Pan Yok Khrua Tour Koh Samui Talui Ko Taen, 6-8 April 2018

Pan Yok Khrua Tour Koh Samui Talui Ko Taen, 6-8 April 2018

The 'Pan Yok Khrua Tour Koh Samui Talui Ko Taen, 6-8 April 2018' is a cycling event, organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The weekend of 6th to 8th April happens to be the Chakri day weekend, so a long weekend. 

Chakri day is officially known as 'King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke the Great Day and Chakri Dynasty Memorial Day', Chakri Day commemorates the establishment of the Chakri Dynasty by Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I) in 1782.

Cyclist of all ages are invited to participate in this event, 

 “The trip offers participants the chance to see Samui in a different way. Travelling around the island by bicycle allows for unique experiences while embracing an inclusive tourism approach that is part of our ‘Open to the New Shades’ marketing concept,” says Nongyao Jirundorn, director of TAT Koh Samui Office.

“As the name of the tour implies, ‘Pan Yok Khrua Tour Ko Samui Talui Ko Taen’ aims to encourage the entire family to enjoy cycling together while exploring the beautiful scenery and key attractions of Koh Samui and Koh Taen,” he adds.

Pan Yok Khrua Tour Koh Samui Talui Ko Taen, 6-8 April 2018

It's a three day even and up to 400 families can participate. The registration fee is Bt600 per person and is inclusive of a brand shirt and six meals. Although the fee doesn't cover accommodation, there will be space for tents available free-of-charge on Koh Taen.

The start of the program will be 6th April with registration and shirt collection at the Nathon pier between 4 and 7pm.

The next day, 7th April, will see the bicycle caravan set off along Provincial Highway 4169 and 4174 to It-viset Pier at Na Sai Bay. From here, everybody will travel by ferry to nearby Koh Taen, for the event’s opening ceremony and CSR activities. 

Hosted by Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui and the Chumphon Provincial Office of Natural Resources and the Environment, this will see participants helping to release marine life (saltwater clams, turtles and fish) back into the sea and cleaning up the mangrove forest area at the Tan Marina Bay Resort and Restaurant. 

The program also includes time for cycling and sightseeing through Koh Taen’s picturesque scenery, and dinner along with folk songs, storytelling and a lucky draw. Participants can choose whether to stay a night on Koh Taen, or return to Ko Samui to sleep.  

On Sunday, the program features more cycling and sightseeing, this time along Ko Samui’s scenic route with stops at key attractions including the Guan Yu Shrine, the White Jade Buddha image at Wat Samret, Wat Phra Chedi Laem So, Khao Le and Bang Kao Beaches. Following lunch, the group will cycle along a scenic tourist route back to Na Thon Pier for the conclusion of the trip.

Sounds like a very scenic trip and a great way to spend some quality family time over a long weekend.

Please do 'like' my Koh Samui blog Facebook page and enjoy the beaches around the island or in front of your hotel or resort and get some well deserved rest and a break. If you're done resting or need something else to do, there's plenty of things on offer on and around Koh Samui, you can go snorkeling or diving or take a dive course. You can also enjoy some of the trips I recommend, like a half day gourmet lunch and snorkeling trip at the Southern part of Koh Samui or a photography trip where you get to see the most photo genetic spots on the island or go for a drinks tasting tour if you like a tipple or two. 

Contact me for more detailed information on any of the options mentioned. 

If you like to donate to this blog, use this secure link PayPal.Me/CamilleLemmens. 

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 3rd April, 2016

Today's weather;

It's cloudy over Koh Samui this morning but I expect the clouds to disperse during the day. Current temp at 7am is already 29C

On Koh Lanta the current PADI IDC has met the half way mark under very sunny and hot days each day. Today is no different, a lovely blue sky is shaping up and it promises to be hot again! Current temp at 7am is a nice and cool 23C

A view of Koh Tan, South of Koh Samui, when we were on our way to Koh Madsum

Yesterday saw a very nice and sunny and warm day again around Koh Samui with a max temp of 32C

A water truck on Koh Lanta, on the road at the klong in Ban Saladan. There is no water supply available so all the hostels, hotels and restaurants here have to order on a very regular base, sometimes at least once per day, a water truck to fill up their reservoirs

The forecast for the next ten days is looking very good, between Monday and Wednesday we may still have some clouds in the sky over Koh Samui but after that it looks like it's going to be very sunny and very hot! Songkran should have sunshine again this year!

Do 'like' my Koh Samui blog Facebook page and don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks! 

Camille

Island Gem gourmet picnic, a different experience

Yesterday I was invited for an inspection trip of Island Gem Gourmet Picnic with front office staff/managers of some high end hotels on the island. The Gem Gourmet Picnic gives a different twist to a day time activity and the most interesting part is, they don't take up your whole day. 

Long tail boat used for the trips although speed boats are available on request

Pick up doesn't start until 10am, so you can enjoy breakfast at your hotel and you will be back before the start of the happy hour at the hotel pool bar! This is one of the few half day trips available on Koh Samui.

Snorkeling at Koh Tan

Transfers to and from Thong Krut pier in the Southern part of the island from your hotel are included, as is snorkeling and a gourmet lunch with unlimited drinks. Two islands will be visited, Koh Tan for snorkeling and Koh Matsum for a gourmet lunch and relaxing.

View on Koh Tan

The transfer alone will give you a great possibility of seeing the more untouched Southern part(s) of the island with it's roads and villages with some stunning views on offer. Our family loves to take day trips to this part of the island.

Relaxing transfer between the islands

Once in Thong Krut, everybody gets on a long tail boat and the trip si ready to start. Within 15 minutes, Koh Tan has been reached and with it's pristine coral reefs along it's coast, the snorkeling part of the trip can start. Since all tours are private, it's you who dictates how long you want to stay at the snorkel site. Mask, snorkels and fins are provided for!

There are plenty of fish and various kinds of coral to be seen.

Koh Matsum as seen from the boat

After the snorkeling, it's off to Koh Matsum for the gourmet lunch. Another short trip on the traditional but comfortable long tail boat which is shaded.

Prosecco on the swing

Once on Koh Matsum, a naturally shaded area by a big tree is waiting with some swings and a glass of Prosecco bubbles are waiting for you whilst Gavin, the owner and guide prepares the lunch. Time to kick back and enjoy the pristine beach.

Lunch

The standard lunch as we had yesterday included; Couscous with roasted veg. Pesto pasta. Mixed green salad. Potato salad. French bread with Italian ham salad, Egg mayo, cheese salad and coppa ham olive salad, Cayun chicken and for dessert fruit cake and fresh watermelon. It was delicious! Gavin cooks himself and he had some very good teachers!

Gavin has a F&B background, having been F&B manager at the Silavadee and it sure shows!

Another view of Koh Matsum beach

The area that Gavin uses is secluded and you're the only ones on this stretch of beach and once lunch has been finished, there's ample time to either relax and enjoy some more drinks or play some games or go for a swim.

Lunch setting

It's a ll done in a very relaxing, more or less set by you, since as already mentioned, there are no mixed groups, only private tours, starting with two and a maximum of 16.

The end of a great trip, everybody was happy and enjoyed themselves

We had a great day, all of us and we enjoyed it a lot, "sanuk maak", as the Thai tend to say! I can highly recommend this activity, it makes for something different and will be a good memory to remember from your stay on Samui.

Check out my 'Tour bookings with Camille' page on this blog and book directly with me for 'Island gem gourmet picnic, a different experience' 

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille