Why you should come to Koh Samui in the next few months…

It’s nearing the end of August and approaching the pre-winter months of September, October and November. A beach holiday might not be the first thing that pops onto your mind as it usually would in the summertime. However, with Thailand’s tropical climate, you can be rest-assured that a holiday in Koh Samui within these months will still give you a lot of warmth and sunshine even if you might experience the occasional rain.

Other than the beautiful beaches of white sand and the azure sea, Koh Samui is just as active in these coming months as always! The island still provides a lot of things for travellers to do other than relaxing on the warm beach front and gazing into the distance where the ocean meets the sky.

If you’re athletic and seek for some adventure on your holiday, there will be a Samui MTB XC Race starting on 7th September, 2014 for those who like mountain biking. You can easily book at our Fenix Beach Resort Samui a couple of days before or after the race to fully relax before or after the exciting mountain bike race.

Another sporty activity you might want to try is “Owing to Rough Seas” at the Angthong Marine Park on the 1st November, 2014. The Angthong Marine Park has up to 40 different islands where you can spend a day exploring the exotic marine life, network of caves and interesting rock formations through kayaking, snorkelling, scuba diving, hiking, or even camping if you’re up for it! Keep in mind that if you want to visit the marine park, it is best to book your stay in either September or November as it is usually closed throughout December.

If you’re more of a party animal, then you might like to do some island hopping to Koh Phagnan for their famous Full Moon Parties taking place on all three months – 9th September, 8th October and 6th November, 2014. Popular for being a wild event, the Full Moon Party was found by a group of tourists who discovered that the view of the moon was most beautiful at the crescent shaped beach of “Haad Rin”. Now celebrated whenever the moon is full, the beach erupts into a music and dance fever with entertainers and fireworks to possibly make the wildest party you would have ever been to.

So here are just some examples of why a beach holiday to Koh Samui this season is a good idea, plus the fact that our hotel is currently offering some exclusive website promotions where you can stay in the clean and comfortable accommodations of our resort on a discount. For any updates on our hotel promotions and exciting things to do around Thailand, feel free to follow us at Compass Hospitality!

How to have a guilt-free beach holiday…

While a beach holiday usually paints the picture of lazing around and indulging in the little pleasures in life, the fitness enthusiast might be craving to break free from their daily woes but still hesitant to completely drop their workout routines. So how do you book a fun holiday and still stay guiltlessly fit without bringing your daily burdens with you?

If you’re not simply burning to stay lean and want to maintain some muscle, our Fenix Beach Resort Samui has a gym with all the standard equipment for you to get by while still giving yourself a break from your normal life.

This option is of course, ideal for those who already know exactly what to do and are excellent at motivating themselves without the help of anyone else at their regular gym back home. However, if you’re one of the majority who needs the assistance of of a personal trainer or at least a friend to keep them company, an attempted gym session on your holiday might not be the most productive.

Here, we shall list several fun ways where you can relax at the beach with no guilt and enjoy your seafood while sneaking a workout into more enjoyable activities! The most basic recommendation would be swimming.

Don’t underestimate what a couple of laps per day can do for you. While the hardcore gymnast might look over the benefits of swimming, swimming is actually a highly aerobic exercise that does not heavily impact your bones. When your body is in the water, your weight automatically becomes lighter which makes the swimming pool a better place to work on any stiff muscles or sore joints.

Swimming is also an excellent way to tone and strengthen your muscles as well as shredding off the calories you consume from your seafood binging – even more effective than running as water is more dense than air by twelve times and therefore providing more resistance. Not to mention the fact that you can continue to laze in the water and have fun with friends and family with the picturesque backdrop of Lamai beach after your laps.

An additional benefit to swimming is the fact that you’re working all parts of your body at the same time and also strengthening your heart, improving your cholesterol ratio, improving asthma symptoms, reducing chances of diabetes and lowering your stress level for a longer life span – it’s a win-win situation!

You can equally get the same level of exercise in the sea as you do in the swimming pool. However, as salt water tends to sting the eyes more, some may not be comfortable in diving into the sea and doing laps against rougher waves. You can get a good work out in the sea simply by walking in the water. Walking in the water is more effective than your average stroll in the park because of the resistance you get from the water and also the sand.

