A Tricky Paradise: Koh Tao

   Sawadee Kap! Here we are in the island called Koh Tao in the middle of the gulf of Thailand just above the famous islands Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. We needed a little brake for cycling after ten days of riding and we took a boat from Chumpon to here. The reason we ended up here is that we thought the other islands would be too crowded by the backpackers and party freaks and also high end tourist resorts so this one would be more calm and less expensive. But at the end we realize that it is just another island turning into a huge holiday resort.
  The tourism industry on the island is based on diving here and almost all the coastline is divided by the resorts fencing the shores with their concrete walls. The most thought-provoking thing for us is that none of these tourists seems to care the preservation of this natural beauty. So Culu did this welcoming sign for the ones who concerns.

   There were thousands of cigarette butts on the beach and it was just so easy to write this sign by collecting them in a few minutes. That saved the beach of the resort where were staying for a day but the next day it will be sadly just the same. Humans are humans wherever they are.

  So we just rented this bungalow looking at the Ban Chalok bay at the south end of the island with Umut and Culu and didn't move too much all the week. They had a relaxed week by editing the road videos, writing and managing the posts. And i just slept long hours during the crazy hot days outside. The resort was looking very fancy but their internet connection is something that all the guests staying their were making fun of it. Very poor in hospitality and all they wanted is to find a way to charge you anything upon your request. It was free the electricity in the bungalow of course but if you plug your electronics anywhere in the resort they were asking you to pay for it.

   Sadly, instead of finding a more appropriate solution for these paths along the shore the owners of the resorts chooses quick developments around the island. By building these ugly concrete walking paths, walls and bricks. They are not just spoiling the beauty of the island at the same time damaging the natural habitat of many other creatures.

  Everyone is trying to take a piece of that cake. There you see again these bricks poorly placed on the rocks in order to build these bungalows competing each other to get the best sea view.

 This is Sairee Beach. The most populated side of the island on low tide couple of days before the full moon.

I am still keeping my shape well but poor Culu keeps loosing weight as you can see. 

   The coolest vibe we felt on the island is inside the artist village. There were nobody when we were visiting but we checked around anyway. They made sculptures and create tons of stuff by recycling plastic bottles, cans and whatever they find basically.

  On the way to Tanote Bay we sometimes had to push our bikes to reach the top of these steep hills. The weird traffic sign on the left proves how steep is that one though.

  This place's called the Campsite overlooking the east coast of the island. I think they were making parties and events back in the time somehow but at the time we were passing by it was just empty. Couple of tents were placed at some corners of the land. It was such a silent place. If you are searching for a place to camp for free in Koh Tao i don't think no one would say anything.  

  Finally at the top of the hill in the middle of the day. It was the craziest thing we did with the guys by climbing those ramps under 40 degrees celcius.

 Tanote Bay

  Totally different side of the island. The water is clearer at any time of the day where you wouldn't need a snorkel to spot fishes coming close to you while you're swimming. But the dogs there didn't leave me alone when i wanted to go in the water. After having a lunch to get the lost calories back Culu and Umut took a nap before we leave the bay. And that was the last day of ours on the island before we took of to Surat Thani. 

  At least we had a wonderful day with pride by seeing the coolest side of the island with a smile on our faces. Then we had a last beer with our great friend Linda in our last hours at the beach with the satisfaction of knowing another free soul living on this planet. Eventually, this is why we are traveling. Aren't we?

a tricky paradise from gizemaynagoz on Vimeo.