Kho Tao isn’t seasonal like Phuket. The monsoon hits the Gulf Sea off Phuket from October/ November, and while it’s classified as monsoon season now in the Andaman Sea (where we are) conditions are still good enough for diving.

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From Ao Tanote Bay on the east of Kho Tao we hiked up the short hill to Mamas. ‘Mama’ is a middle-aged Thai lady who wears a headscarf and long skirt like a gypsy, a cigarette in her mouth. ”You like birds?” she asked us.  Continue reading ›

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Not keen on diving? Beautiful choral, housing diverse marine life, is so close to shore you won’t need to squeeze into a wetsuit to explore the best that Koh Tao island in Thailand has to offer. Continue reading ›

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Like its neighbors Koh Samui and Koh Phangnan, Koh Tao has taken full advantage of tourism and is not exactly off the beaten path. But on the east coast you’ll still find yourself a private stretch of sand to live out your castaway fantasies. Continue reading ›

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Kayaking at Ang Thong Marine Park near Ko Samui

We discovered a family of HUGE geckos living behind the shower of our very rustic hut in Koh Samui. (Why do the accommodation website photos always look so much better?). W had to use his cap to remove a frog. Our hut has become a wildlife refuge Continue reading ›

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Koh Samui island in Thailand has every amenity. The streets are lined with bars, restaurants, and shops. Want a deisgner Gucci bag? You can find it here. (Just check the label to make sure it’s not counterfeit). It feels like a show put on for tourists. I saw girlie boys pactice for a cabaret, and drank coconut juice straight from a coconut.

My husband had a scooter accident. It was his first time on a bike and he fell off twice. The Thais were lovely and brought their medicine box, refusing to accept any money. Continue reading ›

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Took a taxi from our guesthouse in Bangkok – it’s called Lamphu Treehouse. We liked it there. The staff were helful and friendly, and they had free wireless. It took us 1 hour to get to the airport.

Our taxi driver was a character. He taught us some Thai and chuckled at our mistakes. When he found out we’re from SA, he brightened: ‘Lugby!’ He knew all the names of the Springbok team. Coins and notes of different currencies were stuck on the taxi’s dashboard.

We flew Bangkok Airlines (Air Asia is usually a cheaper option). It’s only a 45 minute flight to Ko Samui. It was amazing to fly in over ocean, the landing strip appeared so suddenly I thought we were going to plunge into sea. On the plane they played Sting’s ‘An Englishmen in New York.’ Continue reading ›

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