Samui Holiday

SPIRIT OF SAMUI

THE WHARF BRINGS A WARM AND VIBRANT COMMUNITY CENTRE TO FISHERMAN’S VILLAGE

A CHANGE IS AS GOOD AS A HOLIDAY

EXPERIENCE SAMUI’S LATEST ATTRACTION AT ESCAPOLOGY

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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 Dimitri Waring

Feature Writer Natalie Hughes

Feature Writer Alison Stephens

Feature Writer Annie Lee

Feature Writer Rosanne Turner

Feature Writer Colleen Setchell

Webmaster

Seksak Kerdkanno - Klauy

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

ning@siammap.com

Financial Director Kasper Bjørk kasper@siammap.com

Managing Director Henrik Bjørk henrik@siammap.com

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

All Rights Reserved Congratulations! You’ve made an excellent choice of holiday destination. And if it’s your first time on this lovely tropical island, we’d just like to say – “Welcome to paradise!” If you’re a return visitor, then – “Welcome back!” And if you’re one of the many people who’ve chosen to make Samui their home – “Hi!” Samui’s normally all about long lazy days spent on soft sandy beaches being drenched in the hot tropical sun, followed by balmy nights of gastronomic indulgence in world-class restaurants with perhaps some shopping and a spot of dancing with a drink or two before retiring. And during November and December things aren’t much different – you’ll be doing all that with maybe the occasional drop of rain to cool things down a bit. But there will be three huge events also taking place during this period to shake things up a bit. And they’re Loy Krathong, Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Loy Krathong is one of Thailand’s most beautiful festivals and it’s celebrated this year on November 6th.

It’s a true spectacle and one that everyone can take part in. Christmas and New Year’s Eve need no explanation, other than to say that all the major resorts, restaurants, clubs and bars really go to town, and a great time is had by all. Although this is a Buddhist country, the Thai people are more than willing to join in when it comes to having fun, and hosting a celebration is just that!

So, whether it’s your first or thirty-first trip here, or if you’re a full-time Samui resident, have a wonderful time during this period of festivities and the very best of luck for 2015.

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

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

30 20 Many Happy Returns On December 5th, Thais celebrate the birthday of His Majesty the King.

30 Double Bill at W W Retreat Koh Samui adds high tea and film night to its repertoire.

38 Over the Moon The sky is now the limit, with Samui’s superb football arena!

44 Shake a Tail Feather Fun, fantasy and fabulous food at Zico’s Brazilian Grill & Bar.

52 Art Scene You’ll find a few creative folk inspired by Samui’s scenery, and you’ll discover art for sale as well as lessons if you’re feeling inspired.

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A Traveller’s Wardrobe Psylo surpasses expectations creating carefree comfortable clothing.

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Spirit of Samui The Wharf brings a warm and vibrant community centre to Fisherman’s Village.

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90 76 Treasure Island Nature Art Gallery has a storybook trove of semi-precious stones, jewels and ornaments – enough to fill dozens of treasure chests.

82 Much More Than

Raunchy Rocks Exploring the area around South Lamai and Hua Thanon.

90 I Do Your wedding in paradise at KC Beach Club.

96 U Need 2 B Smart!

Ease your mind with the comprehensive hi-tech security of B Smart Systems.

100 Snakes Alive!

Nobody likes creepy-crawlies, but snakes are probably the least of your worries on Samui.

104 A Change is as Good as

a Holiday Experience Samui’s latest attraction at Escapology.

110 Noi, Noi, Noi! Head five minutes out of Chaweng for fabulous festivities at Impiana Resort in Chaweng Noi.

114 Perfectly Poppies An in-depth look at a Samui legend – Poppies resort and restaurant in Chaweng.

118 Flying to 12 Baan Haad Ngam Resort celebrates its 12th birthday this year with something luxuriously special.

124 A Hole in More Than One The complete low-down on golf around Samui – and it’s not just for the experts!

130 The Only Place The very best of all worlds at The Cliff Bar & Grill!

136 The Heart of the Matter Nurturing each light brightly at SCL International School in Lamai.

142 A Little Spice Beachfront entertainment completes the hidden castle of Hansar.

148 Pamper Me! Samui is fast developing a reputation as the place to come for a little ‘me time’ and indulgence.

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

"Thailand's Best Restaurants"

2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, & 2014

Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2014 HAPA 2011 - 2013 Most Exquisite Dining Experience Most Trendy Casual Dining Restaurant Of The Year

Reservations Essential

1st Course Sautéed king USA scallop, truffle oil mash, creamed buttered leeks 2nd Course Creamy Canadian lobster chowder & crispy shaved potatoes Or Cream of tomato, wild forest mushroom & basil foam 3rd Course Mint lamb tortellini Or Carpaccio of vine ripened tomatoes, goat’s cheese & balsamic reduction 4th Course Imported grilled Wagu beef fillet, juniper berries, orange & green pepper corn jus, herb infused polenta cake & roasted carrots Or Imported lobster tail, creamy lemon sauce, vegetable bouquet and Mediterranean cous cous Or Homemade Italian vegetarian lasagna 5th Course Chocolate and baileys mousse, walnut praline and homemade mix wild berry jam Or Mango and orange trifle, passion fruit foam THB 4995++ Per person Two seating times available.

18:00 - 20:30 & 21:00 - 24:00

Free flow Chandon sparkling for all dinners with set menus from 24:00-01:00

Chaweng

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

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

Lamai

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

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

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Mae Nam

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

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.

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.

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

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MANY HAPPY RETURNS On December 5th, Thais celebrate the birthday of His Majesty the King His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great (Rama IX) is the world’s longest reigning monarch. He unites the Thais no matter who they are or what their station in life. If you are in Thailand on his birthday it’s guaranteed that you’ll see something of the celebrations; there are firework displays, exhibitions featuring His Majesty’s life and work, and just about everywhere large pictures of the King on display.

His Majesty the King was born in a Cambridge, Massachusetts hospital on the 5th of December, 1927. And this year the people of Thailand will celebrate His 87th birthday.

At His Majesty the King’s coronation he vowed, “We will reign with righteousness for the benefit and happiness of the Siamese people.”

It is a commitment that he has maintained throughout his reign. He has been particularly involved in environmental issues, focusing on the lives of those at a disadvantage and those ravaged by the forces of Mother nature, and he has always been there to give aid and advice to those most in need. His Majesty has established six Royal Development Study Centres, also known as ‘Living Museums’ throughout Thailand, studying and researching solutions to problems such as soil erosion, deforestation and irrigation. His aim has always been to better the lives of farmers by giving them the tools to be self-sufficient, focusing on practical and highly effective methods, and only using costly modern technology as a last resort. To solve the problem of soil erosion he suggested growing vetiver grass as a cheap and simple solution for the farmers.

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Drought is also a problem for Thai farmers, to which end His Majesty developed a rain-making technique that earned him a patent. It is a process that involves seeding a cloud with chemicals to trigger rainfall. The technique is particularly successful in that it can precisely target areas where the rain is to fall. Popular images of His Majesty often depict him crouching down in a muddy field studying charts and graphs while surrounded by local villagers who are voicing their concerns to him. This genuine interest is greatly appreciated among the Thais, and his genius in problem solving and humanitarian efforts has not only earned him great national respect but also respect in the global community, affording him international awards, notably from the International Erosion Control Association and the World Bank in 1993, for his use of vetiver grass and water conservation.

In 2007, His Majesty received the first Norman E Borlaugh World Food Prize Medallion in recognition of his outstanding humanitarian service in alleviating starvation and poverty. He also received the first United Nations Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2006. At which time the then UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan described His Majesty as the world’s ‘Development King’ and went on to say, “His Majesty has reached out to the poorest and the most vulnerable people of Thailand, listened to their problems and empowered them to take their lives into their own hands.”

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The Thai people deeply respect His Majesty’s down-to-earth attitude. Again the images of The King in everyday plain clothes, travelling to every corner of Thailand come to mind. The simplicity in which he lives is what stands out for people who have had the privilege to visit one of his palaces. At Klaikangwol Palace in Hua Hin, instead of having ornamental gardens he turned over the flower beds to the local Klaikangwol School for the children to grow vegetables.

In 2002, His Majesty adopted a stray puppy dog as the royal pet dog, rather than a pedigree, naming him Tong Daeng, or Copper. It was a simple action which embodies the tone of His Majesty’s reign and life, to care for those unfortunate in society and to help them help themselves. Later that same year His Majesty wrote ‘The Story of Tong Daeng’ and it instantly became a bestseller, selling 200,000 copies in one day. His Majesty particularly focused

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on Copper’s loyalty, kindness and humble qualities and expressed his wish that more people would adopt stray dogs.

The Thais look upon their King not as just the sovereign but as the father of the nation, who has improved the lives of many, and given dignity to the people of Thailand. His Majesty has established schools in rural and remote areas that once lacked any formal education. On his birthday, in 1995, His Majesty launched The Distance Learning Foundation, bringing teachers via television into the home and classroom. It now reaches thousands of schools nationwide, as well as thousands in neighbouring countries such as Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

chef’s dinner specials

Overseeing the culinary team at Hansar Samui, born and raised in Montreal, Canada, Chef Stephen began his culinary career at the famed restaurant Les Halles in Quebec, one of the most outstanding independent restaurants in Canada.

A unique opportunity to be the Private Chef to His Majesty the King of Jordan became a turning point in his career and he spent the next two years catering for the Royal Family.

Stephen spent the next five years at the Lebua at State Tower Bangkok (known as the Dome) and within a few years became the Executive Chef at the Sirocco restaurant.

At our beachfront H Bistro restaurant, Stephen has created a unique epicurean experience for guests where they can appreciate the authentic taste of French Mediterranean Cuisine, in addition to a Thai menu.

Stephen Dion “an epicurean experience one shouldn’t be missed”

His Majesty’s contributions to the improvement of the lives of his people go far beyond what would be required of any monarch.

His Rajaprachanukroh Foundation was among the first organisations to reach the 2004 tsunami victims, especially orphaned children.

And in 2005, when drought hit Thailand, His Majesty oversaw relief and rain-making operations. His charities and foundations are widespread throughout Thailand. It is estimated that some 2,000 Royal Projects have been initiated by His Majesty aimed at improving the lives of the Thai people.

H Bistro at Hansar Samui 101/27-28 Moo 1, Bophut, Koh Samui +66 77 245 511 www.hansarsamui.com

From an early age His Majesty took a keen interest in music, from the piano and woodwind instruments and classical music to the clarinet and saxophone and jazz music. His Majesty is also an accomplished composer and has composed many pieces for his people to enjoy, such as one piece called ‘Smiles’ for members of the School for the Blind. Other pieces he allows to be used to raise funds for charities. One such example is when his piece, ‘Love at Sundown’ was performed at a fund-raising concert for the Anti-Tuberculosis Society of Thailand.

His Majesty is a gifted composer, musician, writer and skilful yachtsman, winning a gold medal at the 4th South East Asian Games. He is an outstanding humanitarian, teacher and to his people, most of all, he is a deeply loved and respected father.

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Should you go into any Thai House, whatever the social status of those that live there, you are likely to find one or more images of The King prominently displayed, some perhaps enshrined. In times of personal distress or great upheaval it is to the King and his benevolent and calming presence that Thais will turn. We would like to extend our humblest wishes for a most happy 87th birthday.

Natalie Hughes

BOUTIQUE RESORT KOH SAMUI

Christmas Eve Gala Dinner starts with complementary cocktails at 6.20pm - bookings only

DOUBLE BILL AT W Retreat Koh Samui adds high tea and film night to its repertoire.

When it comes to food and entertainment, many hotels rack their brains in order to come up with ideas that are unique. But why re-invent the wheel? W Retreat Koh Samui in this instance has come up with two ideas that are staples in many people’s lives – sumptuous afternoon tea and a weeknight cinema treat. Nothing special, you might think. But then again, if you’ve ever been to W Retreat, you will know they’re very used to taking the conventional and turning it on its head. If you’re thinking high tea means scones and weak tea, or that their cinema is crammed into a carpeted room that smells of last year’s popcorn, then you’re in for a pleasant surprise.

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Let’s start with ‘W T-Time’, as it’s called. Instead of the usual stainless steel tiers of sandwiches and cakes – the traditional way to serve high tea – the waiting staff arrive with a scaled-down chest of drawers. A bit of a surprise? Certainly.

The drawers are made of immaculate and totally transparent Perspex, allowing you to take a look at the goodies inside. The chest is topped with fruit, macaroons and still more cake. Everything you’ll see is amazingly well presented, and however hungry

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you may be, you’ll find yourself holding back for a minute or two just to gaze at the chef’s handiwork.

The display is simply exquisite.

The contents, according to the F&B Manager, Khun Mongkolrat Mahasarinun, more usually known as Khun Mong, are smoked salmon finger sandwiches, hummus and cucumber rolls, Parma ham sandwiches, grilled vegetable sandwiches, marinated chicken drumsticks and fresh spring

rolls. Then there’s the desserts themselves: Valrhona chocolate opera cake, pistachio and hazelnut chocolate lolli-pop, green tea and white chocolate tiramisu, macaroons, the pastry chef’s signature cakes - blue cheesecake with chocolate and red velvet cake – and last but not least, some fresh fruit kebabs. All of this is accompanied by Dilmah teas, which have a reputation as being some of the finest in the world. If you prefer, though, you can have a choice of coffee or hot chocolate.

open air rooftop expanse. Here you have a choice between simple, comfy tables and chairs close to the bar itself, or the amazingly stylish seating which is sunk down into a pool.

Wherever you decide to sit, you’ll be directly under the sky, with a 180-degree view of the north coast of Samui. The bar sits high over the sea and the panorama includes all of Koh Pha-Ngan. This is certainly one of the highest bars on Samui, and it’s decidedly romantic as well – you’ll always find plenty of couples here, enjoying the view whilst sipping on drinks or eating. Lush green foliage can be glimpsed just a few steps away and you’re reminded that the jungle’s always close at hand on Samui.

