Karma group returns to thailand’s koh samui with karma apsara

KARMA GROUP IS CURRENTLY OPERATING 33 RESORTS IN MORE THAN 10 COUNTRIES

arma Group has announced a return to Thailand’s Koh Samui with the opening of Karma Apsara, a tranquil oasis located on the pristine coconut grove slopes of the fabled holiday island. Located on an elevated slope in Mae Nam along Koh Samui’s breathtaking north coast, Karma Apsara brings together 32 spacious one and two-bedroom residences offering both garden and ocean views. “Koh Samui is one of my favourite islands in south east Asia and as Karma previously developed a highly successful resort on the island, I am delighted we are returning,” said John Spence, Founder and K

Koh Samui is one of my favourite islands in south east Asia and as Karma previously developed a highly successful resort on the island, I am delighted we are returning.

MR. JOHN SPENCE Founder and Chairman of Karma Group

Chairman of Karma Group. “Karma Apsara, named after the mythical water nymphs, is located in the north of the island close to pristine white beaches and the Santiburi golf course, making it a perfect base to explore the spectacular local surroundings or just kick back and relax by the pool.”

Karma Group is an award-winning international travel and lifestyle brand offering extraordinary experiences in the world’s most beautiful locations and is headed by Chairman and Founder, John Spence. The Karma Group is comprised of Karma Resorts, Karma Retreats, Karma Royal, Karma Estates, Karma Beach, Karma Spa and Karma Boutique. The Group is currently operating 33 resorts in more than 10 countries, including Australia, France, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the United Kingdom.

MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE IS AN AREA OF PRESERVED SAVANNAH WILDERNESS IN SOUTHWESTERN KENYA, ALONG THE TANZANIAN BORDER. THIS UNIQUE WILDLIFE PARADISE IS THE HOME OF LIONS, CHEETAHS, ELEPHANTS, WILDEBEESTS ZEBRAS AND HIPPOS.

By MR. MILIND BHIDE

y first wildlife trip & that too in Africa - Kenya! To be very candid I am more of a mountain person, “Himalayas” is my Mecca. However this wildlife safari has been a great experience! To see the “Big Five” - Lion, Leopard, Cape Buffalo, Elephant, Rino in the wilderness is something else & the wilderbeest , various kinds of bucks, Zebras and Giraffe grazing in hundreds on the vast Masai Mara plateau! It was amusing that I had seen most of these animals in the, zoo or circus as a child.

We visited the Ark Lodge, Sweet Water Camp, Nakuru Lake and Masai Mara. For me the Masai Mara was the highlight . I could see vast stretches of grassland till the horizon. Till then had read about these “Savanna’s” only in the geography school books!

Fortunately/ unfortunately, I was not carrying any camera, but that M

THE MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE IS ONLY A FRACTION OF THE GREATER MARA ECOSYSTEM, WHICH INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING GROUP RANCHES: KOIYAKI, LEMEK, OL CHORRO OIROWUA, OLKINYEI, SIANA, MAJI MOTO, NAIKARA, OL DERKESI, KERINKANI, OLOIRIEN, AND KIMINTET. WILDEBEEST TRAVERSE ITS PLAINS DURING THEIR ANNUAL MIGRATION. THE LANDSCAPE HAS GRASSY PLAINS AND ROLLING HILLS, AND IS CROSSED BY THE MARA AND TALEK RIVERS. THE AREA NEARBY IS DOTTED WITH VILLAGES (ENKANGS) OF MAASAI PEOPLE.

meant I could watch everything at ease through the binoculars . As we were driving through the Masai Mara grasslands a few thoughts crossed my mind and had few observation, which I thought of sharing here.

In Masia Mara one can really experience how the life form and nature coexist. There seems to be a perfect balance between nature and the various forms of life. Every animal seems to be contented. Apart from the fear of life, there seems to be no other insecurity. Yes, they have to work for food ; some have to walk for miles, others have to hunt. They fight for territory and to procreate, but still there seems to be some agreement within them. Someone would loose, someone would win, someone is killed someone survives, few are loners and

few are in a pack, there are leaders and there are followers. But inspite of this, they are at peace. They do not seem to have any enmity that lingers. B I wonder and compare this with us humans, mankind, and all the big thoughtful synonyms, the obvious questions are why we are so unsecure? why do we tamper this balance under the name of development, growth, progress...? Where has the intellectual quest and innovation lead us too? We wear a T shirt saying “Being Human” !!! Isn’t it deplorable?

With the virtue of intelligence, speech, imagination and perception we consider ourselves as a superior species. But it does not allow us to stay in similar communion with the nature. Overall it does not seem that it has allowed us to overcome our insecurities. We still leave in disguise of greed, envey, jealousy.. as a race we are still at wars. Are we too weak to survive otherwise?

In the animal world there are no crimes, if at all there is one that they commit, then it will only be for their survival which is a birth right of every living being. But as human it seems we use power more to harm. As said by Charlie Chaplin “we need power

only to harm else love is enough for everything else”

The questions remain. Have we gone wrong in our understanding and purpose of intelligence, our power of imagination and perception? Do we need to redefine the way we live? Else in the quote - unquote Man V/S Beast who is the “Beast” the way we understand?