travelasia: Kho Samui Spas, a Utopian Experience

travelasia: Kho Samui Spas, a Utopian Experience: A Season of Touch and Aroma begins a journey that makes a difference… find the path to changing seasons into a picturesque personal exp...

travelasia: A Romantic Summer Wedding

travelasia: A Romantic Summer Wedding: Summer is the perfect time for a destination beach wedding on beautiful Koh Samui. Escape to tropical paradise while leaving the stress ...

A Romantic Summer Wedding

Summer is the perfect time for a destination beach wedding on beautiful Koh Samui. Escape to tropical paradise while leaving the stress of your everyday lives behind you.

Can you imagine yourself on your wedding day walking down the sandy aisle, covered with fresh flower petals; the gentle afternoon breeze escorting you into your future; the melody of gentle waves caressing the shoreline nearby? Whether you are surrounded by family and friends or are accompanied only by nature you are certain to have a wedding day you will never forget.

As if it were a dream, you'll find yourself standing hand-in-hand, across from the one you desire the most, saying your nuptials as the fragrance of tropical flowers fill your senses and love binds your souls. Indulge in your "First Kiss" as Husband and Wife as rose petal confetti showers all around you. Sign your wedding certificate to make it official and then, together, pop the cork on a chilled bottle of Champagne to celebrate while enjoying mouth-watering canapes. Feel the warmth of the vivid amber sunset while you are posing for photos on the beach; capturing your memories so you can share this incredible day with all your family and friends - again and again.

As the glow of the sun fades over the horizon, release wedding wishes into the nighttime sky with a 'love lantern', also known as a fire balloon. Stand together, hands clasped as you watch it slowly ascend into the heavens, eventually fading from view.

Dine under the stars in true romantic fashion; candles illuminating your table as thin shadows dance across your smiles, the flicker of love's light visible in your eyes. Enjoy the finest Thai cuisine and the freshest seafood available as soft live music serenades you throughout your dining pleasure. Delight in your dessert of succulent fresh fruit and a luscious, moist cake decorated with stunning fresh flowers.

Continue into the evening with an energetic fire dancing performance or perhaps a traditional Thai cultural dance show; both are will entertain, absolutely. BOOM! Suddenly, the bright flash of fireworks lights up the sky and their thunderous echoes resonate in your body, you squeeze each other's hands in excitement. The thrill of the moment races your hearts and you know, without a doubt, this is an occasion you will never forget.

As you are introduced for your first dance, you feel the butterflies in your stomach, but as you look into the eyes of your True Love, the nervousness goes away. You step onto the dance floor, holding each other close, rhythmically moving to the beat of your hearts and the symphony of your special song. Cameras flash and whispers of, "Don't they look beautiful together?" can be heard over the murmur of guests. You smile knowing this is your day.

A small-size game that packs a punch: the world of Mini Golf

Winding up through the small roads in the north-east part of Koh Samui, Choeng Mon, you come across something unusual: a well-made mini golf course. Complete with 18 holes, the pint-sized course is an entertaining and catchy challenge to young and old alike. Both fun for all the family and fun for friends too, it provides a respite from all the more expected entertainments on the island, and it's also one of the cheapest things to do here. 

Unlike traditional golf, there's no need to walk for miles – and in the tropical heat that can only be an advantage. The course is extremely self-contained while requiring skill and dexterity to drive the ball through the surrealistic obstacles. It's very relaxing, too, and a quirky highlight to a day out.

The course was made by Jurgen Schnurr better known as Jojo. He also designed it, and it's one of the few places it can be played in Thailand. It's also the only one in the kingdom to be accredited by the World Mini Golf Federation. Jojo wants to start a junior team which may one day go national and increases the profile of mini golf in the kingdom. 

Jojo hails from Germany but soon found he preferred a more wandering life. He has lived in both the USA and Canada, Mexico and Africa. He's now settled on Koh Samui, along with his wife and daughter.

