Greetings from Koh Tao. It feels great to be back in my home away from home after a week of travel. We arrived back on the island just in time for Christmas, and spent three days rolling around in an abundance of holiday cheer. It was my first of three Christmases abroad that really felt like Christmas, and I actually kept my homesickness at bay. Since then it’s been back to business, and I’ve spent this final quiet stretch of the year firmly at my desk, breaking only for quick jaunts to the yoga studio or gym. And of course, as a travel blogger, part of my work involves travel planning — as I work on finalizing some small upcoming trips around Thailand, I’ve also begun enthusiastically researching my next big international adventure (I’m keeping it a secret for now but I can’t wait to let it out of the bag!)
On another note: Last week, I asked you guys what you thought about me shaking things up and breaking chronological order to start posting a bit about Southeast Asia. On the whole you gave me a big thumbs up to go for it, so expect some continent hopping in this weeks posts!
It bummed me out that several of you said you just skip posts if it takes me too long to write them, since I can’t really figure out a very workable solution to blogging punctually after periods as chock full of awesome as this past spring and summer were. I have so many fabulous trips and details to share and I don’t want to skip a single thing — hence, how I’m still blogging about August in December! Anyway, those are #bloggerproblems — the bottom line is I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you sticking around and sharing your thoughts and allowing me to share my journey with you. I do always keep your feedback in the front of my mind and I’m crossing my fingers that my newly adopted slow travel schedule will mean that this isn’t so much of an issue going forward.
Anyway! Back to the present — this round of Photo of the Week candidates:
Photo A
An island lush after a week of rains
Photo B
Janine stretching on a post-holiday hike
Photo C
Sunset on the 25th
Photo D
Christmas on Koh Tao!
Which photo is your favorite?
Photo C because… sunset 🙂
Good enough reason for me 😉
Let’s keep the Christmas mood around for a bit longer: Photo D is my favourite this week.
I like reading your articles and I take a lot of inspiration from them regardless of when you post them. So just keep your posts coming at a for you comfortable pace! When you’re happy, we’re happy 🙂
Thanks Dominique! That means a lot 🙂
Wow, C is so beautiful!
Thanks Katie! It was a beautiful week.
Love the sunset picture 🙂 Koh Tao’s sunsets truly are breathtaking. Looking forward to reading your next post.
Thanks Katherine! Some fun posts coming up soon!
Photo A! I love how different it is.
Thanks Marni. Lots of rain has plants breaking through and popping up everywhere right now! It’s gorgeous!
Photo A for me! I love its composition and colors.
Excited to find out about your next big international adventure as well!
I’m preeeeeetty excited to announce 🙂 Coming soon!
Wow the sunset picture is stunning! I know some people said they skip your blogs about previous travel – but I am SERIOUSLY dreaming about a Bonaire scuba trip, and don’t skip out on them! Travel inspiration and planning doesn’t have to be just the location you are in – keep up the awesome posts!
Thanks Christy! I have one more Bonaire diving post to share — and I saved the best for last!
Sunset photos always get me, so I’m choosing Photo C!
I feel ya on that Ashley! I’d love to watch one every day.
Photo B! I love that view (and hikes!).
Also I’d like to mention that I just came across your blog and have been reading many of your entries and find it wonderful. I will be sure to keep up with it. So inspiring!
Thank you so much Lety — that’s so kind! Happy to have you reading 🙂
Photo C is my favorite – that sunset with the palm trees silhouetted is gorgeous. Glad you had a Merry Christmas and got some good feedback about posting! I never skip posts just because it’s an old one. For me, I read anything that’s relevant or interesting as long as I have the time to read! Even if I don’t catch your posts right away I normally leave them in my inbox until I have time to read them.
Thanks Sonja, that makes me happy to hear 🙂 Much appreciated!
