What to do in Ko Samui?
Wat Plai Laem
Thailand never seems to run out of Buddhist temples. Wat Plai Laem is one of the most noteworthy wats in Ko Samui. The temple's main statue is Guanyin, the goddess of mercy and compassion.
There is also a big laughing statue of Buddha. If you look hard enough at its face, you might actually end up laughing.
There were hardly any people in this temple during my visit. The temple area was quite peaceful, and hardly any people! You can do back flips here without bumping into a drunk!
Wat Phra Yai
This temple is also known as Big Buddha Temple. It was built in 1972 and has become a landmark of the island. The statue depicts Buddha in a state of calm, resolve, and purity after overcoming fear and temptation.
Hinyai & Hinta Rocks
I don't know how these rock formations became attractions, there's nothing special about them. These rock formations are known as the grandfather and grandmother rocks.
Mummified Monk
Ko Samui's mummified monk is a unique sight! Who would want to see a dead person slowly decaying in plain sight? But there's a story as to why there is a mummified monk in this temple complex. Monk Luong Pordaeng died in 1973 while in a meditative position. Luong Pordaeng was a devout Buddhist and would want fellow Thais to follow the teachings of Buddha. Despite the decades that have passed, the mummified monk shows little sign of decay.
Namuang Waterfalls
Namuang Waterfall is in an eco-park in Ko Samui. Honestly, the falls itself was underwhelming. At the first level of the falls, there was just too many people trying to swim in the murky, greenish waters at the falls' base. I headed further up the mountain to see the second level of the falls. Lo and behold, there wasn't much to see at the second level either. I had more fun trekking through the semi-forest than seeing the actual waterfalls. It takes around 15 to 30 minutes to get to the second level from the first level of the falls. And it takes some where between 30 to 45 minutes to get to the falls from the base of the park.
Beach Hopping & Bumming
Lamai Beach
Chaweng Beach
Silver Beach
Silver Beach
A trip to Ko Samui would be incomplete without visiting any of its beaches. There are many beaches to bum around in or take a swim from the more popular Chaweng and Lamai beach to the less crowded Silver and Choeng Mon beach. The sand in the beaches are fine, white or golden, and the waters ideal for swimming in.The developments that have taken place on Ko Samui has turned it into the perfect holiday destination for all sorts of travelers. There are plenty of shopping areas, restaurants, hotels, hostels, and anything tourists need to enjoy their vacation. There's just enough development to satisfy both tourists and locals, and enough 'rawness' of nature to keep the island naturally beautiful.
How to Get to Ko Samui
I booked a combo ticket of bus-ferry to get to Samui, I paid only 450 Baht from Krabi. Once at the port, you have plenty of options to get to your resort, hotel, guesthouse, or hostel. The local songthaews or mini buses from the port to Chaweng or Lamai wouldn't cost more than 200 Baht, if you're good at haggling, you might actually pay less.
