All New AbsoluteExperiences Programme

Read all about the finishing

touches to our stunning

boutique The Beach Samui

Family FunA DAy At the SAmui AquArium

OFF The BeaTen PaThPhuket’S PArADiSe BeAch

a DaTe FOr yOur hOliDay Diary SongkrAn - celeBrAtingthe thAi new yeAr

FOcus On The Beach samuimeet the locAlS ofthong krut VillAge

insPiraTiOn FOr aBsOluTe Owners & memBers

SPring 2014 eDition

Contents10Absolute twin sAnds updAte

Focus on Absolute twin sAnds ResoRt & spA pHAse ii

songkRAncelebRAting tHe tHAi new YeAR

05A dAte For Your HolidAY diArY

Absolute CommunitY

4049spotliGHt on our stAFF

A summeR 2014 soFt opening

enHAncingYouR HolidAY eXpeRiencetHe beACH sAmui proGress updAte

23

a Songkran greeting from the Chairman 03

off the Beaten Path in Phuket 16ParadiSe BeaCh

SeCret Buddha garden 34Samui’S BeSt kePt SeCret

Samui aquarium, tiger Zoo 38& Butterfly garden

diSCovering the kraBi CoaSt 43

let uS introduCe our reSort managerS 47

10 fantaStiC fitneSS aPPS 51

travel aPPS 54

travel readS 56

InspIred MagazIne Is publIshed by the absolute World group 2014. all InforMatIon Is deeMed correct at the tIMe of goIng to press.

pHuket tHAi HuA museum

meet ouR inteRn

FAmilY Fun in pHuket

20

Also in tHis edition:

A sonGkrAn GreetinG From tHe CHAirmAn

australIa +61 280 734452chIna +86 400 8980 898fInland +35 894 2704142

france +33 176 773993

gerMany +49 692 222 1557russIa +7 499 795 7549south afrIca +27 2130 01943

thaIland +66 762 92525

uK +44 203 6423203usa +1 6465 645 654

For Your ConVenienCe our member serViCes teAms CAn be ContACted on AnY oF tHe FollowinG loCAl rAte numbers:

bryan lunt, chairman & ceO

Bryan Lunt, Chairman & CEO

HAppY sonGkrAn dAY 2014celebRAting tHe tHAi new YeARA New Thai Year is upon us and what an exciting year of Thailand adventures we have ahead for you all. Of course we finally get to welcome Fractional Owners to The Beach Samui this Summer and show you just what you have been waiting for - understandably a little longer than we had anticipated - we are creating something truly, truly special! And of course Absolute Twin Sands Resort & Spa is now in the build stage of Phase Two with some fantastic new facilities to look forwardto in 2015 for our members, owners and their guests. We look forward to seeing you soon in Thailand for this truly unforgettable year to come.

Happy Songkran Day

Bryan Lunt

A dAte For Your HolidAY diArY

sonGkrAnCelebrAtinG tHe tHAi new YeArbY VictoRiA tAYloR, tRAVel wRiteR

life in thailand iS magiCal; known for itS white Sandy BeaCheS, famouS nightlife and natural Beauty, thiS iS a Country that BoaStS an undeniaBle aura. you will witneSS Some of the BeSt SunSetS that Cannot Be Seen anywhere elSe. with hotelS lining the CoaSt, it truly iS a magnifiCent haven. you Can alSo exCite your taSte BudS, while kiCking BaCk and getting to know the loCalS and their intereSting hiStoriCal StorieS. in all itS magnifiCenCe and glory, thailand haS a lot more to offer. they are truly PaSSionate aBout their feStivalS, thai CuiSine and loCal entertainment.

these passions have spilled over into the rest of the world making it an inviting country

to the millions of visitors who come. one such festival, which is considered to be the most popular, is known as songkran. this intriguing celebration takes place every year from april 13th to april 15th, which allows thai locals and visitors to immerse themselves for three days into a culturally enticing atmosphere.

this marking of the new lunar year is exceptionally intriguing as thai locals and visitors revel in the sheer enormity of the celebrations. the word songkran originated from the word “sanskrit”, which means to “move or change”. this move or change has an astrological connection; it symbolizes the move of the sun into another zodiac. songkran is also known as the “water festival” as thai locals believe that the water will wash away all evil. With songkran being the most

popular holiday, many streets in thailand are literally packed to its limit; travelers fly from all over the world to engage in this extravaganza. Many marvel at the thai locals who share a sense of togetherness at this time; it’s as if all time has stood still and any inadequacies or hardships faced are forgotten.

the cultural significance of songkran is truly spectacular. the tradition was passed down from the ancient brahmins in India. they believed that the sun re-entered aries and finished its orbit around the earth on april 13th. april coincides with the beginning of spring when flowers start to bloom and animals that were hibernating are finally able to roam. this is a sign of new beginnings, which is why ancient brahmins observed this as a sign of a new year. once the thais began their cultural

2014 5

A dAte For Your HolidAY diArY

20146

liaison with the Indians, they chose to inherit this tradition. during the festivities, many locals focus on the spirituality of this holiday, making it an important factor throughout the three days. In order to take part in the festivities, traditional thais make their way to their hometowns in order to spend time with family. buddhists visit temples where water is poured on buddha images to cleanse them; this is also regarded as a sign of respect and food offerings are given to monks.

houses, nearby places and buddhist temples are cleaned as a sign of making merit. thai locals also dress themselves in new clothing as a way to pay respect to their elders. Water is poured on the hands of parents and their elders by young thais who seek their blessings. this ceremony is known as “rod nahm dum hua”. coloured talc powder is also mixed with water and smeared on the faces of individuals as a blessing for the new year. additionally, the laying of sand stupas in monasteries takes place. the stupas are decorated with colourful flags, flowers and incense while worshipping the buddha. another unique

songkran custom is the release of live birds and fish as this is seen as a charitable custom. this tradition was thought to have been learned from old practices where fish were collected from areas that were dried up and later released into their natural habitat. thai locals also use this holiday to reflect on their life and on the many blessings they have received; they thank others for their kindness and make resolutions for theirnew beginnings.

for those who are not familiar with the thai customs during songkran, they are able to attend sermons where they learn about the five precepts of the holiday. they include devoting merits to their elders and pouring water onto their hands by using clean water laced with scented perfume and jasmine. the use of scented perfume and jasmine is also placed in water to bathe the buddha images. they are also taught that you should bathe the monks with clean water and offer robes to them, as well as splashing water onto one another politely. finally, they are taught to celebrate the festival by enjoying the local entertainment provided.

2014 7

not many countries celebrate the new year in a traditional and cultural sense, even if it is not as prevalent in thailand now as it was years ago. Many countries see it as a time to drink and party and not as a time to reflect on their own life. this is why many visitors are in awe at the fact that many thais still celebrate songkran in a traditional way. they become fascinated and hypnotized by the continued beliefs that the thais uphold.

although the use of water is considered to be the one of the most symbolic, throughout the years, the festival has evolved tremendously; once a mellow and spiritual affair, songkran is solely considered by many as a water festival; ignoring the cultural significance of the holiday. the main attraction is now the use of water and is arguably the largest water war in the world. however, many thai locals, who still believe in the religious meaning of the holiday, have argued that songkran has gotten out of control. Much of the younger generation and visitors pack the streets, with water guns, buckets, water balloons and any other item they can find to hold water. they launch and spray the water at anyone or anything in their sight; no one is immune to this water onslaught. even persons

travelling on motorcycles are not spared, which can result in serious consequences. the festival has certainly taken over as a water-throwing free-for-all. What makes this celebration even more interesting is that they use elephants, ice trucks and fire trucks as a means of carrying and dousing victims with cold water.

the songkran festival is celebrated in southeast asian countries such as burma, cambodia, laos and china, but the most prolific celebrations take place in thailand; more specifically in phuket, bangkok and chiang Mai. on thailand’s largest island - phuket, especially on bangla road and the surrounding patong beach area, you will find overcrowded streets, as well as the liveliest nightspots, which provide a host of festivities until the crack of dawn. art and cultural exhibitions are also imperative at this time. this year a floral procession will take place around patong beach, with the image of the phra buddha sihing, as well as a little Miss songkran beauty pageant on the beach opposite to soi bangla. another important cultural practice happens at the temple on the turn into patong; a ceremony takes place where rice is offered to the monks; after the monks have eaten, water is gently poured on the hands of the elderly. In phuket town, saphan hin park hosts the main activities; you can enjoy live, traditional performances that will intoxicate your senses. While in old phuket town, dignitaries officially open songkran by riding on tri-shaws tosoi romanee.

In bangkok, celebrations are more subtle as many persons choose to leave town.

It is probably the only time of the year where you will not experience traffic jams in the city. however, visitors can be found on Khao san road, which hosts the main celebrations. during this time, it is said that the visitors outnumber the thai locals. additionally, traditional celebrations take place near the grand palace, where the image of phra buddha sihing is bathed. the yearly beauty pageant is held in Wisutkasat, followed by merit makingand entertainment.

unlike bangkok, the celebrations in chiang Mai are more exuberant and last longer than the traditional three days. the festival commences with a spectacular parade; thai cuisine and cultural and traditional performances can also be witnessed. thousands of thai locals and visitors line up to get their hands on the temporary pumps that are installed along the city’s canal so that they can join in on showering people with water. It can best be described as a ruckus during this time. In addition, the buddha images from the city’s significant monasteries are paraded through the streets, allowing people to drench them in an act of cleansing the images. this procession begins at nawarat

A dAte For Your HolidAY diArY

20148

bridge on the Mae ping river and continues to the thapae gate before ending at Wat prasingh. at the end of the day, thai locals visit the Mae ping river where they gather sand, which is then delivered to the temples in the city, topped with flowers. this custom dates back to a time where the practice was synonymous with the “raising of the the temple grounds”; this was due to the fact that the thai new year was held during the rainy season and this had to be done to prevent the temple grounds from being flooded.

