ARTICLE SERVICES            Reprint this article     Print this article       Send as an e-mail     Send Feedback       Comment on this article on our Vox Populi blog     RELATED STORIES   Updating the Filipiniana Perfect escape from city living Moisturize, hydrate and nourish skin GALLERY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Next   Zoom    MONS Romulo Tantoco, Nok Ungpakorn and Sander Tantoco at the Coca Restaurant of Centara Grand Hotel Zoom    THAI Airways GM Nivat Chantarachoti, Imperial Boat House Hotel asst. front office manager Khun Nisa and resident manager Sawarng Orapol Zoom    AT KOH Samui: Anton San Diego, Pepper Teehankee, Sander and Mons Tantoco, Chantarachoti, moi, Kaye and Freddie Tiñga Zoom    GIANT Buddhist goddess Zoom    MAIN Building and Boat House rooms at Kho Samui’s Imperial Hotel Zoom    THE ROYAL Orchid Spa’s lounge for first- and business-class passengers at the airport Zoom    COLORFUL figures, depicting episodes in Thai history, at the shopping area of Koh Samui Zoom    AERIAL view of the Imperial Boat House Hotel at Kho Samui. (Left) One of several Buddhist shrines in the area. Zoom    BIG Buddha with 280 steps Missing Michael By Ruel S. De Vera, Associate Editor Sunday Inquirer Magazine LIKE a twist in one of his books, news of Michael Crichton’s demise arrived as a shock. No one knew the a ...More Seeing a bright future amid crisis ‘Plate it’ for women’s health Changing the way we regard our bread Building walls and walks Gastronomic treats from the north Free will Carbon footprint Showrooms at LRI Charms for the good life Amazing lace More Stories » Showbiz and Style Tequi exhibit focuses on Perigord episode Gastronomic treats from the north Where to get non-stick baking pans 20 yummiest (commercially baked) cakes Free will Jeff Probst has survived and seen ’em all What does your school bag say about you? 'Twilight' poised for box-office killing 20 yummiest (privately baked) cakes Math innovations Showbiz and Style ABS-CBN: Diether still in Star Magic More on the ‘Twilight’ movie 'Twilight' poised for box-office killing High marks for Regine’s ‘Low Key’ Karylle vs Marian Madonna and Ritchie granted divorce Miriam Quiambao steals the show One heck/hack of a ride From screenwriter to director Ridiculous game shows Court handbags Tommy Hilfiger cheat Marvs writes from Paris   Showbiz and Style Most Read RSS Hottest Tags Lifestyle & Leisure Tourism WHAT'S THIS?                 More >>  OTHER COLUMNS Street Smart : Showrooms at LRI / Mandy Navasero Lotus Pond - Bismark : Free will / S. Bismark Discovery : Building walls and walks / Massie Santos Ballon Medical Files : ‘Plate it’ for women’s health / Rafael Castillo, MD Without Batting An Eyelash : On men, street games and ‘Kulasa’ / Maurice Arcache Makeover 911 : Beat water-retention weight gain / Kinny Salas Knockout! : Practical gift suggestions / Ria Francisco-Prieto

MANILA, Philippines—Next day, we left at 9:30 a.m. for Angthong National Marine Park.

Jumping on a huge banca, we sailed to two of the 40 curiously shaped islands. Hua Talab, was the first island, where visitors could feed the fishes, snorkel and view the colorful corals around the deep shore line.

Then we sailed to another island close by. The white sand and coconut groves were a great place to have a light picnic, swim or just relax on the hammocks under the shade of trees, fronting the beach.

The two-hour trip ended too soon, as we were off again driving on the well-paved road while touring the other half of the island, with a stop for an excellent lunch at the five-star The Cliff Restaurant.

Perched on a cliff top, overlooking a white sand bay cove, we dug into this resto’s specialties of Thai, as well as Italian and other European dishes of superb quality.

Fully satisfied, we continued our tour to different resorts and a shopping mall, where we just had to stop and grab several Thai condiments and herbs in bottles for our Thai cooking at home.

