Drink Gallery. Through tall panes of glass set in the dark, steel beams of a contemporary structure, you’ll notice people having a good time. Some are peacefully sitting on their own, reading the paper and sipping on a steaming cappuccino. Others are gathered at the expansive central table, decked with an assortment of chairs, laughing as they sip fancy cocktails and share creative dishes. If you look closer through the floor-to-ceiling windows, you’ll notice that the interior of Drink Gallery is quirky and inviting, which is what may first draw you in. But it’s the great food and inventive cocktails that will keep you there to linger longer, and bring you back time and again for more. Drink Gallery, part of The Library on Chaweng Beach Road, describes itself as ‘Eclectic by nature, artistic by character and thoroughly unique in style’. Now while we know to take advertising blurbs with a pinch of salt so to speak, in this case, their self-portrayal rings true. On entering through the glass door, you’re greeted with a cool welcome – from the air-conditioning that is. The welcome from the staff on the other hand, is most warm, as is the atmosphere, which is so often lacking in modern structures. Although the walls are exposed concrete, floors are screed and the frontage is floorto-ceiling glass, the look is softened by way of cut-glass chandeliers, an interesting collection of furniture and the commissioned focal art piece above the bar. Drink Galley follows in the footsteps of The Library, with an interior inspired by art. Furniture is not merely functional, but is visually appealing too, and the pieces in Drink Gallery have been custom made in Chiang Mai. An oversized white dresser fills one wall, and individual armchairs are angled to take full advantage of the street view, perfect for people-watching. Wishy-washy drinks and half-hearted concoctions won’t make the cut here, which is why mixologist, Dhasan Prabhananda, has created Drink Gallery’s extensive list of cocktails. He regularly visits from Bangkok to tweak, refine and reinvent the drinks menu. With a smidgen of this, a pinch of that, a dash of a secret ingredient and twist of lime he comes up with delicious combinations meant to please both the palate and the eye, and recently, there’ve been a few new introductions to the cocktail list.
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Another interesting combo is the London Rose, which is a blend of Earl Grey Tea infused Tanqueray Gin, port wine, fresh lime juice, sugar syrup, egg white and fresh rosemary. And then there’s the Spiced Winter Cliché (which is everything but a cliché), combining sparkling wine, Ketel One Vodka, strawberry puree, lime, cinnamon and bitters. Last of the new cocktails, but far from completing the list on offer, is the Lady in White – Ketel One Vodka, sour apple, aloe vera juice, fresh lime juice, Monin Vanilla Syrup, egg white, and soft lemon thyme.
Let’s start with the pretty in pink, Ms Rosé Collins. After this delightful cocktail, you’ll be seeing the world through rose-tinted glasses! Not overly sweet, this drink is a combination of rosé wine, Bacardi rum, peach schnapps, lychee juice, Monin Elderflower Syrup and a lemon wedge. For something different, try the Suave & Singular. The ingredients that make up this delicious concoction are Bench Mark, Grand Marnier, apple juice, fresh lime juice, Monin Orgeat Syrup, egg white, Angostura Bitters and almonds. Who would have thought? You can see why a mixologist is needed to come up with such drinks. Next on the list is the Morning Walker, though perhaps not everyone can start their morning this way! Here we have port wine, Bench Mark, Grand Marnier, egg white, sugar and star anise. Those that prefer something a little fruiter will like the Blanco’s Orchard: White wine, apricot brandy, Ketel One Vodka, apple juice, Monin Watermelon Syrup, lemon wedge and Italian basil leaves. And for something quite refreshing, try a Cucumber Bath – Ketel One Vodka, sour apple, apple juice, fresh lime juice, Monin Watermelon Syrup and fresh cucumber. Served in a jar with a handle, the Golden Club is sweet and tangy. Perfectly blended to make this tasty drink are Bench Mark, Sweet Vermouth, strawberry puree, fresh lime juice and egg white. And for those that feel James Bond needs to add a modern flair to his signature drink, there’s the GF Bellini Martini – Tanqueray Gin, grapefruit juice, Monin Vanilla Syrup, fresh lime juice and soft lemon thyme.
With so many interesting cocktails to choose from, it makes sense to take advantage of Drink Gallery’s ‘365-day, two-hour free-flow cocktail special offer’, which is available from 5:00 pm until closing daily. Rather than have it only for a specific two hours, the clock starts when you order your first cocktail from a selected menu of top-tier cocktails. For 1,300 baht net, you can enjoy as many cocktails as you like from the list – well worth it for what is on offer. Of course, it’s always a good idea to line your stomach before indulging in alcohol, and Drink Gallery is renowned not only for its unique cocktails, but also for its delicious and innovative menu. Opening at 11:00 am for brunch (there’s a delicious selection to choose from) it may be a little early to tap from the wine dispenser or tuck into a few cocktails, so perhaps a brew from the state-of-the-art coffee machine is more fitting. For those that prefer an open-air feel, you’ll find a few tables on the deck area overlooking the street, and service wraps up at 1:00 am. The menu is vast and offers something for all, but again we’re highlighting the new dishes on offer. From the brunch menu, there’s a selection of tempting waffles, including a mixed berry waffle, with toasted coconut flakes and buttered maple syrup, and an apple crumble waffle, with Bourbon caramel, toasted walnuts and vanilla ice cream. For a sweet and savoury combination, try the warmed brie waffle, served with apples and raisins and local wild honey. Another interesting choice on the brunch menu is the Salmon Oskar Benedict – with picked crabmeat, asparagus and lemon hollandaise sauce.
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A new addition to the appetisers is the chipotle avocado nachos, with crisp flour tortilla chips, cheddar and cilantro. Pasta lovers won’t be disappointed with the choices, and a new vegetarian option is the broccoli and gorgonzola spaghetti, with roasted garlic, caramelised mushrooms and chilli oil. Drink Gallery has created an interesting twist to the traditional Italian tiramisu, with its Thai tea tiramisu – Thai tea, mascarpone, and almond macaroons form the base of this more-ish dessert.
If you appreciate whimsical design and are after a sophisticated spot to gather over an interesting cocktail and hearty food, then head down to Drink Gallery. Whether it’s a quick brunch to get you going for the day, or a cocktail to unwind after a busy day, you can’t go wrong with this venue that’s proving to be one of the most popular foodie hangouts on the island.
Rosanne Turner
_____________________________________________________ For reservations or further information, telephone 0 7742 2299. www.thelibrary.co.th.
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WHAT WAT IS THAT? Wat Kiri Wongkaram is not on the main tourist drag, but it’s worth a visit. So you’ve had enough of the tourist hot spots and want to escape the crowds for a day, and soak up a little local culture. You could head to Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai) or Plai Laem Temple, and they’d both be great stops and worthy of a visit. But, you wouldn’t be escaping the crowds at all. So where should you head to? Well luckily it’s possible to leave the hordes behind and discover the ‘real’ Samui, only a 45-minute drive from the commercial areas of the island. The un-spoilt southwest of the island is known to some as ‘The Virgin Coast’, and the village of Taling Ngam forms part of this. 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. 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. As is common in Thailand, village life revolves around the local temple – in this case, Wat Kiri Wongkaram. The temple grounds are serene as one would expect, and you’ll see dogs lazing about and monks sweeping up leaves – but here, there’s a little mystery too. This temple houses the mummified body of the 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 purpose-built glass case, simply didn’t decompose after death, and has remained in its mummified condition for decades.
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Considering the humidity, and that no preservation chemicals have been used, the condition of his body is thought to be miraculous, if not somewhat baffling to scientists. Apparently his hair and fingernails continue to grow, and the nail clippings are made into protective charms.
attached to the site, and memorials around the grounds. Village activities are held here, and there’s also accommodation for novice monks, a funeral building, and large meeting hall. It’s a friendly place, not at all intimidating, and nor is it in any way eerie, despite the on-going presence of its most famous resident.
In 1979, the temple’s then Abbot, 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. If you’re a little confused as to the location, and thought that Samui’s mummified monk was elsewhere – you wouldn’t be wrong. But remarkably, Samui has two mummified monks, the other one being at the better-known and more visited, Wat Kunaram, near the Namuang Waterfalls.
Another way to soak up local culture and tradition when visiting is to make use of a beautiful artefact in the small shrine house. Visitors can spin the wheel on this piece, and it will come to rest on a number, which corresponds with a number on a wooden table behind the wheel. Under the corresponding number on the table you’ll find pieces of paper that tell you your fortune – whether you believe in it or not, it’s still fun to do, but remember to remain respectful at all times – this is not a carnival stall.
You don’t find many Western visitors at Wat Kiri Wongkaram. In fact you don’t find many visitors at all. The temple is old and not fancy. There’s a crematorium
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As this temple isn’t visited anywhere near as often as Wat Khunaram, a monk will still come to the room with the mummified body and give you a personal blessing in return for a small donation to the temple – which is much appreciated in order to maintain the grounds and buildings.
Driving or walking through Taling Ngam village, you’ll see many traditional wooden southern-style houses standing in compounds with other outbuildings, containing the extended family. You’ll usually find someone practicing Thailand’s favourite pastime – sweeping – as well as several chickens digging in the dirt, a towering pile of coconuts ready for processing and an assortment of dogs stretched out in the road. You’re not likely to see a franchise minimart in sight. Rather, you’ll find the front rooms of houses converted into little convenience stores, manned by whichever family member is home, as well as tables set up roadside, selling bananas, grilled chicken, or used energy-drink bottles filled with home-processed coconut oil. The landscape is lush and green, predominantly coconut groves and banana plantations, and where the green ends, a pristine beach starts, accessorised with brightly coloured long-tail fishing boats, and a few… unlikely bathers. Don’t be alarmed to see a buffalo or two enjoying a dip in the sea, or lazing under a palm tree. They’re happy to share the beach with adventurous tourists, so don’t worry, and enjoy the photo opportunity as they’re docile, and there’s usually a handler nearby.
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. 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. It’s easy to see why photographers find Taling Ngam one of the best places to visit on the island to hone their skills. So by only sticking to the main tourist areas on the northern and eastern coasts, you’d be doing yourself an injustice, and missing an opportunity for adventure and sightseeing. Take the time to explore Taling Ngam, as well as Wat Kiri Wongkaram – just don’t forget your camera!
Rosanne Turner
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BAR & RESTAURANT
Open from 10:00 am - 01:00 am (main kitchen), with pizzas being served until 1:00 am. For reservations and further information, telephone 077 961 648 www.spagosamui.com
Grill & BBQ, Thai Cuisine Fish and Seafood Open from 12:00 am - 01:00 am For reservations and further information, telephone 077 963 213 www.galangasamui.com
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SLIP SIDEWAYS Fashion is an offhand word, when faced with the sheer style of Psylo.
