It’s a Bloggers’ Prerogative…
… to change her mind.
That’s how the saying goes, right? I sure hope so, because not too long ago I declared that I was moving on from Koh Tao — that I was forging ahead to find my next piece of paradise. And yet just around six weeks later, I felt that familiar siren song pulling at my heartstrings and calling me back to the island once again.
And so I found out that I’m the kind of girl who follows her heart instead of her head.
I was supposed to be in the Philippines. I had a ticket to Manilla, freelance work assigned, and a plan to spend six weeks in a new and exciting country. But after a few days of what I can only describe as a walking anxiety attack, I realized I needed to listen to my gut — I wasn’t ready to leave Thailand. Instead I would split the difference — three weeks in Philippines (the length of the free visa upon arrival, which saved me from a pricey extension) and three more weeks in Thailand (which would unfortunately mean extending my 60 day visa).
As soon as I made the decision a weight lifted from my conscious and rather than sitting on the brink of tears, I felt giddy with happiness for the first time in ages. After a few final days in Bangkok catching up with friends, I booked it down to Koh Tao.
What can I say about Koh Tao that I haven’t said before? For this one cheeky bonus week, there were birthdays to be celebrated and parties to be had…
Beaches I’d never laid eyes on before to be explored…
Loving my new Roctopus bikini!
Old favorites to be revisited…
Lazy Sundays to be spent at my favorite beach bars…
And as many hours possibly squeezed out of the day to be spent with the friends who made this place my home. I suppose I was naive to think that I could be done with Koh Tao. This place has its hooks in me, maybe deeper that I’m willing to admit — even to myself. And so I’ll end this post the same way I did with my last one…
This little island will always have my heart.
Which do you find yourself following more often, your heart or your head?
ตามหัวใจของคุณ you’ll never go wrong…
I’m impressed! Love the Thai characters 🙂
What a lovely post Alex! I don’t blame you. This place really does look stunning! I would love to go one day! Love the photos by the way. Those hammocks in the water look so welcoming!
Those hammocks are Babaloo Bar… best spot on the island!
Just no comments… I wish I was there… Can’t wait for my next piece of paradise 🙂
I kind of wish I was there too, even though I’m in my own new lovely place now 🙂
When I look at your pictures I can’t say I blame you for loving the place so much. It looks so beautiful. Wish I could visit… 🙂
The place I’m in right now is quickly becoming my second runner up favorite place… come here! 🙂
Looks like paradise. I totally get your choice to go back. Always follow your heart, not your head 🙂
I’m starting to find it’s my favorite way to live life! Thanks Charlie.
Lovely pictures and writing. Looks like you have a lot of fun and live the life you have dreamed of. Go for it girl!
Thanks Christiane! I am having the time of my life 🙂 I’m just trying to keep it going!
I always love your photos, they make me want to pack my bags and travel immediately again which is quite impossible as I just started my “grown-up” job 6 months ago and I guess it’s time to settle down for at least a while. but i definitely have to visit this hammock bar haha looks like a lot of fun. Enjoy your time in Thailand.
Regards
Stef
Thanks Stef! Hey, there’s something to be said for a grown up job as well! And those hammocks will always be there…
I stumbled across your blog while doing some research for my upcoming trip to Thailand, and I love how honest you are in your posts and the fun style of your writing. It has been a great way to procrastinate from the studying I should be doing, and is making me so much more excited for my trip this summer. I will definitely be following along on the rest of your adventures!
Hey Brittany! Thanks so much and I’m so glad you found me 🙂 You’re going to love Thailand, congratulations on the upcoming trip!
How would you compare Koh Tao [where I haven’t been] to Kauai [where I have been]
Luv your posts!
Well I’ve only spent 5 days on Kauai compared to over a year on Koh Tao so its not the most fair basis to start a comparison on 🙂 But in general I’d say Koh Tao is much more backpacker and party oriented, while Kauai is more relaxed and focused on enjoying the natural beauty of the island! I love both and can’t wait to return to each 🙂
Travel is always about following your heart and not your head! I know what it’s like to have an island steal your heart. But your photos make Koh Tao look awfully tempting…we had three dive instructors from my shop leave and they are arriving there today… I may not be too far behind!
It’s a pretty saturated market but I’m sure you’d find work in no time! Unfortunately I have to say I think Koh Tao is much more lovely above water than under it these days.
I am uniquely positioned to comment here. You were a changed woman once that decision was made – but go easy on yourself, girl! It was just life, sneaking up, causing you to make choices, diversions, changes. When the facts change, you change your mind. What else would you do?!
I’m missing that apartment, btw. 🙁
I’m having a little chuckle to myself remembering Sam’s message… “We will miss you…r apartment.” Snort.
While I am sad you didn’t give the Philippines more than 3 weeks (our latest post is on exactly why 3 weeks is not enough there!) I do understand where you are coming from… though ironically I felt that way about the Philippines! 😀 When you are constantly on the go, it feels really good to have a place where you just feel comfortable and feel like you’re at home… and when it’s time to move on to another destination, it can be really hard to do that. I guess the one thing that always gives me comfort when we’re moving from one place to the next is that there are no rules that say you can never revisit a place (thank goodness!), and if you miss one place this time around, you can always check it out the next time. By following your heart and doing the things you want the most, you’ll never regret it!
I definitely wish I had more time in the Philippines, as I did feel quite rushed there and my time was kind of hectic. But in the end I was so stressed by lack of internet I can’t imagine having been in that state for six weeks! Next time I go I’ll have to be more prepared.
Always follow your heart. That’s how I ended up in South Africa again instead of Central America.
Both seem like pretty enticing choices to me! And as I’m always being told, the rest of the world will be there when I’m ready 🙂
Nice little love note to Koh Tao……and more great pictures. I love the one of you in the hammock. You look natural, relaxed and having fun.
There simply aren’t enough over-the-water hammocks in this world… I do adore that one though.
….five more months….five more months…five more months. It seems like the closer I get to my trip to Thailand the harder it is to look at all these great pictures and not book my ticket for tomorrow…aagghhh!
Time flies by when you are here… if only it did the same at home!
Look at those beaches, I don’t blame you for wanting to stay! Every post of yours makes me want to book a ticket to Thailand now! Enjoy every minute you have in your second home! And remember, you can always return!
Thanks so much Jessica! And yes, I’m starting to accept that Koh Tao is going to be a reoccurring part of my life!
this is a beautiful place! oh you know everytime i check out a new blog and find new infomation about a new place it drives me crazy! to think how am i supposed to be visiting all of those places in my life! thanks for sharing all these wonderful information alex! great blog!
Ha, Jun I feel the same 🙂 Especially on the road I am always meeting fabulous people from wonderful places… and then of course I want to visit them all! Luckily there are many years ahead.
Even though I haven’t made it to Koh Tao yet, I can see why you would return. It looks like a very special place. And I like the fire spinning shot!
Thanks Audrey! I used the Fireworks Setting on my Canon s100 to capture that. A handy second use for that setting!
AHHH! This makes me so homesick for Tao. Such lovely photos. I want you to stop but keep going at the same time. Such a good post !
Don’t worry, only a few more Koh Tao posts coming up… at least for now 🙂
Alex You are one and only one marvelous Awesome Blogger as always….!!!