Hm, well, I have to say I have non-white friends on Koh Tao who refer to themselves as expats as well! The two terms do have different connotations to me, which is why I would not use them interchangeably, though I have never gotten the impression that anyone found it offensive until now.

God forbid we actually put white folk on the same level as the locals though. Can’t be having that.

Hey Dora! Walk up the road toward Roctopus Dive and keep going, and turn right at Suksamran Villas — sorry, streets don’t have names 🙂

I’m impressed you travel with a mat! I don’t have the discipline to do yoga unless I’m in a class.

Yoga is my primary means of staying balanced and in shape, although I go through dry spells so long that sometimes I wonder if it is even worth it to travel with a mat strapped to my pack, especially when I find it easy to make up excuses even though I’ve got a mat, some great guided practice sets, and speakers!

I’m also pretty passionate about mountain trekking and try to get out several times a year, usually finding that I feel fully conditioned and fit again within a few days of setting out.

Oh, and I guess dancing?

Hey Jackie! I never did try New Heaven, if I recall that was down in Chalock and while it’s a short drive I was usually content to go to the other locations which were right in my neighborhood 🙂 While I don’t have a specific accommodation recommendation I think if you want to practice in the places listed in this post, you’ll want to stay in Sairee. If you want to practice at New Heaven, you’ll want to be in Chalock.

Don’t worry, Koh Tao is really small — you could walk to literally every place listed in this post in a day 🙂 Island Muay Thai and Grounded are super close together, and right between them is my favorite dive shop — Roctopus! Hope that helps!