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One of the great things about Samui is the shopping. Some of us who have the good fortune to live here might not wholly agree. But for a visitor to the island it comes high up on the list. How many of you reading this, I wonder, have been asked by an array of nephews, nieces and friends to bring back mementos ranging from watches, DVDs, trendy trainers and designer bags and clothes, right through to gold and silver jewellery? Clothes, in fact, are the most popular choice. Here you have access to a whole range of almost-genuine designer goods, and at prices that are even less than the charity and goodwill shops back home. And the temptation, as always, is to go for the well-known brands. And that’s a real shame. I can clearly remember that for a few years my daughter, at a certain age, wouldn’t be seen dead in gear that didn’t have a ‘name’ on it, no matter how dull or plain the styling was, or how cheap and nasty the fabric. It’s a smart bit of marketing – give the dull-witted public (who are naturally unable to tell for themselves the difference between quality and rubbish) something to aim towards. Convince them that a brand name is desirable and represents quality goods, and then they don’t need to make worrying decisions!
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That was twenty years back but, sadly, the same attitude still lingers today. One big problem, particularly here on Samui, is that there are very few shops which sell genuine designer-made clothes. And then there’s the holiday attitude to contend with “. . . I can buy this sort of stuff back home – so why waste my holiday money on it here?” It’s understandable enough. Except for just one thing. There actually is a shop here that is now one of the top fashion names – sought after and subscribed to by divas, jet-setters and personalities the world over. It has shops in London, Bali, and now Samui. The style varies from dresses your mum would love, to tops, shoes, belts and bracelets that scream ‘steam punk’ with tongue firmly in cheek. It’s not so easy to wrap words around it all. But half an hour browsing around the displays at Psylo will paint a fuller picture. Unfortunately, it’s at this point that we hit the labels. It’s fair enough to call Van Gough a ‘Post-Impressionist’ – that’s where he fits in the scheme of things and, anyway, it’s not a term that people can readily relate to! But come out with
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combinations of the following and just watch people’s faces: alternative, retro, urban, street, underground, futurism, druid, ethnic, punk, steam punk, neo-punk, tribal. And yet all of these epithets have been used at one time or another in an attempt to conjure a feeling that captures the evasive essence that is Psylo. In fact, Psylo isn’t just a clothes shop; it’s an attitude – an outlook that wraps up all the individually designed clothes and accessories, the décor, the lighting, the racks on which the garments are displayed, and even the specially designed hand-made coat hangers all in one bundle. And, yes, they sell clothes, too! Admittedly, this all began with the Euro circuit of music festivals back the ’90s, so there may be some justification in the roots still lingering. As co-founder and current art director, Ami Ganiel, puts it, Psylo was “ . . . born from being on the road and travelling, but needing comfortable, easy-yet-niche clothes which made a quiet statement about our lifestyle.” And for several years, Ami and his friend and business-partner, Dan Keller, set up stalls at the festivals they visited,
where they successfully sold the clothes they made. This expanded to the point where, in 2006, the first Psylo shop opened on Bali. This was where Shoki, Psylo’s current co-designer came on board, eventually becoming Ami’s life partner, too, along the way. Success was rapid, and in the following year, another Psylo emerged, this time in England’s hub of sub-cultural prominence, London’s Camden Market. And, before the paint was dry, a third shop appeared, this time on Samui, in the middle of Chaweng Beach Road. It’s easy to find; locate the landmark of Soi Green Mango and head with the flow of the one-way traffic. A couple of hundred metres more, on the left, you’ll see the Psylo shop-sign, before you get to the big McDonald’s landmark on the right.
The window display is both eclectic and eye-catching, boldly presenting extremes of Psylo styling, swinging from a leather studded Mad Max figurine in banded leggings to a summer-day long-dress vision in shimmering gauzy layers. Wandering inside is something of a jolt; there is so much to look at. The first few moments are an anti-climax as, just for a bit, it all seems to be the same! Then you start to notice details; the buttons are off-centre. Here, one hem is longer than the other. There, the trouser zip is on a diagonal. Small quirks of style and flairs of design that are a smiling delight. The setting (‘décor’ is an inappropriate buzz-word here) is moodily and magnificently in keeping: the clothes racks are surrealistic, the hangers retro-antique and the wall statements range from mirror frames made from hacked-apart Transylvanian railway sleepers to huge panels of rusting ship’s boiler plate.
But, soon, at some stage, you will handle the goods. You’ll pick something up or pluck out a garment on its hanger. Bizarrely, everything feels like satin. Like silk. Even the chunky leather on the cowboy-erotic spike heel fetish boots is as soft as a baby’s pillow. You’ll spend a sensuous few minutes just going round stroking things. You’ll spot the hand-made, hand-wound buttons and the perfect buttonholes. This is no accident as the company’s policy is not only to make each item by hand, but to use only eco-sustainable natural fabrics in their production. A Psylo T-shirt makes a market-bought items seem like sackcloth and ashes. But not only can you now enjoy Psylo’s newest shop in the Central Festival mall, but you can explore the simply gorgeous kiddies range, too. Here is clothing for the individual. You can deck yourself in post-holocaust leather gear, select a set of full moon party fisherman togs or simply something summery. This isn’t just about fashion, although their goods are certainly fashionable. Come here and you’ll find yourself slipping severely sideways – into the lifestyle of Psylo!
Rob De Wet
__________________________________________ For further information, telephone 0 7725 6157. www.psylofashion.com
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Thank you for your reviews that have made us...
2014 Winner
“A sure place in a street full of very average places.” Dubai,UAE “The real charm is the atmosphere as you're seated in a quaint night garden with grape vines.” London,UK “Un petit coin de paradis avec des mets excellents et copieux pour un très bon rapport qualité prix.” Paris, France
“It was worth every penny we spent there.” CA, USA “Each dish has been beautifully presented and the flavours have been magnificent.” MEL, Australia “Definitely worth a visit, specially as there are not so many places sith great wine here in Thailand!” Rome, Italy
Chaweng Garden Beach Resort Reservation, Call Khun Mae 084-836-1855 www.samuiholiday.com www.samuiwine.com www.facebook.com/SamuiWineOasis
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EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE
OK Secure your spot of tropical island paradise with OK Properties.
Can you imagine Chaweng with just one resort on its long stretch of beach? Can you imagine Maenam being nothing but palm trees? Or perhaps the ring road being a dirt road? Yes, Koh Samui used to be like this many years ago. A relatively uninhabited island with coconut palms, sunshine and pristine beaches filled with promise. It was back then that Norbert Verweyen first visited the island. As he so aptly puts it, he contracted the ‘Samui Virus’ and knew, even back then, that he wanted to come back one day and live here. And he did. After extensive travelling around the world, including working for a construction company in Australia, he finally sold his business in his homeland of Germany and, in 1990, moved to Samui. Falling in love with the north west coast of the island, he built a house for himself. He did such a good job that once his friends saw the result they all wanted the same, and very soon the first row of eight houses along the beachfront were built and OK Properties was born. Norbert has a good team of people working with him, most of whom speak his native German, as well as other languages, which helps in dealing with international customers. OK Properties has gone from strength to strength over the years, with the majority of sales coming from good old fashioned ‘word of mouth’. The company’s tag line is ‘Quality doesn’t lie’, and even the properties built 20 years ago are still in good condition and well maintained. Buyers aren’t deserted after the sale and continue to receive support from the company - it’s a perfect partnership. Norbert has become friends with a lot of his buyers. “First a customer, then a friend,” he says. The first project of nine houses was named Coconut Grove. When this was finished, it was soon followed by Coconut River, Coconut Paradise and then Coconut Laguna. With ongoing success and their reputation spreading even further, OK Properties then started developing a massive 240 rai plot of land on a mountainside overlooking Maenam beach. The Santi Thani project consists of Santi Thani Valley and Secret Garden (which started just five years ago). The plot of land is within walking distance to the beach, and as their brochure says, “Santi Thani Project is located on a beautiful mountain with breath-taking sea views, and surrounded by tropical wild
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bedrooms and six bathrooms in two separate buildings, complete with swimming pool and car park. One particularly nice property currently for sale in Bangrak offers sea views, a 14m long pool with Jacuzzi, underwater lights and music, six bedrooms and bathrooms, two living rooms, cinema, and two Western style kitchens. It has a full security system, automatic curtains, a terrace and a garage for three cars. It’s already fully furnished to the highest standard, so you can really just buy it and move straight in.
jungle.” There are still a few plots available, they are easily affordable and come with complete infrastructure - concrete road access, electricity and water supply. In fact, if you check their website, they’re having a price cut so get in there quickly while you can. Simply tell the OK Properties team how you think your dream house should look and they will skilfully recreate that dream for you. If you prefer, there are also ready made plans available. OK Properties has a fully qualified team of project managers, architects, CAD designers and construction supervisors. You’re in good hands here. Once the plan is completed, you will get some wonderful 3D images and a video presentation to enable you to visualise your home in more detail. Looking through their brochure and real estate magazine is like looking at an idyllic paradise location, and I guess that is exactly what it is. Stunningly beautiful homes, tropical garden landscapes, sea views, blue skies, sunshine - and it’s all so easily attainable. If you prefer not to build from plan but would like to move directly into one of these beautiful villas, there are some available. Both garden view villas and sea view villas are waiting for new owners. They range from a two bedroom and two bathroom villa with a swimming pool and stunning sea view, to seven
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If you want something really different, there is even one called Castle Villa. Built for someone whose specifications were ‘build me a castle’, this property has turrets, spiral staircases and interconnecting towers. It has three bedrooms and three bathrooms, an open terrace and a balcony to appreciate the views. With all of this going on, you’d think that things may have slowed down, but on the contrary, OK Properties are starting to build some new luxury apartments in the Secret Garden project. You’ll soon be able to see pictures on their website. Each will have three bedrooms with a private pool and be completely detached. Next on the construction list is six new apartments at Coconut Laguna, and because there is such high demand for apartments right now, these six have already sold before construction has even began. That must go some way to prove the quality of these builds. So if you’ve always wanted your own spot of tropical island beauty, give OK Properties a call and snap up a villa or a plot of land to build your dream house.
Colleen Setchell
_______________________________________________________ For reservations or further information, telephone 0 869 869 869. www.okpropertiessamui.com
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ONE STEP AT A TIME Samui Tiny Steps offers nursery and preschool education in a home-from-home environment.
