I’m back on Koh Tao and life is good! Well, life is all kinds of busy and hectic, but the mayhem is currently happening on my favorite little island in the Gulf of the Thailand, so it is good indeed. I’m all settled in with an apartment, a motorbike, and all my clothes unpacked in a closet — a strange little thing that made this nomad so happy she took photos and texted them to the family. While I was mostly nesting and spending any spare moments catching up with friends, I did make time for one great adventure this week — Sail Rock Sundays with my friends over at Roctopus Dive. I’ll have a full post in the future about this trip, but enjoy this little preview (some topside photos — including the team in our Roctokinis! — will be on my Facebook page this afternoon).
And for now, I’m looking forward to the week ahead. I’ve got some great travel stories to share from Malta, the finishing touches are going into my site redesign, I’m finally going to get my inbox back in shape, and I’m going to be here on this beautiful island!
Happy Monday!
Photo A
The island I’ve been dreaming of
Photo B
This was an accident, and one I almost deleted before realizing I was in love with it!
Photo C
Big schools of barracuda and little baby shrimps
Photo D
A clown fish coming out to say “Welcome back!”
Which photo is your favorite?
D! What great clarity and color!
We were so lucky — I was on a locals boat and some of the instructors were saying it was the best visibility they’ve seen at Sail Rock in years!
Glad to hear you are feeling the calming effects of island life. All pics are beautiful (as per!) but I’m going for Photo D this week. There is something about the capture of textures that makes it look 3 dimensional..I’m resisting the urge to outstretch my hand to touch it! Haha.
And that clownfish was more than happy to pose for me, too π
I’m choosing D this week Alex. A cheeky fish brightens up my Monday.
He certainly brightened up my Sunday, too! π
Another week, another photo B for me! π
Glad my little mistake is getting some love!
D…so happy to see fabulous underwater pics again.
Happy to be taking them! π
She’s baaaaack! Welcome home! All the best with your latest adventure and I look forward to catching up on your recent ones. I love C! that baby shrimp – what a shot.
Thank you Miss Sarah! It feels so calming to be here. Happy days! And yes, got lucky with that shrimp — I grabbed one exposure before he scuttled off. Thankfully it was a good one!
Underwater photos! Beautiful! Koh Tao looks like a gorgeous place above water and below water. It’s making me want to work on some travel plans!
Answer the call of Thailand! π Any trips coming up at the moment?
I love Photo B too, and I agree with Caity’s comment that D looks 3-D βΒ incredible shot! βΒ but you can’t beat a baby (shrimp) for me so I have to go with Photo C π
Thanks Sara! He was a cutie indeed…
Photo D is so vivid!
I know! I was lucky the sun was out because I don’t have a strobe — so I was chasing light all over that dive site π
love the clownfish. glad you are back home! π
It feels really, really good π Thanks Annie!
I LOVE C – incredible!
Thanks Katie! It’s not considered the best dive site in the Gulf for nothin’…
May be an accident but I’m loving B! I was in Koh Tao last year but I’m pretty indifferent to it. It must be such a warm place for you to be back in though, since you have such wonderful memories of all the time you have spent there. Enjoy!
Yeah, you never know what place will be a fit for what person π Koh Tao just slips on like a glove for me!
I love photo C…beautiful shots! It looks like you’re settling in nicely!
I am indeed π So nice to be back… and back in a bit of a routine!
That tiny shrimp photo is incredible!!! And I also love photo D, I can’t believe you get these shots with a point and shoot!
This little camera impresses me ALL the time! Especially since I don’t have a strobe. It definitely has its limitations, but for the size and the price I can’t complain.
Barracuda. Like the idea of going off piste onto the urchins to chill with a school of yellowtails. The shrimp is cool too.
I actually meant to send you the picture of that shrimp and ask its proper name — I fully consider your Head of Fish Identification at Alex in Wanderland.
Anemone Shrimp. Couldn’t be easier. Quick google reveals Periclemenes brevicarpalis for the wonks.
Loving D and also loving that you are back on your fave rock!! Looking forward to stories of diving & island debauchery π
Ugh, hit the debauchery a little too hard this weekend. Back in the office now π
Photo A because it’s of where I consider home to be, I love that island and I’m counting down the days until I’m back.
And photo D, it’s so colourful!
I know how that feels! Are you returning soon?
OMG! Photo D is simply amazing, the colours are so beautiful!
They were indeed — the ocean never ceases to amaze!