With all the celebrations that take place during songkran, it is highly recommended that guests visit the island during this time to experience a cultural and entertaining ambiance. additionally, guests can take part in the water dousing as this will probably be the only time

you will be able to throw water on anyone; whether you know them or not and get away with it. Visitors will be able to learn a colossal amount of information regarding thai culture and traditions; it is truly interesting so do not doubt for a second that you will be turned off by any of it. apart from learning about and seeing the traditional practices, you will be able to join in. What better way to celebrate a country’s new year than being able to take part in the actual customs. experiencing the colourful parades is also an important factor when considering visiting this beautiful island. If you reside in a cold country, you will probably have no choice but to visit; thailand is warm and although april is one of the hottest months, you will be thanking those around you for drenching you with the water.

a few points to note when visiting are that you should keep all electronics in your hotel room. do not expect to stay dry unless you lock yourself in your room as no one is exempt from this festivity. however, by doing so, you will surely miss out on one of the best celebrations around the world. ensure that you practice your songkran greetings: sah Wa dee pee Mai means happy new year, while suk san Wan songkran means happy songkran. once you know the basic rules, your experience during this time will be the most hypnotic and thrilling.

2014 9

The Sell OuT SecOnd PhaSe Of abSOluTe Twin SandS ReSORT & SPa iS undeRway

As we continue to redefine mixed-use resort development in Thailand we are delighted to share with our owners and members the recent ground breaking of the Second Phase of our award-winning Absolute Twin Sands Resort & Spa. The Resort’s second phase is due for completion in Q2 2015 and what an exciting year this will be as we also welcome a new neighbour, the six-star Rosewood Phuket Resort , creating a highly-sought-after new neighbourhood, tipped as Phuket’s Millionaires Row.

For those of you who have already enjoyed your holiday in the Resorts’ completed First Phase, opened just over a year ago, you will be able to appreciate the get-away-from-it-all location, set on a stunning peninsula just south of Patong and nestled between two of

Phuket’s most idyllic white sand beaches. It is worth knowing that a share in a holiday apartment at Absolute Twin Sands Resort & Spa is a solid resort investment offering that is attracting worldwide attention through our leading international agent Jones Lang LaSalle, Phase II is already sold out, with Phase III launching soon.

The 50 apartments within Phase II offer a contemporary tropical living experience in a highly-sought-after neighbourhood. Speaking at the ground-breaking, Bryan Lunt, Chairman & CEO Absolute World Group, said, “It is very encouraging to see the huge success of Phase I after one year of resort operation, and today we start on a new journey with the construction of Phase II. Like Phase I, Phase II was sold out off plan,

fOcuS On abSOluTe Twin SandS ReSORT & SPa PhaSe ii

201410

Chairman Bryan Lunt�report�s from sit�e“It� is very encouraging t�o see t�he huge success of Phase I aft�er one year of resort� operat�ion, and t�oday we st�art� on

a new journey wit�h t�he const�ruct�ion of Phase II”

Background framework under swimming pool

delivering great value and affordable luxury to our owners and guests. We look forward to launching Phase III soon, once again in partnership with leading international agent Jones Lang LaSalle.”

At a time when lifestyles are changing and investors are looking for more creative investment opportunities, our award-winning shared ownership programme at Absolute Twin Sands Resort & Spa gives buyers choice and flexibility in a world-class resort property.

This stylish resort offers all the five-star services and facilities you would expect from an Absolute development, including full concierge services, wellness spa and fitness centre, multi-level infinity pools, 24-hour security and unique dining experiences at either the Blue Mango Restaurant, on the terrace, in a private cabana or in the comfort of your own suite.

2014 11

fOcuS On abSOluTe Twin SandS ReSORT & SPa PhaSe ii

Breaking ground at Phase II of the award-winning Absolute Twin Sands Resort & Spa on Phuket.

Pictured from left to right: Mike Hall, Managing Director Asia Pacific, Absolute World Group; Thomas Darby, Project Manager, A-Plan Properties; Dexter Norville, National Director, Jones Lang LaSalle Thailand.

201412

Column for link road

While Phase II enters the construction and delivery stage, the exciting Phase III of the award-winning mixed-use resort development is nearing launch. Select opportunities at pre-launch prices will be announced late February 2014 but these are expected to start in the region of THB100,000sqm upwards, compared to many on the island now starting around THB140,000sqm, with the general release of Phase III anticipated to be in May 2014. Phase III will consist of a further superior collection of contemporary

apartments and villa style apartments, connected by extensive waterways and cascading waterfalls, located in the resort grounds and will include a market-leading 360º Wellness Centre.

Dexter Norville, National Director, Jones Lang LaSalle Thailand commented, “Jones Lang LaSalle is thrilled to continue to lead sales at this prestigious resort and provide our highly acclaimed management services, including juristic management functions.

2014 13

Block D at� Lower floor level

CheCk on our progressfrom your ipad

For your convenience we have installed 3 cameras on site so you can check in to see our progress over the next year.Simply download the application SuperLiveHD from your smart device and enter the following settings:

SERVER: 101.109.245.249:90ACCOUNT: manager PASSWORD: 123456

fOcuS On abSOluTe Twin SandS ReSORT & SPa PhaSe ii

Once again we look forward to the continued success of our award-winning collaboration with the Absolute World Group and providing our owners with a product that we feel is hard to beat.

Interested in owning a share of your very own holiday escape? To arrange a private viewing please contact

shom ganguly, sales director Tel: +66 (0) 89 980 7758 or look out for our Member Offer on the page opposite.

Q1 in piCtures

Work is moving on at a pace to deliver you the exciting second phase of the stunning Twin Sands Resort & Spa. Whilst our development team now look ahead to the release of the resorts Third Phase, our local construction team are hard at work. Take a look through the development of Q1 in pictures to see how we are getting on.

absolutetwinsands.Com

201414

Bonus Week Member Offer For those of you who are yet to be acquainted with our award winning resort,

Absolute Twin Sands Resort & Spa on Phuket’s stunning peninsula we would like to invite you to enjoy a Bonus Week in Phuket from May to October, staying at our sister resort Absolute Sea Pearl, where you will enjoy an exclusive tour

of Absolute Twin Sands, for just the cost of an Annual Management Fee.To book simply contact a member of our Reservations Team

on one of the local rate numbers below:

termsthis offer is open to existing Absolute world group members with a valid entitlement and 50% of their annual fees settled. Accommodation will be provided in the Absolute Sea Pearl Beach resort and is strictly limited to two adults in a studio suite, subject to availability.

EXCLUSIVE ABSOLUTE TWIN SANDS

PreView

CATCh Up WITh US ON: absoluteTwinsands.comabsoluteTwinsands @absoluteTwsands

australia +61 280 734452

china +86 400 8980 898

Finland +35 894 2704142

France +33 176 773993

Germany +49 692 222 1557

russia +7 499 795 7549

south africa +27 2130 01943

Thailand +66 762 92525

uK +44 203 6423203

usa +1 6465 645 654

201416

loCated only a few kilometerSfrom aBSolute twin SandS reSort & SPa, ParadiSe BeaCh will SurPriSe you. the BeaCh itSelf iS Stunning. ParadiSe BeaCh iS one of the moSt attraCtive of the many wonderful BeaCheS that Phuket haS to offer. alwayS advoCateS for Safety, it’S imPortant to note that ParadiSe BeaCh featureS Safe Swimming all year round.

the beach itself is quite compact, but it offers gorgeous views across patong bay. paradise beach is roughly 150 metres long and there is another

small beach next to it, reached by a path through the rocks. paradise beach features shade-giving palm trees. there are also large granite rocks at both ends of the beach and coral reef approximately 100 metres out into the sea. speedboats, parasailing tours and jet-skis are actively discouraged from approaching the beach, resulting in a calm, peaceful location.

for those who are after a tan there are plenty of sun loungers here, and the 100thb entry fee to paradise beach allows use of them. people have a lot of fun swinging from a rope attached to an overhanging tree branch and dropping into the water.

paradise beach is also a good spot to observe thai fishermen at work on their nets and long tail boat motors. Various activities at paradise beach include snorkeling, sea kayaking and body boarding. all equipment can be rented from the paradise beach operators.

there are long tail boats for hire and the prices are negotiable. the long tail boats will not go out

pArAdise beAcH

oFF tHe beAten pAtH in pHuket

2014 17

if the waves in patong bay are too high. the coral reef is paradise beach’s main aquatic attraction. the beach opens at 9:00am and closes at 18:30pm. there are no beach vendors here, so you might want to bring your own water

and snacks to sustain your fun-filled day.

a medium-sized and reasonably priced restaurant stands back in a grove of trees towards the car park. the restaurant offers thai & International fare with a lot of fresh seafood options. you can also order a meal and drinks from your sun bed as well as dining at tables set nearer the sea.

to get to paradise beach from absolute twin sands resort & spa, drive past the entrance to Merlin beach resort and follow the road to emerald bay.

although the road is newly paved, there is a steep gradient. the road is not so wide and is certainly twisty, but keep on following it until it finally swoops down into the paradise beach car park. all methods of local transport are familiar with this beach, and will be more than happy to take you there to enjoy your day in paradise.

Stunning ocean viewS, full furniShed contemporary apartmentS and five-Star Servicein an outStanding peninSula Setting on the Spectacular weSt coaSt of phuket, thailand

YOUr fIrST VIEW,

EXpErIENCE ThE ULTImATE rESOrT LIfESTYLE INVESTmENT BY BOOkINg A prIVATE rESOrT VIEWINg Or 3 NIghT STAY fOr $199. pLEASE CONTACT A mEmBEr Of ThE DEDICATED JONES LANg LASALLE TEAm:

TEL: +66 (0) 76 346 282 EmAIL: JLLABSOLUTE@Ap.JLL.COm

eVeryDAy

INTrODUCINg TWIN SANDS EXCITINg fINAL phASES

following a hugely successful opening and sell out first phase and second phases, international estate agent Jones lang laSalle and award-winning resort developer the Absolute world group are delighted to bring you an early opportunity to own a stunning apartment in the third and final phase of this spectacular resort on the celebrated island of Phuket, before general worldwide release.

nestled between two white sand beaches and set within a breathtaking peninsula, boasting remarkable views, the newly opened Absolute twin Sands resort & Spa, on Phuket’s west coast, is the ultimate resort getaway. the resort’s final phase offers a range of fully furnished villa-style apartments with access to an exciting range of new services and facilities plus exceptional yields fixed at 6% per annum*, providing the perfect lifestyle investment into thailand, one of the world’s most attractive holiday markets.

following Sell out initial phaSeS we are delighted to Be taking early eXpreSSionSof intereSt in the much anticipated third phaSe

l e A D i n g A g e n t

Stunning ocean viewS, full furniShed contemporary apartmentS and five-Star Servicein an outStanding peninSula Setting on the Spectacular weSt coaSt of phuket, thailand

YOUr fIrST VIEW,eVeryDAy

following Sell out initial phaSeS we are delighted to Be taking early eXpreSSionSof intereSt in the much anticipated third phaSe

EXpErIENCE BEfOrE YOU BUY3 nightS in the reSortS

1St PhASe for $199

201420

loCated in the heart of Phuket’S old town diStriCt on kraBi road, the Phuket thai hua muSeum ProvideS an intereSting inSight into Phuket’S ChineSe heritage. originally eStaBliShed in 1934 aS a ChineSe language SChool, the muSeum iS one of the moSt well maintained Sino-PortugueSe BuildingS in all of Phuket. SinCe 2010, the Building haS Been uSed aS a muSeum, an exhiBition SPaCe and a funCtion hall.

upon entering the museum, you will see a gorgeous open-air courtyard that is open to the sky. courtyards in this fashion are

typical of many of these old sino-portuguese buildings. the courtyards help air out the house during the summer, and make for beautiful photographs saturated in natural light. there is also a lovely garden to the back of the museum that showcases various heavy tools and machines utilized during phuket’s tin Mining era.

phuket thai hua Museum offers exhibitions in thirteen different rooms. short films with further explanation are also offered in thai and chinese with english subtitles. the museum does an excellent job showcasing the connection between phuket and china.

