A little madness in the Spring is wholesome even for the King. (Emily Dickinson).
It’s still rather chilly out there, and the pretty snow has all gone, so now’s the time to get those holiday brochures out and start planning. Let’s find some sun and fun!
March is one of the best months to visit Koh Samui – just a little rain and the temperatures up to the low 30s. In April – the official start of the ‘hot season’ – the temperatures climb a little, and there are perhaps one or two days more rain than in March, but all in all still the same glorious sun and welcome heat.
So what’s on in March and April?
Saturday March 19th is the next Full Moon Party – an all night event on Haad Rin Beach on Koh Phangan. It happens on the night of every full moon, and if you’re going to be on Koh Samui for long enough, you should think about going to one of these. Drinking and dancing the night away to music by local and international DJs from around the world: for the party people, this is where the action is. Be aware that thousands attend, so if you’re missing the noise and the crowds from home, you’ll love it.
To get to Koh Phangan you have to catch a boat, and it’s about a 45 minute ride. Special services are set up on full moon nights to cater for all who want to attend, but be prepared for a bit of a wait – it gets hectic!
The Songkran Water Festival runs from 13th-15th April, when lots of water is thrown around at anybody and anything that moves. This will certainly help to cool you down should you feel the need. And don’t forget those beauty contests that take place around this time – not to be missed!
The next Full Moon Party is on Monday April 18th.
Other activities to consider are:
Shopping – the list of items on sale is endless, but you can pick up some gorgeous beachwear, plus locally made home items in silk, jewellery in silver, gold and set with precious stones, and countless other handicrafts such as lacquerware, antiques and objets d’art, especially in Chaweng, Nathon and Lamai. And if you can wait for a few days, why not get something handmade by a tailor?
The Na Tian Butterfly Garden can be found in the south of the island. As well as butterflies, there is a beautiful garden to wander around, a bee house where you can watch these busy creatures at work, and an insect museum.
There is an Aquarium at Laem Set Bay, housing many tropical fish and marine plants.
The Ban Lamai Cultural Hall is really a small museum, with local ancient objects on display, including hunting weapons, earthenware and household utensils.
The Namtok Na Mueang Waterfall is a two level fall made by the water coming off the highlands. The lower one has a drop of approximately 20 metres. To reach the higher fall, please note that the road is pretty steep. You can also take elephant treks here.
And if you have some energy left, how about some nightlife! This never seems to stop, especially in the busier tourist centres such as Chaweng and Lamai. There are beach bars and discos, western-style pubs with satellite TV, rock ‘n‘ roll bars, dinners and cabaret, and more classic, quieter restaurants to choose from all over the island. Many of the bars and discos stay open well beyond midnight, and some until sun-up, and these don’t get underway until very late in the evening.
This is also the time of year to think about LOVE …If you’re planning your future wedding or honeymoon, take a look at www.samuiislandvillas.com you might get a few ideas.