When it comes to early years education, it’s important to know a little about the face behind the organisation, so we chatted to Debra, owner and centre manager at Samui Tiny Steps, to find out what inspired her to open a nursery school here on the island. Debra is a mother of two, with a daughter of nine and a son of seven years old. She first came to Samui in 2002 with her husband, to visit family and to travel around Thailand. They stayed a few months, and returned the following year to do the same. Her children were later born in the UK, and the family decided to relocate to Samui when the children were four and two years of age. Debra explains, “I have lived here for five years now, and when I first arrived with my small children. I realised that there was a lack of facilities for young learners. As I was involved in preschool teaching in the UK, I was very aware of the social interaction and learning through play that every child should have access to. So with this in mind, I wanted to create an environment where children could be involved in imaginative play, arts and crafts, music and movement and lots of books and story times, with access to learning materials and plenty of space to explore nature and enhance their motor skills.” Samui Tiny Steps opened its doors in October 2013, and since then has grown steadily, and now has children of many different nationalities. The nursery sits on 2,000 square metres of land, allowing for plenty of outside shaded areas to run and play, with slides and cubby houses. Inside, you’ll find light and airy classrooms, a dining-room reception area, adult and separate children’s bathrooms and an also an outside covered soft-play area.
With Samui Tiny Steps being purpose built, the school has the unique advantage of ensuring all facilities are suitable for this age group, both from a safety and a practical point of view. Every care and consideration has gone into the safety of the nursery, so parents can feel happy and confident to leave their children in the loving care of the staff. Debra feels passionate about guiding this early years age group, as this can be a child’s first experience in learning about the world around them, and how to express themselves. She considers preschool age to be a big transition to future learning within a school, and her goal and hope is that Samui Tiny Steps will allow the child and parents to enjoy a smooth transition. Samui Tiny Steps also teaches EFL (English as a Foreign Language), and Debra uses ‘Jolly Phonics’ as a learning tool to help children with their reading and writing skills. Many schools on the island use Jolly Phonics, and Debra felt this would help make the transition easy, and give the children at Tiny Steps a good head start. Jolly Phonics is a fun way to learn letter sounds and is a great way to prepare a child for school. Many UK primary schools use Jolly Phonics to teach reading. It’s a systematic, sequential, phonics program designed to teach children to read. Children learn more than 40 sounds of the English language, rather than just the alphabet. They’re then taken through the stages of blending and segmenting words to develop reading and writing skills. This method is also a great tool for teaching English as a second language. For this age group, the focus is on teaching the letter sounds using multi-sensory methods such as songs, actions, activities and games, and keeping worksheets to a minimum. The system also encourages parents to practice with their child at home.
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Debra decided to adopt the ‘British Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum’ (EYFS) and the EYFS teacher, who is fully qualified with a degree and teaching experience, leads the preschool class for children aged three to six years. Debra is the nursery teacher for the youngest learners, and she starts to help and gently guide the little ones through certain milestones such as separation anxiety, social skills and various needs including toilet training. As the nursery is nicely growing, the school is also seeking classroom assistants to join the team and make Tiny Steps a complete package. “I’m sure every parent will agree, starting school can be a very big step for
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toddlers and parents alike. And so we designed a safe and secure, friendly and educational environment, where children can not only learn through play, but can also develop the skills to become confident and independent when they join their first school”, says Debra. And as a parent herself, she understands this stage all too well. She explains further, “We have various options available for our nursery class to aid the ‘settling in’ period. I find that at two years old and sometimes even threes years old, children are not yet emotionally equipped to leave their parents for too long, so we offer part time (morning sessions) as well as half week (three full days). These options, as well as the individual needs of each family can be discussed before joining.
Fine Beach & Hillside Dining at Samui's Newest Venue Quality Thai, Seafood & International Dishes The Ultimate Samui Dining Experience!
Debra encourages parents who are considering nursery or preschool for their children to book a visit to discuss the options available at Samui Tiny Steps, where they’ll be given a full tour of the facilities. Says Debra, “I have met truly amazing parents and friends in my five years on Samui. They have given me the inspiration to focus on my passion in life – Tiny Steps.”
Rosanne Turner ___________________________________
For an appointment or further information, telephone 0 828 029 034. www.samuitinysteps.com
The Barge Nora Buri's Signature Restaurant Chaweng North For Reservation Tel: 0 7791 3555 E-mail: thebarge@noraburiresort.com www.noraburiresort.com
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WATCH THIS SPACE! Plug yourself into Samui’s stunning new XD Theater!
How many of you can remember when pubs first started showing sport on big screens? It wasn’t really all that long ago. And the quality was dreadful! Well, compared to what we’re used to today, anyway. It was basically a projector screen and you really needed to be in darkness to see it. Mind you, ten years ago every computer had a square-tube monitor that weighed a ton, but nothing like as much as the low-resolution monsters we had in our living rooms. How times have changed – today we’re all accustomed to pin sharp pictures on 50inch flat-screens you can pick up with one hand. And then there’s 3D. It was a long time coming, it stuttered and stumbled for a while like one of those man-powered flying machines, bounced a bit, got off the ground, staggered, and then crashed. Major TV companies like ESPN gave it a spin then dropped it due to “limited viewer adoption of 3D services to the home”. The problem was a result of several things. Different sorts of systems – active or passive – with different sorts of viewing glasses to go with them. I could go on . . . about matching the equipment with the material, the content (live broadcasts on TV, movies or games) or about TV sets that tried to jump on the bandwagon with marketing promises that were neither one thing or the other. Putting all these tangles and loops to one side, the bottom line was this. The easiest sort of 3D to create and sell to the public is the sort that ‘goes backwards’. Meaning that the front of the screen is the stop point and, a bit like peering into a box, things are in 3D going back away from this. The public was not impressed and TV sets were sold with this 3D option, but it was never used. The thing that made everyone sit up and take notice was the type of 3D where an arm reached out from in front of the screen to try to grab your throat. And then we’re back to content again. Very few movies were made on Bluray or DVD in 3D to begin with. (These are the ones that jump out in front to grab you.) Most were re-hashed and converted from existing box office hits – and this resulted in 3D that went back away from you. But quite a few computer video games were made with the full-frontal-in-your-face technology. These were designed to be played on mega-gaming systems and proved to be winners; mind blowing! The downside was that you needed to spend $3,000 on equipment to enjoy the thrill of it all. And then . . . some perceptive entrepreneur got smart and put together a funhouse system you could erect in 70 square metres of shopping mall rental space.
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This is what you’ll find in Samui’s Central Festival mall. It’s called ‘XD Theater’. It’s a big dark box with six strap-in contoured seats that sit on reactive-movement bases. There’s a sound system that makes your teeth ring with the crashes and clangs, and the rumbles and thumps move your intestines around. The content is, in essence, roller-coaster video-game fantasy, with ups and downs and wild leaps into space. You even get to go lurching backwards. Every 3D twist and turn on the screen leaps out at you, rocks and debris fly right in your face, sudden downhill plunges push your stomach (and its contents) upwards, and more than once you just have to close your eyes and hang on. A couple of years ago this kind of thing was interesting – a bit like the whole 3D muddle. But whereas the mainstream TV/broadcasts/movies have faded away, this genre found a niche in the sheer adrenaline junkie rush of it all. The technology has improved, too. Now the seats really do throw you around in time with the action – there’s an equivalent of 2Gs on the drops and 400 seat movements every second, and the wind is hammering into your face. OK – so the picture is actually not at a very high resolution – you won’t get a pin sharp image. But when you’re plunging vertically downwards into a canyon with your stomach in your throat, and the edge-of-vision background blurring past you while
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you’re being thrown from side to side and hoping you aren’t going to upchuck – you’re just not aware of this! You will be advised at the start to hold onto the handles at the side of your seat. This is very good advice. The man (and woman) behind the venture on Samui are Lithuanian Robertas Rilis and his wife and business partner, Renata. And it’s not just a one-off, either. “We started this as just an idea, a long time back, at home,” Robertas told me. “It was a bit of a hobby, really. But it was a smash success. Over the next few years, we expanded into Russia and Bulgaria. Our project was pitched at kids and modern playgrounds. We had inflatable castles and fairground rides. But the best things of all were the computer simulations and the rides; the theater and the 3D environment. Then in 2009, the economic climate shifted and we sold everything and came to Thailand. Our first venture was a 3D 8-seater XD Theater in Pattaya. Then we made another in Phuket. Then Jomtien, Chiang Mai, and now here on Samui.” But the low-down is that this is just Robertas and Renata dipping their toes into the Samui market. They have a whole lot going on very successfully in Phuket and Pattaya. And so, in the near future, you will see more of their expertise appearing
in Central Festival Mall. There’s going to be a holographic 3D walkthrough haunted house. But what will not be for the kids is the very-soonto-be appearance of a real Formula F1 racing car, right next to their XD Theater. It’ll be rigged to a race simulator and full 3D surroundscape. I’m really hoping I get lots of free tickets for this – I have to write a review, after all! (I’ll even actually pay for it.) Because if you keep watching the space next to the XD Theater; it’s going to be appearing there any day now! The XD Theater is up above the side stair to the right of parking area 2, lakeside, next to the ‘Pirates of Marioland’, above and to the right of Top’s and the food court. Just park-up and follow the thumping bass sounds!
Rob De Wet
__________________________________________ For more information, telephone 0 954 141 366. www.xd-attractions.com
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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NATURE’S VERY OWN ART GALLERY Showcasing nature in the form of jewellery. Pretty jewellery always catches one’s eye, but beautiful jewellery intricately designed by an expert hand using natural products calls to your heart. If you’ve never been to Nature Art Gallery, make time for a visit. Their shop in Chaweng is a place of beauty, and you can easily spend hours admiring the unique pieces of jewellery and leather goods on display. Their main branch is located on Chaweng Beach Road opposite the new Central Festival shopping mall. Entering the shop is like walking into another world. A varnished wooden floor, trays of twinkling, shiny items laid out on glass tops resting on huge tree trunks, pretty things dangling from the ceiling and walls, and friendly staff to welcome you. The range of items on offer is astounding. Yes, they stock rings (for fingers and toes), bracelets, necklaces and earrings, but it’s the many different types and styles that blow you away. Most of their items are made right here on Samui, while others are made in Bali and Bangkok.
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Rather than having a section for each item, their displays showcase the style of jewellery. For instance, they have a ‘stingray skin’ section where you can find twisted bracelets with snakes or dragons, wallets and purses made from glittering, coloured stingray skin. Women can choose from gorgeous rainbow colours for their bracelets and purses, and men have the choice of more manly greys, browns and blacks. Then there’s an ‘elephant hair’ section where you will find a selection of finely crafted sterling silver jewellery such as bracelets and rings combined with woven elephant hair. Something quite different and perhaps an ideal souvenir from Thailand? There is also a wonderful display of items made by Lou Guerin, an artist with more than 25 years’ experience working with leather in the form of shoes, bags, bracelets, and belts. Born in France, he has lived in Morocco, Spain, Mexico, New Zealand, and has now settled in Bali. The items showcased here are sterling silver, sometimes combined with horsehair. Unusual, yet very striking pieces.
