Wonders of Koh Samui
Food is one of the many things Beatrice Nita Jay will miss about Thailand’s second largest island
THE 70-minute direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Koh Samui was so quick that I didn’t even get a chance to sleep in the Bangkok Airways flight. It was a smooth journey with almost no turbulence all the way to the second largest island in Thailand.
Samui International Airport takes me by surprise. It’s nothing like our grand Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The airport is privately owned and run by Bangkok Airways with an open air concept and is located at the northern part of the island, around Bo Phut beach. Oh, by the way, Bangkok Airways is the only airline which provides a direct flight from KL.
The service is swift and by the time I pass immigration, my luggage is already out. Since my teammates and I arrive a day before the intended purpose of the trip — Bangkok Airways Samui Marathon 2018, we have some time to kill and are all set to explore the island.
KILLING TIME
“Did you really visit Thailand if you didn’t visit a temple?” asks a teammate. So, yes no visit to Thailand is complete without visiting elaborate Buddhist temples and shrines.
So we make our way to Wat Khunaram, one of Koh Samui’s most interesting temples isolated from the beaches and the buzzing travellers.
The Buddhist temple contains the mummified remains of Phra Khru Samathakittikhun (born Loung Pordang) placed in a glass case. He died in 1973 and left instructions to put his body on display to inspire future generations to follow the Buddhist teachings.
The Thai people believe that the body of the monk is there to be worshipped so that they have a better after-life and also for a chance to be reborn in the next life.
You can say that the late monk could have been a cool guy since he was wearing a pair of Ray Ban glasses. The actual reason, however, is to cover the gaping eye sockets since his eyes were dried up and fell back into his head.
If you want to check out your fortune, just pay your respects to the monk and take the container which is placed in front of the altar. It contains sticks with a number on it. Shake the container until one stick falls out of it and use the number on the stick as a reference to read your fortune from a list of notes placed next to the altar.
Next on the list is to visit Samui’s famous grandfather and grandmother — Hin Ta and Hin Yai. Now, this is one place I’ll never forget simply because they are actually rock formations in the shape of the human genitalia. They are instantly noticeable and the resemblance is uncanny!
The myth of the rock formation tells the story of an old couple who were looking for a wife for their son. During their journey to the neighbouring province to look for a wife, their boat capsized due to a storm and both did not survive. It is believed that the rocks were a symbol of their true intentions.
Another great thing here is that along the pathway to the rock formations is a mini daily market which sells souvenirs, beachwear and local snacks. Best place to buy souvenirs for your loved ones. We try the island’s famous candy called “kalamae”. It’s sweet and sticky, and is made from glutinous rice flour, palm sugar and coconut cream.
The texture is almost similar to our dodol but, the fresh batch we have been offered by the shopkeeper who is packing the candy just melts in our mouth. Without thinking twice, I grab two packets at THB300 (RM37).
RACE DAY
Finally, the day I am most excited and horrified about is here! At 4am, I am wide awake and ready to go. By 5am, we make our way to Nathon Pier, the starting point of the race. The place has a festive vibe with people of so many different cultures and background all gathered together for a run.
The 21km challengers were flagged off at 5am, followed by 10km at 5.45am and then it is our turn at 6.15am. I am all ready. I have my Spotify playlist for running turned on. All pumped up and just as Black Eyed Peas’ Let’s Get It Started plays, the 5km fun run participants are finally flagged off.
I run. And then I remember that I forgot to turn on my tracking app. While trying to balance myself while meddling with my phone and running, I have an embarrassing fall. All I could do is laugh. Although I have a few minor cuts and am bleeding, I just laugh cause to my friends I am known as the expert in falling. I am so clumsy that some even say that falling is my hobby. Well, that was my first international fall.
A few runners are so concerned they come over to me. I convince them that I am fine. I compose myself for five minutes and then continue running. Soon, the mem-
ory of the fall begins to fade as I enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Samui’s old town.
The route takes us across the calm and relaxing Ban Makham beach. Some even stop for pictures as the view is so beautiful. We run pass a local market, a police station, a high school and a district office. Locals are standing at the corridors of their shops cheering the runners. About 500 metres before the finish line back at Nathon Pier, runners are greeted with a cheerleading group with a mini musical band. This makes many of the runners, especially the half marathoners, push through to the finish line. What a wonderful way to end the race.
The scenery along the route is breathtaking and the food is simply amazing. There are young coconuts, energy drinks, popular Thai breakfast called jok (congee), glutinous rice with fried chicken and pad
mee chompoo (stir-fried pink rice noodles). Despite countless visits to Thailand, this is my first time trying the pad mee chompoo.
A taste of the mixture of pink rice noodles which gets its colour from a sweet Thai tomato sauce, together with the scrambled egg, beansprouts, spring onions and the amazingly marinated crunchy fried chicken, takes me to another universe. It is so good. But good is probably an understatement.
POST-RUN RECOVERY TREATS
Lunch and all the other meals in Thailand are undoubtedly good, and every meal is perfect with the beach view. Food is definitely one of the many things I will miss about Thailand when I head back home.
We are treated to a relaxing full body aromatherapy massage after the run. The masseuse is so good at massaging the pressure points to relieve the pain that my body feels so light and relaxed after it. The spicy ginger tea after the massage completes the whole experience.
One activity you should never miss in Samui is snorkelling in the island of Koh Tan. It has one of the best underwater views. It only takes about 20 minutes from Samui in a longtail boat, and has an amazing view of coral reefs.
Our tour guide reminds us not to step or touch any coral reefs as it takes a year to grow to just one centimetre. Past incidents have destroyed and killed the coral reefs.
After snorkelling, we make our way to Koh Mudsum for a simple and relaxing lunch, and to soak in the clear water. You can kayak around the island, take beautiful Instagram-worthy pictures or just relax and sunbathe with Thai craft beers or mocktails from the mini bar.
If you do have an extra day to spare, be sure to just enrol for a for Muay Thai (Thai Kickboxing) day class. We are coached by professional Muay Thai fighters during our two-hour session at Superpro Samui.