There is quite enough for two people and astoundingly, such a medley only takes about 20 minutes from the time you order to the moment it all arrives at your table.

Reservations, says Khun Mong, are required for T-Time, not because of any possible lack of seating space, but simply because to prepare such delicacies needs some advance preparation. Indeed, setting all of this up is definitely not something you can do in a

rush. If you’re a dab hand at cooking and cake-making, try to prepare the tea at home and you’ll find that it’ll take a whole morning before you can sit down and eat.

If the tea turns out to be more original than it has any right to be, so are the settings: two architecturally inspired spaces that have been designed with the utmost creativity.

The most popular is Woobar, which is an

Further seating is to be found just downstairs at The Kitchen Table, an extremely contemporary dining area with blond wood and wide, wide windows allowing you to experience the same views as upstairs. When it’s hot and there’s no breeze, The Kitchen Table is ideal as it has air-conditioning.

It also has its own terrace just outside, by the way. Wherever you choose, there’s plenty of space between tables, allowing for an intimate experience, and always that amazing view. W Retreat has snapped up a prime spot on the north coast. You’d think it might be remote, but, the resort is very easy to get to – if you’re coming from Chaweng along the ring-road, when you are leaving Bophut, take the turning on the right after Zazen Boutique Resort & Spa (look out for the W Retreat signpost) and simply follow the road to its end.

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While W T-Time is a daily feature, served from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm, film night is held only on Mondays, hence its official title, ‘Monday Night at the Movies’. Once the sun goes down, staff prepare the outdoor area next to Sip, W Retreat’s beachside bar. Comfy seating is arranged in front of a large screen, and you can choose between a daybed, beanbags or a modernistic circular pod. As darkness falls the first cinema aficionados begin to arrive as the evening gets underway at 7:00 pm, with pre-movie drinks. More people gradually turn up, then comes the film itself begins at 8:00 pm. It’s full every Monday, though by ‘full’, don’t think in terms of your local cinema. W Retreat keeps things intimate and there’s seating for around 30 people. This means it’s essential to book.

Once seated, a paging device allows you to order snacks from W Retreat’s Japanese restaurant Namu or from the newly-opened Beach Grill. You can naturally order drinks, too.

Surprisingly there’s no admission fee for Monday Night at the Movies – it’s totally free, apart from any food and drink. Afterwards, you may well want to avail yourself of the exclusive buy-one-get-one-free deal at Woobar until midnight.

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Both the tea and movie night are open not just to resort guests, but anyone coming from outside. The people behind W Retreat are happy to welcome everyone. Both deals are proving popular, and provide a brilliant alternative to most resorts’ ideas for an afternoon or evening. Whether you choose to eat your heart out or enjoy the island’s most unusual cinema, your pleasure is definitely guaranteed.

Dimitri Waring

________________________________________ For reservations or further information, telephone 0 7791 5999. www.wretreatkohsamui.com

OVER THE MOON

The sky is now the limit, with Samui’s superb football arena!

The Thais are a nation of football fanatics. They just love it. All over the country, in the cooler part of the day, when work has stopped and the sun is lowering, you’ll see them at it. In the back streets, on waste ground, in the parks, out on school pitches (with real goal posts and not just a pile of shirts for the goal) – there they are. The fastest and the fittest of Thailand’s young men, pitted against each other. Every small town has its own football club with dreams of rising into the Thai Premier League. They worship the top English clubs, and hire floor space in Bangkok’s shopping malls to watch late-night games on giant TV screens. Yes, when it comes to enthusiasm, Thailand takes some beating.

And all of that is true for the island of Samui, too. But there’s a big drawback – we’ve never had a proper pitch, never mind anything like a stadium. The best on offer has always been one of the lumpy bumpy pitches found at most of the schools. But all that’s changed. We now have something that’s the envy of many – a spanking new arena with two floodlit

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pitches of Astroturf, roof-screened from the sun, with changing and shower facilities and space for spectators. This is still in its comparative infancy (it came into being in October 2011) and can be considered as ‘phase 1’ – because there are a lot more plans in the pipeline to make this even better!

The story all started with Khun Peerapol Sathirakul, better-know to his friends and family as Khun Moose. With a mother from Samui and a father from the southern city of Hat Yai, he grew up here before heading for school in Bangkok, and then attending high school and university in Australia. And he took with him his nation’s inherent love of football, at which he excelled. He was even headhunted and trialled by Perth’s Bayswater Soccer Club, but was unable to accept the offer of a professional career, as his commitment to his education and family was his first priority. He returned to Bangkok and formed a graphics and photography company. But his love of football still filled his spare time.

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Khun Moose retained fond ties with Samui and it had long been his regret that the footballing facilities here were sparse. Then, almost by accident, he discovered that his parents owned a big chunk of land, right alongside the ring-road that runs through Chaweng. Right away, he began negotiations, and the result was Samui’s first and only professional-quality arena.

Coaching-programs and regular team competitions have flourished as a result of having an established venue of quality that’s so readily accessible.

Although there is a national Premier League, there are far more amateur teams, usually sponsored by their employers or local businesses. In areas where there are large numbers of expats, such as here, Chiang Mai or Pattaya, you’ll find local bars or pubs putting together teams, too. But there’s a difference – instead of the 11 players in the pro league teams, the most popular amateur format by far is 7-a-side, closely followed by 5-a-side. Bangkok, for instance has several hundred such teams that meet and compete in their own leagues. Samui can’t boast that number, but with just about every resort now running a team, that’s a very solid core of competitors. And the two well-appointed pitches at Samui Arena, one of them 7-a-side, the other 5-a-side, are just perfect for this.

There’s already an official league in place. Sponsored by FF Noodles, at the moment it’s running just eight teams which play-off against each other every Saturday evening. One great thing about the arena is that, being floodlit, it’s open until midnight, and one evening a week it stays open until 3:00 am to allow late-workers from resorts and hotels to enjoy a game. It’s all still embryonic, and there is plenty of space for what Khun Moose hopes will be a café or snack bar, plus also perhaps a couple of shops that are sports-related.

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But this is only one step, just one part of his greater vision. What he sees for the future is a fully-fledged Samui FC team playing in the Thai Premier League.

Samui Arena also has an academy for the younger players, which is divided into under 10’s and over 10’s. The Samui Area Academy (SAA) holds classes throughout the week, run by Coach Ae and Coach Bell, both of whom are former Premier League players. For more details on class times and pricing, give them a call.

If you’re in a local sports or pub team already, a pitch can be hired for an hour at a time, during the day or right through until midnight. The cost works out to only about 180 baht per player, inclusive of changing rooms and showers – you’d spend more than that at McDonald’s. And if you get yourself over there with a few friends on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday, there’s a ‘Football Buffet’ between 9:00 pm and midnight. And for just 150 baht, you can have a bit of fun and something to eat afterwards.

It’s been a long time coming but at last, it’s happened. One of the biggest social needs on Samui has been fulfilled, and it’s going to make everyone happy, from the schoolboys and girls, to their granddads. With all this football fun, you’ll no doubt be over the moon!

Rob De Wet

________________________________________________ For more information, telephone 0 7744 7868 or 0 857 958 000.

Facebook: Samui Arena

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

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SHAKE A

TAIL FEATHER Fun, fantasy and fabulous food at Zico’s Brazilian Grill & Bar.

Imagine this. Take a 5-star hotel that already has three excellent restaurants. Select a generous handful of their fully trained underchefs and kitchen staff. Handpick some of their best Englishspeaking waiting staff. Bring in an international chef to oversee it all. Move them into a grand venue that’s lofty and spacious, with a big air-conditioned room, as well as an enclosed courtyard and cosy bar. Select the best imported cuts of beef and lamb, plus pork, fish and seafood. Prepare these, marinate them, and spike them on yard-long skewers over a bank of charcoal grills to cook.

Add a banqueting table that has more than 70 plates of soups, salads, cold cuts, dressings, toppings and dips. Add another table with hot dishes of potatoes, fries, gratin, feijoada, grilled and marinated vegetables and stews. Charge one set price of 899 baht for all you can eat, all night. And add a couple of very lively, beautiful Brazilian dancers. How does this sound?

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Well, to those in the know it sounds exactly like Zico’s! To call it a ‘buffet’ would be misleading. This is the mother and father of all buffets – tables groaning under their lavish loads and passing ‘passadors’ laden with sizzling lances of meats. This is unique. Indeed, the entire ethos here is unique. Firstly the building itself is dramatic. The high concrete exterior, flanked by Greek-style pillars, doesn’t prepare you for what’s inside. You’ll enter up a broad set of stone steps – and find yourself suddenly in a courtyard that’s open to the sky. To your right there’s a pleasant elevated bar, and on the left is the large airconditioned glass-sided main dining room.

Even arriving early in the evening, there’s an air of conviviality. At around 6:30 pm or so, it’s still quiet, with one or two tables taken, but there’s still that same air of cheerful purpose that becomes more obvious later on. You’ll also get a surprise when you count the tables, too.

Astonishingly there’s comfortably enough room to seat up to 130 diners, but you’d never think so; there’s a snug, private feeling about it all, no doubt due to the subtle layout and lighting.

Khun Supaporn Nounching is the Sales & Public Relations Manager at Zico’s, a position that spins off from her role over the road at the prestigious Centara Grand Beach Resort. And now you’ll begin to understand the opening comments about 5-star standards and service as, although it’s no secret, few people realise that Zico’s is actually Centara Grand’s fourth restaurant. “This is really a ‘churrascarian’ barbecue,” she explained, “a typical way of presenting the cooked meat, that’s carried on long skewers amongst the tables by servers known as ‘passadors’ who will slice it hot, directly onto your plate.

We only offer the best prime imported Australian sirloin, strip loin or Brazilian-style ‘picanha’. But don’t expect your steak to look like it normally does, as all the meat and poultry is pre-marinated and rolled

onto the skewers before being cooked. Plus,” she added, “there’s also duck, chicken, pork, fish and seafood that includes tiger prawns, mackerel and Norwegian salmon, and additionally two selections of barbecued vegetables, making a total of 17 different roasts in all.”

There are other up-market restaurants on the island that feature a Latin theme or have a salsa night, but Zico’s is the only truly Brazilian restaurant here. The background music, naturally, is Latin-American, but you’ll be in no doubt as to the integrity when eight o’clock comes around. By this time, more diners have somehow been melting continually into place without you noticing. And, happily, everything’s not only well organised but very laid-back, too, with instant re-grouping of tables and chairs when a large group shows up unannounced, which many do. But, at 8:00 pm, there’s a double flounce of fantastical feathers that coincides with a sudden up-tempo samba beat, and the two Brazilian dancers appear with a flurry.

Pairs of dancers are brought over on special contract from Brazil on a regular basis, rotating back again after a short but intense period.

And the amount of energy that goes into their performances has to be experienced to be believed. They’ll appear for 20 minutes then take a break, coming back on again at the top of the next hour, at 9:00 pm, and again at 10:00 pm. “But that’s not the only Brazilian flourish,” continued Khun Supaporn. “We have a week of festivity every September which has previously included the attendance of the Brazilian Ambassador, as well as visiting speciality chefs. And then we always let off steam with celebrations such as Halloween for instance, when everyone, including all the staff, will go to town on their costumes. The staff here are very lively – see if you can spot them at the end of the evening . . . sometimes they’ll leave what they’re doing and join in with the dancers at the end of their last set!”

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One of the problems with a buffet is that, sometimes, people don’t want to keep on eating all evening. Or simply can’t put away so much food. So it will come as pleasant news to perhaps those of you with children, that there is a special allowance for this at Zico’s. If you request it, you can sit in for the night, but without the cooked foods from the passadors. And for those with smaller appetites, there’s more than enough variety on the salad and side dish tables to keep you going back and forth with top-ups. And for just 400 baht, this is great value. And don’t forget to combine this with the happy hour from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, where all drinks are ‘buy one, get one free’.

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One way and another everything here at Zico’s is pretty exciting.

And if you’re just too full and contented to get up and shake a tail feather yourself, not to worry – there’s a couple of very athletic young ladies always willing to do so on your behalf!

Rob De Wet ____________________ For reservations or further information, telephone 0 7723 0500. www.centarahotelsresorts.com

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Photographs courtesy of Samui Robot Group

You’ll find a few creative folk inspired by Samui’s scenery, and you’ll discover art for sale as well as lessons if you’re feeling inspired.

“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” – Pablo Picasso.

A world without art would most certainly be dull. But what is art? The dictionary says it’s “the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles of what is beautiful, appealing or of more than ordinary significance.”

Well that just proves that beauty, or art, is in the eye of the beholder. Artists are inspired by many things – experiences, sights, sounds, smells and emotions, and Samui has drawn many artists to practice here, including locals, expats and even those on holiday looking for a creative break from a mundane life. Beautiful scenery, vibrant colours at the temples and markets and an interesting culture offer inspiration to both budding and professional artists alike.

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Khun June, well-known local and owner of the very popular ‘June’s Art Café’, not only supports local artists, but is an artist herself. Located shortly before Big C when travelling from Fisherman’s Village, it is a favourite expat and local haunt. The café is quaint and cosy, with art by June as well as other artists adorning the walls, and handicrafts for sale. June works with mixed media, and many of her pieces are small enough to pack in a suitcase. If you’re looking for a smaller memento, she’s turned copies of previous work into postcards, which can either be posted, or a collection of them framed and hung together. Art aside, the food is fantastic, and you’ll see why there’s a steady flow from the time they open for breakfast at 9:30 am, until they close at 6:30pm. And on a side note, if you’re visiting June’s Art Café and feel inspired to get your own creative juices flowing, there’s a great art supplies store just a few doors down.