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But along with all these natural products, you’ll also find crystals, and both precious and semi-precious stones. Trays of pretty, polished stones are laid out on glass table tops, and since both owners, Micha Trav and Shai Shalom Nissim, have extensive experience of working with stones, they are the perfect team to share their love of crystals. Shai has also worked extensively with silver jewellery in Japan, but has also studied massage, alternative medicine and energy work. Micha first began to work with stones in jewellery in India, but later found Koh Phangan to be the ideal place to share his creations as the island has natural crystal stores.
There is a display of hanging earrings using mother of pearl or power shell. Finely carved patterns with pretty designs, extremely light and, again, very unusual. Next to this display, you’ll find some finely crafted leather handbags, wallets, and purses made with the same passion and quality that can be seen so clearly in all their products. Nothing is ‘ordinary’ here. Take, for example, the jewellery with buffalo bone. In a world where ivory is a sore topic, buffalo bone is a more suitable alternative. Carved into pendants, rings, bracelets and earrings, these pieces are incredibly striking. As you’ve probably realised by now, Nature Art Gallery love to work with nature, and you’ll find only the most natural products used in any of their items. From the elephant hair, horse hair, stingray skin, shell and buffalo bone to the goat skin belts, you’ll find a deep respect for nature here.
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That is probably why you won’t be surprised to find out that they have not one, but two shops on Koh Phangan, both in Haad Rin, which have been open for fifteen years. But don’t be fooled, you might think because the shop has a similar decor, that it stocks the same goods. But you’d be wrong, because you won’t find the same stock in these two shops. Each has different styles, different lines and a different atmosphere because, of course, it has different clientele. The same goes for their fourth shop which has just opened on the second level of the new Central Festival shopping mall, on Samui. You’ll recognise the shop instantly by the beautiful varnished tree stumps and glass display tops, but again you’ll find different products here to the other three shops. So if you find you like what
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you see in any of the other shops you visit, make sure you visit the others to really see the full range they have on offer. And if you’re feeling really adventurous, why not pop over to Koh Phangan for the day and visit their other two shops? Their main Chaweng branch also features a workshop that makes custom pieces, as well as offering a repair service. Choose one of the stones on offer and ask them to make it into a custom piece, or even take in a treasured piece of family jewellery and ask for it to be copied. The turn-around time is usually a few days so it’s easily completed during your holiday. The three goldsmiths that are based on Samui have a lifetime of experience, and one was even the official jeweller
for the King of Nepal, so you know you’re in good hands. So don’t go home with the same old souvenir pieces that everyone does when visiting Thailand. Head home with a few items of beautifully unique jewellery found in nature’s very own art gallery.
Colleen Setchell
_______________________________________________ For reservations or further information, telephone 0 7742 2594. www.thailand-jewelry.com
REFORM YOUR CORE, REFORM YOUR BODY
Absolute Sanctuary’s Pilates Reformer class will transform your body. Nowadays, people are very serious about looking after themselves. They want a toned body with the least amount of effort, classes that are good value for money and expert instructors. Is that a tall order? Not really. Absolute Sanctuary will do all that, and more. Tucked away on a hillside, off the main road between Choeng Mon and Chaweng, Absolute Sanctuary celebrated their sixth anniversary on Samui this year. They are an independent entity owned and operated by ‘Absolute Yoga Group’ and provide a highly sought after mix of retreat, yoga, detox, Pilates, spa treatments, fitness and relaxation - a true escape from the hustle and bustle of modern day life. But something new and exciting has arrived here on Samui. The first Pilates Reformer group class started in April. Never heard of it? Pilates is a physical fitness system developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates. The original method was practiced in a specialised studio, was mainly one-on-one and particularly expensive. His first students went on to teach his methods and, as the benefits became more widely known and appreciated, its popularity began to spread.
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The Pilates Reformer method goes one step further, and uses exercise equipment which uses your body weight and various springs to provide resistance. Because it stretches and tones, it is perfect for building and maintaining lean muscle mass. It improves flexibility in the back, hips and hamstrings, increases lung capacity and circulation and increases blood flow to the brain. It encourages correct posture and generally strengthens the muscles all over the body. It works your entire body and all muscle groups resulting in the highly sought after ‘long, lean and toned’ body. Anyone can give it a try, but if it’s your first time you’ll need to do the 30 minute foundation class, where the resident instructor will explain how to use the machines. When you first lay eyes on the SPX Reformer machine, you’ll understand why you need to do the foundation class. Lying low on the floor, with a sliding seat, adjustable footrest, five springs, two pulleys and an array of addons, you’ll be grateful someone has explained how it all works and how deceptively easy it is. There are just six machines available, so booking is essential. The small class, however, gives the instructor a chance to personally attend to everyone. You’ll soon feel like you’re in your own private class.
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The machine, combined with the add-ons, provides over 500 different exercises, but the core teachings are centred around the Pilates philosophy. A quick instruction at the beginning ensures you know where your ‘neutral’ pelvic position is, and how you need to engage it in order to provide support for your lower back, essential so that the exercises are done safely. The class starts nice and easy and you might be forgiven for thinking that it’s too easy. A couple of squats and bends while holding a long rod and you move easily, smiling to yourself. However this is only the warm up, and it’s only when you sit down and start to engage a combination of the resistance springs, and push away on your sliding seat, or hook your feet through the straps and balance while moving your seat, you start to realise that the class has the potential to work muscles which have been happily dormant for years. Under the instructor’s watchful eye, you start to really use the machine to its full potential. Kneeling, pushing, pulling, stretching, reaching and balancing. The exercises are fun, interesting and keep you focussed as you try to maintain good form and work your core. The pace of the class is comfortable which means the instructor is able to check on everyone at once, you never feel like you’re being left behind or are rushing ahead. When correction is needed, it is done gently, with an emphasis on you getting the most out of the experience. By the end of the class, your body will be tingling and energised. There are three different classes to choose from - ‘Abs and Arms’ (focussing on your core powerhouse and giving your arms definition), ‘Fit and Tone’ (total body workout to shape and tone your body), and ‘Butt and Thighs’ (targeted to give your lower body a power workout). And because each machine can be adjusted to provide an easier or more challenging workout, the class can easily support different fitness levels.
You may have worked up an appetite after all that exercise, so why not head to ‘The Love Kitchen’ and enjoy their delicious spa cuisine. Originally a vegetarian restaurant, its focus shifted in 2009, to a menu that included healthy fish, seafood and chicken dishes. And now a new menu inspired by ‘Absolute Fit Food’ is available. This menu proves that healthy food can be delicious too. Using super foods, whole foods, hormone free chicken and ocean caught fish, the meals are organic, free from chemical nasties, have no trans fats, are high in nutrients and low in calories. The new menu will have signature dishes such as a three bean quinoa salad, Absolute seafood quinoa paella, teriyaki chicken with soba, slim quinoa porridge, and larb salmon. Fitness and healthy eating, both easily achieved at Absolute Sanctuary.
Colleen Setchell
_____________________________________________________ For reservations or further information, telephone 0 7760 1190. www.absolutesanctuary.com
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SAMUI
SAKYAN
Laung Por Yid Wat Nong Jok
Laung Pu Si Tha Ni yo
Ajarn Panthep
Sacred, spiritual tattoos, or 'sak yant' by Ajarn Panthep, who has studied the scripts as well as the art of sak yant for more than 20 years at various temples throughout Thailand. His teachings, along with the sak yant, will help to balance your four elements of earth, wind, fire and water, and therefore lead a more balanced life. It also opens up the body for good luck and happiness, and offers protection. Maenam Bophut
angkna1@youtube.com
146/43 Moo 4 Thongtakien bay, Maret Koh Samui Suratthani 84310 Thailand www.samuisakyan.com, www.spiritbuddha.com Email: samlek1012@windowlive.com, sam-1012@hotmail.co.th Tel: 0 86 9437464, 0 811 739 232
Nathon
Koh Samui
Chaweng Samui Yacht Club
Samui Sakyan
To Lamai
Lamai
Samui welcomes the iconic Japanese brand, Uniqlo, to the island.
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People on Samui have long battled the pros and cons of living on an island. While the benefits are obvious to visitors – sunshine, stunning beaches and a relaxed lifestyle – the disadvantages are perhaps less obvious. While visitors can leave and do their shopping back home, until recently, Samui dwellers had little option when it came to clothes shopping. It was always a case of the two extremes – either mass-produced brand copies from the market stalls, or from the highend local fashion designers. While Samui has some fabulous local designers, their garments are not always suitable for everyday wear, but more likely something for a special occasion. So that meant a trip to Bangkok or Phuket every so often to top up the wardrobe, as contrary to what visitors may think, we don’t all wear bikinis and flip-flops every day! Well thankfully Central Festival Samui opened its doors at the end of March 2014, and a key tenant is the popular brand, Uniqlo. We chatted to the company’s Thai marketing arm to find out a little more about this iconic Japanese label. Uniqlo is a play on words fusing ‘unique’ and ‘clothing’, and the label is a leading global Japanese apparel brand renowned for the uniqueness of its garments. The original Uniqlo philosophy was ‘made for all’ which means that clothes are accessible and affordable. And this year, the ‘made for all’ concept has been extended to encompass ‘Life Wear’.
Uniqlo believes that clothing is one of the four necessities of life, along with food, shelter, and medicine. (OK, I should probably add Wi-Fi in that list somewhere too – right?) ‘Life Wear’ represents clothes that are also uniquely fashionable – yet Life Wear is not fast fashion. Instead, Uniqlo apparel is made for all lifestyles that go beyond age, gender, occupation and ethnicity. Rather, their customers are independent, and the garments are not based on trend-like fast fashion, but provide real functionality. Uniqlo operates an integrated business model under which it designs, manufactures, markets and sells high-quality, casual apparel. The company believes that truly great clothes should be supremely comfortable, feature universal designs, be of a high quality and offer a superb fit to everyone who wears them. So where did this successful brand start? Uniqlo originated in Hiroshima, Japan in 1984, starting from the men’s shop, ‘Ogori Shoji’ which was originally founded in Ube City, in the Yamaguchi region of Japan, in 1949. The company operated under Fast Retailing Co. Ltd., a leading global Japanese retail holding company that designs, manufactures and sells clothing with seven main brands, including Comptoir des Cotonniers, GU, Helmut Lang, J Brand, and Princesse Tam Tam. Fast Retailing is the world’s fourth largest apparel retail company, and Uniqlo is Japan’s leading specialty retailer.