Meanwhile, players from all over the world come here, professional golfers amongst them. The course is set in a lovely garden, with shady trees allowing a respite from the sun. Jojo is on hand to run the small cafe bar here and offers cold drinks, sandwiches and other snacks. He also has a barbecue here, which you can use at no charge, so if you are particularly hungry, and want to bring your own food, you have all the facilities you need on hand to produce a veritable feast. 

On Tuesdays and Fridays a regular group turns up to play, and there are special deals for those who live on the island and play frequently. Koh Samui Mini Golf International is open every day from 9am until dark and just 200 meters off the main road in Choeng Mon

Kho Samui Spas, a Utopian Experience

A Season of Touch and Aroma begins a journey that makes a difference…
find the path to changing seasons into a picturesque personal experience.

If one finds stressed all the time and you wish you could just get it away, you can and you don't have to travel very far. A vacation doesn't need to include expensive plane tickets, hotel stays, rental cars and whatever else people have in mind when they think of vacations. In fact, you can stay right in your hometown and have a nice, relaxing vacation by visiting local spas that offer soul pampering services. A spa experience might be just what the doctor ordered to cause your stress to melt away and give you the peace of mind you so desperately seek and deserve.

More and more people in the country have learned to appreciate the benefits that outdoor spas have on their health. In fact, millions of people solicit spa service for self-wellness.

When it comes to spa vacations, Koh Samui is revered as one of the best destinations on the planet. There are multiple reasons for this, and many of these reasons are specific to Samui. If you're someone who loves spa vacation, go Samui, the top spot destination for an amazingly wondrous journey…an earth-shattering moment that one can paint in the landscape of one's life.

The spa is an ideal getaway for the loner, the romantic couple and for the entire family. It is a place where people from all walks of life come to experience and enjoy the taste of good life.

An hour of experience…

The first thing that will strike you soon after you enter a spa is the calm atmosphere of the place and the excellent treatment. It is no secret that when you look nice, you feel better. Spa might not be able to fix a cardiovascular problem or set a broken bone but they do offer services that improve the outside of your body, but they do offer services that will boost your self-confidence. A facial will tighten the sagging folds in your skin, and repair the dark circles under your eyes. Having your makeup put on by one of the professional guarantees that it looks great. A scalp treatment makes your hair feel healthy. All of these things will improve your self-image, something that is always good for your mental health. Most of the massages provided by spas are actually have physical health benefits. Many massages work to ease muscle tension, overload, fatigue, and some minor injuries. Since most spa treatments involved touching, a lot of experts believe that going to the health spa has many health benefits. These health benefits include stress relief and pain relief. An hour of pampering can definitely release some of the tensions in your body.

Spas pride themselves on the services they offer. If you've ever wanted to be treated like a celebrity, you can definitely find that kind of treatment at a spa. Many of them serve you drinks, food, provide the various services and more and you don't have to do a thing. This is just one has been looking for; time away from the job, family stresses and anything else that cause tension. You just lay back, relax and let them melt away all your stress and give you the relief you so badly deserve.

At spas, you get a room all to yourself, which you can use by yourself or that special someone and you'll also be waited on. It's like being treated like a celebrity, which is something we could all enjoy. Spa-goers enjoy the privacy of a home and the freedom to use it any time they wish during the day or night. You will lose yourself in paradise and luxury as you receive some of the most superior spa services.

Thoughts on the value of a spa night

Many people ignore the services of spas. They feel that the services offered are frivolous and that they are better off spending the money somewhere else on something more important.

The reality is that the person should consider the money they would spend on a session at spas. Studies indicate that when a person's body feels good the person's emotions are stable. A person with stable emotions is a lot easier to live with than a person who is moody and irritable. Experts say that an average person is exposed to at least 12 hours of stress almost every day. If you are one of those people who is constantly exposed to physical and mental stress every day, you should join the bandwagon and head to the nearest health spa. Visiting a spa has become one of the most culturally and socially acceptable ways of reducing stress and relieving muscle tensions. 

According to studies, more than 60 million people visit spas every year making the health spa business as one of the most lucrative industries in the world today. Studies show that physical contact with another human being is very important for our well-being. The element of touch generally helps us to relax and feel better after a long a stressful day. During the ancient times, people rely on therapeutic massage and "healing touch" to cure some forms of illness.