The water level should be at least 30 centimetres deep but for the ultimate effect, the higher level the water, the more resistance you get to work with. This is a simple way to work out your body without having any expert water sport skills like a surfer would.

Another way to have fun while working out is to snorkel in the sea so you can incorporate swimming with exploring beautiful marine life. You can easily get information and good snorkelling deals by visiting our your counter in the Fenix Beach Resort Samui lobby that has contacts with several agencies in Koh Samui that offers snorkelling packages.

For deep water snorkelling, one would usually take a day trip to Koh Tao – a nearby island to Koh Samui. However, the Koh Samui island itself offers multiple choices for shallow water snorkelling if you’re more interested in relaxation than you are in adventure.

Another great way to exercise in sea water is kayaking. Our hotel offers complimentary kayaks for our in-house guests to use, all you have to do is inform our hotel staff in advance so we can prepare them for you and schedule the times the kayak boats are free to use.

The reason why kayaking is another good alternative to the gym is due to the cardiovascular exercise you get and the general muscle work outs from rowing the boats. As kayaking is an aerobic workout, it improves your heart, cholesterol levels, blood sugar control, and the strength of your lungs while lowering your blood pressure and burning those calories. You also benefit your mental health for a clearer and happier mind while gaining an enviously slim figure.

The last but not least of our recommendations is to get some exercise while finding some inner peace with the yoga classes offered in Koh Samui. A 15 minutes’ drive from the Fenix Beach Resort Samui, The Yogarden offers one-off classes, workshops and packages of various types of yoga, be it the basic hatha yoga to Pilates – they even offer a kid’s yoga which is great for those travelling as a family!

[image source: www.theyogardensamui.com]

Operating from Monday to Saturday morning, you can easily check their schedule on their official website alongside their pricing scheme.

Be it a session of beach volleyball or any of the recommended activities above, you can be rest assured that treating yourself to the beach holiday you deserve does not necessarily mean that you can’t look after yourself. With our tips and tricks on how to make the most of your holiday, you can now kick back and enjoy yourself without any lingering stress! For more travel tips and the latest hotel promotions, feel free to follow us at Compass Hospitality!

10 things to bring to the beach

When planning a trip to the beach or any other destination on this planet, there are standard things you need to pack such as clothes, essential toiletries, your mobile phone, your wallet, etc. We won’t even bother mentioning the obvious beach essential – your bikini/swimsuit.

However, it might be your first time travelling to a tropical island and a list of top 10 must-have items to bring might make a whole difference to how comfortable your beach holiday is.

1) SUN PROTECTION.
First and foremost, you need to bring sun protection. This may seem like a “duh” moment but there have been people who have disregarded the use of sunblock either by careless forgetfulness or the hopes of working on a tan.

As Thailand has a tropical weather that is famous for being hot, the sun radiation you get at the beach is even stronger than what you would get in the city or possibly your hometown beaches.

So don’t underestimate the value of sun protection as it will be just the thing sparing you from sun burns, sun spots or even skin cancer. Plus, over exposure to the sun also results in wrinkles in the long run which is never a good thing!

Keep in mind that it is preferable for you to bring separate sun protection for your face and your body and that you must re-apply this every 3 hours. Due to the weather in Koh Samui, you won’t have to worry about going home pale if you wish to work on a sun-kissed complexion.

2) A SUN HAT.
Thought that sunblock would be enough? Think again! Another beach essential you absolute must have is a sun hat. Due to the previously mentioned strong sun-rays, a layer of cream will not be enough to spare your face (where the skin is most sensitive) from skin damage.

So bring a big sun hat with a wide cap that will keep your whole face in the shade. You can probably get these hats in stylish designs at a relatively cheap price in the area too! However, we do advise you pack in advance just in case.

3) A BEACH BAG.
You need a bag to conveniently store all your things you won’t mind getting some sand or sea water on. Even though you’re not exactly going to be dipping your bag with all your valuables into the sea, it wouldn’t be convenient or wise to be carrying expensive bags around the beach.