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The first Uniqlo branch in Thailand was opened in September 2011, on the 3rd floor of Central World in Bangkok – also part of the Central group that has brought Central Festival to Samui. Uniqlo’s Samui store, launched in March 2014, is the 18th store in Thailand, and was opened to respond to a vibrant local island customer base, as well as local and international tourists. While classic basics form the core of the stock, new ranges are frequently being introduced to the shelves, so it’s worthwhile popping your head in to Uniqlo whenever you’re at Central Festival to see what’s new. Worthy of a mention is the ‘AIRism’ range of innerwear, where comfort and functionality are keys. The range includes a variety of vests and tees for both men and women, and garments are made with a unique high-tech fabric that boasts special features. Firstly, there’s greater stretchiness, which allows the garment to hug and move with the body, without feeling tight. It also quickly wicks away perspiration, and also eliminates odours with its antibacterial qualities. The fabric breathes easily,
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2 Sp dis 0% a cou tr ea nt tm en ts on
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
keeping the wearer comfortable and dry, and is so smooth, you’ll forget you’re wearing it. So with great innerwear, a wide range of wardrobe basics, as well as eye-catching pieces to complement them, it’s no wonder Uniqlo is popular worldwide, and a welcome addition to the Samui clothing scene.
Rosanne Turner
Fine gold and silver jewelry manufacturer with diamonds, precious stones (ruby, sapphire, emerald, etc.) semi-precious stones (blue topaz, amethyst, tsavolite, aquamarine, etc.) and pearls (cultured and South Sea pearls - Tahitian pearls) Tailor-made with modern designs. We also offer professional wood carvings, paintings and local souvenirs. Most competitive prices and best quality on Samui. Open for more than 25 years, we are the largest retailer and producer on the island. All our pieces come with certificate of authenticity.
_________________________________________ For further information, visit www.uniqlo.com/th.
Samui Lapidary, Maenam, Koh Samui Free transport service. Open daily 09.00 - 18.00. Tel: 0 7724 7845-6 Email: samuilapidary@hotmail.com www.samuilapidary.com
Осуществляем бесплатный трансфер ежедневно с 9.30 до 18.00.
STAND-UP
PADDLEBOARDING Have fun and get fit with Naish SUP Samui.
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Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is an up and coming sport that is catching on in a major way around the world. Its history dates back to the 1950’s, when surf instructors in Hawaii used to stand up and paddle out to the surf break using their regular surfboards and a paddle. Standing on their boards provided them with better visibility of their training group. You’ve probably seen people on them around Samui and perhaps also even seen them doing yoga out at sea, but we’ll come to that in a bit.
The fitness aspect of stand-up paddleboarding can’t be avoided. As well as being fun and relaxing, you are getting a free full-body workout, and the board has become a popular platform for yoga lovers the world over. Successfully holding a yoga pose is challenging enough on a mat that isn’t moving, so imagine what that’s like on a board with moving water underneath! You’ll definitely use muscles on the board that you wouldn’t need when you’re on terra firma.
The sport has taken less than ten years to spread from the sea to nearly every body of water imaginable. Because you don’t need waves, the sport can be enjoyed on lakes, large rivers and canals. Some are brave enough to tackle river rapids or ride regular waves, all while standing. And because you’re standing up, you can enjoy a much better view of your surroundings. Around Thailand, you can easily navigate to nearby islands using one.
So how do you get started? Well, you’ll need a board, and the size of the board will be based on your weight and experience. Depending on where you’ll be doing it, some sort of life jacket might also be useful. Most importantly, you’ll need to make sure you dress for the conditions, and remember to wear sunscreen and sunglasses, because the reflection on the water will burn quicker than you think.
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It’s gaining in popularity almost daily, and is currently one of the fastest growing water activities in the world. It’s now even become a competitive sport, and the first Stand-up World Series races were held in Hawaii, in September 2012, and won by Kai Lenny. But the first race (seven miles in length) was held as far back as 2007, on the north shore of Lake Tahoe in California. There were 34 competitors, both men and women, from Lake Tahoe, Santa Cruz and San Diego, and the event turned out to be the beginning of the Ta-Hoe Nalu paddle festival. 2012 marked its sixth year, and it now draws over 4,000 spectators and 400 competitors. So you’ll probably be asking by now, how do you actually balance? Here are some tips. Your feet should be parallel, about hip-width apart. Keep your toes pointing forward, your knees bent slightly (this makes balancing easier) and your back straight, not hunched. Shift your weight on the board by moving your hips rather than your head. Try not to keep looking at your feet and keep only one hand on the paddle shaft, the other should be placed on the top end. Remember all this and you’ll look (and feel) like a pro.
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Okay, so we’ve convinced you to give it a try. Where can you go on Samui to test out your balancing skills? Naish SUP Samui is both a rental venue and SUP school. They are located on the beach at O.P. Bungalows in North Chaweng. It’s an ideal spot for stand-up paddleboarding as there are two islands nearby within easy paddle reach, and if you’re feeling brave or are experienced enough you can even go snorkelling or fishing from your board. Naish have two boards available. The ‘Mana’ board is wider and therefore more stable, so is better suited to beginners, SUP yoga and the odd spot of fishing. The ‘Nalu’ board is taller and thinner which makes it faster and therefore ideal for the more experienced paddler, and those wanting to paddle longer distances.They offer a delivery service to your hotel or villa too, and if you rent the board for three or more days, then delivery is free. How long can you rent the boards for? Well, however long you want.
If you’re not feeling brave enough to tackle your new hobby on your own, they also offer lessons. Starting on firm ground, you’ll first learn some basics on the beach, including safety procedures. Next, you’ll head onto the water, where you’ll learn about specific weather and sea conditions and how to avoid injury or tiredness. Depending on how you’re progressing, you’ll also be taught how to catch and ride waves (depending on availability, of course. Samui is not known for its raging surf). You can be assured that their classes are a good combination of learning and fun. And if you fall, so what? Isn’t that what life is about? Falling is okay, as long as you get back up and try again.
Colleen Setchell
_____________________________________________ For further information, telephone 0 869 477 233. www.naishsupsamui.com
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CHEF’S DINNER SPECIALS “An epicuriean experience one should not miss”
Stephen Jean Dion, Executive Chef Overseeing the culinary team at Hansar Samui, Chef Stephen began his culinary career at Les Halles in Quebec, one of the most outstanding independent restaurants in Canada. A unique opportunity to be the Private Chef to the King of Jordan became a turning point in his career and he spent two years catering for the Royal Family. Stephen spent the next five years at Lebua at State Tower Bangkok. Within a few years became the Executive Chef at Sirocco restaurant. At our beachfront H Bistro Restaurant, Stephen has created a unique epicurean experience for guests where they appreciate the authentic taste of French Mediterranean Cuisine, in addition to a Thai menu.
H-BISTRO at HANSAR SAMUI RESORT & SPA W | www.hansarsamui.com T | 077-245-511
KAYAKING Explore the caves and beaches of the Angthong National Marine Park Offices located behind Bondi Pub in central Chaweng and on Chaweng Lake Road opposite Lake View For reservations please call 0 7730 0615 or 0 878 866 097
www.bluestars.info
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EAT, SIP, DANCE, REPEAT Great tunes and great food at KC Beach Club.
A fine Saturday afternoon is when you amble along Chaweng Beach, magnetically drawn towards funky music, and land at a swell pool party around stylishly built white villas. This happening place is the well-known, KC Beach Club, on Chaweng Beach Road. Listening to resident DJ Paolo Bardelli spinning tunes you’ve never heard before, is a treat to one’s ears. This Italian DJ is one to sway to. Call it deep house or new disco, the tunes will keep you grooving all afternoon. DJ Paolo started playing at KC in March 2013. If you miss him on a Saturday, you can always catch him on weekdays enjoying good groove and deep bass. But you will definitely find yourself visiting KC on Saturdays and weekdays. For his part, DJ Paolo revels in the aura of the beach club - the crowd and its energy. “When I find out the crowd’s back to listen to my set, it’s flattering and keeps me motivated.” says Paolo, who’s more than impressed with the quality of crowd that turns up at KC. But ask him if he enjoys ‘commercial’ music and he replies, “I prefer to use the word ‘pop’ to ‘commercial’. I don’t play pop music although I like artists like Madonna. Four out of five music producers today play commercial music for the purpose of sales. Often, people confuse a few well-known tracks with commercial music. For example, Madonna’s ‘The Return’ is a great track. She is a pop artist and her track is global. All pop music isn’t bad, after all. Moreover, the arrangement itself plays an important role in holding the listener’s attention.” Paolo isn’t afraid of playing unusual tracks. He experiments and sways his listeners through a refreshing breeze of groovy numbers. Being unique isn’t new to Paolo. This has been his style throughout 33 years of DJ-ing. It’s one of the main reasons DJ Paolo enjoys playing at KC Beach Club—there’s freedom to experiment with new tunes.
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Paolo has worked mainly in Europe, and relates to the music culture there. Yet surprisingly, he didn’t find it too hard to adjust his tunes to regale the crowd on Samui. Italy and Thailand have crowds grooving to similar tunes, and he’s glad the people on the island understand his work. He believes the vibrancy of the people is better on the island because of its diversity. At the same time, the diversity itself is quite challenging for a DJ. Although Paolo is flexible, he doesn’t compromise on his music. This seems to be KC’s policy too. They take pride in their ‘un-shazamable’ tunes! Despite working across Europe and in the United States, he doesn’t enjoy travelling so much and prefers living in one place, so that he can familiarise his tunes to the crowd. This way he remains true to himself and true to the place too. Some of Paolo’s achievements are playing for gay pride in Phuket in 2006, and at top events in Milan between 2001 and 2010. He also worked for two wellknown radio stations from 1986 to 1994.
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Tiny Steps Nursery and Pre-School Tiny Steps Nursery and Pre-School is committed to providing a warm, safe, secure, friendly and fun environment for children 2-6 years old. Activity led structured learning 500 metres off Samui Ring Road near Bophut traffic light
Tel: 0 7742 6941, www.samuitinysteps.com
Samui Discover authentic Indian Cuisine
You’ll find a great range of high quality music from deep house to funk, electro funk and soul at KC Beach Club. You may even find yourself grooving to a twenty-year-old track, carefully curated by Paolo, befittingly going with the latest club music. At KC Beach Club, the music starts at midday, and winds down at 7:00 pm. They like to keep it mellow after seven for that romantic dining experience. Guests can have their moment of peace and savour their evenings free of loud music. Once a month they have special events from noon to midnight and beyond. Every event is a unique production featuring dancers, musicians and other artists. The themes of the parties range from ‘Rocky Horror Show’ to ‘The Great Beauty’ - people see a completely metamorphosed venue during these events - be it the clothes, makeup or, for that matter, the music. These productions are indeed special, and when the party ends, you may find it difficult to call it a day - or night.