A notion with spa moment

           You can go by yourself, you can take that special someone or you can take the entire family along. It's the ultimate vacation destination and when you come back, you'll be fully recharged to tackle work, your home life, or whatever else that has been stressing you out. One thing for sure, you'll want to return again and again because there is nothing more relaxing than treating yourself at spas. A lot of spas all over Thailand caters to families with small children. If you have kids and you want to spend some time with them, bring them to a family friendly spa resort where you can do some activities together. Spas are like private island experience. You get a room with a great view; you get all the amenities that include pampering and total relaxation.

Another feature to taking a spa vacation is that it offers you the chance to get away from the daily stresses and strains and instead relax and unwind without anything to disturb the tranquility of the environment.
           
It may also be a good idea to check out stress management retreats or take a vacation where weight loss is a feature, and there are even spiritually oriented retreats and even yoga destinations that you can check out when looking for a suitable spa vacation. The best thing about such spa vacation destinations is that they are managed very professionally and you will certainly learn how to live life in a healthier fashion and then also use what you have learned in your daily lives once you return home from your vacation. Of course, the ideal spa vacation would be one that suits your needs the best and which is also easily affordable. In addition, the ideal spa vacation would also be one that addresses your specific goals such as helping you to lose weight or one that pampers you and fulfills your every whim and desire.
           
In Thailand, many people think about staying within the city limit when they are seeking a quality massage. However, only a few short miles from Bangkok where one can receive some of the best massages in the Kingdom. If you wish to be close to nature then the best spa vacation for you would be one that is located in scenic surroundings and which is far from the hustle and bustle of city life. However, one thing is for sure and that is that no matter which kind of spa vacation you choose, when you return from your vacation you will be a truly new person whose mind and body will have been refreshed, relaxed and rejuvenated.

               Have you been working a lot lately? Are you feeling tired and exhausted a lot? Maybe it is time for a massage.

Elephants in Thailand – living symbols of a nation

You can't go far in Thailand without coming across visual references to elephants. Not only were they beasts of burden, adept at working in rural areas, they were also the animal counterpart of tanks, and totally fearsome in battle. The elephant is an enduring symbol of the kingdom and was even in former times included in its national flag. Especially beloved, the elephant is credited not only with a great memory but intelligence and pleasant nature. White elephants are particularly revered. However, in the same way that no bat is completely deaf, no elephant is completely white – it just means their skin is unusually pale.

Still roaming free - occasionally

Wild elephants are still to be found in the north of Thailand, but most have been domesticated. In the past, they were captured and trained for work.  The Forestry Department still relies on trained elephants to get hold of illegal stores of logs, which poachers stock in areas where wheeled transport just can't get access. Alas, these days, elephants are in rapid decline. Just as sad, some of these magnificent beasts are used as beggars, with their mahout asking for food for them. Sometimes they can be seen on the streets of Bangkok, far from any home that might even be imaginable for them. Various bodies exist to help elephants and look after them, but it's proving difficult, as there are whole populations involved. 

Main types of elephant

There are two main species of elephant. The African Elephant is the larger and more aggressive. Look for the bigger ears which act as cooling fans and help enable the creature to survive in the open grasslands of Africa. The Indian elephant, which is to be found in Thailand, is a native of forest and jungle, so is smaller, allowing it to move around more easily. They are completely vegetarian and munch on a whole variety of plant life here in Thailand. Tamarinds, bananas and sugar cane make for their favorite foods.

Elephant ways

Elephants band together in small herds of up to 20 individuals, with an alpha male as a leader. If you threaten a herd, expect to be charged by the males. Pregnancy amongst elephants lasts up to 2 years and when the mother is about to give birth, an elephant acts as midwife, making sure she and the offspring are safe and cared for. If an elephant is stillborn, the mother will grieve for several days and stays by the body. Most elephants live to be at least 70, but it's not unusual for them to attain a hundred years; there are plenty of elephants around today who were born in 1910.

On Koh Samui, elephants are used to carry tourists around and many people who come here love to go out in the jungle and ride one. It's a great way to experience the interior of the island.