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What is there to do in Samui besides beaching and spas? Any good trips I should be aware of and book? What night life and restaurants do you recommend? Many thanks.
Samui activities
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There's a very good golf course on Samui, the Santiburi Samui course.
We enjoyed hiking along a river inland...the place was pointed out to us on our map, along with several other places for hiking, by our hotel. I'm sure your hotel will be able to advise if you ask.
There is elephant riding.
We did a snorkelling trip and a beach barbeque twice arrange by our hotel. Saw other boats snorkelling, but we were the only bbq on the beach - lovely whole fish with sweet chili sauce, rice, sandwiches (for the kids), salad, fresh fruit, wine, beer, juice for the kids. Ask your hotel about this, too...might be able to arrange.
There is a secret garden...didn't go there, but heard about it. Supposed to be quite nice.
We had a car for about half of our stay each time, and drove around, followed some dirt roads, explored a bit, got lost...it was nice to see parts of the island that are not touristed.
There isn't any need to prebook anything. You can wait until you get there to see what it's like. Samui Guide I believe is the name of the free magazine you can pick up in the Bangkok Air terminal in Bangkok. There are a couple more advertizing-like publications that have good ideas.
Night life and restaurants...we don't do nightlife as we travel with a child....so no ideas there. Restaurants...the hotel food was exquisite where we stayed so rarely ventured out, and when we did, we were disappointed. However, the hotel is under new ownership and management so I would't make the trip down there for the food unless it is recommended to you by someone who has been in the last year (Laem Set Inn).
For day trips, I'd recommend going sea kayaking. I went with Blue Stars Kayaking (www.bluestars.info). The trip lasts all day, much of it spent on a chartered boat, with brief periods of kayaking.
Also, you could take a Thai cooking class at the Samui Institute of Thai Culinary Arts (SITCA) (www.sitca.net). They're located near the Central Samui Resort in Chaweng.
For restaurants, I'd recommend Will Wait for breakfast and lunch in Chaweng, and Drop In for dinner in Chaweng. They're both on the main drag in Chaweng, so you can't miss them. For a more intimate dinner, away from the hordes of tourists in Chaweng, I'd recommend the Jungle Park Hotel near Lamai (http://www.hotel-junglepark-samui.com/index.htm). It's a little out of the way from the normal taxi route around the island, so be sure to arrange transport back to your hotel.
For nightlife Chaweng is the place to be.