4) FLIP-FLOPS.
You will probably get your shoes wet at the beach so you might as well bring waterproof flip-flops (or sandals if you wish for something more sturdy) so that your shoes for evening activities aren’t all soggy and wet when you need them to be dry.

5) A BEACH TOWEL.
A large beach towel will make a day lounging at the beach so much easier. That way, you won’t have to ask the hotel for extra towels and you’ll have a comfortable surface large enough to fit several people and your belongings.

6) SUNGLASSES.
It doesn’t feel comfortable to squint all the time, sunglasses will be very beneficial when you are exposed to a lot of sunlight.

7) A FIRST-AID KIT.
If you don’t want to lug a big box around at the beach, you should always at least pack some Betadine and plasters. Alongside emergency equipment, you might want to consider packing some painkillers just in case you get a headache.

8) A WHISTLE.
This is more essential for families. If you are travelling to a popular beach destination with children, a whistle might be useful for when you cannot find your children and vice versa.

9) WATER.
Some go as far as to pack beach lunches! However, as Koh Samui has many restaurants for you to have proper meals at, we advise you pack a lot of water to keep yourself hydrated in the heat.

10) A TORCH.
Useful for if you’re staying at the beach until late as the way back to the hotel might be a bit dark by then – wouldn’t want to accidentally step on some sharp stones or shells!

That pretty much sums up our top 10 beach essentials to make your trip more comfortable and safe. Feel free to comment and share what you absolutely cannot go without when going on your beach holiday! For frequent updates on travel tips to Thailand, follow us at Compass Hospitality.

The Samui Aquarium & Tiger Zoo

Exploring the wildlife of a tropical island can be both exciting and safe at the same time! Although a trip to the beaches of Thailand’s south paints an image of a getaway where you lounge on white sands under palm trees and stare off into the azure ocean, Koh Samui once again surprises us with more activities that can be entertaining for those travelling as a family, as friends, as a couple or even on a solitary trip.

The Samui Aquarium & Tiger Zoo is just a 6 minutes’ drive from our Fenix Beach Resort Samui (depending on the traffic) and also a family-friendly and exciting destination where you can safely experience either the exotic Southeast Asian tigers, the tropical marine life or both. Split into 2 different sections, both the Aquarium and Zoo are open from 9 am to 5 pm – so it is recommended that you go a bit early to give yourself (and your kids) your time to explore and take pictures.

[image source: Louie Travel Guide and Global Travel Mate]

Although the place is named the Samui Aquarium & Tiger Zoo, you also get to see and take pictures of or with other animals such as a large aviary of birds, sea lions, otters and even young leopards. There are 3 different programs altogether where you can view animal shows be it a Bengal Tiger show, Sea Lion show, Amazing Bird show or Lovely Otter show and you even have the opportunity to go in and interact with these animals afterwards and possibly take pictures with tiger cubs depending on the season.

[image source: Lifes’s Wanderlust Website and Google+ page]

If you want to take your adventures to the next level, the Samui Aquarium & Tiger Zoo also has a program where you can swim and play with Sasha the amazing sea lion which will not only give you interesting pictures to bring back but memories of a great and unique experience in Koh Samui.

[image source: Samui Aquarium & Tiger Zoo Official Website]

Be it gazing at all the unique tropical fish and elegant sharks swimming by, an exciting animal show or safely playing with beautiful wild animals, you can be sure that you will be entertained on your visit to this aquarium and zoo. For regular updates on attractions and hotel promotions in Thailand, follow us on Fenix Beach Resort Samui and Compass Hospitality!

A Sub-Zero Experience in Koh Samui

When booking a holiday to Koh Samui, one would usually think of the summer heat blazing onto the clear sea and white sand, creating an oasis of warmth for travelers to escape from their chilly hometowns to either work on their glowing tan or simply bathe in the cool waters of balmy beaches.

While Koh Samui clearly offers such experience in all corners of the island, namely at some very popular beaches such as Bophut, Chaweng and Lamai –where our Fenix Beach Resort Samui is located—there is more to Koh Samui than just the sun, sand, and sea.

[image sources: samui-center, gothaibefree, famous destination]

Although beach bumming and marine life exploration is usually what you have in mind when visiting Thailand’s southern islands, one would doubtlessly not regret to consider exploring the myriad of on-land attractions around the area – you already made the trip here after all, why not give them a shot?