Our fantastic two women, Kaye Tiñga and Mons Tantoco, couldn’t resist buying several kilos of the sweetest lanzones in this side of paradise, while I bought bags of fresh lime, something I could never find in Manille, palanggas.

Back at the hotel, we had a superb dinner with GM Rolf Opitz of the Imperial Boat House Hotel fronting the beach, under the stars and a gorgeous full moon. It was just heavenly, dahlings.

On our last day, we went to visit the Big Buddha, one of Kok Samui’s most famous landmarks, a remarkable temple to the Buddhist faith. Dominating the landscapes, this 12-meter-high statue can even be seen from the air.

You have to climb 280 steps to reach the Buddha. At the top, one could see the swarm of Buddhist priests around the ground area, where three other smaller temples with Buddhas are found. It’s also a great shopping area to shop till you drop, for locally made cloths, souvenirs and art galleries.

Anton San Diego got himself a painting, I got a couple of pure cotton short pants for the beach, Pepper Teehankee and Kaye and Mons bought loads of gifts for their staff and friends back home.

We also visited other Buddhist temple sites close by.

Great dinner

On our last night we had dinner (by reservations only) at the world-class restaurant called On the Rock! It has excellent cuisine, dining under the stars with a breathtaking view of the beach and other resorts on the ground level.

It’s highly recommended that you go there for cocktails before dinner and watch the glorious sunset from up this mountain. Now, be prepared also for the slow, and I mean slow service.

By the time you’re ready for your second or main course, you’d be ready to sleep. Or maybe, because there were loads of diners the night we were there.

I must admit though that Kok Samui’s cuisine is among the finest in Thailand.

European and international restaurants are springing up like mushrooms in the island, catering to global visitors. Thai food in particular and Koh Samui’s renowned seafood specialties are favorites. Eating out is also inexpensive with a high-quality meal costing as low as US$7 per person. Not bad, huh!

Well, like all good things that have to come to an end, early the following day we were off back to Bangkok.

We had a four-hour wait, but because there were a lot of shops to do one’s last-minute shopping, it seemed that time flew so fast.

And, take note, dahlings, Thai Airways has added a new service—the fantastic Thai Royal Orchid Spa. Yes, a spa! It’s for all of Thai’s first- and business-class passengers at pre-departure!

Before your journey begins, prepare to make your flight full of joy. Forget your stress and just relax by having a complimentary spa treatment consisting of neck and shoulder massage, Meridian foot massage and Touch of Silk, which is a full-body massage.

Jetting back to Manille, I just couldn’t help thinking that the wonderful island of Koh Samui is so unique in many enchanting ways, that it certainly will leave a lasting impression on all the visitors.

It’s great to know, too, that Thai Airways has included this new choice of destination, making the island more accessible so that more travelers can enjoy this remarkable part of the world, darlings.

Thai Airways International has 14 flights a week to Bangkok. Call Thai Airways GM Nivat Chantarachoti or district sales manager Malu Dueñas at 8124812;e-mail sales@thaiairways.com.ph.

• Updating the Filipiniana
• Perfect escape from city living
• Moisturize, hydrate and nourish skin

• Seeing a bright future amid crisis
• ‘Plate it’ for women’s health
• Changing the way we regard our bread
• Building walls and walks
• Gastronomic treats from the north
• Free will
• Carbon footprint
• Showrooms at LRI
• Charms for the good life
• Amazing lace
• Practical gift suggestions
• Beat water-retention weight gain
• On men, street games and ‘Kulasa’
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• Street Smart :  Showrooms at LRI / Mandy Navasero
• Lotus Pond - Bismark :  Free will / S. Bismark
• Discovery :  Building walls and walks / Massie Santos Ballon
• Medical Files :  ‘Plate it’ for women’s health / Rafael Castillo, MD
• Without Batting An Eyelash :  On men, street games and ‘Kulasa’ / Maurice Arcache
• Makeover 911 :  Beat water-retention weight gain / Kinny Salas
• Knockout! :  Practical gift suggestions / Ria Francisco-Prieto