June explains that there used to be a bigger art community on the island, and she suspects the dwindling numbers are down to the increasing influence of digital media. That’s not to say you won’t find local artists should you prefer to take home something unique rather than a massproduced souvenir. Art comes in many forms other than painting, and some prefer buying art that is not only beautiful to look at, but functional too.

Cera is a ceramic shop-cum-studio in Bang Por, with exquisite pieces by artist Khanchai Wirattanakul.

The ‘brand’ (if you can call art that) originated on the island and has been crafted here for more than 10 years. Again, you’ll find bigger pieces which are often bought as features in the upmarket villas on the island, but also smaller items that are easy to transport home.

Visit any of the walking street markets and you’ll see many local crafters working at their stalls, from intricate leather carving, beadwork and wooden carvings to soap carving, and caricature artists who will capture your funny side and put your image to paper in a matter of minutes. Near the airport, as well as at Big Buddha and at the northern part of Chaweng, you’ll find shops selling monstrous statues – in both size and subject matter. Created by welding nuts, bolts, washers, old car parts, wire and any other metal together, the results are pieces that are most certainly conversation starters, but perhaps not something you’d display in your living room, as some creations are quite nightmare-inducing, including a very realistic recreation of the horror movie doll, Chucky. Subject matter aside, it’s hard not to appreciate the creativity and skill that has gone into these statues (which can be shipped worldwide).

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If you’re feeling like creative inspiration during your visit to Samui, Nartana offers art classes. At the age of 16, he began his formal art education in Germany, before travelling with paint and brushes extensively throughout the world, eventually establishing himself as an artist and member of the Counsel of the Arts and the Society of Artists in Santa Fe, New Mexico. His work has been exhibited in galleries in Aachen, Berlin, Amsterdam, India and throughout the Southwest of the US, but now he paints and offers art classes here on Samui.

Art comes in many forms, including edible ones – for a true Thai art skill, it’s worth doing a fruit and vegetable carving class to add some artistic flair to your dinner parties.

Strolling down the main shopping strip of Chaweng and other tourist drags on Samui, your nose will twitch at the smell of wet oil paint, and you’ll see shop upon shop with canvases stacked up high, and artists dipping and flicking their brushes as they concentrate on creating masterpieces. Most pieces you’ll easily recognize, as Chaweng is the biggest, and the best centre for copy painting in Thailand. Now while some may not consider reproductions of famous artwork to be ‘real’ art, there’s no doubt that these guys have talent, and copying artists such as Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, Andy Warhol, Roy Liechtenstein, Salvador Dali and many others, is a means to an end, and not necessarily the artist’s creative release. These painters will reproduce anybody, and while some might consider them rip-off copies, the painters aren’t trying to pass their work off as originals, but only as ‘original copies’. Painting good copies requires much discipline and skill, and the artists, many of whom have studied art and design, take their work seriously. It’s actually harder to copy than to paint an original, as there’s no room for error, with the skill lying in accuracy. Of course, these artists are more than capable and willing to do commissions of their own work too, as well as portraits, working from photos.

Photograph courtesy of June’s Art Cafe

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Photographs courtesy of New Gallery 1

If photography is your art of choice, you’ll find many striking scenes to capture – whether it’s the vibrant colours of tropical fruit at the markets, or the ochre of a monk’s robes or a sunset to remember forever. If you prefer to buy original photography, down Chaweng Beach Road, you’ll find the gallery of Cameron Hansen. What makes him stand out as a photographer is the fact that he still shoots with film – not digital – which means that no photo-shopping is involved.

So it seems art is most certainly alive on Samui, and comes in many forms. Whether you’re creative yourself, or just appreciate the creativity of others, you’ll find something to inspire you on the island.

Rosanne Turner

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HAND-MADE JEWELRY MADE TO ORDER. GOLD, SILVER, LEATHER, PRECIOUS AND SEMI PRECIOUS STONES. 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

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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.

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Lamai Beach, Koh Samui Tel: 0 7742 4420, 0 7742 4030 Fax: 0 7742 4029 www.samuiholiday.com 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 12 noon till 11 pm Located on Lamai Beach Road opposite Pavilion Samui Boutique Resort Reservation: 077 424 420

A TRAVELLER’S WARDROBE

Psylo surpasses expectations creating carefree comfortable clothing.

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Filled with world travellers, the streets of Chaweng mark a territory where cultures intermix, stories exchange, and explorers meet. Among these carefree adventurers are men and women, who wish to express themselves through fashions that reflect their individual lifestyle. But a fashion this unique can be hard to find. An outfit that meets the demands of comfort and mobility, while also making a statement, is usually compiled of single clothing pieces from many stores.

Not anymore. Originally founded in Bali, Psylo now stretches from London and Mexico, to right here in Thailand. The store, home to comfort clothes that scream distinctive, is a traveller’s paradise for shopping. Located in the middle of Chaweng Beach Road, it has been open for four years, and a second store, located in Central Festival opened six months ago. This expansion shows the popularity of this alternative store, but the numbers are only the beginning.

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Designed to match the comfortable, unique style of the clothing, their main location is decorated in parallel with the stores ideals. With natural wood, antique accents, high ceilings and textured walls, the décor wows its customers, allowing them to experience a place where their lifestyle is written on the wall. Don’t believe me? Stop in. Your shopping experience is sure to be an adventure in itself.

With pieces focused on patchwork, layers, and uneven edges, it is no wonder travellers have finally found a store that meets their outlook. Psylo caters to each individual, personalizing their pieces to meet specific styles within their broader scope of comfortable, mobile clothing.

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Within this range they present street wear, gothic clothing, tribal fashion, alternative clothing, punk fashion, and ethnic clothing. Let’s take a closer look.

The store presents ‘Street Wear’ through a unique expression of self. Starting from the street, the pieces don’t come down from high fashion, but instead are uplifted from street elements and transformed into an appearance of creativity and freedom. The clothing moves away from popular trends making its own voice.

Originating in the early 1980s, alongside the gothic rock scene, gothic clothing is recognized by its black, morbid look. The ‘Gothic United Kingdom’ line parallels this trend, but enhances it with quality materials, intricate designs and additional accessories for a complete look.

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‘Tribal Fashion’ is new to the fashion world, yet with its authenticity and insanely unique textiles and patterns that have been created in countries worldwide, Psylo has created a trend that won’t stop. Its sophisticated and practical qualities make a powerful statement that set it apart from the look-a-likes.

Known as anything but mainstream fashion, ‘Alternative Clothing’, is just that at Psylo. With its attention-grabbing look, the clothing screams individuality, but also remains simple. Artistic designs complemented with a fringe style create a vintage combination with retro elements. Yet, as in all Psylo clothing, comfort remains constant.

Shock - it’s a statement inherent in ‘Punk Fashion’. A style that expresses liberalism and anarchy, punk fashion combines clothing, jewellery and hairstyles to make that statement. With clothing that represents rebellion and controversy, punk fashion at Psylo embraces the ideals of the style.

Respecting all ethnic groups and cultural differences is a part of Psylo’s foundation. To help show that, and produce a way for others to show that as well, they have created an ‘Ethnic Clothing’ line. Offering a multitude of fabrics, the line uses a rich selection of patterns and colours to define a unique style.

Each of these clothing styles is unique in its own right, but together they create an unmatched selection. But Psylo is more than style, showing a true and aware passion for the environment through the usage of natural fabrics, with cotton and rayon being used most frequently, along with silk. Some synthetic materials, such as polyester and nylon spandex, are also used for strength, elasticity and colour stability. Unfortunately, organic dyes and fabrics are not currently available, but it remains a goal for Psylo to obtain these in the near future. Currently, they use waterbased dyes to decrease the imprint left behind, and recycle polyester fabric leftovers to create designs from scraps.

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Their winter collection is now on the way, along with a range of summer items for warmer climes, like Thailand. Similarly, the yearly children’s collection is coming soon, which is based on the same trademarks as the adult line - comfort, style, and mobility.

Whether you are surfing the waves off the coast of Australia, hiking through the jungles of Africa or simply on a walk through the streets of Chaweng, you can do so in comfortable clothing without having to forego personal expression. With intense attention to detail, the carefully thought out clothing at Psylo presents a shopping wonderland. So push yourself. See the world. And do so in clothing that expresses who you really are.

Alison Stephens

_________________________________________ For more information, telephone 0 7725 6157. www.psylofashion.com

GR EE N HO SP AL IT

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SPIRIT OF SAMUI The Wharf brings a warm and vibrant community centre to Fisherman’s Village.

Koh Samui – island of dreams. At first, there was fish and coconuts.

Then there were hippies and beach huts. Then came resorts and restaurants. The airport arrived. Chaweng filled up. Hypermarkets came. Then all the famous fast-food names scrabbled for a stake.

But the best thing – Samui didn’t sink. All of this just got added to the island – tacked onto the surface. We didn’t get gobbled up by progress. And the old, slow, island life, laid-back and cheerful, just carried on like it had always done before.

Of course, you have to get away from the big tourist traps to discover this. But Samui is only small, and ten minutes out from the hustle and the neon, you’ll find crystal waters and unspoiled sand. Picture postcard beaches, little villages of wooden buildings that are still full of families of fishermen. Just a generation ago, the main village in Bophut was like this; a line of boats and buildings along the beach. But this has changed, too. Between the solid, old, wooden houses, gaps have been filled with buildings of brick. The pier here attracted more trade; people on their way to Koh Pha-Ngan.

Another café. A bar or two. But guess what? Nothing much was demolished – spaces just got filled in. The old beachside dirt track became concrete, linking the quaint, the rustic, the small the large, the old and the new. The result? Fisherman’s Village.

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There’s absolutely nothing like this anywhere else on the island.

And that’s its charm - the harmonious blend of old and new sitting side by side. Yes, there’s concrete and glass; but it’s right next to a delightful family timber house that’s 150 years old, complete with an old grandmother! And the lovely thing is, even with no real regulation or control, all the new stuff has tried to blend in. As time has passed, the long beach-road strip has filled – traditional Thai styles melding with contemporary-modern Thai, fitting-in alongside gourmet restaurants. And now there’s something new. And the way it’s all been conceived and put together both respects and celebrates the spirit of old Samui.

It’s called The Wharf. It’s big, but it’s not loud. It’s new (in more ways than one) but it doesn’t want to dominate. And more importantly, it’s not only a very clever idea, but it’s totally perfect for Samui. Where other developments may randomly grab at every customer who has the money for unit-space, The Wharf management have been selective. Other malls want to impress with hi-rise glass, space age moving stairways, air conditioning and canned music. But The Wharf wants only local companies, shops and eateries. It’s low-rise and subtle, and it’s all been planned to fit-in, rather than to stand-out. It’s more of a community centre, really. Plus it’s the only thing in all of Fisherman’s Village that runs right the way from the beach up to the ring-road – it’s really that big. And this adds a huge bonus – because there is parking for around 200 cars. Locals will be rejoicing about this for years to come.

There are not many companies that experiment with ambitious new projects and get it right first time. So maximum respect and kudos to the The Platinum Group. These are the people behind this project. For the last nine years, they have concentrated on property development, mainly in the area around Pattaya.

Such was their success, that earlier this year they went public and issued shares. And, as a spin-off from this, they decided to venture into the arena of shopping malls. They researched all the popular tourist areas and selected Samui as having the most potential.

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“Samui was perfect,” explained Khun Somboon Wongrassamee, the President of the group. “There were lots of different locations to pick from, plus there is a substantial tourist element and a significant base of residents, too. This is our first venture into creating a mall. But we didn’t want to blindly copy other projects. We wanted to make something from scratch – something new. Something that would be sustainable and add to the spirit of Samui, not overpower it. So we decided to be selective about our customers. Local Thai restaurants, but also with a variety of different international cuisines. A fixed number of local clothes shops. Just three or four units for spas and wellbeing. Quality hand-made local crafts. I don’t think any mall project has done this before. We wanted to make a ‘community mall’ that showcased Samui’s individuality and talent. And we deliberately made it low-rise to keep everything to a human scale.”

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Dream Holiday under Palms Only a 35 minutes drive from Koh Samui’s small scenic airport, known secrets of the island. in tropical gardens. Created to provide the very best of Thai hospitality, this small luxury retreat incorporates luxurious an atmosphere of calm and seclusion. a place to return to ‌

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

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

Enjoy your lunch or spectacular sunset dinner at the open air Pavilion restaurant directly at the beach overlooking the sea and

Join us for a relaxed and unforgetable dining experience!

Open daily from 7.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m.

e-mail: samui@siamresidence.com www.siamresidence.com

For many years now Samui has had such classic Thai seafood restaurants as Sabeianglae (people even come from Bangkok to eat here), and now this exalted restaurant dominates the frontage towards the beach. There is Barracuda, and Spoon Café. All of the boutiques are local. Coming in from the huge car park on the beach-road side (opposite Boncafé), through a themed Doric-Mediterranean entrance into the food court, there are local chefs being given a chance to shine. With a stroke of sympathetic brilliance, the Platinum Group has created the art and community focus of Samui.

The result is just so good that you would never be aware of all of this planning and thought. Really! Not only does it dovetail seamlessly into the warmth and ethos of the existing ‘village’ but it’s a small celebration of new Thai thinking, too.

In the city of Hua Hin there’s already a scheme based on the styling of Venice. The Wharf is more like a Portuguese market – everything white and bright and terracotta. And, in amongst the passages and walkways, in the open spaces, you’ll see giant organic sculptures, mime artists and performance ensembles, musicians, dancing groups, artwork, crafts and street art. The Wharf is essentially a Eurostyle arts community transported to Thailand.

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And so, to all those people who cry about the overdevelopment of Samui, we can say this. People do care. Development can be a good thing. All you need is a little bit of sympathy for the environment. And, with The Wharf development, the Platinum Group and Khun Somboon have got it totally right. The Wharf is a concrete celebration of the Spirit of Samui.

