Meliá Koh Samui Experience Book 12102012

Experience
Book

Attractions

BIG BUDDHA TEMPLE

Big Buddha temple sits majestically on a small rocky island off Koh Samui’s north-eastern corner. Known locally as
Wat Phra Yai, its golden, 12-metre seated Buddha statue was built in 1972 and remains one of the island’s most
popular attractions. Set on Koh Faan, Big Buddha temple is reached by a causeway that connects it to the main island.

e Big Buddha can be seen at a distance of several kilometers and is often the first landmark people see when
arriving to Samui by air.
Opening hours: 8am – 6pm
Dress code: Cover your shoulders and knees

PLAI LAEM TEMPLE

Wat Plai Laem is a Buddhist temple compound on Samui's
north-east coast of Samui, featuring a striking white 18-arm
image of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion.
Wat Plai Laem offers visitors a view into Chinese- ai
beliefs as well as some elaborate Buddhist-themed art and
architecture.
Wat Plai Laem is a living and active temple, where devotees
come daily to pay homage to Guanyin and the Buddha, who
is also depicted in a number of statues and murals around
the temple. is is a relatively new temple but the art
techniques used in its creation are centuries-old and based
on ancient beliefs.Adding to its feel of tranquility,the temple
is surrounded by a lake, which is teeming with fish.
Opening hours: 8am – 6pm
Dress code: Cover your shoulders and knees

HIN TA HIN YAI (Grandfather’s Grandmother Rocks)

Hin Ta Hin Yai, some fascinating rock formations on Koh Samui’s south coast, have been a source of mirth and
wonder on the island since they were discovered by the locals many years ago. Art often imitates Nature, but less
common is Nature imitating Art, especially the Art of the Ribald. But in ailand anything is possible and these
rocks, known as Grandpa (Ta) and Grandma (Yai), look, respectively, like male and female genitalia.
Set on the rocky coastline between Lamai and Hua anon, Hin Ta and Hin Yai raise indulgent chuckles or
embarrassed titters from those who go to see them. is unusual and titillating sight has, naturally, given rise to a
legend explaining how the rocks came into being.
Many souvenirs plus drinks and snacks are for sale, including the must-try ai sweet called ‘Kalamae’

FISHERMAN’S VILLAGE

Fisherman’s Village Samui is a historical part
of Bophut, with rustic-style buildings
housing boutique stores, trendy restaurants
and a small selection of hotels lining the
narrow Beach Road. Every Friday, the whole
area becomes the site of the Fisherman’s
Village Walking Street market, attracting
huge numbers of shoppers from across the
island for the amazing variety of wares and
the lively atmosphere

is old part of Bophut Beach obviously takes
its name from the fact that it was once home
to a thriving fishing community.More recently,
the fishermen have moved on and the main
pier has collapsed, but the old wooden
shophouses remain, with a warren of narrow
alleys running between many of them, giving
the village a charming old look and feel.

NA MUANG WATERFALL 1

At the ring road near Wat Khunaram, you will find a sign to the Na Muang Waterfall. Just shortly after the
Waterfall 2 sign, heading west on the ring road. e 18 meters high Na Muang Waterfall 1 is very easy to reach
from the car park through a short way to walk and has no entry fee. On-site you will find a large natural pool
where you can swim in and on the way, you will pass many stalls selling food as well as drinks. e Na Muang
waterfalls are famous amongst tourists, so in high season it could get busy around them, but usually, it’s still
peaceful and calm with all the jungle surroundings.

NA MUANG

WATERFALL 2

e entrance of the Na Muang Waterfall 2 is
also located directly on the southern part of Koh
Samui’s ring road. A sign directing to the
Waterfall 2 and Na Muang Safari Park will lead
you the way. You can either leave your scooter
at the Na Muang Safari Park and take an
off-road jeep to the path at the waterfall or just
turn right at the Safari Park and follow the road
up. You can park directly in f ront of the
entrance. To reach the 80 meters high Na
Muang Waterfall 2 you will have to hike a bit
through the jungle and cross bamboo bridges.

ere is a small shop as well as a natural pool
on site. But if you go further up, you have to be
careful, because the stones can be quite slippery.
It’s better to wear shoes than flip flops. By the
way,there is no entrance fee to visit the Waterfall 2.

