Koh Samui Nathon Thailand Day 82

A paradise of long sand beaches, spectacular coral reefs and swaying coconut trees, Koh Samui is Thailand's second-largest island after Phuket. By some accounts, the island's name derives from the Malay word for "safe haven." Surely, few havens are as soothing and idyllic, as evidenced by the sun-loving beachcombers from Thailand and beyond who wade, swim and lounge in the lapping tides. Until the early 1970s, this self-sufficient community had no roadways; crossing the island required a full-day trek across nine miles of mountainous jungle. Today, Koh Samui retains the slower pace of simpler times. The cherished traditions of old Siamese fishing villages, too, are preserved as tiny boats gently bob on turquoise waters.Read more