Rob De Wet

________________________________________ For more information, telephone 0 7742 5500. www.thewharfsamui.com

BRANCH 1 CHAWENG BEACH ROAD OPPOSITE SPAGO RESTAURANT

TEL: +66 831715733

BRANCH 2 CHAWENG BEACH ROAD NEXT TO CENTRAL FESTIVAL

WWW.MSCARINO.COM

BRANCH 3 THE WHARF SAMUI FISHERMAN’S VILLAGE

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MSCARINOO www.samuiholiday.com

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TREASURE ISLAND

Nature Art Gallery has a storybook trove of semi-precious stones, jewels and ornaments – enough to fill dozens of treasure chests.

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Every decent palm-fringed island should have its own treasure, usually consisting of silver, gold and precious stones, and Samui’s no different. But you won’t find old caskets messily crammed with goodies, nor will you have to brave all sorts of adventures just to get to them. Handily located on Chaweng Beach Road, opposite Central Festival, you simply walk through the door to confront an exquisite display of gems, stones and jewellery – yet they’re worthy of any derring-do saga.

Inside the store, you’ll be quietly amazed at the sheer number of items on sale.

Yet there’s no clutter whatsoever; order reigns throughout Nature Art Gallery.

It’s brightly lit, too, and a pleasure to spend time in. People are welcome to browse to their hearts content, and it’s the kind of place where you just don’t notice the passage of time. That’s partly because the staff are welcoming and helpful, without ever hovering, and partly because what’s on offer simply draws you in. Even if you have no interest in jewellery or gems, Nature Art Gallery is still a fascinating place because of the sheer creativity that’s gone into it.

There’s a good range of prices too; you can pick up something wonderful for as little as a few hundred baht. Or you can splash out a bit and take home some hand-crafted jewellery that’s destined to be a special part of your

collection of accessories. But most of the items are definitely not what you’d call pricey.

Owner, Michael Trav, tells me how he and Shai Nissim, his partner, have brought some amazingly professional designers on board, some are artisans from Bali and use both modern and ancient designs – as well as everything in-between. Many of the pieces have an exotic feel to them. They all bear witness to unstinting attention to detail. You’ll see complex designs: rings that are etched with flowing arabesques, silver that’s been stamped into whorls as detailed as finger prints and gold that’s exquisitely etched with minute designs.

You’ll also find simpler pieces, such as a rough spiral of silver that looks like a drawing in a cave, ancient and beguiling, or a flowing wave of steel that has frozen and been turned into a bracelet. There are designs from other places too, including sumptuous Israeli jewellery that’s purely contemporary, or a range of chunky Italian-crafted bracelets that turn out to be almost as light as air – the surprise is that they’re hollow and not at all heavy to wear. All of these designs have been chosen as they are bright, creative and there are always surprises. Most of the designers ship their wares to Nature Art from abroad, while others work closer to home … just upstairs, in fact.

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In the quiet room above the shop, all you really hear is the tapping of a miniscule hammer and the hiss of a tiny blowtorch, as Anup and Krishna ply their trade.

Says Anup, “Krishna and I are both Nepalese. We’re from the same family, and the art of making jewellery has been handed down through the generations, and we learned from our fathers.” Both work with a relaxed concentration that’s the mark of years of practice. I watch Krishna as he fuses tiny drops of gold, no bigger than a pinhead, onto a hasp that is barely bigger than a garden pea. He turns it over with a pair of tweezers; once finished it will boast a dozen dots of gold. It looks like it’s going to take some time, but he’s unfazed.

Anup, meanwhile, tells me that most pieces they make will take about a day. “Some take two and others can take about a week, if they’re very complicated.” Asked if they make pieces to order, they say this is part of their regular work. “Sometimes people will give us a picture out of a magazine and say, ‘make me something like that’, or other times they will just come and tell us what kind of piece they are looking for, and give me a rough idea of a design they’d like to have.” They start with the raw product, silver or gold that they buy from a store, and then melt it down before slowly starting the process of moulding it and turning it into jewellery.

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Anup selects one of the ornaments he’s working on. It’s a tiny frog made of silver, with two tiny glittering gems of eyes that seem to be winking. It’s about the size of a postage stamp, but every detail is clear, right down to the impish smile and the legs and feet, which are frozen in the merriest of leaps. This tiny frog is soon to be attached to a pendant, then will join the hundreds of other pieces of jewellery that make up the treasure trove that comprises Nature Art Gallery.

But they have more than just jewellery. There are some other treats in store for its guests. Dozens of small trays are filled with small polished stones. Each has a different colour, texture and each a unique feel. “We stock dozens of different stones,” says Michael. “Each kind has different properties and if you keep a stone close by you, it will affect you in some way.” Try holding different stones in your hand for a minute or two, and if you’re patient you’ll probably begin to feel a little bit different than you did before.

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You can buy the stones loose, or you can have them made into jewellery.

But how do you choose in the first place? After all there are dozens of possibilities. Michael says the best way is simply to find the stone that attracts you, which you feel some kind of affinity towards. “It’s really the stone that is choosing you, rather than the other way round. When you’ve decided, you can see from our chart what the stone’s properties are,” he says. “People who choose and then read about the stone say that it’s exactly what they need.”

The gallery has enjoyed great success, and after opening two branches in Had Rin on neighbouring Koh Pha-Ngan, owners Michael and Shai have opened their second Samui branch, just over the road on the second floor of Central Festival.

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 Come and join our happy hour as day turns to dusk before strolling down to the quaint cobblestone ‘Bophut Fisherman village’ Good things come in three, enjoy our Happy Hours daily at

01:30 - 02:30 pm 06:30 - 07:30 pm 09:30 - 10:30 pm There are many great finds when you visit Nature Art Gallery. Whether it’s something for yourself, a present for a friend or something quite out of the ordinary to take home to remember your time on Samui, a veritable treasure trove awaits you in any of the stores run by Michael and Shai.

- buy one get one free -

HANSAR

Dimitri Waring

___________________________________________ For further information, telephone 0 7742 2594. www.thailand-jewelry.com

HANSAR SAMUI

101/27-28 Moo 1, Bophut Koh Samui 84320 Thailand +66 77 245 511 | www.hansarsamui.com

MUCH MORE THAN RAUNCHY ROCKS Exploring the area around South Lamai and Hua Thanon.

If there’s one tourist attraction on Samui that will have people giggling, pointing, shying away from or taking too many pictures of, it’s the Hin Ta and Hin Yai rock formations, also known as Grandfather and Grandmother rocks. Located on the rocky coastline between Lamai and Hua Thanon, off Route 4169 on Samui’s south-east coast, these two rocks cause a great deal of chuckling, and sometimes embarrassed glances, from many tourists. They were discovered by locals many years ago and if you haven’t seen them yet, head down and pay them a visit, because these two rocks look like male and female genitalia - the resemblance is truly uncanny.

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Legend tells of a tragic story and is described on a sign near the rocks: “A folklore of Samui Island tells the story of an old couple by the name of Ta Kreng (Grandpa Kreng) and Yai Riem (Grandma Riem) who lived with their son in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat. Since their son had come of age, they felt that it was time he got married.

One day they decided to sail to the neighbouring province of Prachuap Khiri Khan to ask for the hand of the daughter of a man named Ta Monglai. During their sea journey, their boat was seized by a storm. The old man and his wife were unable to swim ashore. They died at sea, turning into rocks as proof to the would-be bride’s parents of their true intentions. The rocks stand there to this day.”

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More than

A MOVIE

The rocks are easily seen from the many boat trips that circle Samui on day trips so you can choose to view them this way, but if you visit them on foot, the views of the surrounding area are nothing short of spectacular. Nearby there is a small sandy beach that is ideal for swimming and cooling off if you’ve spent too much of your day in the sun. There are many street stalls set up around the rocks viewpoint selling postcards, drinks and snacks.

There is also a traditional Muslim fishing village close by, as well as Samui’s only mosque, tucked just behind the fresh market at Hua Thanon. These Muslims are Pattani Malay who form a large part of the population in Thailand’s southernmost provinces (Pattani, Narathiwat, Yala and Songkhla). The countryside around here is full of plantations and buffalo fields, perhaps this was how the whole of Samui used to look before tourism took over. You can also take advantage of the many little restaurants dotted around this area of coastline. They will all offer the typical outdoor seating areas with beautiful views of the sea.

2nd Floor SAMUI

Tel.: 0 954 141 366 www.xd-attractions.com

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EXCITIN

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HORROR HOUSE

plot of land filled with pools, high speed slides, Jacuzzis, air bag jumps, funny bumper boats, an inflatable castle, go karting, tree to tree adventures, and a bungee trampoline. If you think the beaches and lifestyle on Samui are paradise for adults, this park is paradise for children! Everything is closely monitored by staff and there is a bar and restaurant on site to keep those energy levels up.

The Samui Butterfly Garden is on the side of a hill at Laem Natien, a short drive south of Hin Ta and Hin Yai, and has an enclosed tropical park containing hundreds of butterflies, a display of insects and moths and a few beehives.

Because of its location, they have set up some observation platforms on the side of the hill which offer breath-taking views of the coast.

If you prefer something a little fancier, Rocky’s Boutique Resort is less than one kilometre further south of the rocks and offers a wonderful beach bar directly on a huge rock on the water’s edge, and rest assured, this rock is more traditional in shape. Offering a good selection of cocktails, it’s a great spot to sit and enjoy the changing sky as the sun sets. After your drink, head to their signature fine dining restaurant, The Dining Room, and enjoy classical French cuisine with a modern twist. At night, the resort is beautifully lit with fairy lights, hanging lanterns and candles, a truly magical experience.

If you have children, there is the Coco Splash Adventure and Waterpark in Lamai, just a short drive from the cheeky rocks. A massive 10,000 square metre

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Another short drive from Lamai is the ‘Mummified Monk’ at Wat Khunaram. A rather unusual sight, it is the body of a monk who died in a sitting position and whose body has been perfectly preserved. His body has failed to decompose normally and he wears sunglasses to cover his eyes. The temple does offer a unique insight into Buddhist and Thai culture.

So you could easily spend a half day or even a full day exploring this area of the island and there is plenty to keep you entertained (and to keep your appetites satisfied).

Colleen Setchell

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IDo

Your Wedding in Paradise at KC Beach Club.

The ring is on your finger. You’ve said yes to the man on one knee at the restaurant down the street. The one man who makes you laugh and who can stop your tears. The one man who knows you like honey on your toast, how many sugars to put in your coffee, that you are a night owl and not an early bird. The one man who now needs you to plan the day that marks the rest of your life together - your wedding day.

But where to start? There is the florist, the caterers, guest list, food and drink menu, date, venue. The venue. You roll your eyes to no one but yourself. Obviously, you should start there.

You fiddle through your memory, thinking of places to make your eternal vows. After a few days thought you decide to go somewhere. Somewhere warm, on the beach. A destination wedding. Then it hits you. The place where you met. Thailand. And without another thought you remember seeing a wedding at KC Beach Club, the sound of the waves as the couple took their vows, and you just know.

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Surfing the web you dive into your options. You find KC Beach Club offers a number of weddings at different prices including both Western and Thai style celebrations. You leaf through some advertisements, read a few reviews, and then decide to call to make sure you get all the information. You find out you have two broad options: The Traditional Thai Wedding Packages include: • Full planning, organization and consultation & pre-meeting with the wedding manager • Tropical floral decoration at venue • Monks to perform ceremony and blessing • Bride’s bouquet and groom’s buttonhole • Traditional long drum parade • Traditional Thai neck garlands for bride and groom • Photographer services for 2 hours and 200 high resolution images • Hair and make up for bride • Traditional Thai dance celebration after the ceremony • Welcome cocktails for bride and groom • Wedding cake • Memory book • Certificate of marriage in a Thai silk frame • A complimentary stay for one or two nights including breakfast for bride and groom (According to wedding package) • Honeymoon bed decoration on the wedding day • Wedding gifts for bride and groom

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And the Western Packages include: • Full planning, organization and consultation & pre-meeting with wedding manager • Tropical floral decoration at venue • Wedding celebrant to perform ceremony • Bride’s bouquet and groom’s buttonhole • Photographer services for 2 hours and 200 high resolution images • Hair and make up for bride • Welcome cocktails for bride and groom • Wedding cake • Memory book • Certificate of marriage in a Thai silk frame • A complimentary stay for one or two nights including breakfast for bride and groom (According to wedding package) • Honeymoon bed decoration on the wedding day • Wedding gifts for bride and groom

But this is just the beginning. On top of what’s listed in the packages, KC Beach Club can also organize an array of supplementary entertainment. This includes anything from long-drum parades to firework shows. You talk to them on the phone for a while. As the conversation moves on you realize how committed they are. From the backdrop to your bouquet, you’re convinced it’s going to be perfect. They offer makeup artist for your guests and additional photographers or videographers depending on your wishes. You hang up the phone after making the reservation and smile. The team at KC Beach Club are as invested in your special day as you are, and at that moment you’re sure, dreams really can become a reality.

The next day you awake to breakfast in bed to celebrate your first day of marriage together. You feel a little lightheaded after the night of complementary champagne, but laughing at the memory of Uncle Robert’s dance moves makes the headache worth it. Your husband (yes, he is now your husband) and you slowly make your way to the two hour massage package that is set up for you, and in the afternoon enjoy a tea set while overlooking the beach, where just the day before you were named husband and wife. The thought fills you with love, love which last the remainder of the night as you say goodbye to your friends and family. You are forever thankful for what KC Beach Club has done for you.

Now, off to the honeymoon.