To change up the atmosphere a little after basking at the beautiful beaches, you can easily step into Koh Samui’s winter zone for a short while and enjoy some drinks from a selection of flavored vodkas – served in iced glasses – while taking upload-worthy pictures in Bar Ice Samui!

It might seem a bit bizarre at first to anticipate being in an environment of iced walls, iced bar tables and iced sculptures frozen in -7°C temperature when traveling to the tropics as such experience is usually associated with Scandinavian and Northern European holidays. However, since launching in 2008, Bar Ice Samui has attracted over 200,000 visitors of various age groups and nationalities, marking Bar Ice to be one of the most popular nightlife venues in Samui and definitely the most unique comparing to other bars on the island.

[image source: baricesamui]

Bar Ice Samui is located in the Chaweng area, approximately a 15-minute drive away from our hotel, depending on the traffic. When entering, the friendly staff will provide you with warm clothing such as hats, capes, and gloves to make sure that you don’t get too cold and if it still gets a tad bit too chilly inside after a while, Bar Ice also has an air-conditioned lounge bar and outside garden area with a resident magician performing.

All in all, if you’re searching for a fun and interesting place to party in Koh Samui, Bar Ice is a great place to stop-by. You can be sure that the contrast from the sunny beaches to the arctic atmosphere would add more dimensions to your Koh Samui experience and leave you with a bunch of compelling pictures to show off to your friends back home!

The Na Muang Waterfalls of Koh Samui

Doubtlessly, when booking a holiday to Koh Samui, you’re thinking of sipping a cool drink by the warm and pristine beaches – it is, after all, a conventional way to spend your time when you’re on an island getaway. However, as Koh Samui is an island of abundant resources with both white sandy beaches and tropical jungles, there is more to Koh Samui than just beach-bumming and dipping your toes into the sea.

Found inland about 12 kms south-east of Nathon Bay, just a 30-minute taxi ride from our Fenix Beach Resort Samui to Na Muang 1 and 15 minutes to Na Muang 2, are the Na Muang Waterfalls. Also known as the Purple Waterfalls for the striking purple shades on the rock faces, these waterfalls are considered the most beautiful and popular on the island for the fascinating rock formations and beautiful surrounding vegetation.

[image source: thetravelexpose.wordpress, zabzaa, biogang]

As you can probably infer, the Na Muang Waterfalls are split into 2 different sections; Na Muang 1, which can be reached by car, is popular among both locals and tourists and ideal for either a picnic or a swim in the waterfall’s pool and Na Muang 2, where you would have to walk an extra 20-30 minutes from the parking area. If you’re looking just to chill, eat, and take some pictures in a scenic setting, a visit to Na Muang 1 might be more suitable for you. However, if you’re looking for more athletic activities, an extra hike up to Na Muang 2 would be worth a shot considering the 80m height in contrast to Na Muang 1’s 18m height. Just be sure to choose the appropriate shoes before hiking as the path can get quite slippery. If you didn’t prepare any picnics, there are also shops selling snacks, drinks, and souvenirs along the way.

You could also visit the Na Muang Safari Park where you can enjoy some elephant trekking around the jungle and coconut plantations, a unique animal show featuring baby elephants, monkeys, crocodiles, birds and snakes, a cable ride, and more depending on the tour packages you happen to book.

 

[image source: namuangsafarisamui]

If you’re staying at our hotel, you can easily reach these sites within less than an hour via several channels. We happen to offer some tour packages that includes a trip to the waterfall as well as the sandy beach locations or if you wish to travel there without a tour group, you can either rent a motorcycle for THB 250 per day or get a taxi ride for around THB 500.

To find out more about our tour packages, feel free to contact us at +66 77 424 008 or visit our tour counter directly upon arrival for the complete details. Either way, Koh Samui opens the opportunity for you to experience the tropical warm beaches as well the cool and refreshing waterfalls of Thailand.

