Page 46 - ISLAND STYLE MAGAZINE

EXPLORING

WAT BIG BUDDHA

The Big Buddha temple is easily one of stores that have shipping facilities. Other the fortunes you can read underneath
the most recognizable landmarks on stalls have a range of beautiful Buddha’s the machine. If you would prefer a more
Samui with its 12 meter high Buddha and Buddha masks that make excellent personal reading then head on over to
that has been sitting, majestically, on souvenirs as well as home decorations. the English speaking fortune teller who
a tall platform overlooking Koh Samui There is an art gallery with hand painted has a shop next to the large car parking
since 1972. unique and reproduction art works, local area. If looking into the future is not your
handy craft shops, handmade shoe and idea of fun then you can ask one of the
This, one of the islands most visited handbag shops, and a couple of dozen monks to give you a blessing or buy a
temples, is on a small island, reached by shops selling cool cotton summer clothes brick that will be used to build extensions
a causeway, on the north east shore of and a wide variety of T-shirts as well as to the temple and mark it with your name.
the island. childrens’ attire.
The Big Buddha temple is a great place to
The Buddha can be seen from several The OTOP - One Tambon One Product get something to eat too. Thai and Italian
kilometers away as well as by plane on shop has an excellent range of herbs, spa restaurants overlook the bay and if ice
arrival to the island. The Buddha alone products, honey, natural latex, ginseng, cream is your thing you are not going to be
makes the temple worth a visit, but as teas and fruit pastes. If you are not in the disappointed. There is an ice cream shop
well as a great photo opportunity and mood for shopping then head to the Dr at the entrance to the temple market that
superb views of the north of the island Fish shop and spend half an hour having sells the most incredible Swizz ice cream.
at the top of the platform the Buddha the dead skin removed from your feet by The sign says that it’s probably the best
sits on, there are many other great tiny, hungry, fish, or, perhaps, go and put ice cream on Samui which could very well
reasons to spend a few hours at the 5baht into a fortune telling slot machine. be true. It is probably the most expensive
temple. The grounds of the temple are There is one machine for every day of the come to that but worth every penny!
home to a bustling market that offers a week. It is a good idea to pick the one that Remember to dress respectfully when
myriad of shopping opportunities. On represents the day you were born. visiting the temple, remove your shoes
the large end of the scale you can buy before climbing the staircase to the Big
giant wooden elephants and nuts and The machine will work its magic and give Buddha and watch out, the steps can be
bolts aliens in the market from several you a number that corresponds one of quite slippery.

46 ISLANDS STYLE