Visiting each exhibition room feels like stepping back in time. the migration of the chinese to phuket is fascinating. nearly all of the phuket chinese families left their native land due to poverty, and the families mainly came from the fujian province. due to the fact that phuket is a relatively small island, it’s quite easy for the budding historian to find out where exactly the influential phuket families with chinese backgrounds migrated from. Visitors to the museum will enjoy tracing the lineage in this exhibition.

the tin Mining exhibition shows just how important mining was to the island and the

pHuket tHAi HuAmuseum

FAmilY Fun in pHuket

2014 21

development of phuket town. Many of the tools and heavy machinery that were used duringthis era are on display as well as old photos that show the progression of phuket from a dense jungle into a functioning town.

one of the most fascinating exhibits within phuket’s thai hua Museum is the attire exhibit located in room 8. the distinguishing feature of this room is that it’s painted to replicate a baba Wedding ceremony. there are many baba costumes on display as well as detailed descriptions of each of the various dresses. a silver tray

of trinkets on display signifies gifts from the groom to his bride-to-be and her family. It’s amazing to see all of these relics and how intricate their designs and patterns are.

as thailand is quite famous for its cuisine, and the local cuisine of phuket is some of the best in the south, visitors to the museum will thoroughly enjoy the local cuisine exhibit in room 13. here, you will see how cooking methods have changed over the years; the displays in this exhibit are just gorgeous and you almost feel like you are standing in your grandmother’s home looking around at all of the unique utensils, pots and pans. there is a great focus on the variety of phuket’s local cuisine in this exhibit, and it’s wonderful to discover the chinese, Malay, thai and Indian influences in the food.

phuket thai hua Museum’s motto is “honour the past, Improve the future” and it’s fascinating to note that the museum is managed by the Kusonsongkhroh foundation (lok Xian Kok) which is a charitable organization with

a long history dating back to the tin mining era in phuket. the organization was originally set up by a group of the local well-to-do immigrant chinese businessmen. their original plan was to help their unfortunate fellow immigrants and to help improve living conditions for the islanders by building hospitals and schools. the organization still carries on this mission today.

the phuket thai hua Museum is open daily from 9:00am – 5:00pm. located on Krabi road in the old town district, it is within walking distance of phuket’s famous thalang road, soi romanee and the baan chinpracha Mansion. the museum makes an interesting family outing due to the fact that so much history is exhibited in such a beautiful building. the entrance fee to the phuket thai hua Museum is 200thb. More information can be found at www.thaihuamuseum.com

from classic grill specialties to succulent thai curry delicacies and an enticing array of global tapas - Absolute Sea Pearl restaurant is out to win hearts, minds and stomachs!

And for indian cuisine enthusiasts, “Pappadams” offers authentic and flavorful specialties each afternoon/ evening after 14:00.

you can dine alfresco throughout the day in the outdoor beach-sidecafé - watching the colourful crowd laze by or while gazing at another glorious Patong sunset amidst the lullaby of breaking waves.

aBsOluTe sea Pearl reStAurAnt

Blue manGO Bar & Grill ABSolute twin SAnDS

Blue mango Bar & grill offers a constantly varying array of traditional thai and mediterranean cuisine, made from the very finest ingredients, prepared with passion and served with style.

the location is perfect too, situated on a cape overlooking two stunning bays with one of the most Beautiful sunset views.

imagine the ideal spot for a romantic dinner on a tropical island, and Blue mango ticks all the boxes, and recently rated no1 on tripAdvisor it is fast becoming one of Phuket’s better known secrets.

rooftop, pool-side fine dining high above frenetic Bangla road is the unique offering from climax restaurant. An international menu featuring dishes that criss-cross the corners of the globe: from europe to America and Asia and back again – you’ll be hard-pressed not to find favour with the delicious offerings!

climax restaurant is the only place in the heart of Patong’s electric center where you can lounge pool-side with fresh juice-fueled cocktails (or mocktails) or sit down to a mouth-watering multi-course journey through the extensive menu offerings.

climax resTauranT ABSolute BAnglA SuiteS

aBsOluTeresOrTs.cOm

ProDuce An aBsOluTe wOrlD GrOuP memBer cArDAnD receiVe A 25% DiscOunT AgAinSt your Bill

AcroSS our reStAurAntS

we welcOme yOu TO enjOy The culinary creaTiviTy OF Our Diverse

inTernaTiOnal resTauranTs

tHe beACH sAmui proGress updAte

Absolute owneRs cAn eXpect eAsY liVing AttHe beACH sAmui witH A summer 2014 soFt openinG

developed by

2014 23

the building work is now coming to its conclusion and the exterior is almost complete, making way for the striking interior design and finishing touches, curated by some of the best in the industry, and paying homage to its spectacular surroundings, and to the amazing experiences you will be gifted throughout your stay.

perhaps one of the most standout creatives in the team behind the beach samui belongs to global director of brand development, charlotte rose Melsom. With a lineage going back several generations in the boutique hotels and resorts sector and having introduced bryan lunt and the absolute World group team to her worldwide collection of design affiliates from architect david archer and the design team at yoo, charlotte who has a personal interest, passion and commitment to sustainable and intelligent resort development, has been responsible for the

personality of the beach samui from the outset and in making sure each uniquely creative thought and vision will be felt from the moment you step inside.

‘I simply cannot wait to share with you your corner of paradise. the beach samui has been an extensive yet beautiful journey, a boutique resort that has been fashioned from passion and produced with the love we have for intelligent and sustainable design that will luxuriously accommodate our guests and makes for glorious holiday and lifestyle experiences that will far surpass expectations.’ said charlotte.

tHe beACH sAmui proGress updAte

Summertime and the living will moSt Certainly Be eaSy for thoSe CheCking-in-to the BeaCh Samui. the the multi-award winning Jewel in our aBSolute ’S Crown oPenS thiS Summer and the exCiting Culmination of the firSt PhaSe of our firSt Boutique Private reSidenCe CluB that haS Been Created to indulge our fraCtionalS ownerS and deSign hotelS™ Boutique loving gueStS and treat you to every Curated luxury and Comfort you Could wiSh for... and many you Could not of dreamed.

Charlotte Rose Melsom

Global Director of Brand Development

201424

GAGGIA

120

1800 1800

120

drawing title

Koh Samui - Elevation A

drawing numberDA/KS/2002

project title

Koh Samui

scale date

drawn checked1:25 @A3

revision DAPP

-

14.02.14

Archer Humphryes ArchitectsBasementCentral House142 Central StreetLondonEC1V 8ART : 020 7251 8555

revision / date / amendments

Copyright: All rights reserved. This drawing must not be reproducedwithout permission.

Only the original drawing should be relied upon. Contractors,subcontractors and suppliers must verify all dimensions on site beforecommencing any work or making any shop drawings.

All shop drawings to be submitted to the architect for comment prior tofabrication.

This drawing is to be read in conjunction with the Architect'sspecification, bills of quantities / schedules, structural, mechanical &electrical drawings and all discrepancies are to be reported to thearchitect.

Do not scale from this drawing. Dimensions are in millimetres unlessotherwise stated.

Elevation A Refer to Drawing No. 2000

1 3 5 6 7 8

1

2

3

4

5

8

9

10

2 4

10

GEOVASSONI CHAIR

CHAIR NAKASHIMA

BAR STOOL

9

EGG CHAIR

11

11 BRIDGE IN TEAK TIMBER

RECEPTION DESK WITH BIANCO CARRARA MARBLE TOP

CUPBOARD IN WHITE WASHESD OAK & FRIDGES BEHIND

CUPBOARD IN WHITE WASHESD OAK

DECORATIVE CHANDELIER - MURANO MELTMEE 8 LIGHT

6

7

CUPBOARD IN GOLD MIRROR RIBBED GLASS

BAR IN BIANCO CARRARA MARBLE TOP 36MM & LEGS IN WHITE TIMBER GLOSS SPRAY FINISH

12 PLANT POTS IN POLISHED BRASS

13 HERB RACK

12 13

the whitewashed oak panelling is now being applied to walls and the kitchen and bedroom cabinets are being fixed into place, once this is complete charlotte and her design team will leave london and head to Koh samui to take charge of the interior design and receive the furnishings and accessories as they arrive, dressing the suites, the lobby, the botanical bar and restaurant, the spa, the floating pontoon and the breath-taking beach to see the concept realised in all of its magnificence.

‘We have taken care to ensure the beach samui is developed with a high level of conscious, ensuring we

source everything locally as much as possible and using a wonderful family owned thai furnishings factory to support the local economy and to keep transport to a minimum. after all, traditional thai craftmanship is simply exceptional and the combination of authentic thai with european inspired design is really what will set the aesthetic of the beach samui apart.’ charlotte added.

this beach samui unique style runs through every step of the build, from bespoke furnishings, to menus featuring abundant local produce, to cute and quirky staff uniforms, imaginative

landscaping, indigenous floral arrangements, super high thread count bedding (of course) and a unique collection of extra special hidden touches and curated experiences.

rich Millar is the man with the job of procuring and ensuring each of the hundreds of individual pieces of bespoke furniture and soft furnishings are made to the exacting specifications of the design brief and the quality demands expected of absolute - and of course of charlotte!

