Location: Koh Tao, Thailand

Full. On. Travel. Day.

I spent six hours (SIX!!!) in a van literally smooshed between backpacks, and then two hours smooshed into a hot travel hub, and then another four hours on a ferry smooshed into a corner. Right now I need you to imagine me acting all proud that I didn’t get sick for any of this. I totally should have though because I had chocolate bars, chips and bottled coffee just to tide me over because actual food options were just not available in the stations. It’s a miracle I didn’t toss my cookies. I got so desperate I finally succumbed and ate a toasty, which is a 7/11 grilled cheese sandwich that they heat up for you that I have avoided on every. single. trip. to Asia that I’ve ever been on. Other travellers have been raving about them since I got here… and I’m just like ‘have you seen the cheap Thai food literally EVERYWHERE?! Why eat THAT!!’ It wasn’t the worst and it was like a dollar but it still felt wrong!

Finally I arrived in Koh Tao in the early evening. I have been looking forward to this island for the entire trip because apparently it’s like the diving heaven in Thailand. Koh Tao translates to Turtle Island. My Hostel, Summer, also felt god-sent right from the moment I walked in. The employees were welcoming, genuine, helpful and happy, the AC blasted right at me, the atmosphere seemed fun but relaxed, and it was a stones throw from the beach. My room even has a little balcony which faces the sunset and the beach. Love that for me. All I could think was ‘I’m never leaving. This is perfect.’

In fact the vibes were so good I extended my stay on the spot. When you know you know right? I walked down the hill towards the beach in search of food and found a little place called Mama’s that was serving up traditional Thai dishes made in a little tiny outdoor kitchen. I think I’m learning that outdoor kitchens are a pretty good indicator of tasty food in Thailand! I had some kind of ginger chicken and zucchini dish, and halfway through my scarfing it down a couple was seated at my table. This isn’t the first time this has happened in Thailand so I think it must be common in busy restaurants, which is just another good sign about the food! The couple was from Slovakia and Syria, but met in Dubai, and were full of interesting stories and travel recommendations. We all enjoyed our conversation so much we exchanged numbers and made tentative plans to meet up tomorrow!

I strolled down to Sairee beach just to check it out, and even though it was completely dark there were people dancing, laughing, playing in the surf and laying in the clean soft sand. The stars were out and I could see the little green lighted fishing boats on the horizon. String lights hung between palm trees and somewhere in the distance someone was playing quiet covers on a guitar.

I feel really at ease here and have a great feeling about the next few days…

Sav