Six months later, you find yourself surrounded by family, dazzled by makeup artists, and overwhelmed with excitement. The day has finally arrived for all your planning to become a reality. It’s a life changing moment, marriage. A moment that you pictured before there was a groom, a moment you picked dress colours for before there were even bridesmaids. A moment that defines the rest of your life. The sand beneath your feet feels moist as you walk barefoot down the aisle. You look up to see your groom standing beneath a white canopy, with the ocean horizon in the background. On either side of you, the purple and light blue flowers match the ocean and sky blues just as your team at KC Beach club promised. They were right. It was perfect. Your perfect.

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Alison Stephens

_________________________________________ For more information, telephone 0 7742 8088. www.kchotelsresorts.com

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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U NEED 2 B SMART! Ease your mind with the comprehensive hi-tech security of B Smart Systems.

Sorry about the snappy title – but at least it’s bang up to date! In the last few years, more and more private homes have been built on Samui. These have taken the form of small landscaped estates, imposing walled townhouses and, of course, sublime stand-alone villas. And they too, are all bang up to date. But, sadly, with increased prosperity, also comes the risk of increased crime. Samui has seasons – not just with the weather, but with residence and occupancy, too. Low season doesn’t just mean fewer tourists, it means less work for the locals. This unfortunately causes the crime rate to rise. And this in turn has led to some very smart security systems being installed to combat this.

My first introduction to all of this came about by accident. A couple of years ago I bought a second-hand table through a local paper. I phoned the seller and was given directions. I ended up in a tiny side-street with some very new and expensive walled townhouses on either side. I rang the bell outside the house. No answer. Then my telephone rang. “Oh hello,” came the seller’s voice. “I see you’ve arrived. We’ve gone out into town. But I’ve put your table outside for you. Just a moment, let me open the gate.” The high metal gate rolled open. “Load the table onto your truck, then you can put the money round the back. There’s a Kleenex box on the table in the garden.” And then the seller watched me load up. He was watching everything I did on his iPhone.

“Ah,” he said, “sorry, my wife must have moved the tissues. Just tuck the money under that magazine.” I gave a wave at the camera on the roof as I did so. And, as I went back to my truck, he used his phone to close the gate behind me. I was impressed.

I suppose if you’re some kind of jet-setter, living in expansive and walled luxury somewhere in Europe (or Johannesburg, maybe) this kind of thing is usual. But not here.

Well, not until the last few years, anyway. Sure, we’ve always had alarms that nobody bothers to respond to (not even neighbours), and floodlights on motion sensors (that made it easier for the robbers to see everything) – but nothing like as smooth and smart as what we have today. And what has turned it all from the medieval into the modern is the internet. Plus, of course, the programs and software that allow this kind of remote monitoring and control to happen.

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And at the heart of all of this is ‘integration’. A full system, not just one or two motion sensors to turn on the lights or ring a bell. Of course, if you just want the basics, they’re still available, and at far less cost than they used to be. But I’ll always remember my German biker friend with the two million baht imported Harley (one of the first in Thailand, let alone Samui). Before he had to return home for business, he spent what was then a small fortune on alarming his house, then drove his bike into the living room and locked everything up. When he came back – no motorbike. As I’ve already mentioned, there’s no point in having an alarm if nobody does anything when they hear it!

Today we have smart phones, smart cars, smart bombs – smart everythings. And that includes smart security systems, too. Khun Bee has been putting together security systems, here on Samui, for almost eight years now. “I don’t think you can now get much better,” he told me. “We’ve got the sort of technology that only millionaires used to have. Everything is linked through the internet, so you can monitor and control what’s happening in your house on Samui from anywhere in the world. The new software is awesome. For either iPhone or Android systems, on a tablet or a phone - although the smaller phones are not as easy to manage. And we can now set it up so that there’s a silent alarm, too, directly to your local police station.”

Khun Bee runs the very experienced set-up at ‘B Smart Systems’. It’s out on the north coast at Ban Tai, almost directly across from the signposted turn to Napasai Resort. He has several clerical staff, plus a team of engineers on call-out, along with three vans that are used around the clock for emergencies and maintenance. He can provide you with just about everything imaginable, from a video door phone, right through to the nerve system of a Star Wars battle cruiser.

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Fine Beach & Hillside Dining at Samui's Newest Venue Quality Thai, Seafood & International Dishes The Ultimate Samui Dining Experience!

And just about all of it is available to view at his premises, apart from the totally high-end stuff, which he’ll need to discuss with you in detail beforehand.

If you consider computers, together with ordinary cell-phones, then the leaps in technology in this area run parallel with computerised security.

Fuzzy video cams have long since disappeared. Now everything is high-resolution – crisp enough to pick out a vehicle registration plate at night from 20 metres away. And, indeed, the better systems have twin cameras, one working on daylight and the other switching to thermal imaging at night. And the best thing is that he’ll tailor your system to exactly what you need. A one-camera surveillance system, which can be linked to an iPhone or Android phone, starts from as little as just 10,000 baht. And he has equipment from Fujiko, Kenpro and Bosch, representing varying qualities from budget to professional. Plus he is a stockist for the entire range of Italian ‘BTicino My Home’ integrated systems. This is not only the Rolls Royce of the security world, and can even turn your stereo on and off and open your windows, but also runs to colour-co-ordinated schemes to match your décor!

Khun Bee has already equipped most of the 5-star resorts on the island, the major hospitals, numerous gasoline stations and many of the convenience stores. (The filling stations and hotel reception areas have a silent ‘panic switch’ option that can be set to alert in-house security or local police.) And yet, he’s happy just to come and set up a single camera in your living room so you can keep tabs on things using your telephone, while you’re away. B Smart Systems represents security at its smartest. And, really, U need 2 B just as smart, too!

Rob De Wet

__________________________________________ For further information, telephone 0 815 631 685.

Facebook: Bsmartsys Fujiko Samui

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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SNAKES ALIVE!

Nobody likes creepy-crawlies, but snakes are probably the least of your worries on Samui.

Many people who come to Samui are scared of snakes. No, that’s not quite right. They’re scared stiff by the idea of snakes – and that’s not the same thing at all. I even once met a touring couple who told me that their friends wouldn’t come with them because of this. This whole subject is more complex than it seems. Because, on the one hand there are the facts: snakes are scared of people; no tourist has ever died from snakebite in Thailand; there’s hardly anything nasty on Samui, and so on. And, on the other hand, there’s the primal fear of snakes, deeply rooted and undeniable, that’s not easily dispelled by any amount of facts or logic.

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Even so, the temptation to have a go anyway is just too great! Did you realise that you have more chance of being killed by a falling vending machine, than dying of snakebite? (The average number of deaths-by-vending machine is 15 each year.) In fact there’s far more risk of a plane crash or even being struck by lightning. (The score here is surprising: air accidents 1,200, lightning strikes 10,000.) How many kinds of deadly snakes are there on Samui? Potentially, only two. How many people were bitten on Samui last year? Five, all of them Thai ground-workers, and only one of these needed to go to hospital (and was out after three hours). How many tourists have ever died of snakebite here?

None at all.

All of which, sadly, means little to a person who begins to sweat at the mere mention of the word ‘snake’. But it’s totally and irrefutably true, all the same.

You see, Samui is an island. And although the mainland might have a number of venomous snakes, Samui hardly has any at all – Phuket has much more of a problem in this respect, and you’ll hear nothing much about this! In 2013, throughout the whole of Thailand, just eight people died of snakebites. And in all instances, they were agricultural workers in the Northern and Northeast regions.

In each case, they tried to treat themselves with home remedies. And by the time they found out this wasn’t working, it was too late.

Snakes on Samui are nothing to worry about at all. Really! I just can’t shout about that enough. I’ve been living in Thailand now for 17 years, 16 of them on Samui. The only time I’ve ever seen a cobra, strangely and alarmingly enough, was in my bathroom in Bangkok. My colleague there even had a pair living under his house. He used to delight in sitting on his balcony at sunrise with two saucers of milk to one side, and watch them both come up to drink. Cobras are not aggressive and these two quickly grew accustomed to his presence. Here on Samui, although I’ve seen quite a few snakes, nearly all of them were dead, killed as they tried to slither across the road.

Here’s another fact: even if a cobra bites you, you’ve got quite a long time to do something about it. Real life is nothing like the movies. Venom takes a while to begin working, during which period you’ve got literally hours to seek treatment (and more about that later). Plus there’s another fact that many people don’t know. Around 60% of bites are ‘dry’ bites – meaning envenomation doesn’t occur. When suddenly disturbed, the reflexive ‘lashing out’ doesn’t engage the venom mechanism, resulting in a superficial bite that will sting a bit but has no venom. Ninety-nine percent of the time, if you accidentally tread on a cobra it’ll

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bite dry – all it wants to do is escape. And if one is cornered, you’ll get plenty of warning, as it’ll rear up and spread its hood. In which case you simply back away quietly and without making sudden movements. Snakes are a lot more scared of you, than you are of them, believe me.

I’m aware that I’m walking a tightrope here. The more I talk about snakes and how inoffensive they are, the more some people are going to go “. . . oh my god, oh my god – there are snakes on Samui!” But with some people, that’s just the way it is. No amount of reason will put this to rest. So the only thing remaining, then, is to outline exactly what sort of snakes we have, what to do when you meet one of them and what to do in the unlikely event you are bitten.

And that’s where Phil Brook comes into the picture.

Phil has been here on Samui since 2004, and is better known as ‘Samui Snake Rescue’. And he’ll be the first one to smile and tell you that there’s nothing to worry about. “There are lots of different snakes here that are completely harmless; the only venomous ones are the cobras,” he told me. “But cobras are really shy and will do everything they can to avoid humans. The only time they can be dangerous is if you decide to whack them with a stick or throw stones.

And in the very rare event of you being bitten, just don’t panic. The worst thing to do is the old movie cliché of cutting the skin or applying a tourniquet. Wrap a firm bandage around the bite and get yourself to either Nathon or Bangkok Samui Hospital – the only two places with anti-venom. But the chances are that you won’t need treatment and be out again in an hour or two.”

So there you have it. On Samui there are great big spiders but they don’t bite.

The scorpions are unpleasant, and they sting. The caterpillars are pretty but watch out for the big purple ones with orange legs. And both of the latter are nastier and lots more plentiful than snakes. All in all, the vast percentage of visitors here will tell you they have more problems with mosquitoes than anything else, and that’s only swollen bites – there’s no malaria. The fear of creepy crawlies is a primal thing and so is the horror of slippery slithery snakes. But the ‘snakes alive’ on Samui are total wimps – “Tourist gets Savaged by Cobra” would make international headlines, believe you me!

Rob De Wet

_____________________________________ For humane snake removal, telephone Phil on 0 896 635 085.

Facebook: Samui Snake Rescue

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

A CHANGE IS AS GOOD AS A HOLIDAY Experience Samui’s latest attraction at Escapology.

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At some point in our demanding lives we dream of escaping to a tropical island and finding sanctuary on its peaceful shores. But what about escaping on an island? Why would you leave your palm-fringed hotel pool, and volunteer to be locked in an room with a clock counting down to indicate you have less than an hour to solve a world crisis, or escape from being sold into slavery?

If that isn’t stressful enough, your captors have taken charge of your phones and valuables. You are even paying money for this! Escapology may be the last thing you thought to do on your island getaway, but for many of us, having an adventure can be as good as a holiday.

Escape room games are new on Samui, but they’ve become popular with tense overworked professionals all over Asia in the past few years. They are a retro-fit concept, based on online games now manifesting as 3-D hardware.

That’s a fancy way to say you play with real people, in a series of actual rooms that resemble an ‘escape-the-room’ computer game, decorated to fit a

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theme, and littered with the clues that are going to help you escape. Games are themed settings that sometimes include prisons, hospitals or other life-and-death scenarios, with laser beams and sharks!

Some of us are old enough to remember the sleeper hit text-commanded PC DOS game called “Leisure Suit Larry”, where a bewildered character controlled by your direction arrows could move around the screen in a virtual city called Lost Wages, seeking clues to solve his dilemma. It was crucial to collect the available information before moving to the next stage, so it was ‘game over’ if you missed a clue. Solving it took months, with friends enthusiastically faxing and writing to each other (yes, those were the days!) to share tips.

With escape games the process is similar: you don’t know when information may become relevant, and you encounter clues in strange forms - as jigsaw puzzles, word or number puzzles or colour-coded pictures. These often work in

combination, as for instance when a word clue refers to a visual one.

At Escapology on Samui there are currently two themes - one based on the Cuban Crisis where you have to save the world from a nuclear war. And the second is Shanghaied, where you have been kidnapped as an indentured sailor aboard a junk ship, and have to try and escape to Samui.

We draw the second option and are briefed by our game warden before the timer is activated. We enter a room decorated with nautical motifs - there are sea charts overlaid with constellations, ropes and apparently random items hung and strewn about. What’s with the leather belt with strange runes? And the marked playing cards? There’s a historical chart showing the ship’s history to date. Some of these items turn out to be red herrings, or just furniture, but some will yield vital information. Like Larry, you may come across some information before, or after, you need it.

While it would be unfair to spoil any of your discoveries (you are going, right?), some examples from similar games elsewhere can help. Imagine you come across a series of apparently decorative squares arranged symmetrically around the room. A more tactile player may pick them up to turn them over, a more visual one can see that they can be arranged to form a picture. A logical person will figure out that the picture corresponds to something else in the room, and so reveals a hidden button. A framed quotation on the wall looks like an innocuous platitude, but when you find a corresponding visual clue it suddenly rings a bell.

The entire process requires some lateral thinking, and it’s way easier and more fun than you first think. The structure of the game is clever and creative, and appeals to many kinds of thinking. As some of us are more visual, some more auditory, some tactile, it makes sense to have different kinds of clues.

This may sound difficult in abstract, but the game is structured to work for everybody.