Rich MillarInteriors Development

& Procurement

2014 25

tHe beACH sAmui proGress updAte

he says: ‘as well as sourcing, ordering and taking delivery of everything from cutlery to door fittings, to bath taps, to televisions and even bespoke solid teak and brass easels for the television sets to sit on, part of my job is to liaise with the conceptual and local architects and take the drawing of a piece of furniture from its first stage to final delivery in samui. dozens of individual pieces have to be custom made in multiple numbers by highly skilled thai craftsmen. unique, these pieces of furniture will not be seen anywhere else as they are one-off designs specific to the beach samui, which is rather unique in itself as hotel furniture is often purchased off the shelf as a package.’

‘the design stages are now complete and all the pieces are now being manufactured in a specialist factory on the outskirts of bangkok that has seen four generations of the same family of highly skilled craftsmen. I spend

a great deal of time in bangkok overseeing the production. the factory floor has a wonderful positive and vibrant buzz and we are all so excited to see everything now come together.’ added rich.

‘teak is the primary wood used for the beach samui furnishings and a series of tests conducted over the previous months have revealed that oiled teak is the best finish for the internal furnishings yet the external furnishings will have a beautiful black-stained treatment to offer an extra layer of protection from the heat, humidity, drops in temperature and occasional rain.’ he added.

here is just one example of one of the many lists of furnishings that rich has had to process from concept to drawing and prototyping to manufacture:

of course food and drink are an incredibly important part of holidays and we hope to invite you to share the experience of literally

hopping aboard a local fishing boat and catch your supper which our chef will prepare perfectly for you upon your return - the beach samui is situated in thong Krut, a traditional fishing village after all.

If that seems a little too energetic you can relax beachside under a cabana, on the floating pontoon or in the lobby restaurant and watch thyme grow alongside rosemary and basil on the verdant wall of herbs beside the botanical bar. sit back and drink in the tranquil environment while our chef prepares a deliciously abundant meal using the freshest locally grown organic produce.

201426

Copyright: All rights reserved. This drawing must not be reproducedwithout permission.Only the original drawing should be relied upon. Contractors,subcontractors and suppliers must verify all dimensions on site beforecommencing any work or making any shop drawings.All shop drawings to be submitted to the architect for comment prior tofabrication.

This drawing is to be read in conjunction with the Architect'sspecification, bills of quantities / schedules, structural, mechanical &electrical drawings and all discrepancies are to be reported to thearchitect.Do not scale from this drawing. Dimensions are in millimetres unlessotherwise stated.revision / date / amendments

drawing title

drawing number

project title

scale date

drawn checked1:20@A3

revision DA

A

19.03.14

THE BEACH - WEST SIDE EXTENSIONKOH SAMUI, THAILAND

CABANAAC

Archer Humphryes ArchitectsBasementCentral House142 Central StreetLondonEC1V 8ART : 020 7251 8555

SIDE ELEVATION

A

60 1790 60

6017

6460

1910

1884

60 25

60

25

3525

2200

1069

030

1360

3020

60

2525

730

BACK ELEVATION

SECTION A SECTION B

B

A

B

SECTION C

C C

Spring clip

timber circular section 30 mm

Double daybed

Fabric ribbon

2014 27

Whatever your mood the beach samui Mixologists can prescribe a medicinal tonic. at the botanical bar, a stunning, locally sourced thai White carrara Marble surface, our expertly trained staff will infuse herbs, fresh fruits and berries like an apothecary with knowledge of precise measures of ingredients, to create infusions that will hit the very spot while you sit back on a bespoke dining chair or bar stool. they will even wake you in the morning with a juice shaken and mixed on your doorstep to ensure each day gets off to a healthy start, if you so desire.

as well as the emphasis on fresh herbs and wheatgrasses that are packed with goodness and nutrients the landscaping and internal foliage at the beach samui is also a spectacular themed garden. ‘We have chosen beautiful orchids and imaginative planting of a diverse range of aloe Vera, lush palms and succulents that come in so many different forms, which are also a sustainable option that can survive close to the sea and require little water. part of the design of the fascia also incorporates beautiful trailing bougainvillea which will drape from the roof and the colourful flowers and

green foliage will blossom against the green sukabumi stone and the golden trellis to show off its beauty.’ added charlotte.

cabanas and outdoor lighting and furnishings will collude with the exterior landscape and create heavenly spaces to relax, read a book, sunbath or watch the spectacular vista that is always there.

Walk above the water along the pontoon that leads to an impressive deck where you can hide away in a cabana and listen to the sea beneath your feet or sit in a low chair, cast out and fish a little. take a seat, have a snack, a cool drink or a private candlelit dinner for two, alternatively dine on the communal table and meet new and interesting people.

Indoor and outdoor your way will be illuminated by sophisticated lighting. from candles to candelabras the mood will be set by exclusively designed lighting, and a fire-pit by night that becomes a table by day will enhance the warmth and glow of the beachside ambience. rich’s lighting shopping list also includes 58 caravaggio bedside pendants, 22 dining table chandeliers, 3 stunning, oversized, hand blown bar chandeliers, 22 handmade corridor wall lamps, and dozens of freestanding candelabras, candlesticks, hurricane lamps, votives chosen by charlotte and her design team to ensure the mood is set.

as for bedtime, you will be sure to cosy-up at night in a duck-down-topped mattress, rest your head on down pillows and snuggle up with 300-thread count bed linen. so much has gone into making the sleeping experience the most comfortable one possible that you will find it difficult to get out of bed. With this in mind a package of linens and bedding will be available for you to purchase and delivered to your door as we know you will love it so much you will want to take it home.

so this summertime, the living will most certainly be easy for our cherished owners and guests when you check into the beach samui, the fish will be jumping and you can rest assured that the cotton count is extremely high. see you soon...

* we will soon be taking reservations for a select few fractional owners whom we would like to invite to experience the Beach Samui during our soft opening period and before we open to a worldwide design hotels™ audience in october. if you are a fractional owner of the Beach Samui and to enquire in the early stages please send an email to viP@thebeachsamui.com

tHe beACH sAmui proGress updAte

201428

Khun ChounpitNaga Pearls

FoCus on tHe beACH sAmui

meet tHe loCAlsAS mANY OF YOu kNOW, THONg kRuT iS HOme TO OuR SOON TO OPeN BOuTique ReSORT THe BeAcH SAmui, AND AS THe FOuNDATiONS WeRe LAiD FOR THe cONSTRucTiON OF THe BeAcH SAmui, FOuR YeARS AgO, THe gROuNDWORk ALSO BegAN iN cReATiNg STRONg BONDS AND A HeALTHY WORkiNg ReLATiONSHiP WiTH OuR NeigHBOuRS - THe LOcAL cOmmuNiTY AND THe SmALL BuSiNeSS OWNeRS. cReATiNg A HARmONiOuS ReLATiONSHiP WiTH OuR HOST cOmmuNiTieS AND OuR LOcAL eNviRONmeNT, iS A ceNTRAL PART OF OuR PRAcTice AND ReSPONSiBiLiTY AS A LeADiNg ReSORT DeveLOPeR iN THAiLAND.

the traditional fishing village on the southern peninsula of Koh samui is tranquil, picturesque and home to around 600 residents; most were born in the village and in days gone by would have worked the land or the sea to make a humble living.

Maintaining its traditional attributes and also embracing modernity the local scene in thong Krut is as picturesque as it ever was and the serene sanctuary is still a rural escape with charming character and delightful, warm and friendly characters, new and old, who are energized and thrilled that the beach samui, has come to their village. here we would like to introduce you to a few of the locals who are eagerly awaiting your visit.

khun ChounPit, manager of naga PearlS

for over twenty years naga pearls have been cultivating and selling some of the world’s most sought after and finest pearls. Khun chounpit has managed the thong Krut shop for over 12 years and has a wealth of information to offer customers on the cultivation of prestigious pearls.

she says, “naga pearls are formed over a five year period and a single oyster can yield three harvests in

its 15 year lifespan.” Whatever you need to know about pearls Khun chounpit, or one of her staff, will most probably have the answer.

until recently, naga pearl’s farmed their pearls just off thong Krut bay but have decided to consolidate their operation and move to their other site in phuket, where they have another outlet, and customers can also take a tour to the pearl farm and see for themselves how the pearls are cultivated.

as well as single pearls that range from 1000thb to 30000thb and necklaces and other beautiful items of jewellery the shop sells a range of

2014 29

FoCus on tHe beACH sAmui

201430

Khun Kwan

Thong Krut Mini Mart

Anton PavlovetsThong Krut Resident

distinctive gifts and souvenirs.

naga pearls is open daily from 9:00am - 6:00pm, and their contact number inside thailand is

07-733-4038

khun kwan, owner of thong krut mini mart

Mr. Kwan, the owner of thong Krut Mini Mart, could not be happier that the beach samui has come to town. born in thong Krut in 1975, Mr. Kwan has watched his and his parent’s birthplace develop from a village of 200 people to numbers he estimated at 600. he supports the growth and development of thong Krut because he wants local people to have better opportunities.

university educated, the graduate engineer aspired to more than an average paid job. he wanted to provide a wider range of choices for his family and he has worked extremely hard to create a very successful business.

confidently, he said, “My son will be a lawyer. I know the people of thong Krut;like me, they want their children to have more opportunities. they want employment and they want tourists to use their business. thong Krut people see resorts as a good opportunity to make their life better.”

anton PavlovetS, ruSSian native and loCal thong krut reSident

anton pavlovets left his native russia a year ago and decided to

stay and set up home in thong Krut with his wife nadia. he insists there is something about the place that captured him. “Working as an interpreter, I’m able to translate documents from anywhere in the world,” he explains, “I switch on my computer and I am in my office. What I love about living in thong Krut is the people and the scenery. the calmness and simple stress-free living give me a tremendous

sense of freedom and make me happier than I have ever been. the fresh air, the smell of the sea and the local scene is like therapy.” anton and nadia are typical of the thousands of Westerners that become captivated by the serene and holistic way of living that the south of the island offers.

khun kairttiwat and khun Prinnada, ownerS of naPhat reStaurant & tourS

specializing in seafood and barbeque, naphat restaurant & tours is a busy thai restaurant run by Khun prinnada, who is also a nurse at samui hospital nathon, and her husband Khun Kairttiwat, a Koh samui Marine police officer. the enterprising couple opened the restaurant in november 2013, and as well as delicious seafood and barbeque, they serve tasty thai and Western food.

the beachfront restaurant has breathtaking views and on arrival you will be greeted with genuine thai hospitality and a friendly smile. Khun prinnada loves meeting

2014 31

Khun BoyBoy’s Organic Coffee Shop

Khun Kairttiwat & Khun Prinnada

Naphat Restaurant & Tours

tourists from around the world and enjoys practicing her english language and making them feel at home. “I am very happy to see many tourists coming to thong Krut; it is a beautiful place. When I was younger thong Krut was a very quiet place and very boring. now it is different, I came back from working on the mainland so I could take care of my parents and be close to my family and I am very happy now. thong Krut is the best place in Koh samui. I want my two children to grow up here and have a good life,” said a cheerful Khun prinnada.