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
If you’re looking for music during the day in Chaweng, there aren’t many places like the 5-star KC Beach Club. Every Saturday, they have a pool party concept, a sundowner that goes on till 7:00 pm and their Sundays are more relaxed with chill lounge music. And with Neo restaurant taking care of your dining needs, the quality of the food, music and crowd blend and complement each other perfectly. Amongst other delights on the menu, they offer the best hamburgers in Chaweng. The juicy crab hamburgers will never disappoint you!
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The restaurant where every evening becomes a memorable occasion.
For reservations please contact: Anantara Bophut Resort & Spa, Koh Samui Tel: +66 (0) 77 428 300 Email: bophutsamui@anantara.com Skype: bophutsamui
SCL International School
International Education from Pre-school to Secondary Educating the Mind Nurturing the Soul
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
Two visits are all it takes for Uri, the affable club manager to get to know you by name. He welcomes everyone with hugs, and his infectious spirit along with the forever willing-to-help staff, will keep you smiling through the day and into the evening. The hospitality at KC Beach Club is genial, it is disarming -- you’ll be out of your stranger coat in minutes. Couldn’t get more exciting than this, could it?
Charisma Bharadwaj
___________________________________________________ For reservations or further information, telephone 0 7791 5155. www.kcbeachclub.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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Sak Yant The ancient mystical tattoos of Thailand. The art of tattooing is a heritage common to most indigenous cultures. This used to be performed with meaning—the spirit of which remained sacred. This sacred tattooing is called ‘sak yant’ in Thailand. The name originates from the ancient term ‘yantra’. Yantra in Thai would be yant, while sak refers to tattooing. The practice originates from parts of Cambodia and India, but it seems to be an endangered art form in those countries today. However, the Buddhist monks in Thailand have been practicing sak yant for years. This vibrant culture is usually passed on from sak yant ajarns (teachers) to their disciples. It’s believed that as the ink is etched deep into the skin, deep relationships are formed between the master and the disciple, and the master passes on his powers and wisdom to his followers. The practice involves attaining knowledge on the teachings of Buddha, which are believed to be 2,600 years old.
Ajarn Panthep talks about the six ayatanas (sense spheres) - eyes, nose, tongue, ear, mind and body, the importance of which are emphasized in Buddhism. “This opens one’s mind,” explains Khun Lek, Ajarn Panthep’s partner and translator. “Ajarn teaches people to forgive, apologise and be grateful. We often forget to say ‘sorry’ and ‘thank you’. Ajarn reminds people to understand the importance of compassion.”
Sak yant is traditionally performed with a long bamboo stick sharpened to a point (called a mai sak) or alternatively with a long metal spike (called a khem sak). The designs and patterns are influenced by the language and cultural history of the region. They often incorporate the Lanna script of Northern Thailand, or the Tai Lu script, along with the traditional patterns. However the Khmer script from Cambodia seems to be the most common script used. They say various masters have contributed to these designs and patterns over the centuries, through visions received during their meditation and practice. Sak yant is often used to heal, cure and overcome negative energy. And for this one needs to get it done in the right way by the right person. Ajarn Panthep Phruekthara, is one such well-known sak yant practitioner who can guide you through this mystical process. He provides some insight on the preachings. “We often forget what’s good for life and for us. We must all understand in depth the importance of the five elements of nature - earth, wind, fire, water and space. Feelings are just like the elements – sometimes like water, at times like fire. They change constantly.”
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People from forty countries, including Canada, France, Japan, and India, have visited him to consult. Although the tradition of sak yant is growing fast among the youth, you find people of all age groups at Ajarn Panthep’s ‘Samui Sak Yant’ in Lamai, close to Samui Yacht Club. “Following this form of sacred art without understanding its roots or its historic relevance can be futile. Ajarn Panthep guides you in the right direction.” says Khun Lek. Sak yant isn’t just about inking, but more importantly indulging in meditation and appreciating the teachings. Not everyone understands this. “All powers lie within us, and Ajarn helps you seek these powers by helping you get in touch with your inner self.” And how is this done? In the first sitting, Ajarn explains the value of sak yant with Buddhist teachings. This usually takes one hour but for those who don’t find clarity, Ajarn doesn’t mind spending a couple more hours explaining and teaching further. Whether or not they choose to do sak yant later, Ajarn wishes wellness, good health and energy for all, and he passes on the blessings of his teachers through meditation. “Ajarn doesn’t expect anyone to pay for the offerings. He chants the
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!
mantra and the prayers on behalf of his visitors and followers.” One doesn’t have to chant along with him. He places the picture in front of you and passes on his powers and healing. The language Ajarn Panthep uses is 2,000 years old, and there’s no school where you can learn it. “We just must follow the monks for their teachings. That doesn’t mean all monks understand this. One language is the name of the Buddha. One yant has many languages and many names of Buddha.” she adds. The smaller designs take about an hour and the bigger ones take 2-3 hours to finish. “People ask why we take so long when they can get the same art done elsewhere within ten minutes. This is because Ajarn follows the right method - the four sacred steps. He believes in making it meaningful.” explains Khun Lek. The four steps are as follows: 1. Thanking elders, parents, the big Buddha, all the teachers and gods. 2. Offering flowers as a tradition and for respect. 3. Sak yant. 4. Meditating -- The traditional mask ritual is done as a blessing for contentment. The protection with the mask can be done any time any number of times. Those who are interested in Buddhism or learning Buddhist philosophy can go to Teepankhon, a temple situated on top of the mountain in Lamai. Samui Sak Yant doesn’t charge you any fee for this, as Ajarn Panthep believes in passing on knowledge for a cause. “Each individual is different from the other - the elements of nature consist in different proportions in every soul. Ajarn chooses the right design for everyone by learning their element, through their birth date.” says Khun Lek. “We use the money for donations-- to the temple and the 112 l www.samuiholiday.com
underprivileged. We serve food to the poor and help those who are affected by cancer, for example. Also, many offerings are made to the monks.” There is one ancient design that Ajarn Panthep adapts in most of his work. This design was passed on to him by his master, and is 100 years old. This sacred pattern sets him apart from others who follow sak yant. “Every morning Ajarn prays for everyone who’s visited him. We are all connected together through the energy and prayers of Ajarn with blessings of Buddha,” explains Khun Lek. Ajarn Panthep and Khun Lek place great importance on the yin-yang philosophy. Buddha doesn’t follow a religion. The actual teachings of Buddha aren’t a religion. It’s about being aware of our strengths and weaknesses, and work on bettering the mind by working towards becoming better individuals. You may be just married and on your honeymoon, or just about to begin a new job, or experiencing a new change in life, or having new beginnings - this is the ideal time for sak yant.
Charisma Bharadwaj
_____________________________________________ For further information, telephone 0 869 437 464. www.samuisakyan.com
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NARAI KIRI RESIDENCES
KOH SAMUI
QUADROPHENIA
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Quad bikes add a whole new dimension to heading off-road on Samui. Sun, sand and sea are the main reasons we’re all here. But when end-to-end sun-cream and lazing-about begins to drag, there are two choices. You can get off the island on a boat trip or a diving jaunt. Or you can go cross the ‘great divide’ – otherwise known as the ring-road. And, yes, there is life on the other side! This essentially falls into two categories. Calm and tranquil daytrips for the serene-at-heart – plodding about on an elephant, temple tours or visiting a waterfall – things like this. Or you can opt for something that involves a bit more activity. There are actually a great many things to do on Samui, and most of them are neatly contained in a rack of leaflets and brochures, which are usually found near the reception desk of every resort. These tour operators are well-organised and reputable, and this is the most efficient way to get out and about on excursions. Plus they’ll include a pick-up from your resort and (of course) a return when you’ve finished. Sightseeing is one thing. But if you’re really up for a bit of activity (and a lot of fun!) then keep an eye out for ‘ATV Jungle Safari’. ATVs, all-terrain vehicles, quad bikes – whatever you want to call them – these are . . . well, 4-wheel motorbikes, and
you’ve no doubt seen them before. They have the advantage of being comparatively stable, and lend themselves perfectly to the less-than-level conditions of the dirt tracks that are everywhere on Samui, once you move away from the main concrete strips. They’re really good fun, you’ll be under constant supervision, and any competent teenagers (with parents, of course) will quickly be able to manage them. Plus they range in power from 125 ccs to 450 ccs. But a word of caution here before I go any further. If you are anything like me, one of the first things you’ll do when pondering on any new resort/restaurant/venue/tour will be to Google it. It’s instant info and opinions – all hail to the great god of the internet. Unfortunately, not all gods are perfect. And it’s a constant frustration to read reports that make you want to go “. . . yes, great, I’ll have some of that!” and then notice the item is dated four years ago. If you Google ‘quad bikes Samui’, there’s all sorts of stuff. You’ll read about being able to rent quad bikes, or beach buggies, like you can a car or scooter. Well, the bottom line is that you can’t take most of these out on the public roads. It’s not only illegal, but you won’t have any insurance either.
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By far the longest-established quad-bike outfit on the island is Samui Quad Motor. They started life with just seven quads, back in 2001, and owner/director, Rick, today has more than 40 quad bikes on site. “I’m a mechanic by profession,” Rick told me, “and so I keep a close eye on the maintenance schedules. These are very capably put into place by my chief mechanic and site manager, Khun Suthep, who’s been handling this side of things for a very a long time now. But the well-being and safety of our customers is the priority. And I’ve got three mechanics here working more or less full-time, as well as the four trip guides.” There are two runs each day, with a hotel pickup being part of the package. “We don’t have any idea who is coming in,” Rick continued. “We might have two families with kids, a couple of adventurous female backpackers, and a stag party. (Note: this is one of the best outings for the fellas if you’re getting married here.) But the usual number is around a dozen each time. Everyone sets off in a line together, with three guides riding along on Moto-Cross bikes. After only a few minutes, these guys are experienced enough to spot who is struggling or who needs help. A guide might sometimes just abandon his bike and sit-in alongside an inexperienced rider. The procession stops for a moment and is rearranged, usually into two new groups. The experienced riders might then head onto a more challenging trail, whereas the others are taken 116 l www.samuiholiday.com
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
ď Ź
Fax: 66 (0) 77 448999
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Email: info.kohsamui@impiana.com
Enjoy the beauty of the underwater world the easy way. Seawalking is the newest and most innovative attraction to hit Koh Samui. 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
somewhere less demanding. There’s always a leader on a Moto-Cross bike, and he’s in walkie-talkie contact with us at the base. We’ve learned by experience that this approach is the best.” Samui Quads are based on Soi 1 in Maenam. Looking at a map you’ll see the concrete strip of the main ring-road running all the way through Maenam and along the north coast. Every now and then there’s another side-road running off this at right angles inland; Soi 1, Soi 2, Soi 3 and so on, right up to Soi 7. What isn’t obvious (unless you look carefully at Google Maps) is that there are many little dirt roads that run parallel to the ring-road, and it’s these off-road cross-country routes that you’ll be taking advantage of. The quad tours head off
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from Soi 1 towards Soi 5 (via several possible back-trail routes), then stop at the very pleasant waterfall there for a break and refreshments, before heading back again on a different trail. It’s a two-hour journey, it demands your attention without being intense, and it’s some of the best fun to be had on the island, whichever way you look at it. Rick’s been here for quite a while now and he’s not just a businessman out for your cash. He and his wife, Khun Nan, have become a part of the local community, and when it’s low season use the quads to clear the paths of fallen trees – he was even on call with the recent Samui Triathlon to go where normal ambulances or cars couldn’t go. He’s an upfront guy and will make you not only
at Akyra Chura Resort open noon - 22.00h reservation 077 915 100 www.theakyra.com www.facebook.com/Theakra
Magic Alambic Rum Distillery on Samui
feel safe, but welcome, too. In fact – you could even say he’s a bit of a quadrophenic! Choeng Mon