The Ang Thong National Marine Park

You probably have the sun, sea and sand on your mind if you are planning a holiday to Koh Samui. Particularly being an island rather than a mainland beach, Koh Samui attracts many visitors for the pristine clear beaches glistening like majestic sapphires under the warm sun of the tropics. Little can be as adventurous yet at the same time soothing than exploring the blue seas through athletic activities alongside gazing off into the distance and seeing the ocean blend into the sky.

[image source: tourskohsamui]

If this is your idea of a fun holiday, consider visiting the Ang Thong National Marine Park. As a nature reserve that consists of an archipelago of islands scattered like emeralds along the western boundary of the deep blue Gulf of Thailand, the Ang Thong National Marine Park may take a little bit of traveling from the hotel but is definitely worth the bother considering the multiple sites to explore!

[image source: samuipedia]

From networks of caves to other interesting rock formations, you can discover the natural beauty of the caves and tunnels on a kayak or go snorkeling to experience the exotic underwater world that you might not find in your hometown. The Ang Thong National Marine Park also offers other sporting activities such as diving, hiking and even camping if you’re looking for that extra touch of adventure and wildlife experience.

[image source: angthongmarinepark]

To get there, you would need to book a tour first. There are many tour agencies on Koh Samui where you can book from. Our Fenix Beach Resort Samui also has a tour counter that offers many different tours for your selection. For the tours to the Ang Thong National Marine Park, there are 2 main types:

1) Going on a Slow Boat – at THB 1,300 per adult and a 50% discount for children under the height of 130 cm. On this tour, you will be provided a meal on the boat and the package will include snorkeling and sightseeing.
2) Going on a Speed Boat – not recommended for our more aged visitors as the ride can be rough against the waves, which would be enjoyable for more young and fit travelers. This package is at THB 1,900 per adult + THB 200 entrance fee to the Marine Park and THB 1,400 per child + THB 100 entrance fee. Here, you eat at the restaurant on land which is already included in the package price, and you get to snorkel and sightsee.

If you wish to also kayak on the tours, you would need to pay an additional THB 200 fee. Keep in mind that bookings at our tour counter needs to be done at least one day in advance.

[image source: samuipedia]

In the occasional case of full-up bookings, you need not worry as there are plenty other tour agencies in Koh Samui that can pick you up at the hotel to the pier. As this is an all day tour, we recommend that you prepare any essential belongings one night in advance so you could quickly get ready early in the morning, be it for a package booked at our counter or at any external agencies.

If you wish to ask more questions on our tour services, feel free to contact the hoteldirectly at +66 77 424 008 where we can transfer your call to our tour counter. However, we recommend that you contact the counter upon arrival to clearly see all the details of each various package to best select one most suitable for you.

Temples You Must Visit in Koh Samui

Visiting temples is on the must-do list of most travelers coming to Thailand for the first time. As Buddhism is the main religion of Thailand, visiting the temple has long been ingrained into the lifestyle of the locals, particularly during religious festivals where local Thais would go to temples to offer alms and make merit. With the grandiose architectural structure and intricate designs, it is no wonder that Thai temples are also main tourist attractions alongside a reflection of Thai culture and history.

Wherever you find yourself, whether it’s kicking-back in the tranquil setting of Koh Samui or reveling in the vibrancy of the capital city, there is always a majestic array of temples that are a must-see.

Here we list 5 of our recommended temples in Koh Samui, which include:

Wat Sila Ngu

Also known as the Red Temple, Wat Sila Ngu is a popular temple among the local Buddhist population. If there were any religious celebrations and festivals, this would be one of the major chosen spots to celebrate. The structure of the temple is also unique as it has not been painted, therefore having a red hue from the natural wood used.

[image sources: ursulasweeklywonders, louieguidetravels, tripadvisor]

Chinese Temple

A more distinct temple around the area would be the Chinese Temple, with a statue of Guan Yu – a hero of the Tonghan Dynasty era of China. Worshippers are believed to gain fortune and wealth from the established god of loyalty, righteousness, humanity and courage.

[image sources: renown-travel]

Wat Phra Yai

The most famous landmark in Koh Samui, Wat Phra Yai, also known as Big Buddha, features a large statue sitting in the Mara posture that can be seen even from many miles away. The temple was built in 1972 with the Buddha statue creating a large silhouette against the tropical sky and sea by being 15 meters high. Around the temple are also shops selling both religious and secular souvenirs such as t-shirts, hats, and protective amulets.