Khun Kairttiwat’s love of the sea makes for excellent long tail boat tours, fishing, snorkeling, sightseeing trips to Koh taen and

Koh Mudsun islands, and provides a wealth of information and local knowledge as well as insurance, for your peace of mind.

khun Boy, owner of Boy’S organiC Coffee ShoP

Mr. boy’s coffee will rank alongside the best you have ever tasted; it may even surpass your benchmark and elevate your best to a new standard, as happens daily at boy’s organic coffee shop. for first timers and his regular coffee aficionados, the allure of thong Krut’s arabica aroma is captivating.

Mr. boy’s place is enchanting. boasting, it shows off a certain charisma that has travelers returning annually, like pilgrims, to pay homage to Mr. boy, his place in the sun and his magic beans, simply because Mr. boy

his place in the sun and his magic beans are a unique blend, an eclectic formula that makes for the perfect coffee drinking experience.

originating from chiang Mai, Mr. boy travelled to Koh samui for many years to visit family and friends before deciding to lay down his cat and his hat and call it home. as much as he loves

FoCus on tHe beACH sAmui

201432

Khun Sumet & Khun Jira

Thong Krut Pier Restaurant

CharlineLa Frenchie

and often misses his native soil, the allure of thong Krut and Village life beside the sea on the paradise Island of Koh samui, was too strong to resist.

any reluctance to move to Koh samui departed when the decision was made to create his own Koh samui - chiang Mai connection. Mr. boy hit on the idea of remaining true to his home soil by sourcing some of the best organically grown coffee, teas and various other products like dried organic fruits, honey and cane sugar and creating a market for them in Koh samui.

that market is now known and cherished by thousands of Islanders and many people around the world as boy’s organic coffee shop in thong Krut.

Charline Chaix, owner of la frenChie

new kid on the thong Krut block, charline chaix, originally from toulon in the south of france, has lived in Koh samui for two years and opened her new business la

frenchie during the second week of January. the new venture is thong Krut’s first sandwich shop and serves delicious baguettes stuffed with a fusion of scrummy ingredients, fresh and healthy salads and a samui favorite, rossini ice cream, which is made here on the island.

charline says she decided to open her business venture in thong Krut because it is such a beautiful part of the island and she loves living among the people in the village, “for me it is perfect, the happy smiling people and the calm and easy way of living is just what I have always wanted,” said a jubilant charline.

la frenchie is open daily between 10:30am - 7:00pm.

khun Sumet and khun Jira, ownerS of thong krut Pier reStaurant

Khun sumet and his wife Khun Jira have been serving thai food to an international clientele for two years at thong Krut pier restaurant. born in thong Krut, Khun sumet says the village has changed a lot since he was a child. “there were no roads, no electric and it was very quiet. I

am happy now we have tourism in samui because it makes jobs for local people and we also like to meet the people from around the world.”

speaking excellent english, always smiling and cheery, Khun sumet likes to have a laugh and a joke with his customers and makes them feel very welcome and at home.

cooking both thai and western food, Khun Jira leaves the talking to Khun sumet, shy and reserved she takes a back seat as her husband serves and entertains their patrons.

as well as excellent food, service and hospitality thong Krut pier offers boat trips to the nearby islands of Koh taen, Koh Mudsum and ang thong national park. fishing, snorkeling, speed boat, long tail tours and private charters are also available.

thong Krut pier restaurant is open daily from 6:00am - 8:00pm, and for inquiries please dial 0872742584.

our relationShiP with the loCalS will Be integral to the BeaCh Samui reSort exPerienCe when we oPen later thiS year. enJoying loCal ProduCe, exPerienCing loCal tourS and integration with the loCal Community will leave you with a true taSte of thai life. when Staying at the BeaCh Samui, you will Be welComed aS one of the neighBourS and quiCkly BeCome Part of the amaZingly friendly, loCal Community.

2014 33

sItuated at the top of poM MountaIn In the InterIor of the Island’s lush green tropIcal raInforest, there are not Many places as far off the beaten path, on Koh saMuI, than the secret buddha garden.

the road to the garden, also known as tarnim’s Magic garden after its visionary creator Khun tarnim thongsuk, is steep and windy, and as it rises it offers up breathtaking views of the majestic forest, valleys and seascapes. you will also see local fruit farmers hard at work and traditional village life, just as it was lived when Khun nim, as he is affectionately known, lived in the area and began creating his vision; a vision that was born from his love of the land and his love of people, family and friends.

back in 1976, at the spritely age of 77, Khun nim, who had farmed durian fruit on pom Mountain all his life decided it was time to give something back to the land, to nature and to humanity in return for the joy and happiness they had brought to his life. a deeply spiritual man, Khun nim wanted to create a place where people could get away from it all and be at one with nature, relax and be at peace.

on entering Khun nim’s creation it is evident that he managed to achieve what he set out to do. the scenic charm and aesthetic wonder skilfully crafted into the natural landscape is magical. It is the work of a man who passionately dedicated the last 14 years of his life to craft a place that depicted the glory of nature and the story of nim’s love for buddhism and humanity.

the secret buddha garden is cool, shaded by a canopy of thick jungle foliage; the peaceful setting has a fresh water stream set in motion by a series of small waterfalls running tranquilly through it. beginning his ambitious project Khun nim put together a team of workers to help him transform the land into his dream and sculpt the statues

seCret buddHA GArden sAmui’s best kept secRet

oFF tHe beAten pAtH in sAmui

201434

and figures that would make the garden come alive. representing buddhist philosophy, folklore and mythology the statues have many different meanings; however, there is no information available on the stories and symbolic meanings of the numerous statues.

the small houses you will see dotted around were built for travelling monks to rest or to stay and spend time in meditation. as well as the noticeable statues and carvings, look out for the concealed ones hidden around the grounds, and you might also notice a lot of places to sit down, crafted into the landscape.

two hidden sculptures in the stream, the first ones you come to, if you notice them, are of Khun nim’s grandparents, the flow of the water has eroded the sculptures but you can make them out if you look closely.

as well as statues that honour the memory of his grandparents you will notice two men dressed in white, sitting blissfully in humble shelters, these two sculptures are nim and his father, observing the garden.

the path will guide you along the stream and you will notice turtles and other wildlife carved into the rocks before coming to the main event of the garden, a spectacular formation of angels, musicians and dancers celebrate the joys and wonders of life, the majesty of nature and the beautiful setting.

Working on his creation until his death at the age of 91, Khun nim and his wife decided their final resting place would be a tomb within the garden, rather than be cremated, as is thai tradition.

there are several ways to visit the secret buddha garden, although the road is steep and windy it is accessible, with due caution, by scooter or motorbike, however, a car is a better option. Making your own way will give you the opportunity to relax and in your own time, soak up the tranquil atmosphere and fully appreciate the magnificence of this magical work of art. you could also bring a picnic lunch and unwind in the shade just as Khun nim had envisaged, the 80thb entry charge allows visitors to stay as long as they wish and the garden is generally quiet unless several tour

companies arrive at the same time for a twenty minute stop.

there are many tour operators where you can arrange a visit to the secret buddha garden, the tours generally have a schedule of different stops and take in many sights and attractions in one day so it will be a whistle stop tour and you may not get to appreciate the true glory of the secret buddha garden but it is better than not getting to see and appreciate Koh samui’s best kept secret, that is well and truly off the beaten path.

the secret buddha garden can be found at the top of pom Mountain, from the 4169 ring road, between lamai and heading towards nathon, you will need to make a right turn directly opposite Wat Khunaram, the temple home of the Mummified Monk. from there you follow the signs that will take you up the mountain to the garden.

the secret buddha garden is open daily from 9am - 5pm and admission is 80thb.

2014 35

OWNING A PIECE OF PARADISE HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER

Starting from 1.54m thB

to ArrAnge A PriVAte Viewing PleASe contAct

shOm GanGuly, sales DirecTOr

Tel: +66 (0) 89 980 7758

new fo

r 201

4

Designed by Developed by

THeBeACHSAMUI.CoM

follow the Beach Samui story as it unfolds…

exPerience ulTimaTe luxury OF OwninG a DesiGner PrivaTe resiDence cluB reTreaT On The sTunninG islanD OF KOh samui, ThailanD.

fiVe-StAr concierge SerVice, well-Being SPA, PriVAte trAnSferS, courteSy PowerBoAt, the lAteSt golf equiPment, PriVAte Dining, All AS StAnDArD.

The Price… increDiBly DOwn TO earTh.

the Beach Samui is a multi award winning and consciously developed five star boutique resort nestled on one of Asia’s most idyllic beaches in the tiny fishing village of thong krut, southern koh Samui, thailand.

Designed by the world renowned yoo team,brought to you by the absolute world Group and now proudly part of the prestigious Design hotels worldwide collective. A limited number of the Beach Samui’s one and two bedroom suites are available to own, ahead of the much anticipated resort opening in 2014.