Rob De Wet
____________________________________________ For further information, call Rick on 0 848 426 081.
Pure alcohol made from a selection of fine fruits and sugarcane brewed French-style. Visit our Garden Bar for tasting and buy some bottles of rum. Tel: 0 91 816 7416, 0 7741 9023 E-mail: ludovic.trantoul@gmail.com www.rhumdistillerie.com
Nathon
Taling Ngam
Koh Samui Magic Alambic
Baan Thale Baan Bang Kao
SCL International School’s motto of ‘Educating the mind, nurturing the soul’ is having a positive effect on its pupils. SCL International School offers a home-from-home approach to its pupils, creating an environment which allows students to grow at their own pace, and achieve their own targets. On entering the school grounds, the first impression is of happy children. It’s an accepted fact that happy children learn better, and SCL has created a safe and secure learning environment. School Director, Emma Dyas, has lived in Thailand, and worked in education, for the last decade, and became a partner in SCL in 2005, not long after the school first opened. Emma lives on Samui with her husband and their three children; Ellora, Anya and Max – all of whom attend SCL – a testament to Emma’s faith in the school. She’s passionate about the school, as are the highly qualified teachers she’s personally selected. Emma explains, “I absolutely love how SCL has developed over the years. We have held fast to the original vision: to provide a safe and nurturing environment where children are free to express themselves, whilst receiving a high quality education. The children are exactly where they should be; at the centre of all our efforts. All the staff members we have here are amazing and I’m absolutely confident in saying each and every one of them genuinely loves what they do. As the director of SCL I
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couldn’t feel happier that the vision we had all those years ago has become a reality. As a parent with her children in SCL, I feel lucky my children get to come to such a great school.” Recently, SCL was visited by Khun Wannasarn Worakit, from ONESQA (Office of National Education Standards and Quality Assessments), which is a Thailand-based assessment body. His four-day assessment visit thoroughly inspected every aspect of the school, and SCL impressed him on all levels. Khun Wannasarn highly commended Emma and her team on the school’s Thai language and culture department, mentioning that SCL focused more strongly on this than many other international schools he has visited. Rather than having their foreign learners living in a ‘bubble’ so to speak, SCL promotes Thai culture in order to develop students who are open-minded, broad-minded and accepting of others – creating ‘global citizens’, a buzzword in education. All too often, expat children aren’t exposed to the local culture and therefore don’t benefit as much as they could from the experience of living abroad.
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Emma explains that the ethos of the school is to provide a safe yet stimulating learning environment, following a UK based program, taught by well qualified and experienced staff, who enable all the children of SCL to fulfil their potential. They do this by providing a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum, as well as opportunities for each child to be the best that they can be. Teachers see an individual child’s potential rather than their limits. They assist each child to become a self-sufficient decision maker, and promote inquisitive minds. The school places a strong emphasis and value on social and emotional development, and opens the channels between home and school life. Aside from the Thai department, another department that is highly commended at SCL is their EAL (English as an Additional Language) division. A team of nine teachers not only offer one-to-one lessons with pupils who are not native English speakers, but also offer in-class assistance, taking the pressure off the class teacher. This department has evolved from being only English support to general support for any children who need it in a particular subject, including mathematics. SCL incorporates target groups as well as individual plans for each child, and offers booster support programs – and best yet, there’s no additional charge for children in need of extra support.
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
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
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Because of the school’s assisted learning department, SCL has caught the attention of parents with special needs children, and the school now has several such pupils. This has led Emma to employ teachers for the assisted learning department who are trained to work with special needs children. Their goal is not only to fulfil the potential of these children, but also integrate them into the mainstream classroom situation. Emma is exceptionally proud of the school’s success in this, and they’ve seen children blossom within the program, reaching capabilities, which even their parents thought impossible. SCL and its pupils are committed to helping the local community and their current charity is a fund for the Nathon Hospital. The aim is to redecorate the maternity ward, so that new Samui arrivals are born into a bright and cheerful world. Funds raised have also been spent on new equipment as well as hot shower facilities for mums-to-be. The Student Council has set up its own business, and the initial capital was raised by selling tickets to a Halloween party, held at the school. This money bought equipment such as a juicer and a blender, to open a ‘Shake Shack’, selling fresh fruit shakes at the end of the school day to pupils and parents. Money made from the sale of shakes goes not only to maintaining the business, but all profits go to the hospital fund, and the children have raised 32,000 baht this year from the Shake Shack alone. Together with other fundraisers, the school has donated over 100,000 baht this year to the hospital. Another charity close to Emma’s heart and sponsored by the school is an orphanage in Burma, run by monks. So far, they’ve bought two laptop computers for them – now used by children who had never experienced technology before, with the aim of empowering them with not only knowledge, but also skills for future employment opportunities.
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Chatting to Emma, her passion for the school, education and the local Samui community is obvious. She expects no less from her teachers, and all are fully qualified and have had background checks under the Child Protection Act. Working conditions at SCL are great, according to the teachers, and a happy teacher means a happy child. And after all, isn’t that what we all want for our children, to be happy, healthy and welleducated?
Rosanne Turner
__________________________________________ For further information, telephone 0 7741 8789. www.sclinternationalschool.com
This is the original health destination on Koh Samui offering only the best Vegetarian, Raw and Healthy Thai Food. Listed as one of the 50 best restaurants in the world. Over 17 years serving the freshest mouthwatering healthy food. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Daily @ both locations 7:00 am until 9:30 pm. Radiance is a part of The Spa Resorts.
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SAUCY
SALSA
The sultry sounds of salsa can be heard around Samui. Talitha Elmendorp tells us what it’s all about. Salsa dancing may not be the first thing that springs to mind when thinking of activities on a Thai island. So, we chatted to Talitha Elmendorp to find out a little more about this trend that’s steadily growing on Samui. Firstly, for those not in the know, here’s a little background on salsa dancing and music, as explained by Talitha. “Latin social dancing is now one of the most popular dance styles all over the world, and is taking Asia by storm. It’s passionate, fun, interactive and great for socialising. Salsa music and dance, is known as a characteristic part of Latin Caribbean and Latin American culture, but has become more widespread as Latinos have migrated to other parts of the world. Salsa dancing has now evolved to a verified form of art, and there are many known sub-styles.” Talitha founded Latin dance on Samui about six years ago, after having studied dance back home in the Netherlands. Her family background is Dutch, Chinese and Indonesian, but besides speaking Dutch and Indonesian, she’s also fluent in Spanish. She began performing at 16 years of age with a hip-hop dance crew, and her first encounter with Latin music and dance was in The Dominican Republic, some 16 years ago. As Talitha explains, “After moving to Samui nine years ago, I missed the Latin social dance culture and found myself quickly getting bored with the mainstream ‘house and pop music’ and ‘lonely’ free style dance in the clubs. I wanted something more challenging, passionate, engaging and interactive. When I hear Latin music I can’t help but start to move. Since no one else was able to dance Salsa on Samui at the time, I started to teach it to a handful of individuals, simply so I could have a fun time dancing and listening to my favourite music. From there it took off, and more people became interested in finding out about Latin dance and taking classes.”
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Currently, Talitha is the main organiser of Latin dance parties and events on the island, and she’s the first to introduce celebrity and guest instructors from abroad and other parts of Thailand. She enthusiastically explains, “Recently, I’ve introduced, celebrity world DJ, Henry Knowles (from New York and Puerto Rico), who has played a significant part in the Latin music and dance industry, as well as being one of the pioneers of salsa DJs. Henry also has a long history of having produced events in New York, and has also produced recordings, which include one Grammy nomination, and has worked with the most influential top Latin music artists and performers, such as Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony.”
At a typical salsa dance party event you could expect to find some or all of the following elements: A free or paid beginner’s workshop, free dancing, usually featuring a DJ and/or a live band. You’ll also find line dancing with a dance instructor who’ll demonstrate the moves, which you can follow – also known as ‘animating’. Some zumba routines and dance performances are added at times to make it more fun. As Talitha says, “Salsa is popular on Samui for the same reason it’s popular all over the world. It’s fun, it’s spicy, and it’s a great avenue for socialising as well as meeting and interacting with new people. It’s different from the mainstream disco parties, as it’s something new and refreshing. The music is incredibly catchy and you feel compelled to move as soon as you hear it. The dance is challenging, yet very engaging and you can’t help but get hooked on it.”
Right, so if you fancy trying out a little hip swaying, where can you go? Well, you’ll find weekly classes and social dance parties on offer to Samui locals and visitors, and the Samui Salsa website will offer the most recent information. Beginners are more than welcome to attend the social parties and take the beginners’ dance class sessions.
Leeta, as she’s known by friends and those in the salsa circle, still offers beginners’ courses in salsa and bachata as well as zumba fitness sessions and hip-hop classes. For the future, Leeta has some great plans in store for ‘Salsa Samui’, including holiday packages for Latin dancers, more high quality dance workshops by star instructors and a collaboration with the ‘Tango Samui’ dance community, as well as introducing other
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...living by the sea... Ease yourself to the sound of gently lapping waves and enjoy the breath-taking sea views. Savor Mediterranean bistro culinary delights & modern Thai specialties, for a unique beachfront dining experience.
Peace Resort 178, Moo 1, Bophut Beach Koh Samui, Suratthani 84320 Thailand Tel: +66 77 425357 | Fax: +66 77 425343 www.peaceresort.com | seawrap@peaceresort.com
Le Jaroen “A Secret World”
Probably the most enchanting restaurant on the island for an unforgettable romantic evening. Induldge your senses with an exquisite 5 course Chef’s Signature Menu or 4 course Thai Degustation Menu.
star entertainers, musicians and performers. “The biggest complaint I receive from Samui residents is that there’s a lack of quality entertainment and cultural influences. I would like to make a difference and bring a new influx of inspiration to our ever-improving paradise island”, says Talitha. And she seems to be doing that one beat at a time.
