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:

• Bophut shopping, Ko Samui

  First published: 02 Jan 2013
  

  Travelling from Bophut’s Fisherman’s Village towards Mae Nam, near Peace Resort & Spa, you’ll see a modern strip of shops and coffee houses that are worth a poke around. Maissa’s Party Shop, painted bright pink, always shows a colourful and themed window display. As Ko Samui doesn’t have any malls as such, Maissa’s is one … read the full post

• Samui Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation

  First published: 28 Dec 2012
  

  Samui Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation has been improving the lives of Ko Samui’s animals for 13 years, and is a cause well worth supporting. Their main shelter is in Taling Ngam, where homeless animals are housed until a new home can be found for them, and where quarantined animals will go. A second, smaller … read the full post

• New Year’s Eve 2012 on Ko Samui

  First published: 22 Dec 2012
  

  As far as New Year’s Eve goes, you won’t have to look far for a party on Thailand’s Ko Samui. As with Christmas, be warned if you’re booking a hotel that many of the resorts have compulsory gala dinners. If you’re footloose and fancy free, anywhere along the beach is a good bet, as resorts … read the full post

• Review: Nirvana Restaurant & Bar, Fisherman’s Village, Ko Samui

  First published: 20 Dec 2012
  

  New restaurant Nirvana in popular Fisherman’s Village offers a selection of Thai, Asian-fusion and Western food. The decor is warm and inviting, with a lounge-type feel created by wooden and rattan furniture, burgundy cushions and drapes and candles on the table. Choose from several seating areas: stools around the bar, inside dining tables, streetfront bar tables … read the full post

• Spark! Circus

  First published: 15 Dec 2012
  

  Spark! (that’s with the !) is a group of volunteer circus performers who try to add a little sparkle to the lives of disadvantaged children in refugee camps, migrant schools, hospitals and orphanages along the Thai-Burmese border. More than 200, 000 refugees are based in camps along the border, with a large proportion of them … read the full post

• Christmas on Ko Samui

  First published: 11 Dec 2012
  

  If it’s tradition you’re after for Christmas and you’ll be on Thailand’s Ko Samui, the island won’t let you down in the roast-with-gravy-and-all-the-trimmings department. Many of the resorts –and not only the high-end ones — include a compulsory gala dinner for Christmas Eve. If you’re paying for it, you may as well make the most … read the full post

• Ko Samui and Ko Pha Ngan power failure: What should I do?

  First published: 06 Dec 2012
  

  UPDATE: Power has now been restored to Ko Samui and Ko Pha Ngan. We we woke up to the good news this morning, sleeping on the balcony for a breeze, surrounded by mosquitos. There was that tell-tale sound of the fridge buzzing, meaning that the power was on. Supply was restored on the mainland at … read the full post

• The Virgin Coast, Taling Ngam, Ko Samui

  First published: 04 Dec 2012
  

  Many feel that Ko Samui has become too developed, and in part, that may be true. Luckily it’s possible to escape the crowds and discover the Samui of yesterday only a 45-minute drive from popular Chaweng beach. The unspoilt southwest is known as the Virgin Coast; from the ring road, turn off at Route 4170 … read the full post

• Review: La Fabrique French Bakery, Lamai, Ko Samui

  First published: 30 Nov 2012
  

  Shortly after the Lamai temple and the bend in the road on the 4169 when coming from Chaweng, you’ll find a little piece of France. There’s a large concentration of French expats in this part of Ko Samui, and many gather at La Fabrique for a taste of home. The bakery supplies many of the … read the full post

• Review: Akiira Spa, Chaweng Noi, Ko Samui

  First published: 28 Nov 2012
  

  Akiira Spa is located within New Star Beach Resort & Spa on the hill overlooking Chaweng Noi bay. The resort’s modern, airy feel carries through to the spa, with its floor-to-ceiling windows, orange and yellow hues, and comfortable furnishings. My visit was during torrential rain, so it made a great escape, watching the weather outside … read the full post