Ko Samui is the third largest island in Thailand yet its size is only 13 miles by 9 miles across at its widest point. It is located 20 miles from Thailand’s mainland which you can reach by ferry. The back bone of their economy is coconuts and now the growing tourist industry. I can already see how it is changing this quiet island.
There are many coconut groves all around the island which
provide the islanders with a livelihood and a wealth of materials like
leaves they for thatching their roofs or to weave into hats and mats. They also
use the shells of the coconut for vessels. To pick the coconuts they use
monkeys. I was a little disappointed because I didn't get to see the monkeys do
it, but I heard from others that it was pretty fun to watch.
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Wat Plai Laem, Ko Samui, Thailand |
The small island was packed with character. We rented a taxi for the day and had him drive us around the island. We stopped at the different beaches, and temples.
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Wat Plai Laem, Ko Samui, Thailand |
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Wat Plai Laem, Ko Samui, Thailand
The island has many beautiful white sand beaches. |
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Ko Samui, Thailand |
Also, a couple of interesting Buddhist temple grounds. One is Wat Plai Laem featuring an 18 arm image of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion and the other is Phra Yai temple which has a very large Buddha looking down from a small temple on top of a small hill.
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Phra Yai temple, Ko Samui, Thailand |
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Phra Yai temple, Ko Samui, Thailand |
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Phra Yai temple, Ko Samui, Thailand |
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Phra Yai temple, Ko Samui, Thailand |
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Phra Yai temple, Ko Samui, Thailand |
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Ko Samui, Thailand |
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Ko Samui, Thailand |
These Shrines dotted the island in front of every house and business.
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Ko Samui, Thailand |
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Ko Samui, Thailand Elephant |
When we travel to out of the way place we like to hire taxi drivers too. They know so much about the area and the tours are personalized and at your own pace. You are having such a wonderful experience. - Margy
ReplyDeleteYour right and a lot of times it's cheaper then a planned tour.
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