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NA THON
Port town known for its spectacular sunsets. Government offices, immigration department, general post office, main police station and the major banks are all here. Express and night passenger ferries from Surat Thani disembark here. Not much to see except the old Chinese teak houses and the drama of the catch being brought in every evening.

HUA THANON
The biggest anchorage for fishing boats on the island and home to the Muslim community which migrated from Pattani, (bordering Malaysia). With them they brought their distinctive, brightly painted high-bowed boats.

NAM MUANC WATERFALL
10 kms south of Na Thon at Ban Thurian. There are two waterfalls: Nam Muang One is 18 metres high and you can drive up, Nam Muang Two is about 80 metres high, 30 min walk.

HEAVEN'S GARDEN
High in the hills lies an art gallery extraordinary in many ways. The inspiration and creation of Nim Thongsuk, who decided at the age of 77, to create a little piece of heaven on earth in the hope that tourists would appreciate not only his vision, but the extraordinary beauty of the island's hilltop forests. Sculpted in the mountain top river bed (on land belonging to his family) are dozens of figures inspired by Buddhist scriptures.

The only way to get there is through the jungle, rivers and mountains in a four-wheel-drive. The journey takes about 2 hours starting at the Lamai temple, only recommended for experienced off-road drivers. Tour operators and resorts also organise tours. Some of the creations are immediately apparent, others one tends to miss as you concentrate on keeping your footing. So be prepared to take your time.

HIN TA HIN YAl
These fascinating rock formations have been carved by nature and resemble male and female genitalia called Hin Ta and Hin Yai or grandfather & grandmother rocks. This area is one of the most photographed places in all of Koh Samui. A local story tells of an old couple whose ship was wrecked in the bay and their bodies washed ashore to create the rocks. Southwest of Lamai.

MONKEY THEATRE
On Samui, the monkey is a man's best friend. Small monkeys are trained to perform various tricks on stage, and harvest coconuts. The entertainment also includes performing elephants.

BUFFALO FIGHTING
Samui's favourite spectacle. A pair of male water buffaloes are pitted against one another in a fairly harmless head wrestling contest Although blood is sometimes drawn, the buffaloes rarely suffer injuries, so it's not really a blood sport There is one stadium in Chaweng and several others around the island.

BUTTERFLY FARM
The butterflies flit about naturally amid tropical foliage, but they can't completely escape from view. Since butterflies live for only about two weeks, the garden raises their own butterflies and has a great display of caterpillars, cocoons and live butterflies. In the southeast, opposite the Central Samui Village resort. Open daily from 9am to 6pm.

SNAKE FARM
This farm in Talingngam has ten species of snakes as well as centipedes, scorpions and lizards. Special shows with scorpions, centipedes and a cobra. Show time: 11am & 2pm daily.


ELEPHANT TREKKING
Don't leave Samui without having discovered the beauty of the island's mountainous interior. Take an elephant ride through the tropical rain forest. Standard trips last a half hour, but longer trips can be requested. Chaweng Elephant Trekking: Chaweng Noi 077 422 151, Island Safari: Chaweng 077 230 709, Elephant Trekking: Na Muang
Tel: 077 230 247.

SAMUI AQUARIUM
Thailand's only privately owned aquarium. Excellent collection of tropical marine life such as sharks, tropical fish and innumerable other aquatic creatures. Laem Set at the Samui Orchid Resort 077 424 017.

TEMPLES
A number of interesting temples. Big Buddha is the 12-metre high golden Buddha image on Big Buddha Beach. Wat Phra Yai is in the Northeast on route 4171 near the airport. It houses a coral Buddha and is approximately 800 metres west of Hua Thanon. Wat Sumret has many Buddha images, one is in a reclining position and the tallest, which stands three metres, originated in India. Wat Laem Sol's most remarkable feature is the ornately designed Chedi at the water's edge. It is between Ban Tale and Ban Pang Ka.

Buddha's Footprint Shrine is also interesting. There are actually four footprints here, housed in a modest shrine on top of a steep hill, which offers great views. It is two kilometres west of the turn-off for the Butterfly Garden on route 4170. Wat Sila Ngu is said to house a relic of Buddha, a golden chedi marks the temple. It is near the Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks.

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