Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
across the ceiling. Every room has scores of wall hangings and a private balcony
overlooking the beach. The 'pent huts' on the top floor are very spacious. Reserva-
tions are a must - this place always seems to be full.
Mae Nam & Bang Po
MAENAM RESORT $$
( 0 7742 5116;
www.maenamresort.com
;
bungalows 1400-3000B; )
Palm-
bark cottages are set in several rows amid a private, jungle-like garden. The cot-
tages are decked out in a mix of wicker and wooden furnishings, and vary in price
according to their distance from the beach. Suites are a steal for families.
Bungalows
SHANGRILAH $
( 0 7742 5189; bungalows 300-2000B; )
A backpacker's Shangri La indeed -
these are some of the cheapest huts around and they're in decent condition.
Bungalows
Eating
Influenced by the mainland, Samui is peppered with
kôw gaang
(rice and curry)
shops, usually just a wooden shack displaying large metal pots of southern
Thai-style curries. Folks pull up on their motorcycles, lift up the lids to survey the vi-
brantly coloured contents, and pick one for lunch.
Kôw gaang
shops are easily
found along the Ring Rd (Rte 4169) and sell out of the good stuff by 1pm.
Lured by high salaries and spectacular weather, world-class chefs regularly make
an appearance on the island.
Chaweng
For the best ambience, get off the road and head to the beach, where many bunga-
low operators set up tables on the sand and turn on glittery fairy lights at night.
LAEM DIN MARKET $
(dishes from 30B; 4am-6pm, night market 6pm-2am)
A busy day market, Laem
Din is packed with stalls selling fresh fruits, vegetables and meats that stock local
Thai kitchens. Pick up a kilo of sweet green oranges or wander the stalls trying to
spot the ingredients in last night's curry. For dinner, come to the adjacent night mar-
ket and sample the tasty southern-style fried chicken and curries.
Market
