Foreign Travel

The Attractions of Koh Samui

Posted by November 20, 2011

Koh SamuiKoh Samui is Thailand’s second biggest island; it is also second only to Phuket as a holiday destination for those seeking sun, sand and fun. Koh Samui continues to be a firm favorite with people from all over the world because it offers good value for money, excellent amenities and facilities, and plenty to see and do.

For a tropical island obviously one of the main attractions is the great weather, soft sand and warm sea. Koh Samui has over 20 beautiful beaches to choose from, each with its own personality. There are the mainstream beaches of Chaweng and Lamai that are next to towns packed with lively bars and restaurants. There is the boutique ambience of Bophut with its old Chinese architecture. There is the exclusive area of Choeng Mon with its designer hotels. And there is the more backpacker feel of Maenam. This is to name but a few of the beaches. Many people return year after year just to try a new beach each trip.

One of the main attractions for Koh Samui is that despite being 700 km from Bangkok it is easily accessed by numerous Thai Airways flights from the capital as well as other cities both in Thailand and farther afield. Samui Airport is near some of the best beaches on the island and is one of the most beautiful and relaxed transport hubs you are likely to encounter.

It is not just the airport that makes Koh Samui convenient. It is also the fact that the island boasts world class hospitals, big supermarkets, superb spas and wellness centers, good dentists and even a decompression chamber. Such is the convenience of Koh Samui that it has a large ex-pat community.

There are plenty of things to do in Koh Samui. There are a zoo and aquarium to visit; plenty of great diving spots nearby; a go kart course; an 18-hole golf course; a butterfly garden; a snake farm and several forest canopy ziplines to try. You can visit waterfalls, see mummified monks, go to Black Moon Parties, Samba Shows and Muay Thai fights.  Big Buddha statue and the 18 arm Buddha at Plai Laem are outstanding examples of Thai Buddhist art. You can also visit an island occupied solely by sea gypsies who risk their lives scaling cliffs looking for birds’ nests to sell for Chinese cuisine. In short Koh Samui is full of attractions for those who need a break from relaxing by the pool.

Samui accommodation ranges from youth hostels and cheap locally run guest houses to 5 star luxury resorts that boast private pool villas, exclusive spas and wedding facilities. You can stay in Koh Samui for as little as $15 a night and for as much as $1,000 a night.

Every year Koh Samui tries to make itself more appealing to tourists. It has recently added an annual jazz festival and annual marathon to its list of growing attractions.

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Holiday in Haad Rin

Posted by October 7, 2011

Haad Rin is the main beach on the beautiful island of Koh Phangan. It is an island set in the tsunami free waters of the Gulf of Thailand that offers pristine beaches, warm island hospitality, unspoiled nature, good value accommodation and the excitement of the world’s biggest beach party- the Full Moon Party.

Although the main port on the Koh Phangan is Thongsala, the principal tourist beach is Haad Rin. It is located on the south east tip of the island and is blessed with twin beaches one facing west (sunset beach) and one facing east (sunrise beach). The small town is a collection of streets lined with lots of shops, restaurants and bars. There’s everything in Haad Rin needed for a holiday. Unlike other beaches in Koh Phangan, there’s no reason to leave Haad Rin to change money, post a letter etc. as it is a self-contained tourist area.

Haad Rin accommodation is spread out over the town and on the hill behind the town. There are also plenty of resorts along the beaches. The main resort area is Haad Rin Nok – the longer sunrise beach – where the Full Moon Party occurs. Accommodation in Haad Rin ranges from basic bungalows to hotel style rooms with air-con, hot water, fridge and satellite TV. Room prices start at $30 a night and go up to $100 a night. Room rates go up to peak time rates during the week of the Full Moon Party.

The sunrise beach on Haad Rin has fine white sand and is great for year round swimming. It is one of the best beaches on the island, and for many the great nightlife just next to the beach makes it the perfect place for a holiday. Even when the moon is not at its zenith there is often a party going on.

On the night of the full moon more than 20,000 people descend upon Haad Rin Nok for the party to end all parties. Daubed in fluorescent paints young and old alike dance in the bars and on the sand until the sun comes up the following day. There are more than 10 major sound systems to choose from playing a variety of music. Everything from funky house to drum and bass and from R n B to the distinctive sound of Koh Phangan’s hard psy-trance can be heard along the beach.

The party is well organized and the atmosphere is very friendly. It is a great opportunity to meet new friends and to watch the sunrise. The Full Moon Party has become a ‘must do’ experience for many people intending to visit South East Asia. What better place to stay then at the heart of the action in Haad Rin?

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How I Find the Cheapest Flights To The Philippines Online

Posted by October 3, 2011

Hi, welcome to my post about finding cheap flights to the Philippines!

I like the Philippines a lot so I went there a few times already, it is a very beautiful country and my favorite place is north Luzon with the amazing rice terraces!

But to get there I need to find the cheapest plane tickets…….

I like to purchase my plane tickets online, I prefer this “method” above travel agents. After testing different “flights search engines” I chose to buy my tickets with Kayak.com as it´s search engine filter is the best for my needs.

But, to find the cheapest flight to the Philippines, my secret is to fly from Europe into one of the main cities of SE Asia like Bangkok, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur with a big airline such as British Airways and then fly into Manila with a low cost airline.

Asia offers great deals if you fly to Manila with Airasia or Cebu Pacific.

Air Asia flies from Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu, Cebu Pacific from China, Singapore and Indonesia. Both are great airlines and I travel with them very often.

Travelling everywhere is my main passion in life so I like to do it as often as I can, this is how I learn all this tips to make my travels more cheap:)!

Here is a cool video on how to find and purchase cheap flights with Airasia to the Philippines:

I hope you enjoyed reading my post and have great your travels!

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