Thank you for sharing them with us. Some lovely shots.

These are terns but I am not sure what flavor. A lesser crested tern should have black covering the top of its head, shouldn't it?

These are terns but I am not sure what flavor. A lesser crested tern should have black covering the top of its head, shouldn't it?

These are Black-naped Terns, Sterna sumatrana, common around Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan.

Plahgat

I came across this yesterday, very beautiful and worth a look... & it's Free too...!

Samui Cultural Centre and Fine Art of South East Asia

This place located near Nanthon Hospital. Past Samui Immigration, and turn left at the 7-11 then follow the road through the Temple grounds, after leaving the Temple, this is on the left hand side.... It was actually the bloomin lovely roses that caught my eye!

A nice lady appeared and gave us a "grand tour", as there gates and trails to see more!!! ... not a place to rush through, take time to absorb the serenity and quietness of the place.... obviously a work in progress....

Anyone know anything about this place?

I stopped by these gardens the other day, killing time while waiting for immigration, but they now have a sign up saying "no entry"

Perhaps they are doing some major stuff for the time being and don't want people milling about.... for the time being?

see post 217 for pictures....

Edited September 27, 201213 yr by samuijimmy

I decided to go up a road I have driven by many times, today,... It's that steep one as you go down the Nathon hill, toward Maenam, where half the hill has been sculpt of trees and shrubs

This is the view from up there...

Edited November 9, 201213 yr by samuijimmy

maehaad/Koh ma on Koh Phangan

On the ferry early morning, leaving Samui.

That third pic is great... Rooo!

Here is a few more taken between Baan Rak Samui and Baan Tai, KP .... Makes one want to get out more at sunrise!....

Clam fishing at Hing Kong beach KP

Since we are on a roll here, a few more from west end Maenam Beach Koh Samui...

(great pics there delgarcon.... Mae Haad beach is one of the best beaches on KP or Samui !!! )

Really beautiful sky yesterday evening. I took this with my Galaxy SII from Thong Sala.

Just as beautiful in Nathon Samui, last night too!!!

Guys you can enter some of your pictures for voting & selection for the yearly Thaivisa Calendar.

Really beautiful sky yesterday evening. I took this with my Galaxy SII from Thong Sala.

Just as beautiful in Nathon Samui, last night too!!!

Guys you can enter some of your pictures for voting & selection for the yearly Thaivisa Calendar.

A few shots taken on the middle roads on Samui... doable .... but not for the faint of heart....

The roads are a little rough in areas...very steep..... if with passenger some walking maybe needed up some hills!!!

and that will change after heavy rains... parts are concrete, but other areas sandy!

You can start from Soi 5 Maenam, or Soi 1 from Maenam, (now partly patched up) from or Lipa Noi area or Lamai near Buddies Resort! They all meet up!

One of the few days one could see Koh Toa, very faintly in the distance.

But there are some great views!!! Here are a few!

Silver Beach, Lamai Samui!

Here is a little gem of beach!! Just as you come out Lamai, towards Chawang... just past the "Yacht Club" , ... that does not seem to have any yachts!!!?

Nice sand and secluded ... one would almost think it was Koa Toa! Going to be worth another look... this was just before sunset.... I think maybe a great beach to see at sunrise!

Park at Silver Beach Restaurant and walk through... or stop and eat and take in the view!

Silver Beach, Lamai Samui!

Here is a little gem of beach!! Just as you come out Lamai, towards Chawang... just past the "Yacht Club" , ... that does not seem to have any yachts!!!?

Nice sand and secluded ... one would almost think it was Koa Toa! Going to be worth another look... this was just before sunset.... I think maybe a great beach to see at sunrise!

Park at Silver Beach Restaurant and walk through... or stop and eat and take in the view!

From memory, this was one of the few places on Samui where you could swim off the beach and still see live coral. It was near the big rocks over on the left looking out to sea.

I do not know if it still there though. I haven't been there for a few years

Silver Beach, Lamai Samui!

Here is a little gem of beach!! Just as you come out Lamai, towards Chawang... just past the "Yacht Club" , ... that does not seem to have any yachts!!!?

Nice sand and secluded ... one would almost think it was Koa Toa! Going to be worth another look... this was just before sunset.... I think maybe a great beach to see at sunrise!