I’m just glad you update so frequently, thoroughly and consistently! You do so many amazing things and I appreciate your commitment to covering it, even if it is months later! Doesn’t bother me at all — I just love reading about your experiences! So while those few people may skip because they are impatient, I am just happy with whatever you post, whenever you post it! Don’t get too bummed! 🙂
Thanks Erika! Nice to get some counter feedback this week 🙂 You guys are the best!
Photo D – love those antlers!
Merry Christmas!
Aren’t they the cutest? So impressed I was able to buy them over here!
Photo C! Love the composition, the palm trees, and the colours. Beautifully done!
As for your posting – while I am always biased towards SE Asia posts, I think all of your stuff is great – whatever order you post it! Great travel writing is good anytime, so keep posting what you want when you want and I am sure we’ll all be here to enjoy it. Cheers, and Happy New Year!
Thanks Paul! Well, I’m starting to shake it up today so it will be a nice mix of sunny posts from both sides of the planet. Gracias!
Your pictures make me want to immediately pack my bags and GO!!!
That’s what I’m going for! Thanks Elisa!
Photo C – very mystical. Have a great Hogmanay (NYE!)
Thanks Gemma! Happy Hogmany to you too 🙂
Photo B – that pose and that view!
Thanks Dani! She’s a great model 🙂
Photo C is awesome. the true beauty of south east Asia’s sunset. looking forward to read more interesting and inspiring articles about south east Asia from you in the coming weeks.
wish you a very happy New Year
Thanks Ahmed, first one is live today!
Photo D! So cute and Christmassy! 🙂
If only you could smell the peppermint cookies I made baking in the oven 🙂
That sunset is spectacular! I missed seeing palm trees and ocean at Christmas this year – I’m already planning next year’s Christmas so I’m not stuck in Chicago again!
Ha, and of course I couldn’t help but dream of a white Christmas 😉 The grass is always greener!
I’m loving 😀
Thanks Lucy! 🙂
photo d. must be good and super fun. u should also carry on doing working abroad section with your koh tao community. as we all know, KT is a hotbed for some really adventurous people.
I should indeed, Julia! Glad to know you enjoy that series. I’ll see who I can rustle up 🙂
Photo C – the sunset one is my favourite. It looks wonderful 🙂
Thanks Zascha! Definitely appears to be the reader favorite…
I love photo D. I love seeing what foods people eat during their celebrations
That cheese was hand delivered by one of the guests from Kuala Lumpur 🙂 We loved it!
Wauwwww, I really love the colors of photo C!
Thanks Jessica! It was a beautiful sunset!
Favourite is B!!
Im counting down the days (17) until I leave England to be in Thailand for 3 months and my stay on Koh Tao for 2 of them!!
Your blog has given me so much information about what to see and do, as the friend I’m coming with is doing a dive master course so I will be off exploring myself!
Thankyou for what you share its a blessing!! Wondered if you have tried the crossfit on the island? Becky xx
I have not, but I know one of the the owners very well. If you try it, let me know how you like it! Also, there’s a great green juice bar and healthy food stop next door called Living Juices. Check it out!
i love Tao, in february i will be back
btw picture B
enjoy our time
Thanks Tom! The island will be waiting for you 🙂
Definitely D! Missing the holiday season already :'(
Man, it was fun wasn’t it?! I do love the start of a new year though. Everything is so fresh and everything is possible!
Photo B 🙂 I was there as well last year and took a really similar shot 🙂
Can’t go wrong with a viewpoint at sunset!
Thanks for the wonderful photos. We couldn’t make it to Koh Tao at the time we were a few days on Phangan. Hopefully we’ll have the opportunity to get there soon
It’s well worth a trip of its own — very different islands! Both beautiful 🙂
I love photo C. I’m glad you had a good Christmas; I know it can be very hard to get into the festive spirit in Asia, or at least I found it difficult when I was in Vietnam. Happy New Year, can’t wait to hear what your plans are for 2016!
Indeed! Took me a few years abroad to get the hang of it!