Firstly, you have your friends to help you. And secondly, the Escapology support team are

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watching on CCTV, and will come in at crucial points of the game to ask if you’d like to trade clues for time.

What will help you most is being playful.

Imagine you are a 16 year old, educated enough to read the clues and think logically, but curious enough to look at all around you with fresh eyes. We are lucky enough to have one with us, and he leads us to getting into the spirit of the game. As we grow older we play less, or some say, we grow older because we play less. Play is a faculty that is cherished by humans - and for good reason. Through play we discover our environment, the physical space around us, and interact with others and our world. Think of that Eureka moment in the shower, or while playing Frisbee?

So get into the spirit of the game. While you are going to have to apply your left brain to the clues, codes and puzzles to progress, there’s a certain relaxation around controlling the outcome where you enter ‘the zone’, suspending your pre-conceived ideas and awakening your curiosity. Something magic happens and it all starts to make sense.

Afterwards our game mistress explains that she judges each group according to their attitude - and if she can see a group enjoying the puzzles she’d leave them to continue, while with an apparently frustrated group, she’d suggest a clue.

When we finally burst out of the rooms with a sense of fulfilment, we do so despite being ten seconds over time.

Escapology on Samui is a fun diversion for a group of friends or a family.

You can play with between two and five players, with the price per person dropping as you add players. Children from seven years and up are welcome, and our advice is to let them lead the way as they are far more creative in their thinking than we oldies are.

Located at Beach Republic, off the main ring road at the north end of Lamai, you can take advantage of the facilities at this beach club to enjoy a meal and a drink, and discuss the game in the afterglow of camaraderie. And there’s no need to end your encounter with playfulness there. Let the games begin!

Annie Lee

________________________________________ For more information, telephone 0 7745 8100. www.escapology.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.

Noi, Noi, Noi! Head five minutes out of Chaweng for fabulous festivities at Impiana Resort in Chaweng Noi. In a way, Chaweng is a problem! It’s the major focus of the island. So a great many people stay there. Or, if they’re staying elsewhere, they come over to visit. And the problem? Well, this means that most folk don’t really notice those places that are right next to it. To be realistic, there’s really only one place like this. It’s that first kilometre or two of hilly ring-road, just as you leave Chaweng, heading towards Lamai. Or, just before Chaweng if you’re coming the other way. And this nice little bay, just south of Chaweng is called Chaweng Noi. To many it’s known as ‘Chaweng south’. Although in reality, the Thai translation means ‘little Chaweng’. And the other reason that most people don’t take notice of it is that there’s actually not a lot to see. Well, that’s the way it seems, compared to the end-to-end bustling street stalls and shops of Chaweng. There’s none of that here, in Chaweng Noi. There are however, perhaps a dozen or so really top-notch resorts, reaching down the hill onto the clean, quiet sands. And one of the most notable of these is Impiana Resort.

Impiana is one of a small but select number of places that fly a 4-star banner, but are actually offering 5-star facilities and service. Guests staying here receive a lot of very personal attention, even down to the pillow and linen menu, and housekeeping staff who’ll adjust the furniture and place slippers and cold drinks exactly where each person likes them in the room. But things at Impiana spread wider than this.

First of all, in line with most resorts that have their own signature restaurants, they welcome visitors from outside. But, unlike many, they also offer a shuttle service from Chaweng and back. There are actually three restaurants to enjoy here, each with a different ambiance and outlook. Tamarind Bar & Lounge is a cosy, open-sided dining area with an elevated outlook, subtly divided into a games room, lounge and bar, plus a terraced outer dining area that’s intimate and relaxed.

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On a lower level, you’ll find Sabai, the cheerful and shady all-day restaurant that’s on the fringe of the sand. And then right on the sand itself there’s the Beach Bar. And, no, it’s not just a thatched hut on the beach! This is a big and shady two-floor getaway, refreshingly open-sided, with a modern marble-topped bar sitting along an area of wooden decking on which is a comfortable lounge area.

Right up through the middle of this, two massive fruit trees continue up and vanish through the ceiling. And, going upstairs, there’s an entire upper deck, perched up above the beach below, shielded by the coolly-dappled shade from these two huge trees. There’s enough space up here for a full-tilt wedding party.

The staff and management here are forward-looking and friendly, and to make your seasonal stay on the island even more memorable, they’ve put together a very special set of festive offers that are exclusively aimed at visitors from outside.

The first of note is an exceptional spa promotion. Their Swasana Spa really is one of the most tranquil you’ll come across. It’s not big, but there’s a positively ethereal atmosphere as soon as you step inside. There’s a whole set of beauty, therapeutic, and rejuvenating treatments, as well as a range of massages. And they are offering you the chance to enjoy three treatments from their range of facials, wraps, body scrubs or body massages, and pay just one price only.

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To dovetail into this, they are also extolling the use of their beach, pool and restaurant facilities. Here at Impiana you are welcome to come for the day, use the loungers on the beach and by the pool, the sun umbrellas, the restaurant and Beach Bar, plus the changing room, shower and bathroom facilities. The cost for this is 1,000 baht for two people – but this also includes a voucher for 750 baht to spend on food and drinks. Come as a couple for a change of scene – and then one or both of you can head off to the spa!

And it has to be mentioned that, in conjunction with this, there are no fewer than three happy hours running – from midday until 2:00 pm, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm and the last one after 9:00 pm. And all drinks (except wine and premium spirits) are two for the price of one.

As for their Christmas offerings, in the evening of the 24th December, there’s Impiana’s Tropical Christmas Dinner – fully in the spirit of traditional Christmas but with an extraordinary buffet of Christmas and Thai favourites. There’s turkey, salmon, a full BBQ plus Christmas pudding and lots of music and dancing.

Beginning at 7:00 pm and going on late, the cost is 1,800 baht per person, with children under 12 at 900 baht. But if you book a table for four (before the 20th December) then one guest will dine free.

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

And then, during the day on the 25th, there’s the Impiana Christmas Brunch; a buffet with International selections ranging from seafood to sushi and Thai cuisine, too. It’s just 790 baht per person, but with children under 12 coming in for 400 baht. Similarly, if you book a table for four (before the 20th December) then one guest will dine free.

Like I said, it’s 5-star service – although not when it comes to the bill. It’s at the Impiana Resort. And it’s in Chaweng Noi Noi Noi!

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.

Rob De Wet

________________________________________________________ For reservations or further information, telephone 0 7744 8994. www.impiana.com

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.

Not so long ago, Chaweng was small. You could see the sea – and walk to it – from the beach road. The beach road was a dirt track full of holes; muddy when it rained, and a dust storm when it didn’t. There were no fixed opening or closing times for bars. Big motorbikes were so rare that people stopped and stared. There were only a couple of big Chaweng hotels, but lots of little beach resorts with wooden huts. No Tesco, no Pizza Huts or Big Macs, and there weren’t any taxis to be seen anywhere.

There weren’t any 7-11s either, except for one in Nathon.

And only one ATM, also in Nathon.

But, right down in the southern part of Chaweng, with mostly sand dunes on either side, a new resort was forming. It was a joint venture between John Taylor and David Hill. John had already set up something in Bali, which was at that time unique – a small, family-owned resort, but with the cottages fitted-out to a high standard.

And he and David decided to open something similar here. This was to become Poppies. It took the Bali concept one step further, and became Samui’s first small bungalow resort designed to European standards.

Accommodation with hot and cold water and air-conditioning, luxuriously fitted, equipped and furnished. It first opened its doors in 1994. And today it’s still going strong, copied by many, but equalled by only a few.

evolved into what it is today. Today there are two chefs in charge, one taking care of the International cuisine and the other the Thai kitchen.

Khun Wantanee Panpleam – nicknamed Khun Wan – is Thai Chef, and she has been here right from the start.

And Khun Noi (Khun Suwit Suwan) handles the Western cuisine, and has probably had some of the finest training anywhere, under the guidance of all those previous chefs.

Between them, they produce one of the most-acclaimed menus on the island, and this is something that’s continued to evolve and improve every year. Today your taste buds will twang at the mention of ‘Char-grilled Snowfish with a light Coconut Sauce and Sautéed Morning Glory in Sesame Seed Oil’ or ‘Poached Rock Lobster in a light Green Curry Sauce and Sautéed Kale’. (Yes, Khun Noi has turned the blending of East and West into a subtle art!)

But, it has to be said; right now, the star of the show is a completely new sub menu – the ‘kantoke’ selections.

The kantoke is a traditional Thai presentation that’s a variation on the usual theme.

Instead of a number of big dishes being placed on the tale for all to share, it’s a set of smaller, more-individual servings. This has evolved today into being a very neat way of serving a selection of Thai dishes to just one, or two, people – think of it as a table load of Thai tapas!

And the kantoke selections here at Poppies are drumming up a storm. This format has proven so popular that there’s now even a set of Western dishes, too. And there’s such a wide selection that they’ve actually created a new menu just to go with them all.

PERFECTLY POPPIES

An in-depth look at a Samui legend – Poppies resort and restaurant in Chaweng.

For a small resort like this, the biggest problem has always been how to ‘maximise’ things. How to fit the maximum number of cottages into the space, yet still retain a sense of privacy and individuality. David and John spent a very long time designing this, and to stunning effect. The landscaped path twists and turns, shaded and screened with greenery, and every one of the 24 lovely family cottages are woven into it as if they’re tucked away into a far bigger plot. Drop in during the day and it’s delightful. But call in at night and it’s sheer magic – the glowing pools of subdued lighting adding to the effect. It’s been said that, when you come in off the road and into Poppies, the dimensions somehow seem to shift. It’s true – but you need to experience it for yourself!

Along with the ‘Euro’ concept also came the idea of first-rate food. And right from the start the restaurant was conceived with this at the fore. In the first instance, the world-class chef and bon vivant, Californian Jeffrey Lord was appointed. He was then succeeded over the years by a procession of culinary stars – Yannick Tirbois, Jan Hollister, Greg Montanez – as the restaurant gradually

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The Thai offerings – and there are five different ones – start with a traditional set. In front of you, in lovely small pearl-glazed ceramic bowls, you’ll find charcoal-roasted duck curry, spicy prawn soup, stir-fried morning glory, deep-fried prawn cakes with plum sauce, stir-fried chicken with ginger, plus a dessert of banana fritters with coconut ice cream. And the same format and presentation applies to the ‘Four Regions Kantoke’ and the super ‘Vegetarian Kantoke’, too. But the cream of the crop has to be the ‘Royal Thai Kantoke’ for two. This comes on authentic Benjarong porcelain, decorated with elaborate cloisonné enamelling and real gold leaf. And you’ll go giddy with this regal presentation of a selection of appetisers, plus steamed curry crabmeat soufflé, steamed white tuna fillet, red beef curry and king prawns.

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The popular western offerings come in the form of a 2-person ‘Selection of Small Poppies Favourites’ – Caesar salad, duck breast, lobster, veal tenderloin, steamed snowfish and warm chocolate lava cake with raspberry coulis and vanilla ice cream. Or, alternatively, the ‘Selection of Small Seafood Dishes’ (also for two). In which case, heads down for poached rock lobster in a green curry sauce, soft shell crab tempura with green mango salad, green lip mussels in white wine, tiger prawns, char-grilled snowfish, plum and strawberry sauce, feta cheese and rocket salad. Plus dessert!

Already the employees at Poppies are scheming and planning with excitement – next year it’s the official 20th anniversary of this classic resort. Twenty years of excellence, marvellous food, and super-friendly staff. It’ll be quite an event. Two full decades with everything as close to perfect as is possible – ‘perfectly Poppies’, in fact!

Rob De Wet

_____________________________________________________ For reservations or further information, telephone 0 7742 2419. www.poppiessamui.com

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12 FLYING TO

Baan Haad Ngam Resort celebrates its 12th birthday this year with something luxuriously special.

Some visitors to Samui have problems with long Thai names. But Baan Haad Ngam Boutique Resort & Spa is easier than it looks – just say it ‘ban had nam’. There are now hundreds of resorts on the island, but the chances are that this is one that you haven’t heard too much about. Well, unless you’re Italian, that is, and more of this in just a moment!

It’s discretely tucked away in the quieter part of Chaweng Beach, at the northern end, where the beach road starts to rise and twist a bit. As soon as you come off the main road, the feeling changes - you drop down into a narrow street that feels quite European. It twists sharply to the left, with dense foliage on either side, and that Mediterranean feeling gets stronger. And, just on that bend, with barely room to squeeze a car between, are the twinned parts of the resort, just metres from the beach. There’s a cosy feel to it all, and if you didn’t know better you’d swear it was a cobbled lane in Tuscany.

To the right, a gap in the greenery permits a peep through the cool and shady restaurant, with the blue of the sea behind. And on the left, low-rise, compact, shady and intimate, are the steps rising up into the U-shape of the resort itself.

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It’s deceptive. From down here, outside on a lower level, there’s no hint of the spacious layout that contains 50 luxuriously appointed rooms and villas. But, screened by the slate and stone and the lush greenery, just a few steps away are some of the most tranquil yet sumptuous suites around. Many resorts tend to play it safe and go for white walls, or perhaps pastels. But Baan Haad Ngam is splashed with colour. Vibrant oranges play off against the bold ochres and pinks of the cushions and upholstery, anchored placidly into place by the broad swathes of pure white of the fulllength curtains, and the huge mosquito drapes around the beds.

And, threaded throughout the resort, is the sturdy, rich tone of natural woods.

The facilities are excellent, too. There’s a fabulous day spa which offers a range of beauty and rejuvenating treatments and massages, including packages which have several ‘his and hers’ options. Baan Haad Ngam has something of a reputation for weddings and all the associated services that go with this and, indeed, everything here is very romantic and intimate.

