Koh Tao, Thailand

Koh Tao

Chalok Beach, Koh Tao

We couldn't help it. We loved it so much the first time that we had to come back. We took a ferry from Koh Phangan to Koh Tao with Songserm this cost us 15 AUD each. This time we stayed on the opposite side of the island. The main town on the island is Saree beach, this is where we stayed last time. We decided to mix things up this time and stay at New Heaven Dive resort on Chalok beach. The beach itself is much nicer on this side of town although there aren't quite as many places to eat. You can easily hire a scooter and everything is within a 5 minute drive but Luke and I wanting to pinch our pennies decided to walk everywhere (therefore not walking very far at all).

Freedom Beach, Koh Tao

Unfortunately the saga continues. My ears are getting the better of me and the infection continues. This meaning that I can't get my head below water. Which is pretty cruel when you are surrounded by tropical picturesque beaches with cheap diving and free diving (not actually "free" it's diving whilst holding your breath). Luckily, Luke Barry was able to enjoy a few fun dives with New Heaven. Here he went out to South West Pinnacle and Shark Island. His highlights from these dives were swimming through large schools of fish and observing stingrays. Unfortunately (or luckily) there were no sharks this time round. Luke did say that the dive instructors were no where near as professional or organised as Saree Beach Cottages (where we both did our open water dive certificates) so if you are going to Koh Tao for diving we would definitely recommend them instead.

I agree, too much blue. Bring back the stormy weather

Whilst Luke was off diving I was enjoying the daily struggle of deciding to hang out either at the pool or by the beach. I tried to treat them equally and spend time at each location daily. I also enjoyed going to daily yoga classes at New Heaven yoga chalet which overlooks the beach. It was my first time trying Kundalini yoga and I loved it! It was also a plus that I was the only one there for most classes. Turns out people don't like to wake up early for 7am classes on holiday. It suited me fine as I had one on one classes for a mere 8 AUD.

See what I mean, how could I decide between the pool and beach? 

The beauty of where we stayed on Chalok beach is that you can walk along the waters edge from Chalok beach to freedom beach. Beware though Freedom beach can get pretty popular so if you are going there to get photos or want some personal space then I would suggest getting up relatively early. This is mainly because the size of the beach is relatively small.

The walk between Chalok beach and freedom beach

Me and my best model pose

Unfortunately we had to leave Koh Tao to get back to Bangkok to see the ENT surgeon for my ears. I’m currently on new medication so here's hoping that they get better as we are off to Sri Lanka next. 

Lots of love,

Claire and Luke (Luke was basking in the natural sunlight as I wrote this so he counts as a co-author too right?)

The one and only Luke Barry Trotter