201438

FAmilY Fun in sAmui

sAmui AquArium, tiGer Zoo & butterFlY GArdenloCated within Samui orChid reSort, on 25 aCreS of CoConut Plantation with Stunning SCenery overlooking white Sandy BeaCheS and Beautiful Blue SeaSCaPeS, Samui aquarium iS a great, fun filled day out for all the family.

a short drive from lamai, samui aquarium is one of the island’s most visited attractions and will keep the whole family entertained for the best part of the day.

the aquarium mainly features marine life native to the gulf of thailand. as you walk along the 120 metre long cave-like tunnel, you will be treated to a spectacular view of aquatic creatures including nurse sharks, leopard sharks, manta rays, catfish, clown fish, doctor fish, lion fish, puffer fish, sailing fish, cat shark, multi coloured corals and many kinds of weird, wonderful and colourful tropical fish. Visitors can feed the sea turtles, too.

as well as the aquarium, samui orchid resort is also home to

a tiger zoo where you can get up close to big cats including, leopards, clouded leopards, lions, tigers and panthers and for those brave enough they can get even closer and have a picture taken with a full grown bengal tiger! If that is a little too daunting, feeding milk to a tiger cub is an alternative option.

around the aquarium and tiger zoo enclosures there are further attractions, as you walk through the various exhibitions you will see various kinds of monkeys, and an array of colourful birds like hornbills, sea eagles, hawks parrots and many more.

the aquarium and tiger zoo is open from 9am everyday and the first show of the day is the entertaining and crowd pleasing sea lion show that begins at 1:30.

as well as the various shows throughout the day including the bird and tiger shows that begin at 2:30, the 750thb adult and 450thb child entrance fee covers all shows and allows visitors the opportunity to relax before,

after and between shows at

samui orchid resorts swimming

pool, beside the white sandy

beach, to cool off and take a

refreshing dip, so remember to

bring your swimwear.

showing off their amazing skills the sea lions just love to entertain the audience, who are always fascinated by the talent and funny performance of these extraordinary creatures. running, jumping, the sea lions can catch rings, jump through hoops, balance balls on their noses, clap and even wai to great the audience. With individual personalities the sea lions are a delight to watch and regardless of age, from 3 to 93, you will most certainly be entertained.

2014 39

grant and patrice twist from brisbane, australia said, “this is our third time visiting Koh samui, and our first visit to samui aquarium and tiger zoo, and I would recommend it to anyone, the animals seem to be very happy and cared for with plenty of space to move around, it has been a much better day than we expected.”

gordon twist, the couple’s nine year old son, was happy to get a picture taken with the sea lions after the show and said, “I loved the sea line show! It was the best part of the day!”

the samui aquarium and tiger zoo is located on ban harn beach in the samui orchid resort. It is open daily from 9am – 6pm. tickets fees are 750thb for adults and 450thb for children. to contact by telephone, please dial +66 (0) 77 424 017-8.

Koh samui’s butterfly garden is less than a five minute drive from the samui aquarium and tiger zoo, and well worth a visit. the enclosure is a natural setting and the attractive landscaped garden is home to hundreds of colourful butterflies and also features a wide variety of tropical plants and flowers.

covered by a huge net, the open-air garden is the perfect place to get up close to these wonderful, vibrant creatures. the walkways are lined with indigenous plants

and exotic flowers including cyrtostachys lakka (lipstick palm), ptychosperma palm, and birds of paradise, and the sound of water cascading from the rocky waterfalls is soothing and makes for an extremely peaceful and relaxing environment.

there are many shaded seating areas that are ideal for a picnic or to simply stop and breathe in the fresh air. the path takes you up the side of the mountain and as you rise you will see stunning ocean views of the southern coastline from the observation platforms.

Manager Khun somchai told us, ‘there are at least 100 butterfly species in thailand and we have about 25 of them here as well as butterflies from Malaysia and Indonesia. the gardens have been developed over a 20-year period and are possibly Koh samui’s first tourist attraction. this is a beautiful setting with amazing views and the natural environment and beautiful

butterflies give tourist the opportunity to get close to nature, relax and have a peaceful time away from the crowds.”

a small museum is nestled within the grounds and an exhibit of butterflies, scorpions, big spiders, beetles and rare insects from thailand and further afield is on display. here you can also see cocoons and caterpillars before they change to become beautiful butterflies.

a thai-style house at the top of

the garden is an opportunity

to see bees at work making the

honey that is sold in the cafe and

gift shop, which also sells cool

refreshments and snacks.

remember to keep your camera at the ready as you will have endless opportunities to snap away and get some amazing shots of butterflies in their natural environment and the scenic enclosure is an excellent spot to get snap happy and capture some amazing fun filled family images, too.

the butterfly garden is located on natien beach opposite centara Villas samui, in the southern part of the island. It is open daily from 9am - 5:30pm. ticket fees are 200thb for adults, and 100thb for children. to contact by telephone, please dial +66 (0) 77 424 020.

holidayS are where we make Some of our moSt PreCiouS memorieS and our aim iSto make Sure you make aS many of thoSe memorieS aS you Can whilSt on your aBSoluteholiday. in-room at our aBSolute reSortS in Phuket, you will find a Carefully Curatedmenu of reSort eventS, learning exPerienCeS and Semi-guided tourS, Providing auniquely Phuket exPerienCe and enSuring thoSe PreCiouS holiday memorieS.

enHAnCinG Your HolidAY eXperienCe

weeklY resort ACtiVities

flower arranging / towel foldingunlock secrets of floral decoration

Join our talented resort team while they demonstrate the gentle, graceful art of flower arranging and decorative towel-folding. With a few deft, artful techniques you will become the designer of your own beautiful interiors and experiences.

thai ConverSation ClaSSlearn thai and elevate your holiday!

your phuket experience will be enhanced with a language lesson instructing you in the ancient art of the thai ‘Wai’ greeting, conversational phrases and useful words. you will be speaking in the local lingo in no time, making your holiday even more enjoyable!

intro to thai fruitS & deCorative fruit Carvingprepare and decorate thai fruit like a pro!

are you unfamiliar with many of thailand’s unique and delicious fruits? let our resort chefs teach you how to recognize, peel and cut exotic thai fruits like a culinary master!

201440

Absolute CommunitY

we look forward to Sharing theSe exPerienCeS with you whilSt in reSort where a memBer of our CuStomer ServiCeS team will alwayS Be availaBle to make Sure you get the moSt from your holiday with uS.

viSit Phuket town and learn aBout itS unique Culture and hiStory

the educational tours by ‘phuket heritage trails’ are designed to take you to closer look into the unique and true charms of phuket Island, as well as to explore some of the sites known only to locals. they offer natural, cultural, and historical heritage experiences – showcasing local beliefs, architecture, cuisines, and lifestyle within the historical backdrop made up of the community’s ethnic and religious diversity.

SPend an eCo-ConSCiouS day kayaking through SPeCtaCular Phang nga Bay

John gray’s sea canoe ‘hong by starlight’ is a splendid way to visit phang nga bay’s caves and hongs in tranquility - as it should be. We leave at mid-day to enjoy a quiet afternoon, and then stay after dark to do a night paddle back into one hong only.

‘day In the Islands’ is a one-day exploration of the still-remote tranquility islands in the gulf of phuket by a ‘fast longtail’ boat with sit-on-top sea kayaks.

ShoP ‘til you droP at the Patong BanZaan market

open nightly from early evening until late, there are numerous stalls selling everything from delicious thai snacks to clothing to souvenirs/gifts all at rock bottom prices!

eXCursions & tour HiGHliGHts

2014 41

aBSolute twin SandS reSort & SPathaWeeWong rd, trI trang, ban patong,

phuKet, thaIland 83150

booKIng: 076 302 099 or eMaIl: Info@blueMangoasIa.coM

WWW.blueMangoasIa.coM

A sYneRgY oF inteRnAtionAl FlAVouRs

tHAt is suRe to eXpAndYouR dining eXpeRience

come discoVeR blue mAngo

At tHe peAceFul end oF pAtong

blue-Mango-bar-grIll

Absolute Guests

reCeiVe 15% oFF

tHeir totAl bill

trAVel FurtHer

disCoVerinGtHe kRAbi coAstwith maJeStiC limeStone CliffS and outCroPPingS, large StretCheS of well-PreServed wilderneSS, anda laid-BaCk viBe, kraBi ProvinCe, on thailand’SSouthweSt andaman Sea CoaSt, iS ideal for travellerSlooking for a relaxing vaCation in a wonderfully natural Setting.

Most visitors to Krabi head straightfor the magnificent beaches of railay, ton sai and ao nang. With a little extra effort, you can explore further afield to experience even more of the greengoodness this scenic southern province has to offer. the Krabi coast features many lesser visite dnational parks and nature reserves, along with quieter beaches, where you can discover your own true tropical paradise.

than Bok khorani national Park

than bok Khorani national park is located 45km northwest of Krabi town. distinguished by a series of towering limestone outcroppings, brilliant green rain forests, fascinating mangrove forests, pristine islands, intriguing sea caves and beautiful waterfalls, it’s a wonderful place to recharge your batteries and commune with nature.

you can easily reach the park by bus, motorbike or hired car from Krabi town or the ao nang beach area. once there, the best way to get about is by foot; particularly exploring the rich mangrove forests by wandering along the specially built ironwood boardwalks.

the breathtaking sea-girt caves and delightful islands nearby are ideal for exploring by kayak.

this has to be one of the most enjoyable kayaking experiences in southeast asia. If you’re interested in archaeologically, there are also prehistoric rock paintings of human and animal figures at tham phi hua to cave.

khao Phanom BenCha national Park

to experience a rewarding jungle trek, head for Khao phanom bencha national park which is ocated 20km north of Krabi town. While there is no public transport to the park, it’s easily accessible by bike or car along well-maintained roads. the chief attractions here are several lovely waterfalls, including the huai to falls just 500m from the park office. these falls tumble through a series of eleven large pools. you’ll find them perfect for swimming or just laying back and cooling off.

2014 43

trAVel FurtHer

201444

huai sade falls, about 1km further into the park, cascade over a high cliff. Khlong haeng falls are even more spectacular, crashing down about 500m from Khao thep bencha, the highest peak in Krabi province. If you’re feeling energetic, immerse yourself in the wilderness on the 16km trek through the wilderness to ton han falls.

another park attraction is Khao phung cave. cool and quiet, you can enjoy the intriguing ambience resulting from the curious stalactites and stalagmites that the park authorities liken to mushrooms, curtains and pagodas.

