When asked to write about life on Ko Tao from a longterm stayers point of view, all I could think about were the three biggest lies told on the island. I’ll leave you to ponder the other two but the biggest, without a doubt is, “I’m leaving tomorrow.” This is not used to wheedle one … read the full post

It is a known fact that Ko Samui — and other Thai tourism hotspots — are more expensive than destinations less frequented by tourists. So is it possible to still eat three meals a day for 150 baht or less on Samui? For sure! The trick however, is to eat like a local and avoid … read the full post

Garra rufa fish spas have been used in the Middle East for centuries but Southeast Asia has fairly recently jumped on the bandwagon and you’ll find them right across the region, including in Thailand. These little freshwater fish originate from the river basins of several Middle Eastern countries; they also go by the name of … read the full post

As a going away gift for my first backpacking trip one of my comical mates gave me a travel tips book. This wasn’t your normal travel manual by any means. It included topics like how to stop a runaway camel and how to avoid dying in an airplane crash. The best way to avoid crashing … read the full post

Na Muang One Waterfall at Baan Thurian, about 10 kilometres south of Nathon, is a popular tourist attraction on Ko Samui that can easily be reached by vehicle. The turnoff is well signposted along the 4169 Ring Road, and from the parking lot, it’s only a walk of a few hundred metres to get there. … read the full post

Learning a new language is hard enough at the best of times and Thai is so different from English and the Romance languages that for a farang (Westerner), learning Thai can seem a little overwhelming. Anyone wanting to stay in the country for more than a few months however would be wise to pick up … read the full post

Cappuccino Bistro is the only French-owned bakery on Ko Tao. It serves a variety of cakes, tarts and sandwiches along with arguably the best cup of coffee around and is well located up the hill on the main road in Sairee running from the pier. This spot is a firm favourite with locals and tourists alike.  … read the full post

Wat Plai Laem may not be the oldest temple on Ko Samui, but it’s probably the most spectacular, and a good place to take children for a bit of Thai culture and a break from the beaches. Although relatively new – it was built in 2004 – it’s constructed in traditional style and methods, so … read the full post

The best time to visit a place weather-wise is usually a time that everybody wants to visit, so choosing a time that’s just right — that is, with decent weather but some extra elbow room — can be tricky. Here’s the lowdown on the best time to visit Ko Samui taking both weather and crowds … read the full post

While it has been said that Ko Tao is a drinking island with a diving problem, you can easily avoid the mayhem if you wish. However you probably wouldn’t be reading this blog unless you wanted to find out where the party’s at and there’s certainly a party to be had on Ko Tao on … read the full post