Rosanne Turner
___________________________________________ For further information, telephone 0 836 330 365. www.salsasamui.com.
S ECRET R E T R E AT S
Tel +66 (0)77 962 198 info@thescenthotel.com www.thescenthotel.com The Scent Hotel 58/1 Moo 4 Bangrak Beach, Bophut, Koh Samui, Suratthani 84320, Thailand
WORD OF MOUTH Why everyone seems to be talking about weddings at Nora Buri Resort!
A few years ago, hardly anyone did it. Then it started to catch on. And today, coming to Samui to get married is top of the pops. The reasons for this are wellknown. It’s not only romantic, but it’s financially sound, too. But, whatever the reasons, every year more than one thousand happy couples make their vows on our little island. Which rather makes me wonder – just how do they know where to go? Of course, with the internet being a central part of all our lives, it’s not so hard to research the subject. But the ease of access to all this info is both a good thing and a bad. Sure, it lets you examine all the resorts and independent companies offering their services. But the downside is that there are so many of them – just how do you choose? Nobody wants to take potluck. And so you undoubtedly do what we all do at times like this; you ask around.
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Of course, you’ve been here before; that’s why you want to come here to tie the knot. And so you not only talk to people, you listen, too. And the best way to do this is by hooking back on to the internet again, but this time onto TripAdvisor. This is the one place where you really can listen to what people have to say, both the good and the bad. It paints a big broad picture. And not only that, it makes you aware of lots of things that you hadn’t considered. Aspects of customer service, for instance. Extra facilities. Management staff being constantly accessible. And in all these respects one name appears again and again. And that name is ‘Nora Buri’. The Nora Group have established an excellent reputation on the island, beginning with the first of the group’s resorts, Nora Beach Resort & Spa in Chaweng. Then they added another two resorts along the way before creating their 5-star flagship, Nora Buri. Just a short way north of central Chaweng, it’s
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effectively in two sections, with one area on the slope down towards the beach, land-marked by the dramatically designed ‘The Barge’ restaurant, and with the sumptuous main part of the resort on the opposite side of the road, stretching in terraces up the hill. The facilities here are just what you’d expect of a 5-star resort. There are several swimming pools, the fitness centre is excellent and the spa is first class. The dining experience is outstanding, spanning the diversity of genres from beach buffets to air-conditioned fine dining, with several variations in between. All of this, and more, you’ll see laid out on their very attractive website. You’ll also see a section on the wedding services they offer, too. But Nora has one of the very few resort websites that takes this one step further. And so professional and extensive is their wedding program, that they have a separate website that’s dedicated to this aspect alone.
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Michelle Suwannasri is the group’s full-time wedding planner. “Some of the things we offer are unique,” she told me, “and we also have the expertise which comes from the fact that we’ve been arranging weddings for a very long time now. One of the more obvious aspects is the setting. We have a large lawned area that’s right on the edge of the beach. Everyone wants the picture-postcard beauty of a tropical beach setting. But photos here, with the green lawn, the sand and the sea, are so much more attractive. Another important thing is that we deploy all the resort’s departmental heads on each of our weddings; even the general manager is present. Our motto is ‘wedding creations beyond your imagination’,” Michelle added. “Whatever you can think of, we’ll make it even better still!”
The process of setting this all rolling comes initially from an email enquiry. In the first instance, it’s normally just a few lines setting out the date and number of guests. And then this will escalate, becoming more detailed as a mutual commitment becomes established. There are three basic wedding styles here at Nora Buri Western, Thai, and a ceremony which combines elements of both. But within these boundaries are other almost endless aspects. As well as the more direct choices of corsage, flowers and colour-keying, the facilities at Nora allow options of included spa packages, private beach dinners and even the planting of a dedicated love tree. Another element that’s unique to the Nora group is the flexibility that comes from interlinked resorts. It’s quite possible, for example, for guests to actually stay at the 4-star Nora Beach Resort, in Chaweng, thus maximising the
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cost-effectiveness. Indeed, if it’s requested, the group has two budget hotels also for wedding guests. And this option includes a complimentary shuttle service between resorts. This aspect is appealing: it means that guests can mix-andmatch between the more energetic atmosphere of Chaweng and the tranquillity of the neardeserted bay of Nora Buri, just around the corner. But I think that the bottom line with the Nora Group is something that all wedding operators pay lip service to but sometimes don’t put into practice – a prompt response and a personal service. Michelle is keen to respond to emails within 24 hours and to answer enquiries in detail. Considerations such as the photography or the catering can take many forms, and she’ll go through the options with you, securing a videographer as well as a stills photographer, for
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. Tuck into a superb selection of all you can eat grilled seafood and meats, prepared just for you, complemented by large salad bar. CHAWENG BEACH : OPPOSITE CENTARA GRAND BEACH RESORT SAMUI T : 077 230 500-10 | E : zicos@chr.co.th Open daily : Bar 17.00 - 01.00 hrs., Restaurant 18.00 - 23.00 hrs. WWW.CEN TARAHOTELSRESORTS.C OM
example, or designing a full Indian meal, if required. On occasion, she’s even arranged for the groom to arrive across the sand on a dune buggy, or come through the resort on the back of an elephant! Nora Buri takes its wedding seriously. At the time of writing there were already 65 bookings in place for this year, another 24 for 2015 and even one lined up for 2016. There’s a full team in place to provide the professional interaction that they have become known for, and a wide choice of options, including different levels of accommodation. Under the circumstances and with their assets and involvement, is it any wonder that everyone’s talking about weddings at Nora Buri?
Rob De Wet
_________________________________________ For further information, telephone 0 7791 3555. www.noraweddings.com
MAGICAL NAMUANG
If you’re up for a hike, you’ll be rewarded by the 80 metre high Namuang waterfall. In Buddhism, waterfalls symbolise the fact that we are always moving. Water symbolises purity, clarity and calmness, and reminds us to cleanse our minds to attain a state of purity. Maybe that’s why it’s not just tourists who flock to the waterfalls on Samui. Namuang Falls are a majestic set of two waterfalls off route 4169, between Nathon and Hua Thanon. From Nathon, drive south for roughly 11 kilometres until you see the signed entrance to the falls. The park entrance sits about one kilometre up this road. The first waterfall is just a short walk away, but if you want to see the second one you’ll have to negotiate a rather more challenging 30 minute hike. Once you’ve seen this beautiful oasis, you’ll see that Samui has more to offer than just beautiful beaches.
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The name ‘Namuang’ translates to ‘purple’ in English, and refers to the striking purple colour of the rocks that form the stunning backdrop to these waterfalls. There are a few other pathways to hike along, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find some spectacular rock formations here too, so remember to pack your camera. The first waterfall called Namuang 1 and is around 18 metres high. Just follow the natural pathway and steps to the base of the falls. It flows into a large pool, and the icy cold water is always perfect for a swim on a hot day. Do watch out for hidden rocks while swimming and don’t jump into the water just in case they make themselves known to the bottom of your feet. Once you’ve enjoyed your swim and cooled off, you can prepare yourself for the 30 minute hike to the next waterfall, Namuang 2. It’s the highest waterfall on Samui, falling from an impressive 80 metres. That’s 24 stories which is pretty high!
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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�
ZAZEN 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
Samui Every conceivable Indian dish is on offer here – and they are all delicious! Conveniently located in Central Chaweng, the restaurant is open from 11:00 am – 11:30 pm. For further information, reservations, and take-away orders (free delivery in Chaweng area), telephone 0 7741 3315.
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
There’s no entry fee for the falls so be wary of local ‘guides’ trying to ask for money for access. If they offer to lead you there, politely decline, the route is easy to find on your own. The site has many little shops selling souvenirs, snacks and drinks at reasonable prices. There is also a restaurant. Make sure you buy food and drink before you start your hike as there isn’t anything available further up. Bring your swimming gear and comfortable walking shoes. The tree roots and the surrounding rocks form a natural staircase leading to the base, but it can be steep and slippery so make sure you take care while you walk. Stop often and admire the stunning views of the jungle and the lush vegetation. Don’t underestimate how much drinking water you’ll need walking uphill in heat and humidity has the tendency to make you sweat more than you can imagine, and you risk becoming dehydrated, even if you are protected from the sun by the jungle canopy. The best time to visit these falls are in the rainy season from September through to December. The rivers will be at their fullest and the waterfalls at their most beautiful, powerfully cascading over the rocks. Because of the uphill route needed to get there, this waterfall is less touristy, which means you can enjoy the panoramic views of the forest and cascading water, in relative peace. 140 l www.samuiholiday.com
Villa for Rent/Sale - Yupa Villa 1 5 fully furnished bedrooms with air-con throughout. All bedrooms ensuite, one with jacuzzi. Living area fully furnished with TV and internet. Thai/Western kitchen. Swimming pool, remote control gate, security camera around house, safety box, parking area, garden. Tel: 0 818 917 912, 0 897 636 032 E-mail: cr@chawengbayviewsamuiresort.com www.chawengbayviewsamuiresort.com
Villa for Rent/Sale - Yupa Villa 2 3 fully furnished bedrooms with air-con throughout. All bedrooms ensuite, one with jacuzzi. Living area fully furnished with TV and internet. Thai kitchen.Swimming pool, remote control gate, security cameraaround house, safety box, parking area, garden. Tel: 0 818 917 912, 0 897 636 032 E-mail: cr@chawengbayviewsamuiresort.com www.chawengbayviewsamuiresort.com
Private real estate with incredible 180-Degree views
Between the two waterfalls is the Namuang Safari Park which offers many exciting holiday activities, such as elephant rides through the jungle; monkey shows (which are great for both adults and kids alike); quad bike rides through the jungle and its rivers; 4x4 trips around the island and cable rides through the treetops. Elephant rides are a perfect way to explore the surrounding jungle, and because you’re up so much higher, your views are much better than if you’d simply walked. There are so many activities in this area; you really would need a whole day (or perhaps even a few days) to fully appreciate everything. Most tour companies will collect from your hotel so don’t waste your hard-earned holiday money on expensive taxi rides.
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 Tel: 0 819 709 632 Email: asiatravel_international@yahoo.com
So if you’re looking to see another side of Samui, don’t be afraid to head away from the beaches and see what’s on offer inland. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Colleen Setchell
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 Tel: 0 817 879 148, www.minigolfsamui.com
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 E-mail: info@santiburi.com www.santiburi.com
12/12 Moo 1, Bo Phut, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84320 Tel: +66 (0) 7724 5777, +66 (0) 7743 0201 Fax: +66 (0) 7724 5776 Email: info@bophutresort.com www.bophutresort.com
Sales Office: 245/7 Sukhumvit 31, Klongton Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand Tel: +66 (0) 2260 2530-5 Fax: +66 (0) 2260 7570