Koh Samui Holiday

There are a couple of ways to get to Koh Samui from Bangkok, but for a first-time traveller, just book your tickets in advance at a reputable travel agent in Australia. (I say that now, 7 years after I did this trip. After 7 years of travelling I do all my own trip planning.)

The Journey Begins

The flight takes about 1hr 15 mins flying Thai or Bangkok Airlines. This was a holiday I was really looking forward to, just relax and chill out. The stresses of the last few months in Western Australia and some personal issues back in Perth had left their mark. This was going to be a week of doing very little.”‹

Shopping is quite affordable in Chiang Mai. There are umpteen shops outside the historic city center, where you can find a large variety of items. The goods sold here are also of a very good quality. The Sunday Market is a good place for sightseeing and shopping. On Sunday, the place becomes packed with clothes sellers, art and souvenir sellers, jewelery sellers, food counters and more.

Chiang Mai is considered the cultural capital of Thailand and that influence has also spread to the food served here. Being in the North, the food is heavily influenced by Burmese and Chinese cuisine. It is also quite distinct from the food served in the rest of Thailand. Here, the curries are milder and there is a heavier use of turmeric and ginger.

Chiang Mai is certainly more family-friendly compared to Bangkok. It may be a bit off the beaten path but if you want to glimpse the real Thailand, you must go to Chiang Mai. It is easy to travel in Chiang Mai. The city has a very relaxed pace of life so it is quite idyllic.

There are several family activities in Krabi. The most popular among which include elephant trekking, island hopping, snorkeling, kayaking, trekking, rock climbing or simply relaxing by the beach at sunset. The town doesn't disappoint shopping enthusiasts either and you'll be pleased to know that Krabi's retail scene is as vibrant as its food scene.

The local cuisine is marked by the heavy use of aromatic herbs and spices that make individual dishes look and smell as good as they taste. Try the seafood from Seafood Street and head to The Hilltop for fancy dining. The street food in Krabi is one of the best in the world and you can find every famous Thai dish to serve your taste buds.

Popular destinations include Phra Nang Beach, Poda Island, Railay Beach and Viewpoint, Tup Island and Phi Phi Islands. In addition, here are six family-friendly places to explore:

The Tiger Cave Temple or locally known as Wat Tham Sua is a temple complex with natural maze-like caves where monks live and pray. Susan Hoi is a shell cemetery with fossilized shells from 75 million years ago.

The Thai are very friendly people. Some tourists have said that the Thai are some of the nicest people they have ever met. This comes from the region's Buddhist influence. The typical Thai is always smiling, very polite, helpful and always happy. They will go out of their way to help you and even translate for you. They also treat guests very well. If you have ever made friends with a Thai, the next time he sees you, he will give you a big smile and a hug. No wonder, Thailand is called, ‘land of smiles.'

Most foreigners to Thailand arrive in Bangkok and start their journey from there. Bangkok has a number of famous Buddhist temples that are worth visiting. Please dress appropriately when you go to the temples otherwise you may be turned away. Wat Pho or ‘Temple of the Reclining Buddha' is a must visit.

Thai food pays a lot of attention to detail, taste, color and texture. It is intricate, has good flavor and uses ingredients with medicinal properties. The Thai are not only concerned about how the food tastes, they are also interested in how it smells, how it looks and how it fits in with other food.

Most Thai dishes require light preparation, have strong aroma and are quite spicy. Seven Thai dishes have made the list of 50 most delicious foods from around the world (by CNN International). These dishes are Pad Thai, Tom Yam Goong, Massaman Curry, Som Tam, Thai fried rice, moo nam tok and green curry.

Some of the popular places for shopping in Thailand are Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai. Carry a small hand towel with you to wipe yourself because it can get quite hot and sweaty during the day. The best time to visit a market is in the early morning or in the afternoon (because the markets are typically crowded in the evening). Plan where you want to go so you don't go wandering in the city. Bangkok's street markets are quite popular (Sampeng, Chatuchak, Saphan Phut, Pratunam). Do not offer a vendor a price, if you are not ready to meet it.

There are a number of travel options when in Thailand. Traveling in Thailand is inexpensive though not always fast. There are local buses in the cities but they may be crowded, so it is a good idea to rent a car when you are in Thailand (check for damages before you rent the car or the car owner will charge you for them later). Train is the prefered mode of transport for long distance travel. Please ask a local travel agent to help you with reservations.

Do note that foreigners may have to pay a bit more for long distance train tickets than locals. Women are recommended to travel with companions and it is better to avoid night travel.

Thailand's climate can be divided into three parts. They are the rainy season (May to October), the cool winter (November to February) and the hot summer (March to May). The best time to visit Thailand is between November and February during the cool season. Don't arrive during the rainy season because you will have to contend with heavy rains and slushy roads. Note that the ‘cool' season is actually not cool (temperatures can easily reach up tp 30 degrees in the middle of the day).