Feel like I am back at home here in Chaloklum on Ko Phangan. I went on a beautiful hike today in search of a waterfall. I saw where it would be if there was more rain and got some great shots. Plus, a little dog, who I coined the name Rontu, gave me the full tour. I needed a good sweat!

Later, I went back to Mad Hai to snorkel and read. Ahhh....so relaxed!

Tomorrow I dive at Sail Rock, hopefully I'll get to go into the famous chimney coral reef structure.

The end is fast approaching, but everything is all sorted out. I take another ferry on Thursday to Ko Samui where I will spend a few days there before my flight to Bangkok. Believe it or not, I've already booked my hotels in both places! I usually prefer showing up somewhere and hand picking the place I will stay. But after my experience on Ko Tao, I don't want to be turned down because they are already full.

Stay tuned. More to come.

Cafe Del Mar

Ko Tao

Ko Tao

Made it to the next island Ko Tao. Although I was worried that I'd survive the rough sea and perpetual rain. While waiting to board the ferry I got drenched, literally. When I finally go on the "fast boat" I squeezed my hair and it was like I just got out of the shower. I found a seat luckily and said a prayer. Right after we left the dock the crew passed out barf bags because the sea was so rough. It was a puke fest, people all around me were barfing into little plastic bags for the entire hour and a half treacherous ride. It was so bad that even a big, strong guy in the seat in front of me squealed each time the boat almost (or at least felt like almost) tipped over. Whew! That's all I can say and thank God.

The place that I was going to go to was fully booked so I opted for a familiar Sensi Paradise Resort. Keva and I stayed here a couple of years ago and it is stunning, but also ridiculously expensive. I check out at 10 am and plan to try Ko Tao Resort again, if there is no room available I will return to Ko Phangan, weather permitting.

Everything everyone said is true, it's way too commercial here and expensive. Plus, it seems that everyone else had my same idea of coming to Ko Tao...the place is packed. Pray for sun:)

Lazy Daze

So I have one more night here on Ko Phangan so I must savor it. It has been utterly relaxing here, and I have developed a nice little routine. Wake up around 10 am (late by my San Diego standards) and go to the terrace and have breakfast. Return to my cozy AC room, skype some friends and gather my beach stuff. Take the motorbike on a 20 minute ride through the lush jungle to Mad Hao, a serene beach with fabulous coral. Next I snorkel for about an hour then lay on the beach reading. Later, I return to my hotel to refresh myself by diving into the chilly pool. Then it's time to shower and meet some of my local friends at the Lost Dog for a cocktail. Finally it is dinner time! So many delicious foods here, but I am particularly fond of the pad thai. And then I retire for the night and wake up to do it all over again.

Tomorrow I take the ferry to Ko Tao, the diving mecca of the world. Hopefully I retain my luck of meeting some good people to share my lazy days with there as well.

My New Favorite Toy