That goes for the restaurant, too – and this is where the Italian connection comes into the picture! ‘Olivio’ is one of the island’s leading Italian restaurants, and is where the Italians on the island come to eat! It would be impossible to run through the menu in detail here, but worthy of note is the range of pizzas – particularly the crispy-base fusion spin-offs that include a range of Thai-style toppings. But possibly the most-exciting offerings here are quietly tucked away under the heading of ‘calzone’. This Italian speciality uses a kind of flaky pizza base that seems a distant relative of puff pastry, but with bigger, crisper flakes. It’s delicious! And to make things even more tempting Olivio is currently running a pizza promotion of buy one, get one free. Time this right, paired with a happy hour that runs from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm, and you’ll get double value for money.

But I’ve saved the most dramatic thing of all until the end.

December sees the 12th anniversary of Baan Haad Ngam Resort.

And during this month, you’ll see all sorts of special offers and promotions. Not the least special of which is the appearance of the utterly superb Exclusive Pool Villas that have been constructed to mark the anniversary. Retaining the same intimate ambiance as the rest of the resort – and that hallmark cosy and intimate privacy – the seven of them are located in another private little cobbled nook, right across the street from the main resort building.

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AHMS THE COLLECTION

Samui Discover authentic Indian Cuisine

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

Khun Kittirat Suksomboon is the resort’s General Manager. “These villas are unique,” he enthused. “We’ve designed them to be really very private, and concentrated on making the décor as romantic as possible. The bathrooms are enormous, the centrepiece being a whirlpool Jacuzzi that’s more than big enough for two people. Plus there’s a full set of Bulgari designer bathroom and beauty products, too. And they’re all fully serviced. Meaning that, nearby at the end of the little row, is a staff house where the personal ‘butlers’ are on call at all times to assist and attend to the guests.”

But that’s not all. To rival the best 5-star standards, incoming guests are offered a linen and pillow menu, making their stay as sumptuous as possible.

There are housekeeping visits to clean and freshen the villas twice each day. And each guest is offered a comfortable designer sleepwear set that’s personalised with his or her own monogrammed name. If you add to that the room service that draws from Olivio’s extensive à la carte menu, then that’s really topping things off in a very special way indeed!

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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

But, coming back to Olivio again, there’s something equally special running for Christmas. Most resorts like to tie their seasonal guests to an inhouse commitment for the New Year celebrations. But not so for Christmas Day. And so, if you fancy something really unusual, drop in here on the 24th or 25th. Olivio is offering a very reasonably priced Festive Fare dinner. And one of the options is the ‘Tomahawk Steak’. This is an imported leg of beef that’s simply enormous! It will certainly get some likes on your Facebook page. And it’s all part of the anniversary of Baan Haad Ngam Boutique Resort – as they ‘fly towards 12’ this year!

Rob De Wet

______________________________________________________ For reservations or further information, telephone 0 7723 1500. www.baanhaadngam.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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A HOLE IN MORE THAN ONE The complete low-down on golf around Samui – and it’s not just for the experts!

There comes a time in the affairs of men, as Shakespeare said, when they need to get away from the beach for a while. Being in the tropics with average temperatures around 30 degrees is not always good fun.

So trips out on a boat or up the (very much cooler) mountain are high on the list. There are a great many activities to fill in your time here. But there’s one that’s not only hugely popular, but it ranges from the sublime to the err . . . enjoyable, too! It comes in the form of an internationalstandard championship course right through to fun for all the family with a Frisbee. And it is, of course, golf.

Let’s begin by being serious. Samui boasts a championship-level,18-

hole, par 72 course over on the island’s north coast at Maenam, which is managed by Santiburi Samui Country Club. It’s a magnificent course, as you might expect, with panoramic views and a dramatic layout and design. It was jointly created by Pirapon Namatra and Edward Thilele, and the course ranges widely in terrain, not only rising and falling but scenically, being dotted with waterfalls and ravines, too.

It’s the home each year to one of the legs of the PGA Asian Golf Tour, attracting professional golfers from far and wide. But this is Samui, and not only is strictly formal golf attire not required, but there is no membership, meaning that players from outside have easy access.

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

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

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

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

Zooming to almost the opposite side of the island you’ll find the Royal Samui Golf and Country Club, in the hills above Lamai.

This is a nine-hole course and the view is simply stunning - fees and charges are not on a similar par though! If you’re staying in that area, there’s no doubt that this is the place to go if you fancy a quick round.

And then, situated somewhere between these two, in the region of Bophut and not far away from the landmark of Big C supermarket, there’s Bophut Hills Golf Club, a nine-hole par 3 course which has been around since 2006. Interestingly, it was also designed by Pirapon Namatra, and he has used the same Novotec grass as his more extensive venture at Santiburi.

The course is varied and challenging, but beginners are most welcome. One unique feature here is the two sets of colourcoded tees. The red tees are idea for beginners and amateurs and are located closer to each hole. Whereas the blue tees (known as the championship tees) are far more challenging and best suited to experienced players.

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!

But not everyone wants to be so serious! Although that might not be completely true if you visit Mini Golf International in Choeng Mon. This is one of just two such courses in Thailand (it was the very first one, in fact), and a member of the International Mini Golf Federation. There’s a full 18-hole mini golf track, played on a continuous hard surface, and the course has been designed to be as challenging and enjoyable as possible. Again, it’s fun for all the family.

And not so far away, on the Chaweng side of Choeng Mon, there’s Samui Football Golf. This is on a large three-acre plot of beautifully landscaped land that runs uphill and down, and is full of themes relating to the legends and lore of international football and its heroes. Each hole is set around a different themed motif – the ‘banana shot’, for instance, is screened by a hedge of banana trees, and the trick of bending the ball into the hole is achieved by means of a thoughtful ground slope in the right direction. The holes are screened from each other by hedges and fences, so that every new hole appears suddenly as a surprise., This is super fun for players of all ages and something not to be missed.

As, indeed, is the equally-enjoyable genre of ‘Frisbee Golf’, now resurrected and re-designed by Nigel Mills, but cunningly renamed ‘Disk Golf’. This is located on the north coast, over in Maenam. There are nine ‘holes’ (low baskets that you have to sink the disk in) with lot of challenging trees, shrubs and kinks in the terrain to keep things interesting. Curiously, here there’s also a colour-coded system, this time using red and blue coconuts – tee-off from the blue if you fancy your chances, but stick to the red path if you’re less of an expert! Another attraction is that the fee is just 100 baht, and you can play for as long as you want.

And that about covers it! A whole range of golf-related activity, ranging from championship tournaments through to family fun, with half a dozen shades inbetween. I guess that, on Samui, it’s true to say that a hole in one is possible, but there are lots of different holes and more than one way to enjoy them!

Rob De Wet

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The very best of all worlds at The Cliff Bar & Grill!

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It’s getting harder every year. There are a hundred on the beach.

There’s lots more tucked away. For every one you can see, there are many more you can’t. Yes, everywhere you look on Samui there’s another restaurant. You’d think this would be good, wouldn’t you?

And, in many ways, it is. But the big problem is that you’re utterly spoiled for choice. There are just so many good restaurants now that it’s not easy to pick out the great ones. But there’s one that everyone agrees is way up there on the list. It’s perched overlooking the sea, on the twisty hill-road between Lamai and Chaweng. And its name is The Cliff Bar & Grill.

This excellent restaurant has been collecting accolades ever since it opened, back in 2004. In fact, during this time, it’s picked up the Thailand Tatler ‘Thailand’s Best Restaurants’ award – a guide that has become a trusted companion for gourmands living in Thailand – no fewer than seven times, and with the latest of these coming over the last three years consecutively. And to drive home the point, on the 17th August this year, The Cliff was host to the Porsche Club Singapore; 32 immaculate cars and their drivers, who undertook a four-day round trip in order to spend an afternoon of fine dining and company, at what they had previously judged to be the best restaurant on the island!

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Your One Stop Chill Spot

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

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Fax: 66 (0) 77 448999

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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.

Private tours and costumized trips are available.

For more information contact Tel: 0901 650411 www.underseawalking.com Email: seawalkingsamui@gmail.com

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So exactly what is this elusive recipe for success? The location? The atmosphere? The food itself or the cost of it all? Well the location has a lot to do with this. It’s right on the main ring-road, highly accessible (and with parking for at least 32 cars!). Plus the fact that the outlook is super – the whole picture-postcard Samui seascape, complete with fluffy clouds and little fishing boats. And then the design and layout is just so good; it’s all very low-key, with loads of dark wood and warm lighting.

In the daytime, it’s cool and shady, with almost a whole wall of glass at both the front and also looking out to sea. Plus a dining terrace perched outside along the top of the cliff. So that’s the context. And then we come to the food.

Italian master-chef, Sergio Martelli, has been running the kitchen here ever since it first opened. His menu has continued to evolve over the years and, as well as a superlative selection of Italian dishes, is truly international and with one of the best quality selections of seafood that you’ll come across. Sergio was a firm believer in organic produce even way back before it became so fashionably popular, and this is reflected in his insistence on daily shipments of the more delicate fruit and vegetables being flown in from Bangkok. Much of the seafood is bought each day from the local markets, as you’d expect. But the harder-to-find items, such as the Pacific lobsters and oysters, are shipped-in live and kept in tanks that you are invited to choose from. But Sergio’s pièce de résistance here is most certainly the ‘Seafood Platter for Two’ which runs to Atlantic lobster, king scallops, NZ mussels, calamari, prawns sea crab legs and fish, that all comes with a plentiful risotto.

Nash Ludlow is the genial restaurant manager. “Sergio is a terrific chef,” he enthused, “and is constantly moving around among the diners, chatting and generally offering information or advice. Plus he’ll cook anything for you if you ask him, even if it’s not on the menu. One nice thing also is that every three days he creates two or three specials that aren’t on the menu, and these have proved very popular. Our lunch menu begins at midday, and I think we’re one of the few restaurants on the island that is busy in the daytime as well as at night. One reason for this has to be the extensive tapas menu. But then,” Nash smiled, “tapas is just as popular in the evening, too.”

This is not surprising, as there are 23 tapas items, ranging from the every-day (Spanish Tortilla) to the truly exotic (Pata Negra Joselito – aged Spanish ham from the black Iberian pig). And, as with all things here at The Cliff, this is a handcrafted gourmet selection, in this instance authored

by Peruvian chef, Adrian Torres Palomino. To top all this off there are also three ‘combos’ – mixed platters of various tapas, and a very palatable Chilean house wine to complement these delectable dishes.

Needless to say, the selection of wines here is impressive. There are more than 100 labels of classic and New World wines, and the labels are continually being added to and refined. There is a section dedicated to premium wines and another to some very exotic luxury wines. Of note here is the French champagne, Cristal, Louis Reederer, together with the venerated Opus One, Napa Valley USA 2008. And to officially stamp the quality of this selection of wines, you can add another prestigious endorsement, that of the Wine Spectator Award 2014 – ‘for restaurants with the best selection of wines in the world’.

And if some of these represent the pinnacle of luxury, then going hand-inhand with this are the cigar pairings. There’s a fine range of hand-made cigars, each of which has a recommended match with a similarly elegant wine. And featuring proudly here is the award-winning and highlyacclaimed ‘Perdomo Nicaragua 10th Anniversary Sungrown’ that is . . . “somewhat reminiscent of dark chocolate, with a natural sweetness that is merged with the impressive flavours of cocoa and coffee.”

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

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

For a while now there’s been a little motto associated with The Cliff, and you’ll see it both in the restaurant itself and also on their comprehensive website - ‘The Cliff – the only place to spend your afternoon.’ But I think they’ve got that only half right. It’s spot-on about the afternoons. But it’s pretty hard to beat at night, too. Maybe they should trim it down a bit and make it ‘. . . the only place’? Because they wouldn’t be that far wrong!

Rob De Wet

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

www.bluestars.info

THE HEART OF Nurturing each light brightly at SCL International School in Lamai.

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What do you remember about school? One particular teacher, perhaps?

The good parts? The highlights or moments of glory? The friends you made? Interestingly, it’s harder to recall the bad bits – our minds have a way of filtering them out. But here’s an interesting fact, and one that applies to us all. None of us were really at school. We were in school.

Immersed in it. Totally submerged by it, in fact. Occasionally, sadly, even drowned by it, although most of us found ways at least to swim along with the rest. The point is – very, very few of us ever came to see the bigger picture. We never had a need to, even later, as adults. As a student, the approach, philosophy and attitudes of your school and its teachers simply weren’t a consideration.

THE MATTER And then – in the blink of an eye – you’ve got kids of your own. And so for the first time in years you’re having to think seriously about education. But this time in a very different way. The chances are that now (and possibly for the first time ever) you are looking at the whole process from the outside. You’re looking into how schools are run, what the overall thinking is and what the intentions are – what the school is aiming to provide your child with. You want your child to be happy, treated with respect (yet firmness), and have his or her individual needs taken into account. But, as well as this, you want your child to be equipped to pass exams and become qualified, too.

Let’s go to extremes here and outline what you don’t want. Only a few generations ago a ‘good’ school was one that got the most students through public exams. And with some teachers, it was common to find students being made to memorise an entire textbook, illustrations included, one chapter a week for two years. There was no attempt to make this interesting – good students coped with it and were rewarded, and those with lesser attention spans and abilities fell by the wayside and were punished. The opinion of schools like this was that this method promoted discipline and formed ‘character’.

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This approach to education has now (quite rightly) disappeared. And yet every parent still has a nagging doubt that’s hard to pin down, and even harder to put into words. We all want our children to be happy – that’s something we’re certain of. And then it all gets a bit less clear-cut. Everyone also wants their child stretched to the best of their ability . . . but not at the expense of feeling pressurised or upset. Happy and relaxed, yes, but challenged, educated and qualified, too. But can these things go hand in hand? Can kids have fun but somehow also learn how to do things they might not enjoy? Can children enjoy themselves, but at the same time come to understand that discipline is necessary, too?

