Travelfish correspondent Rosanne Turner

Rosanne Turner relocated to Thailand in 2010 from South Africa, where she was involved in the tourism industry, and co-owned several accommodation establishments. She has written for African and international publications including the Holland Herald (in-flight magazine of KLM), Explore Africa, Morning Calm (in-flight magazine of Air Korea) as well as several websites such as gotravel24.com and travelintelligence.com. Examples of these articles can be found on www.travellingpen.com.

Rosanne is now the Ko Samui correspondent for Travelfish.org. She enjoys sharing her discoveries of Samui after walking every snapshot-perfect beach, strenuous hill, coconut grove and enticing forgotten path in search of that memory-making beach bar or bungalow resort. Rosanne has scrutinised more than 100 resorts and hotels, and sampled countless Mojitos, fruit shakes and massaman curries in name of research and in the quest to provide readers with sufficient information before embarking on their island adventure.

Rosanne prefers to see the lighter side of life when travelling, viewing things from a different angle and appreciating the small details rather than the glaring obvious. She has not let her atrocious sense of direction deter her from exploring and her journeys have taken her through Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands, including Madagascar, Zanzibar, Tanzania and the Transkei as well as the Asian countries of Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Thailand and Malaysia.

Rosanne owns Samui TEFL helping others with a wanderlust to finance their travels by teaching English as a foreign language in Asia and around the world. She also admits to being somewhat of a grammar nerd.

You can contact Rosanne at Thetravellingpen@gmail.com
Website: http://www.travellingpen.com

Posts by Rosanne Turner:

• Watching muay Thai on Samui

  First published: 22 Mar 2012
  

  Muay Thai or Thai kickboxing is Thailand’s national sport and passionately supported by locals, who gather around TVs to cheer their favourites on. The stadiums are also well supported, and Ko Samui is no different; tourists are welcomed to watch fights at the commercial stadiums in Chaweng and Lamai. The Rocky theme tune is one … read the full post

• Muay Thai training on Ko Samui

  First published: 15 Mar 2012
  

  Some people like to go on holiday to relax or explore and discover a new place. Others prefer more purpose-orientated holidays: volunteering or perhaps improving a skill such as cooking or writing. One skill that can be honed while holidaying is Thailand is muay Thai – to seriously train for the sport in its land of … read the full post

• Visa runs from Samui

  First published: 06 Mar 2012
  

  Should you want to extend your Thailand adventure, and need to do a visa run or border bounce from Ko Samui, Malaysia is the most convenient country to get to. To clarify, a visa run entails going to a Thai embassy or consulate to get a new visa; a border bounce is for those who … read the full post

• Pha Ngan Challenge Race March 2012

  First published: 03 Mar 2012
  

  Ko Samui sailors wait in anticipation each year for the annual international regatta held towards the end of May. This is usually the only organised event for sailing enthusiasts, both participants and spectators alike, where sailing vessels from around Asia, including Hong Kong, Phuket and Malaysia, race against local sailors in Samui’s ideal waters. As … read the full post

• Getting around on Samui: scooters, cars and walking

  First published: 22 Feb 2012
  

  Following on from part 1 of getting around on Samui, which covered songthaews, motorbike taxis and taxis, in this post we look at renting your own scooter or motorbike, renting a car, and that old chestnut, walking. Scooters Automatic scooters are available for rent all over the island. Expect to pay from 120 to 250 … read the full post

• Getting around on Samui: songthaews, motorbike taxis and taxis

  First published: 17 Feb 2012
  

  Getting around on Ko Samui is easy, with several options available. Being an island, it is hard to get seriously lost. Keep in mind that there is a main Ring Road, known as the 4169, which as about 45km long, with two prominent linking loop roads: one in the north east (4171), joining Bang Rak, … read the full post

• Samui’s water buffalo: Gentle giants or battering beasts?

  First published: 10 Feb 2012
  

  ควาย or khwai is the Thai word for water buffalo. The water buffalo plays a big part in Thai culture and daily life, and they are a common sight here on Ko Samui. See an open patch of land with grass, and you are sure to find a buffalo tethered to a coconut tree, quietly … read the full post

• Ko Samui airport: Southeast Asia’s cutest?

  First published: 01 Feb 2012
  

  Most residents of Ko Samui have a love-hate relationship with Samui airport, located in Bang Rak, in the island’s northeast. The airport has to be one of the most beautiful in the world: cute, tropical and welcoming. Tastefully built and furnished in true island style without being tacky, the airport is for the most part … read the full post

• Thai spirit houses and spirit trees

  First published: 27 Jan 2012
  

  One of the first things travellers to Thailand may notice about their surrounds are the colourful and ornate spirit houses resembling miniature temples that are strategically positioned outside every home, business, school and in public areas. Other than making great photo opportunities for tourists, what is behind these impressive little structures? Spirits abound everywhere in … read the full post

• Best of Ko Samui’s Bang Rak

  First published: 25 Jan 2012
  

  Bang Rak is located on the northern coast of Ko Samui, with Bophut to its west and Plai Laem to its east. The beach area of Bang Rak is also referred to as Big Buddha beach, because of the huge golden statue at the eastern end of the beach, just before Plai Laem. The beach … read the full post