Secret
Buddha Garden
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| :: Wat Talling Ngam |
:: Wat Kunaram |
The secret Buddha garden is
hidden in the hills of Samui. You can see several statues, temples and waterfalls which
were built by one man in the last 20 years.
The only access road to the temple is on a military road and getting there can be
difficult if the access road is closed. The only other way to get to the site is by
four-wheel-drive where you traverse through jungle, rivers and mountains. Beginning in
Lamai at the back of the main temple, the journey takes around 2 hours. If you are intent
on exploring the temple, make sure you are experienced in cross country and off road
driving otherwise carry a mobile phone if you get stuck.
Another and perhaps less stressful way of getting to the site, is by joining one of the
many jungle tours offered by travel agencies and resorts.
Hin Lad Falls
"Hin Lad" Falls are located 2 km south of Nathon Town on the eastern side on
route 4172. From the main road it is about 2-3 kilometers walk down a jungle path to get
to the falls.
Its recommended that you have tough shoes and leg protection for the walk. The falls are
situated in a lush tropical rainforest setting. There are several cascades which tumbling
down into a large pool below. At the bottom the water is cold and indeed very refreshing.
If you feel adventurous enough carry along your swimming togs and cool off after a balmy
trek.
Namuang Falls
Situated off the islands main circular road are the "Na Muang" Falls, which are
located 10 km south from Nathon. The falls are accessible from the village of Ban Thurian
on an unsealed portion of road.
There are 2 waterfalls - Na Muang which is 18 meters high and can be reached by vehicle;
and Na Muang two, which is about 80 meters high and can only be reached by a 5 minute
walk. The waterfalls are the most scenic on the island, and are at their best during the
raining season.
Butterfly Garden
Perched on a hillside on the south eastern corner of the Island, is "Na Tian"
Butterfly Garden.
Here you can see some of the most spectacular butter fly species on earth.
There are also other interesting features in the garden including a bee house which allows
the visitor to observe the activities of bees and an insect museum, where colorful and
weird shaped insects from Thailand and other countries are on display.
Snake Farm
A definite must see for all those visiting the island. Follow the road signs for show
times commencing at 11.00 and 14.00 everyday in "Talingngam" south of Nathon.
Shows feature snakes indigenous to Samui as well as some of the more poisonous scary
species found throughout Asia. Included are displays of Centipedes and Scorpion and of
course the famous Thai Cock Fighting show.
The programs are both informative and entertaining in typical Thai fashion - Great for the
entire family! Just follow the signs to get there, as displayed throughout the island.
Naga Pearl Farm
Discover how pearls are cultured. A 30 minute boat ride from "Ban Thong Krut"
landing will bring you to Koh Matsum and the Naga Pearl Farm.
After you learn about pearl culture, you will enjoy eating Thai food and spend the
afternoon on the white sandy beach. Don't miss the Naga Pearl Shop, located at 81/1 Ban
Thong Krut, where all varieties of pearl and pearl products are offered. Pearl shells and
special handicrafts are very nice souvenirs to bring back home.
Samui
Activities
Diving
Diving around Samui and the near island such as Koh Tao, Koh NangYuan, Koh Pa-ngan and Koh
AunThong Nation Marine Park could be memorized as one of the world diving paradise.
These group of islands is rich of an exotic natural beautiful, vary wide in charactoer,
from deep water pinnacles to shallow coral gardens, to rocky points complete with
swim-throughs such as you find in the Similan Islands. The island like Koh Pha Ngan is
perfect for both beginningand trained divers and you would get an unforgettable night dive
in a miracle underwater world here. The best time for diving being from February to
Mid-June and from September to November. >>More...
Sea Kayaking
Sea kayaking is the latest water sport to arrive at Koh Samui, after years of popularityin
the bays near Phuket. Beach rentals, professional instruction, day excursions and coastal
trips, and overnight excursions to Angthong National Marine Park, Koh Pha-Ngan and Koh Tao
are available.
Monkey Theatre
Located on the mainroad behind Bophut is the Monkey Theatre, another famous destination
for the whole family. It offers showsin which monkeys display their dexterity and not just
at picking coconuts. Entertainment also includes performing elephants. Monkeys played an
important role in the economy of Koh Samui. For centuries the people here have used them
to do the hardest part of the work by climbing the trees to pick ripe nuts on their
coconut plantations. Until the advent of tourism, oconuts represented the main industry on
Koh Samui, so a well-trained monkey was greatly prized.
Buffalo Fighting
Unlike bull fighting in Spain, but it usually more aggressive buffalo, the greater the
crowd's delight. The fight ends w hen one animal turns and runs. Buffaloes rarely suffer
real injuries, so Buffalo Fighting is not really a blood sport. This sport, specific to
southern Thailand, generates a great deal of excitement among the population; the fights
draw thousands of spectators, and gambling (although strictly illegal), is widespread with
hundreds of thousands of baht openly changing hands. For weeks or even months before a
fight, the contestants are beefed up with extra food rations and pampered with constant
showers and talcum-powder; they are decorated with jazzy ribbons and gold leaf on their
horns.
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