Park at Silver Beach Restaurant and walk through... or stop and eat and take in the view!

From memory, this was one of the few places on Samui where you could swim off the beach and still see live coral. It was near the big rocks over on the left looking out to sea.

I do not know if it still there though. I haven't been there for a few years

I have read that too, one day may go try to see... Grandfather / Grandma, rocks is another small area....

Talking to a local last week, at the far end of Maenam beach he said the area pictured in my post #135 had lots of coral 10 years ago... Now there is a little, but with the Lomprayah ferry and the speed boats there a small "Tsunami" every time they go by... which is part of the cause of the decline.... ....

South West Area of Samui, Taling Gnam and Ban Kao areas, still fairly pristine ...

for those wanting to get a way from the crowds!!!

South West Area of Samui, Taling Gnam and Ban Kao areas, still fairly pristine ...

for those wanting to get a way from the crowds!!!

There's normally a lot more beach showing (pic's #1 and #4)....but shhhhhhhhhhh...don't tell anyone ...is only 1km from my house

South West Area of Samui, Taling Gnam and Ban Kao areas, still fairly pristine ...

for those wanting to get a way from the crowds!!!

There's normally a lot more beach showing (pic's #1 and #4)....but shhhhhhhhhhh...don't tell anyone ...is only 1km from my house

Yes I know, the water was quite high today !!!

Some of the beaches from April or so on, one has to walk out quite away..... but most people will not find some of the "secret beaches" ..... so I won't give directions...

It's sure beautiful in that whole area still for the most part at least !!!

Open again ! (was closed for a while)

Asian Cultural Centre (Duset Gardens) Located in Nathon, ... from Samui Immigration head toward hospital but turn left at the 7-11 and drive through the Temple grounds, as you come out on the left... it's there!!

A place well worth seeing, beautiful Asian Art work and Gardens which are still in progress.... (gardens are never finished!!!!) .....

I think would make a wonderful back drop for weddings, (perhaps check first!!) or to spend an hour or two taking in a tranquil setting... Because it started to rain, I did not go in today, but know it is worth while from previous visits !!!

Asking for donation to view... fair enough I think !!!!

South West Area of Samui, Taling Gnam and Ban Kao areas, still fairly pristine ...

for those wanting to get a way from the crowds!!!

I assume that you mean apart from the Conrad!

For sure - the bottom corner of the island there is still nice and realaxing. I sometimes take the wife there for a quiet weekend break.

Edited December 20, 201213 yr by Tropicalevo

South West Area of Samui, Taling Gnam and Ban Kao areas, still fairly pristine ...

for those wanting to get a way from the crowds!!!

I assume that you mean apart from the Conrad!

For sure - the bottom corner of the island there is still nice and realaxing. I sometimes take the wife there for a quiet weekend break.

Ah!!! did not go by the Conrad today, but took many other little side roads, a couple I not been on before.... but I am not disclosing the routes !!!

Do stop in at the Duset gardens next time, I think you'll enjoy them!!!

Note to self: spell place names correctly !!!

My last visit to Sumui was 17 years ago. Still a tropical paradise? I wonder.

My last visit to Sumui was 17 years ago. Still a tropical paradise? I wonder.

It is where I live This is what I have to look at day in day out.

Edited December 21, 201213 yr by Tropicalevo

To add to the many places to get away from it all .... a short boat ride from Ban Koa area of SW Samui to the islands off the SW coast

There is at least one resort on Koh Tan....

Long boats make trips to Koh Mudsom and Koh Tan

Idealistic !

There is at least one resort on Koh Tan....

7 bungalows, one restaurant.

Thank you for that Jimmy - obviously the 'covered in concrete, too much traffic, overcrowded beaches' brigade are somewhere else!

Mind you - a few people on the last photo..... errrrm

Thank you for that Jimmy - obviously the 'covered in concrete, too much traffic, overcrowded beaches' brigade are somewhere else!

Mind you - a few people on the last photo..... errrrm

Yes a long tail boat showed up with about 6 people ! We left for the next empty beach!! There are so many to choose from!!!

Ha ha ha ha!

Edited January 31, 201313 yr by samuijimmy