Pa Phru tha Pom khlong Song nam reServe

another natural wonder for the eco-tourist is the pa phru tha pom Khlong song nam reserve; a forested peat swamp traversed by channels of sparklingly clear fresh water flowing from chong phra Kaeo pool. this fresh water meets and mingles with seawater at high tide, resulting in an unusual ecosystem ideal for both mangroves and marsh-dwelling lumphi palms, with their exotic exposed root formations lining the channels.

the reserve is ideal to explore by boat or on foot. Walking is safe and easy, with well-constructed boardwalks that have comfortablewooden benches placed at special viewpoints where you are able to quietly contemplate the beauty of the place.

khao nor Chu Chi wildlife SanCtuary

less demanding but just as entertaining is a visit to Khao nor chu chi Wildlife sanctuary and its excellent tung tieo forest trail. renowned as a bird sanctuary where you may just see rare species such as

the black hornbill and gurnet’s pitta, the lowland forest area features a 3km nature trail to tung tieo Waterfall. there are 18 stations along the way with signboards that tell you all about the local wildlife and tree species. two small and delightful freshwater lakes, the emerald pool and the blue pool, are ideal for a refreshing swim.

ko klang

Ko Klang, or central Island, is a short distance across the Krabi river from Krabi town. ringed by mangrove swamps, it’s most easily accessed by water taxi or a privately chartered long tail boat. While the majority of visitors cross to the island for an hour or two to visit the mangroves, Ko Klang is also home to a quiet, mainly Muslim fishing community that warmly welcomes visitors.

the community is an idyllic spot, and the people are as friendly as usual in thailand. If you want to gain insight into the lifestyle and environment of southern thai fishermen, boatmen, and their families, this is a very special place to stay for a few days. there are no resorts, but any of the travel agencies in Krabi town will be pleased to arrange a homestay visit with a family on Ko Klang. the seafood is as fresh as could be and the nights peaceful and tranquil; this is one genuine thai experience you will never forget.

hat noPPharat thara

If you are looking to stay on one of Krabi’s many beautiful beaches, but somewhere more casual than ao nang or railay, hat noppharat thara might just fit the bill without having to go too far. Immediately to the west of ao nang, it’s a long stretch of sand lined with casuarina trees, offering magnificent views of the

2014 45

massive karst outcrops for which the Krabi coastline is famous.

this area is also noted for its fleet of brightly painted fishing boats, a sure sign of an affordable feast of fine, fresh seafood at nearby restaurants. While you won’t find rows of umbrellas and deck chairs for rent on hat noppharat thara, this undeveloped beach offers plenty of breezy, shady spots under the casuarinas. at low tide, you can wade through the warm, azure waters to tiny pak Klong Island in the bay. If you tire of getting away from it all, bustling ao nang is just a short stroll away.

hat klong muang

to the west of hat noppharat tara, beyond laem hang nak peninsula, hat Klong Muang is a more isolated beach facing west towards Ko phi phi. here, the beach is well shaded by casuarinas and coconut palms, and offshore islands add a fascinating profile to the horizon.

hat Klong Muang is gradually moving up-market from a backpacker destination to a cove with a cluster of higher end resorts. It’s the ideal destination if you love the water, and is gaining an international reputation for great scuba diving and snorkeling, as well as sea-kayaking to the offshore islands and beyond.

these are just some of the areas off the beaten track of Krabi’s picturesque andaman coast that offer unforgettable moments for travelers. by going a little out of your way, you will see a greener side of Krabi that few visitors get to experience.

getting to the kraBi CoaSt

getting to Krabi is easy. Krabi International airport (KbV) is just 10km from Krabi town and has regular flights from bangkok. you can also to reach Krabi by train via surat thani on the gulf of thailand coast, but you need to travel over to the andaman coast by bus or private vehicle. from phuket, Krabi is easily accessible by bus or mini van, and depending upon the time of the year, speed boat or ferry.

once in Krabi, whether you stay by the beach or in Krabi town, it’s easy to rent a bike or a car from one of the numerous hire companies. for the first time visitor, it’s probably best to stay in Krabi town for a day or two to get the feel of this surprisingly relaxed and naturally beautiful province.

trAVel FurtHer

201446

Khun KoyAbsolute Bangla Suites

meet khun koy - front offiCemanager at aBSolute Bangla SuiteS

Jomkwan Jailak has worked in the hospitality & tourism industry for over twenty years. better known by her nickname, Khun Koy, she is the front office Manager at absolute bangla suites.

first impressions are very important to Khun Koy, and she leads her team with the motto of “put yourself in the guest’s shoes.” Khun Koy goes out of her way to welcome each guest and make each one feel special. as many of the clientele at absolute bangla suites are our members and returning guests, Khun Koy believes it’s important to make our resort their home away from home.

Khun Koy loves phuket, and often recommends guests to visit the famous phuket old town, the big buddha or chalong temple. she believes these tourist areas will give you a true phuket experience.

Working with an international brand has always been Khun Koy’s dream, and it’s this mentality that makes her such a wonderful absolute World group ambassador. Khun Koy knows that many of our guests have dreamt of visiting thailand for many years, so in turn, she does all she can to ensure that our guests make many fantastic holiday memories so that their dreams can come true.

PerhaPS one of the moSt imPortant ingredientS of a holiday are the dediCated reSortStaff who take that little SteP further to enSure your holiday memorieS laSt forever.we want you to feel welCome Before you even arrive So here, aS we alwayS do, we wantto introduCe you to Some of our team, thiS time our reSort managerS and front of houSe managerS who are waiting to welCome you with a gentle tyPe of hoSPitality that Can only Be found in thailand.

let us introduCe our resort mAnAGers

2014 47

spotliGHt on our stAFF

spotliGHt on our stAFF

Khun KongAbsolute Resorts & Hotels

Resort Manager

Khun MamAbsolute Sea Pearl Beach Resort

Khun Pim

Absolute Twin Sands Resort & Spa

meet khun mam - front offiCe manager at aBSolute Sea Pearl BeaCh reSort

ratchaneewan prisuwan is the front office Manager at absolutesea pearl beach resort. famous for her mega-watt smile, Khun Mam has worked in the hospitality & tourism industry for fourteen years.

Khun Mam is very enthusiastic, and is excited by her job on a daily basis. she very much enjoys interacting and welcoming new guests to the absolute sea pearl beach resort. Khun Mam is very friendly, and believes that offeringup guests the famous thai wai & smile will help enhance their experience with us.

Khun Mam tackles challenges head on, and feels it’s easy to solve any issues a guest may encounter by remaining calm and thinking positively. she likens the absolute World group her second home, and believes it’s possible for all of us to share in the dream.

meet khun Pim - front offiCemanager at aBSolute twin SandS reSort & SPa

new to phuket, pimmanee srisuwan is the front office Manager at absolute twin sands resort & spa. having

worked in the hospitality & tourism industry for over ten years, Khun pim is proud of the resort destinations we offer. “they’re heavenly,” she gushes.

Khun pim is highly professional, and ensures that she keeps open communication with other departments in the resort. she believes in teamwork, and feels that this is the best way to enhance the experience of the guests.

Khun pim works hard to keep a good relationship with our guests,

and adheres to their requests as best as she can. as many of the guests are interested in exploring phuket, she suggests enjoying sunset at phuket’s famous promthep cape.

always ready with a smile, Khun pim is waiting to welcome you to absolute twin sands resort & spa.

meet khun kong - aBSolute world grouP reSort manager, Phuket, thailand

surasut Jaidee works as the resort Manager for all of our absolute World group resorts in phuket, thailand. originally from bangkok, Khun Kong has been working in hospitality & tourism for over twenty years.

Khun Kong believes in extending the best service to our guests. you can often find him mingling with guests in any of the resort reception areas. a quiet man with a gentle smile, Khun Kong goes out of his way to offer solutions to any challenges our guests may encounter whether it be forgetting sun cream or not knowing which restaurant to have dinner at. he’s always on hand to offer a suggestion.

Khun Kong pushes his team to work together, to communicate, to smile and to not be afraid of going the extra mile when it comes to our guests. he smiles and says, “the guests choose us, therefore, it’s important that we give them our best to make sure their experience in thailand, and with the absolute World group, is truly memorable.”

Much like the entire front office team, Khun Kong is looking forward to welcoming you to our absolute World group resorts here in thailand.

201448

Born in kingSton, JamaiCa, viCtoria taylor iS in her final year at the univerSity of weStminSter, london where She iS due to reCeive a firSt ClaSS honourS degree in JournaliSm.

we were delighted to welCome viCtoria into our Brand develoPment team for her univerSity internShiP.

traveling the world is a common dream that many people share. the thirst for adventure and need to experience foreign cultures & lands is generally the driving force behind taking a holiday. for one determined young woman, the hope of combining her love for travel and her love for writing into a career is just within reach.

traveling around thailand on holiday, and spending time in phuket with her father, Victoria became interested in the absolute World group and the

innovations the company has been making in the vacation club industry. she was particularly interested in our eclectic resort developments, our branding, and our social media platforms.

Victoria joined the absolute design studio, based in phuket, for a short, intensive internship. With her talents in international & travel journalism as well as social media, she quickly became an asset to the team. during her internship, Victoria maintained daily social media networks such as updating our Instagram account and writing lifestyle & travel articles to share with our guests. she learned about video production, and accompanied and assisted our video producer during filming client testimonials.

When asked about her internshipexperience with the group, Victoria gushed, “My experience with absolute World group has been remarkable. I’ve had

the pleasure of working with somereally talented and amazing people. they have taught me a lot and have helped me to hone certain skills in more ways than they could ever imagine. absolute World group has opened up an array of opportunities for me as they have put me in contact with many people. I cannot thank “my team” enough. the companyoverall is outstanding and professional. the people that I have met are truly some of the kindest, most humorous persons I have ever met.”

our pioneering spirit has established us as a forward-thinking company, and we are proud of all of our staff. It’s refreshing to see the younger generation embracing our bold ambitions for the future. We were lucky to have you, Victoria, and we wish you all of the best luck in your future endeavours!

meet our inteRn

2014 49

spotliGHt on our stAFF

MAKE YOUR HOLIDAYs RICHER

Phuket has BeenGood to usFoundation

have you ever wanted to engage in some volunteer work whilst on holiday? If you are staying with us in Phuket, a perfect and incredibly worthwhile opportunity awaits you with the Phuket has Been Good to us Foundation.

set up as a charity to assist those children seriously effected by the tsunami, the Foundation also runs a fantastic extracurricularprogramme called the Coconut Club. the clubbenefits 130 children who live full time at school. during the Coconut Club, children work on arts & crafts, learn to bake, paint, practice their english and simply just play.

You can make a difference to these children while on holiday by becoming a Coconut Club volunteer. Whether it’s playing games, singing songs or simply reading a story, the

children would welcome your time. Being able to speak english and interact with tourists on the island can change these children’s futures.

to volunteer your time, please contact the Phuket has Been Good to us Foundation.