MUMMIFIED MONK AT WAT KHUNARAM

Koh Samui’s Mummified Monk at Wat Khunaram is an unusual sight yet it offers a unique insight into
Buddhist and ai culture. e monk Luong Pordaeng died in 1973 in a seated meditative position, and ever
since his body has been on display in an upright glass case at the temple. Remarkably, even more than 30 years
on the monk’s body shows little sign of decay. For some visitors, having a dead man in full view might be a
shocking sight, but for ais it is something to reflect upon and revere.

Far from being frightened by death, most Buddhist ais are highly accepting of the end of life as the natural
order of things and they view death as an opportunity to be reborn into a better place, one step closer to nirvana.

ere are other mummy monks on Samui and throughout ailand, but Loung Pordang is among the most
highly revered.

Opening hours: 8am – 5pm
Dress code: Cover your shoulders and knees

SAMUI ELEPHANT HAVEN

Samui Elephant Haven offers shortened morning tours with professional, informative,
and caring guides. Guests will learn some fascinating facts about these gentle pachyderms.
Emphasis is on observing the elephants interact,play,and express their instincts in a habitat
that would be natural to them and with limited human interaction.

e Haven has many elephants in their care including Somboon and her baby bull Haven,
the two nannies Sudarat and Sri Nin, the cheeky girls Molorair, Kwan Samui, and Nong
Pech, the boys Plai Bang and Sorn Ram, not to mention Aom and her four-year-old boy
Perm Poon. During the tour, guests will meet them all and discover their personal histories.

Observing the tightly knit herds socializing freely,communicating with each other,and providing
comical ‘turns’; is an experience a visitor will never forget.

Meliá Koh Samui provides land for a community farm to help feed elephants rescued from exploitation activities at Samui
Elephant Haven. e farm supports 200 banana trees, as well as such additional elephant fodder as napier and sweet grass.
Complimentary activities and edutainment program about Elephant are available for kids at our kids club.

We also provides complimentary daily shuttle bus to visit Samui Elephant Haven, please contact our reception for more
information and reservation.

Samui Elephant Haven entrance fee:THB 1,500 per adult / THB 750 per child under 12 years old / Free for children under 4 years old

MU KOH ANGTHONG
NATIONAL MARINE PARK

Ang ong National Marine Park is a pristine archipelago of 42 islands in the Gulf of ailand.
It features towering limestone mountains, thick jungle, white-sand beaches, waterfalls and hidden
coves and lakes to explore. e protected area of more than 100 sq km of land and sea has a rich
biodiversity. Snorkeling, hiking, sea kayaking, diving, and simply relaxing are the main activities to
enjoy at Ang ong.

Most Ang ong visitors arrive on a join-in day trip or by boat charter from Koh Samui or Koh
Phangan. For those who wish to stay overnight, there are simple bungalows and camping tents
available on Koh Wua Ta Lap. e Park Headquarters also hosts a simple restaurant. Even with
its increasing popularity, the islands have maintained their picture-postcard appeal.

Beach

CHAWENG BEACH

Chaweng Beach is Koh Samui's most popular stretch of powdery white sand. Chaweng is also nightlife central with
bars and restaurants catering to every taste.

LAMAI BEACH

A stunning crescent of palm-fringed powdery beach with white sand which is perfect for the day sunbathing,
swimming and water sports.

Shopping

CENTRAL
FESTIVAL SAMUI

e largest lifestyle shopping complex in Samui
between Chaweng Beach Road and Chaweng Lake in
the central part of the town.

Address: 209/3 Moo 2 Bophut,
Koh Samui, Surat ani
Tel. + 66 (0) 77 913 000
Opening hours: 11am - 8pm

MELIÁ KOH SAMUI

83 Moo 5, Choeng Mon Beach, Bophut, Koh Samui, Surat ani 84320 ailand
Tel: +66 (0) 77 938 899 Email: [email protected]
www.melia.com