สวัสดีตอนเช้า from Koh Tao, Thailand!

After arriving in Bangkok from Bali, I took a bus for $1.50 to the center to wait for my overnight bus. The bus to the pier and transfer with the ferry for Koh Tao cost $35 in total. 

I stayed with Catrin, another volunteer I met in Bali, at Sairee Cottage for seven nights. Split between us it was about $11/night and right by the beach. From the pier, they had a free taxi. It was surrounded by streets of shops and street vendors and had two lovely pools for use. Similarly to many other hostels and shops on the beach, it also offers diving courses. 

Koh Tao is an island known for its cheap diving and beautiful beaches. For the first week I mainly just relaxed and walked and swam along Sairee Beach and explored some of the shops and restaurants in the area. Many street stands of jewelry and foods like smoothies and roti (thin sugary pancakes with customizable toppings/spreads). There are also many massage and beauty spas, similar to the rest of the mainland and other islands (all 300 baht/$9 for one hour). Although I did not, there are very cheap motorbike rentals to explore the rest of the island. The island roads are very hilly and curvy, so we chose not to rent, and if you need to get around there are car/truck taxis but they can get rather expensive (for Thailand) as there are limited alternate ways to get around.  

Many people are attracted to the island for the various jungle parties every week. The Secret Jungle Party was $12 for entry and transport to the middle of the island. (with an additional taxi fare to return) and played mainly house music. We only stayed about two hours and were among an older crowd, since the other/main jungle party at Escobar is only once a week and more expensive. I did attend the Escobar party as well the following weekend, for 700 baht ($21, including a taxi there and a drink) which featured four stages of different music styles. It was super packed but I stayed for a few hours and really enjoyed the different music and crowds. Taxi to return to the center was an additional 100 baht ($3). 

For around $16, we also went on a full-day island tour that included lunch and dinner, and a tour of surrounding islands and bays. 
-Ko Nang Yuan (nearby small island): snorkeling and cafe 
-Mango Bay: snorkeling 
-Shark Bay: giant turtles and snorkeling 
-others surrounded bays like Hin Wong Bay that we went by on the boat when going around the island 

For something a bit different, we tried a Muay Thai class at Island Muay Thai. The 1.5-hour class cost 300 baht ($9) and was definitely exhausting but I really enjoyed the new workout form. Many others training there were more professional and competed in the weekly fights, and other students were returning (more classes=less $ per class). 

For the remaining four nights, we stayed at Asia Divers Resort for also about $11/night. A bit further from the beach but still close to the center of town, the room was comfortable, with an outdoor pool below and free taxi transport to the pier.  

During my stay on this island, I also decided to get my open-water diving certification. Through Koh Tao Scuba Club, the three-day program was $270 including lunches, a shirt, and a lifetime certification up to 18 meters (54 feet). I completed four open water boat dives in bays around the island over the course and saw an incredible variety of underwater wildlife including stingrays, barracudas, and so many other fish! My instructor Nui was incredibly kind and patient and I would definitively return to this school if I decide to complete other advanced/specialty certifications. 

Many restaurants surrounded the resorts, and we enjoyed a variety of Western breakfasts and Italian and Thai cuisine. Ranging from $3-10, some of our favorites were:
-Porto Bello: Italian-owned, great pizza 
-La Pizzeria da Claudio: live jazz music at night, fresh Italian foods 
-Morning View Coffee and Bakery: cheap breakfast with a variety of options 
-The Factory Cafe: breakfast, a bit more expensive than other breakfasts but cute indoor and outdoor spaces and healthy smoothie combos 
-Cottage Restaurant: across from Sairee Cottage, on and overlooking the ocean, breakfast and barbecue dinner with a lot of options 
-Permpoon Cup: homemade ice cream next to Sairee Cottage 

Although small, the island has a lot to offer and is incredibly beautiful from the water and beaches. Mainly known for the diving courses, I am grateful I was able to experience the beautiful underwater world and receive my certification for such a cheap price. I enjoyed the past week and a half immensely, and am now on my way to another Thai-island before heading to my next country!

xoxo,

Ang around the World 🙂