Hi Alex,
Yay – you’re on Koh Tao. You should check out my daughter ChloΓ« – at Sunshine. She is learning AcroYoga from her friend Abby who is an aussie Yoga teacher!
I love B. Into the blue indeed. Sometimes our mistakes become our greatest triumphs. Beautiful. Have a wonderful time!
I just saw a poster for the Sunday AcroYoga the other day — I’m hoping to make it there one of these Sundays! I will definitely say hi!
B! Good thing you didn’t delete it!
Gotta remember the beauty is sometimes in the mistakes π
Sounds like you’re about to have a great time. Picture D is so vivid and lively. I wish I could be there!!
I know the feeling… I have it whenever I’m not here π
D is beautiful but I pick B because I love that an accident turned out so awesome!
Me too π Such a fun surprise!
D like how could anyone pick another one!? that photo is amazing!!!!!!!!! literally my favorite one you’ve taken, ever.
Wow, that’s a massive compliment Rachel, thank you so much! I’m a pretty big fan myself π
Photo D is just stunning! Love the colours! So happy for you that you are back on your favourite island Koh Tao! I have been to Thailand many times, but never to this island. Look forward to see more underwater photos from Koh Tao, they are the best!
Thanks Maria! Hope I’m able to get out to dive once a week or so!
D for me, but I like photography in general. Glad you are back in Koh Tao! An apartment, hanging clothing and a motorbike! I am impressed! (:->)
Me too! It’s almost like I’m a real person living a real life, and not just a hostel ghost π
OMG! Those are incredible underwater photos! What camera are you using? I’ve been to Sail Rock but my photos look NOTHING like that!
Hey Oksana — check out my shop page for more info π
The best pictures are often little accidents! Like #followmeto!
I know of that series but I didn’t know it was an accident — what’s the story? Now I’m curious π
It’s super cute! The couple traveled together, and he kept stopping to take pictures. She was getting frustrated and was pulling him to the next site, but he kept taking pictures. He captured the first one of the series by accident when she grabbed his hand. When he looked later he thought it was an interesting shot, so they kept doing it and posted them on Instagram. Obviously it caught on! π
Wow, that is super adorable! I had never heard the backstory… now I love following them on Instagram even more!
Photos B and D are my favorites! You really have a knack for pulling out color and movement in your underwater shots.
Thanks Julie! That’s a great compliment to hear — it’s always fun to hear analysis/critiques of your own work!
Guess it’s time for you to give a try for freediving at Blue Immersion if you feel like it :)I’m just back from 4 months with the creator of the school on his sailboat in the Med, we talked a lot about it and I’m sure they’re still doing a great job!
I’ve actually been talking about possibly doing a freediving course when I’m here! I’ve always been intrigued by it…
Though I am officially an instructor since last week, I am a bit far to guide you, but will be very happy to put you in touch with the best pros there!
Your underwater photos are always bomb! These are all cool, but I’ll go with D.
Thanks girl! Feels good to be taking some again…
D! the color is superb! what camera you used?
Thanks Mita! Check out the Shop page for details on all my camera gear.
I’m definitely choosing Photo D this week. Love it!
Thanks Stef! I think that’s the winner this week π
Hi! Love your posts. Heading to Koh Tao end of November and was wondering if you had a recommendation for a hotel please. Person I am traveling with is quite fancy, unfortunately and would prefer to be on the beach
(I am definitely going to take him to all the places you list in ‘where to eat!)
Unfortunately I have never actually stayed in a hotel on Koh Tao, only long term accommodation! However if you hope to book ahead the best place to look is definitely Agoda. Sorry I can’t be of more help!
Just wondering if you have ever posted a article regarding good places to stay in Koh Tao? My friend and I will be staying there for three-four weeks and just wondering if you have any suggestions of a place with good rates/near beach!
Hey Arianna, I actually haven’t! I only ever stay in long term accommodation here. I don’t have any pulse on the hotel or guesthouse scene. I’m sure you’ll find something great though π
THESE ARE BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! if i HAVE to pick (i mean HAVE to…) i would pick the clownfish.
can you tell us any tips on your underwater photography?? how do you get these amazing pictures??? all I do is take a gopro3 on a selfie stick and take screenshots later, they look nothing like your shots.
Unfortunately, I’ve found the GoPro doesn’t take the best still shots underwater. I much prefer it for video. You can see a full list of my camera gear on my obsessions page!