Phone: +66 (0) 76 278 146www.phukethasbeengoodtous.orginfo@phukethasbeengoodtous.org

10 FAntAstiCFitness Apps

if you want to get into ShaPe, then your SmartPhone iS your new BeSt friend. there are Some fantaStiC fitneSS aPPS out there - and many of them are free. So if you fanCy Shedding Some PoundS, here are eight fitneSS aPPS you Shouldn’t Be without.

runkeePer

runkeeper is a great app whether you’re a seasoned runner, or a newbie looking to start slow before you begin to really pound the local pavements and parks.

using your phone’s built-in gps, the app tracks the pace, distance, time and even the number of calories you’ve burned on your run. In fact it doesn’t just work for runners - you can also use it while out walking, cycling and even skiing. once you’ve finished your workout, you can sync your data to runkeeper.com which will store all your stats - so you can see just how your fitness has improved over the weeks, months and years.

my fitneSSPal

Myfitnesspal is an easy-to-use calorie counter that helps track food intake daily. It works really well - whether you’re just looking to cut down on empty calories, or

want to ensure you’re getting enough energy to keep you going on your evening run/swim/tennis match. you can set specific calorie goals, and the app also takes into account any exercise you do – giving you a fairly accurate overview of your diet.

2014 51

HolidAY smArter, HolidAY Fitter

nike training CluB

Mthis app is genuinely like having your own fitness instructor – only much cheaper, and on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week!

nike training club is a workout app created especially for women. It gives you four different options: to get lean, get toned, get strong or get focused. there are loads of different workouts for each choice, ranging from 15 to 45 minutes in length. you can also select whether you’re at beginner, intermediate or advanced level – and the app will alter the exercises accordingly to your level of fitness.

PoCket yoga

If you like your workouts to be a little more sedate, pocket yoga is just the thing. to get the full benefit of yoga, it’s best to practice everyday if you can - but yoga

classes are expensive, and it can be hard to fit classes into a busy routine. the pocket yoga app has a wide-ranging collection of poses you can practice at home (or anywhere). an interactive yoga instructor shows you how to achieve the poses, and the app contains three different varieties of yoga, three difficulty levels and three time durations so it doesn’t matter whether you’re a yoga master or a yoga novice.

inStant heart rate

Instant heart rate allows you to measure your heart rate. It uses your phone’s camera to detect your pulse from your fingertip by measuring tiny changes in your

finger’s colour as your capillaries expand and retract after exercise. the app logs every heart rate test, so you can see over time how your fitness is improving.

CouCh-to-5k

couch-to-5k is brilliant at getting even the most devoted couch potato moving – the app promises to get you in good enough shape that you can go from eating crisps

on your settee to running a 5k in just nine weeks! If you’re prepared to stick with it, you will genuinely be running 5k in next to no time. and if you’re already running 5k distances, the app will get you to 10k over the same timeframe. complete with virtual coaches and graphs that track and record your progress, this is a neat little package for those who want to set themselves a 5k challenge.

201452

HolidAY smArter, HolidAY Fitter

fit radio

everyone likes to listen to music while they work out – but if you’re not feeling inspired by your own tunes, then fitradio could help give you the boost you need when

you’re struggling to run up that hill. the app offers a range of playlists from professional dJs across loads of different musical genres (from dance to pop). all the playlists have one aim in mind - to keep your heart rate up and get you moving!

7 minute workout Challenge

are you too busy to exercise? get this app and you’ll have no excuse! these 7 minute workouts are simple but effective, with 12

exercises that are performed for 30 seconds with 10 second rest intervals. We’re talking super intense training to increase your daily metabolism and are said to be the equivalent of working out for over an hour. plus you don’t need any equipment so you can do it anywhere, anytime!master or a yoga novice.

SimPlyBeing guided meditation

fitness and well-being isn’t just about burning calories. taking some time out for yourself is also important – and meditation has

been proven to help lower stress and blood pressure. this app does an excellent job of guiding you through the meditation process (especially if you’re the type of person who finds it hard to switch off). there’s nothing mystic about it – it’s just a focussed way to relax and refresh the mind and body. It takes you through the process step-by-step and you can set the length of your meditation session to suit you.

fitoCraCy

this clever little app is designed to let you log your workouts and track your progress, but with the added motivation of points to be earned, and achievements

to unlock; essentially making it all a bit more fun. plus you get to be involved in a supportive community of like-minded people on their fitness journeys.

2014 53

Travel Tips

Travel appsThe WeaTher Channel app

WhaT iT does:All you need to know about weather, any way you want it. The Weather Channel App includes full screen radar weather maps,

seasonal information and weather news.

The iWitness Weather function allows users to upload pictures of “exciting weather” to share online. Don’t we all love watching exciting weather online?

CosT: Free

FlighTTraCk pro

WhaT iT does:FlightTrack Pro is almost perfect for the obsessive air traveler.

It can import flight data from airline confirmation emails. It has real-time status updates for gates, delays and cancellations for more than 4,000 international airports. It allows users to find alternative flights at a click. Its inbuilt live flight tracker maps work even when the phone is offline.

Heck, it’s even supposed to predict the future for you, by projecting flight delays based on airport warnings and historic delay patterns.

CosT: US$9.99

201454

paCking pro

WhaT iT does:A godsend for the absentminded traveler, the app’s Expert List Assistant creates packing lists based on the number of adults,

children and days of travel.

The functionality also takes into account temperature,destination, food preparation and even laundry preferences. Excellent. We never have to think for ourselves again.

Those who like to be a bit more hands-on can use the app to create, edit and check off customized packing lists.

CosT: US$2.99

Trip Journal

WhaT iT does:With Trip Journal, users can now do scrapbooking anytime, anywhere. Trip Tracking has an inbuilt GPS route-tracking

function that also records points along a journey.

It supports geo-tagged photos and videos.

Trip Journal allows users to store as many recorded journeys as they want. And best of all, the app is wired to major social media portals, making it supremely easy to brag about your travels to family and friends back at home.

CosT: US$9.99

2014 55

trAVel tips

trAVel ReAdsBurial riteS: a novel by hannah Kent

a brilliant literary debut, inspired by a true story: the final days of a young woman accused of murder in Iceland in 1829.

set against Iceland’s stark landscape, hannah Kent brings

to vivid life the story of agnes, who, charged with the brutal murder of her former master, is sent to an isolated farm to await execution.

horrified at the prospect of housing a convicted murderer, the family at first avoids agnes. only tóti, a priest agnes has mysteriously chosen to be her spiritual guardian, seeks to understand her. but as agnes’s death looms, the farmer’s wife and their daughters learn there is another side to the sensational story they’ve heard.

riveting and rich with lyricism, burIal rItes evokes a dramatic existence in a distant time and place, and asks the question, how can one woman hope to endure when her life depends upon the stories told by others?

a flaSh of lightningby tony drury

Jessica agrees with her mother; it’s time she had a baby. she’s given up looking for the right father.

city financier, Matthew, has raised £6 million to make a film.

now it’s gone missing and his neck is on the line.detective chief Inspector sarah rudd has learned that there are terrorists planning to murder 400 people. she doesn’t know where or how and now her brilliant career is threatened.

Will dcI rudd uncover the terrorist plot in time to save the nation? Who has taken the film money? Will Matthew find the love of his life and a new mother for his daughter? and why is the great train robbery on everybody’s mind?

a hundred PieCeS of me by lucy dillon

as heart wrenching and life-affirming as one day or Me before you, a hundred pieces of Me is a story about what it means to finally live life to the full. letters from the only man

she’s ever loved. a keepsake of the father she never knew. or just a beautiful glass vase that catches the light, even on a grey day. If you had the chance to make a fresh start, what would you keep from your old life? What would you give away? gina bellamy is starting again, after a difficult few years she’d rather forget. but the belongings she’s treasured for so long just don’t seem to fit who she is now. so gina makes a resolution. she’ll keep just a hundred special items - the rest can go. but that means coming to terms with her past and learning to embrace the future, whatever it might bring.

201456

the new aBsOluTe Thai aPP Download today

owners of the iPad can now download the Absolute thai magazine iPad application free to read and enjoy at your leisure.

Absolute thai iPad app is a user-friendly interactive magazine which contains extra content not found in our printed magazine,

so now there are even more stunning photos, articles and even videos!

follow us on

oVer 25,000 hAPPy fAmilieS holiDAy with uS

“we love going on holiday, so this is really helping us have our

little bit of fun and enjoyment when we have time off from work.

i think it’s really cost effective.”

Pearl and russell Paulsen, south africa

“the quality of their accommodation is second to none.

you couldn’t possibly be disappointed.”

Debra Barclay, australia

“this certainly gives us the opportunity to stay in any country

in the world and be looked after extremely well.”

erna analiese Zell and Brad Green, australia

www.vimeo.com/absoluteworld

are yOu The nexT aBsOluTe sTar amBassaDOr?

whether you want to shout about your latest holiday adventure, sing the praises of our resort staff, share your tips for the perfect restaurant or simply talk about your Absolute experience we invite you to become an Absolute Ambassador and star in our online series.

All Ambassadors will be rewarded with a special travel gift to make it worthwhile and of course you will be looked after whilst in resort by our fantastic production team.

if you are interested in being our next online video star, please just drop us an email atproducer@absoluteworld.net.

Visit our Vimeo channel to see what your fellow owners and members are saying...

caTch uP wiTh us On FaceBOOK :

Absolute thai magazine Absolute twin Sandsresort & Spa

climax restaurant

Absoluteworldgroup

follow uS on

the Beach Samui

Follow us on

www.instagram.com/AbsoluteWorld

rooftoP PoolSiDe Dining internAtionAl & thAi cuiSine nutritionAl SmoothieS

climax on Bangla @climaxrest @climaxrest @climaxrestaurant

viTaliZe yOur Days,exciTe yOur niGhTsAn extenSiVe Selection of thAi & internAtionAl DiSheS, DecADent cocktAilS AnD nutritionAl SmoothieS to enJoy PoolSiDe or to go

your table awaits on your next visit to Phuket. to book please call +66 (0) 81 979 6262,email reservations@climaxrestaurant.com or for details on how to find us, our latest menus and happenings please visit our our new website climaxrestaurant.com

PaTOnG’s ulTimaTe POOlsiDe DininG exPerience

climax Bar & restaurant: Absolute Bangla Suites, 68/1 Soi Bangla, Patong Beach, kathu, Phuket 83150 tel: +66 (0) 763 43 612

we hope you have enjoyed your new member magazine and welcome any feedback. let us know what you would like to see by sending your thoughts to: inspired@absoluteworld.net

holiDAy inSPirAtion for ABSolute memBerS

SPring 2014 eDition