[image sources: thaidb.info, static.panoramio, bangkok, tripadvisor]

Wat Khunaram

Located between the Na Muang waterfalls and Hua Thanon, Wat Khunaram is a unique temple as it features a mummified monk called Luang Pordaeng who died in 1973 while sitting in a meditative position. The mummified monk is placed on display to act as a visual reminder to the locals of the Buddha’s teachings and inspire others to walk in the same path.

[image sources: good-trips, panoramio, renown-travel, asiaexplorers]

Wat Laem Sor Chedi

Far from being the last temple that Samui has to offer, Wat Laem Sor Chedi provides a beach side temple atmosphere of a scenic backdrop of the ocean under the shade of mangrove forests. Another interesting feature is the “meditation forest” next to the temple that consists of seats and tables for visitors to partake in sacred activities.

[image sources: samui.sawadee, tripadvisor]

An additional religious landmark that might be of interest is not a temple per se is the Buddha’s footprint housed in a hillside chapel. This room-sized sculpture shows the sole of Buddha’s foot which is believed to be around 100 years old.

[image source: waymarking]

But as mentioned earlier, there are still a lot of temples around Koh Samui you could visit. The temples mentioned above happen to be some of the more popular landmarks that are conveniently close to either our Fenix Beach Resort Samui or nearer to another hotel in our group, the Citin Urbana Samui. To enjoy both the sunny beaches and glimpsing into a large part of local culture, you can check out our current offers where you can book a budget stay in the beautiful island of Koh Samui.

Samui Bicycle Tours

If you’re travelling down to Koh Samui looking for a peaceful and relaxing vacation with nature as a backdrop, you might be interested in the Samui Bicycle Tours in Lamai. With their headquarters’ just around an approximate 7 minutes’ drive from our Fenix Beach Resort Samui, the Samui Bicycle Tours offer cycling trips around the island where you can cycle along the beaches and other highlights of Samui.

[image source: bicyclethailand]

The tour guides are experienced mountain bikers who have a clear understanding of the local culture and the delicate ecosystem of the island as well as first aid training in the event of emergencies, therefore equipping guests with quality guides as well as a choice of well-stocked bicycles of various models as well as bicycle parts and accessories such as helmets and knee pads.

[image source: facebook.com/samuibicycletours]

It has been stated by Joseph, the owner of the Samui Bicycle Tours, that the company is very passionate about what they do and that their staff will therefore thrive to maintain quality customer service for their guests. To book a stay nearby such tourist attractions, our Fenix Beach Resort Samui provides the ideal place for a tranquil retreat with clean and comfortable rooms, a pleasant atmosphere and competitive prices. For more details on our current offers and promotions, feel free to visit our official website.

 

More from the Thai Cooking Class

Known worldwide for having a complex mixture of spices and other flavors such as sweet and sour mixed into one dish, Thai food is increasingly becoming an Asian favorite on an international scale. Many travelers who come to Thailand, once experiencing the true taste of authentic Thai food, would like to take these rich flavors back home. For this reason, our Fenix Beach Resort Samui offers a special Thai Cooking Class for anyone interested in learning the art.

At just THB 1,400 net per person per person, our Thai Cooking Class is open from Monday – Saturday, 1 pm – 3 pm. In this class, you will learn how to cook the most famous dishes such as the zesty starters like the popular Chicken Coconut Soup, Hot and Sour Spicy Prawns Soup – otherwise known as Tom Yum Goong, Spicy Prawn Salad and Papaya Salad – Som Tum.

For the heavier main dishes there is the option of learning how to make both stir fried and curry dishes, some of well-known examples being the Panang Curry with Beef, Massaman Curry with Chicken and Potatoes and Stir Fried Pork in Sweet and Sour Sauce.

With the options we offer, those on the course can have a grip on the fundamental essence of Thai cooking which would in turn make your kitchen experience more colorful and enjoyable. To reserve a slot in our cooking class or to ask any details, feel free to contact us at the number +66 77 424 008.