In a nutshell, this is the essence of education. It isn’t a science that can be applied methodically to every child to get predictable results. It’s an art. It’s cored in awareness, consideration and experience – the awareness that the teacher extends to each individual child, the thoughtful consideration of how to

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most-effectively tailor a response, and the experience to be confident enough to balance and adjust teaching methods accordingly. This doesn’t just happen; it comes about through training, dedication and practice. But how it all fits together, the scheduled programs of study, the curriculum that’s followed, the progression from each level to the next – all this, the overall philosophy that guides each of the teachers – this comes from the top. It comes from the director of the school.

The founder and director of SCL International School is Emma Dyas. The school’s been up and running since 2004, and there are 150 children aged between three years and 11 in the junior section, and 45 in the secondary school. To go with this there are 55 experienced staff, with 25 of them being of Thai descent. In 2010, the school gained accreditation as a Cambridge International Examinations Centre and the following year they were granted ‘International School’ status, one of only two schools on the island, and only the second school

in the southeast of Thailand with this standing. Academically all activities and programs are keyed into the National Curriculum for England and Wales, with the incoming European staff being UK trained. And the school is registered with the Thai Ministry of Education as well as ONESQA, the Thailand Educational Standards Agency.

But education is about more than qualifications. All students are individuals and some need extra support in specific areas. Many are not native English speakers, and therefore some lessons are taught in Russian, Spanish, French or Chinese. Students who are unfamiliar with English are taken out of the main groups for two hours a day to begin with, one-to-one with a specialist English teacher. Later this time reduces as the student becomes more capable and confident. And similar parallel structuring also allows individual attention and help for students with special educational needs.

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But ‘learning through play’ is a great motivator, and this extends throughout the school and out into the community, although with more mature students it’s more about enjoyment and involvement than ‘play’. One project is an awareness and appreciation of the environment, and of what harm is being done to the marine ecology. And another is an entire program of conservation and recycling activities in line with the ‘Eco Schools’ project. Plus currently, there’s a curriculum initiative devoted to working in co-operation with the Road Awareness Kampaign Samui (RAK Samui) in a further attempt to make the island and its communities safer and more aware. And the school’s fundraising campaign this year is being dedicated to this end.

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KHAO SOK

The Cliff and River Jungle Resort

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

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

SCL International School has continued to grow from strength to strength, yet despite this has maintained a family atmosphere. With its ongoing emphasis on individual learning and holistic teaching, the school really does make each student’s light shine brighter via its motto – ‘Educating the mind, nurturing the soul’.

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.

Rob De Wet

__________________________________________ For further information, telephone 0 7741 8789. www.sclinternationalschool.com

Recommended by Lonely Planet

Tel.: 0 7723 0684

Tel.: 0 7720 1150-8

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A LITTLE SPICE Beachfront entertainment completes the hidden castle of Hansar.

My motorbike scuttled on the concrete beneath the night sky, wooden fences and sporadic trees on either side. There, on the right pillar, a white rectangular sign reading ‘Hansar’ had led me to this darkened road. Happy to be away from the traffic and bright lights of the ring-road, I welcomed the quiet, but wondered if I had in fact been correct in turning where I had.

Maybe the sign was old and had not yet been removed. Maybe I had read it wrong. I continued.

Within moments I was met with what I had been looking for, as rays of light protruded out from behind letters forming the name HANSAR. Walking in, grey floors soothed my eyes as warm wood and white accents completed the modern look. Masterfully designed, the space looked twice its actual size with its open layout.

Leaving the lobby I walked to the main terrace. Situated in a cornered crescent moon, like a rectangle without its fourth side, 54 rooms, as well as the main restaurant, and ocean bar, make up Hansar Samui. In the centre, a salt-water infinity pool looks out onto the ocean along with greenery and beautiful paths intermixed. Designed to allow everyone a seaside and pool view, no guest is offered anything short of perfection.

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SMART START

Day care and learning center Where your child shines bright Tel: +66(0)98 364 5379 www.samuismartstart.com Lamai, Koh Samui

After passing the pool, I made it to the beach bar. With barstools that glowed showing their mosaic colours I couldn’t help but want to stop, but was unable. Instead I continued past, merely waving at the guests who were enjoying their Thursday night cocktails, aching for one of my own.

Descending a few short steps I soon found my toes in the cool white sand. Moments later I plopped down onto an orange beanbag, allowing my muscles to relax as I melted into the white beads forming around my body. I dug my toes deep into the sand and closed my eyes, letting out a deep sigh. Out in the sea, boats harboured in for the night, the dark shadow of Koh Pha-Ngan on the horizon. The stars and moon above, their reflection below. The bay calm and the wind soft.

A small off-white candle lit the table showing green plants on either side - a warm colour easing to the eyes. Kindly, a waiter provided me with lighted menus for drinks. The Strawberry Mojito came in a tall glass topped with fresh pineapple. Once it had arrived the waiter smiled, looking at his watch. With my questioning look he explained it was happy hour, so a second one would be coming shortly. I smiled back also checking the time. It was almost seven-thirty. Thinking that was fairly late for happy hour I inquired and discovered Hansar offers three happy hours; 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm - 10:30 pm. It looked as though I would be staying for a while!

Next came the ‘Bites’- an original play on appetizers. Firstly, the ‘Pork Kyozza’, a crispy Thai pork dumpling that I couldn’t help but finish. The dumpling was only the beginning however, as I also had prawn spring rolls, crisped to perfection. Each dish comes with its own special sauce, which of course added to the already delicious taste.

With expectations of fire-dancing, live music, and other entertainment every Friday night, Hansar hopes to liven up the beachfront experience, but only to a certain degree. It isn’t the next Chaweng, and has no intention of alluding to the parties and hotspots to be found there. Instead, Hansar has created a dual atmosphere combining comfort and entertainment that lasts until 11:00 pm. That way, those who don’t want to participate into the wee hours of the night have the option to retire to bed, while the night owls can continue elsewhere. A happy middle ground that caters to all tastes.

But that only marks one day of the week. For the other six, everyone is invited to sink into one of the three types of beanbags. Choose to lie down, snuggle up next to a loved one or friend in the double, or plop into a single. You can’t go wrong. And with the orange beanbags spread out over a wide area, there is no need to worry about privacy. Add to that tiki-torches, and

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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

the ambiance matches the mood. And let’s not forget the full drink and bites service.

So pick your day. Friday’s for a little spice, or any day for a relaxing night under the stars. Just remember - the little white sign is not old, you haven’t turned down the wrong street - keep going, the hidden castle is near.

Alison Stephens

______________________________________________________ For reservations or further information, telephone 0 7724 5511. www.hansarsamui.com

PAMPER ME! Samui is fast developing a reputation as the place to come for a little ‘me time’ and indulgence.

Pamper: To indulge with every attention, comfort and kindness.

Isn’t it strange that somehow we feel guilty for spoiling ourselves these days? And really, can giving back to our bodies what we take out of them on a daily basis be considered spoiling? In the same way that we have to recharge our mobile phones in order for them to function as we want them to, surely our own bodies need to be recharged too.

In today’s modern society, with its ‘work hard, play hard’ philosophy, many make time for the ‘work hard’ part, but fail to allow time for the ‘play hard bit. And those that do make the time, tend to play hard by way of over indulging – too much food, alcohol, cigarettes and late nights.

All this working and playing to the extreme has to take a toll on our bodies, and there’s a realisation that living an excessive lifestyle requires taking time every so often to ‘spring clean’ the body, both inside and out, as well as our minds. With this train of thought, there’s a trend now to book pampering holidays, or at least holidays where some time is allowed for pampering.

And Samui is known as a top Asian destination for doing just that.

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Some holidaymakers choose to go the whole hog and book into a detox retreat for their break. Others prefer a less extreme approach, booking into a regular resort with the family, but allowing time to try the fabulous treatments that Samui’s hotels, resorts and day spas have to offer.

So if you feel in need of rejuvenating, recharging or revitalising, the first step is to realise that there are three aspects of our bodies that may require attention, and you should choose treatments accordingly. Firstly, there’s the most obvious aspect: our external body – skin that is looking tired and neglected, or nails and hair that could do with a makeover. Even more important, and not always 150 l www.samuiholiday.com

as apparent that it may require a little TLC, is our internal body. This could be in the form of aching muscles from too much computer work, a digestive system that needs cleansing from over-indulging as well as various other ailments. The part that is least often treated is our mind and spirit. Learning to ‘switch off’ in a hustle and bustle world is not easy, and there are several ways of learning to relax, unwind and become centred again.

Looking at treatments for our external body, these are what are usually referred to a ‘beauty therapy’ and involve hair, nail, and body treatments as well as facials. Samui’s spas have a vast array of body scrubs and wraps to get tired

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 skin looking fresh again. Many of these treatments dig deeper so to speak, and heat wraps treat not only the skin, but can have an effect on aching muscles and help detox the lymphatic system. A body wrap is deeply relaxing, so treats the mind and spirit too, therefore ticking all the boxes.

Aromatic steam baths, saunas and Jacuzzis not only open up the pores to better absorb the treatment to follow, but also help release toxins, ease aching muscles, and relax the mind.

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.

Few people visit Samui without trying a massage of some kind, be it a 300 baht beach massage, or something a little fancier at one of the island’s

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

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

ถนนรอบเกาะ เฉวง

beautiful spas. Although different types of massages treat different conditions, they all focus on the inner body, either easing muscles and joints, or helping to break up and release toxins by concentrating on the lymphatic system. And no one can argue that a massage isn’t relaxing – well most anyway! A massage shouldn’t be overly painful, so if it is, ask your therapist for less pressure.

Whatever your preferred type of massage, you’ll find it on Samui. If you’re not familiar with the options, ask the therapist to explain the treatments and help select one that best suits your needs. A traditional Thai massage is completely different to a Swedish massage for instance, and if it’s not what you’re expecting, you could be disappointed, so be sure to ask what the massage involves as well as what it treats.

Samui is renowned for its yoga retreats and studios, and most will cater for beginners through to advanced yogis. Those that practice yoga, swear by it – with practice being the operative word. Yoga is a discipline, and when performed regularly and correctly, will bring body, mind and spirit into balance.

The poses, known as asanas, strengthen and tone the body and sculpt by creating elongated muscles.

Those suffering complete burnout will benefit from a stay at one of Samui’s health retreats that offer complete packages treating outer body, inner body and mind.

Usually, the package will involve a detox diet, and based on an analysis, several other treatments including yoga, massage and colonic cleansing. Often external distractions are removed, such as TV and internet in the rooms, and guests are encouraged not to leave the retreat for the length of treatment, to avoid temptations from Samui’s fantastic dining options or party scene. During such a program, you’ll initially feel hungry and perhaps drained and have a headache as your body adapts. But after a few days, the complete opposite is true, and

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you’ll feel rejuvenated and ready to tackle a hard-paced lifestyle again. Often retreats host outside practitioners and therapists, specialists in their fields such as spiritual healers, Reiki practitioners and dieticians.

While complete detox retreat packages are seldom cheap, they’re usually all inclusive so there are no hidden costs – and after all, how do you put a price to your health and wellbeing? If your budget doesn’t allow for such a package, at least try a morning at a spa, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at not only the price, but also the results – you’ll feel so refreshed, it’s like adding an extra few days to your holiday!

Rosanne Turner

PROPERTY CLASSIFIED

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

The Estates Samui

Villa for Rent/Sale - Yupa Villa 2

An exclusive and private collection of ultra luxury homes, cradled on a hillside overlooking one of the most pristine stretches of beaches on the island. A mixed-use development, including villa residences and the Four Seasons Hotel. Each villa features a private infinity pool with large sundeck, sunken dining pavilion, spacious living and dining areas, state-of-the-art entertainment and technology, indoor & outdoor bathrooms. Price starts from THB 145 million

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.

Website: www.theestates-samui.com Email: propertysales@minornet.com Telephone: +66 (0) 8 5484 8752

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

Price for rent : 29,000 Baht per month

3 months deposit

No key money Price for sale: 4.9 million Baht Contact Khun Na: 0892914747 (English and Thai) Â

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

Price: 4 million Baht Contact: Graeme 0 860 193 166

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 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

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

NAMU LIVE IT UP! TO WELCOME THE FESTIVE SEASON WITH INNOVATIVE DINING OFFERS.

KAGUA BEER SET Namu’s special Japanese rolls and yaki (grills) perfectly paired up with Blanc and Rouge beers, respectively, from Kagua, a high-end beer brand from Japan, which is crafted with rare ingredients and offers rich aroma and full-body flavor.

Lunch is offered every Friday- Sunday from noon - 4 pm and dinner is available daily from 6-10:30 pm. (2,700 net THB for two people)

SUSHI BUFFET Enjoy unlimited arrays of Japanese sushi and rolls, from spicy tuna to soft shell, available every Friday Sunday from noon - 4 pm. (1,200 net THB and is based on maximum of two hours of service per person) ONE 4 ONE AT SIP Indulge the picturesque sunset scene at SIP Bar while enjoy two cocktails or local beers for the price of one (from a selected list) together with special nibbles prepared fresh from Namu’s kitchen such as Takoyaki, Fish & Chips and Tuna rolls. The offer is up for grabs every day at SIP Bar from 4:30 - 6 pm. On Mondays, the promotion is available from 4:30 - 8 pm for the special Monday Night at the Movies.

ALL PROMOTIONS ARE OFFERED FROM NOVEMBER UNTIL DECEMBER 30, 2014 (EXCEPT FOR ONE 4 ONE AT SIP, WHICH IS ONGOING).

W RETREAT KOH SAMUI 4/1 MOO 1, TAMBOL MAENAM, KOH SAMUI 66 77 915 999 BF.WKOHSAMUI@WHOTELS.COM EXPLORE MORE SCAN ME! WRETREATKOHSAMUI.COM