Koh Tao Star Villa Ko Tao

... because you don't want to twist your ankle with bad footwear and find yourself isolated in rugged terrain with no people around. Also, there is always a chance of a run in with a small viper that you would probably never see until it's too late. It's only big enough to tag a foot, so cover up.<br><br>As the market has expanded maritime alternatives have opened up as well. Koh Tao now has sailing, windsurfing, sports fishing, boat handling courses, snorkeling trips (often as part of a ...

... narrow paved road that runs between the restaurants and shops and we walked along this checking it all out. A lot of the restaurants had movies playing so you could watch while you ate; others had live music and pool tables. I got really excited about Mexican food, but after we ordered we discovered there was no cheddar cheese. What?!!! So we left and went to a restaurant right on the water. It was very romantic; a beautiful warm night with a nice breeze off the ...

... places that look even better than those magazine covers. <br><br> Sigh Tong Beach was recomended by my two german friends because they had stayed a whole week there and fell in love with it. When I saw their pictures I knew I had to see it too. So on my way back to Bangkok from Koh Samui I stopped over for 6 hours on the little island of Koh Tao (Turtle Island). The island is called turtle island because It is ...

... better than it used to be though. <br> <br>We passed more workshops. The bulidings were all lined up next to each other. Just big, open, garage-like buildings. There was a metal-works shop, wood-work, carving, furniture, and so it goes on. I know they definitely wouldn't be called sweatshops. There weren't little kids in there stitching together shoes by hand, but it still gave me a funny feeling. It makes me feel guilty knowing that these people work tirelessly for hours on ...

... uncovered. We then had some some lunch and relaxed in the guest house during the afternoon.<br><br>We were staying at a small fairly new guest house within the "island" of Ayutthaya, very convenient for all the sights. The accomodation was beautiful - a traditional thai house on stilts set within a water garden - very relaxing.<br><br>We also looked around a local market and bought some spoons and some thai mats.<br><br>On the second day ...

... you how annoying it is to come out of the pub after a heavy session and discover some crimelord has made off with your flops. The flip flops are transported by speedboat at night in secret compartments. The ill-gotten gains are then laundered through dive shops, which are merely a front.<br> <br>Next question... why/how on earth did we become scuba instructors? Although I have an unhealthy and slightly troubling love of ...

... the reward<br>-- Photographing whole rows of stone Buddhas, orange robed and quintessentially Thai. A cat decided to sleep in the arms of one - beautifully apt<br>-- Being able to eat dinner (unlike at the Buddhist temple)and sit on a bed that was neither a mat on the floor or a moving upper birth on a train! <br><br>Next stop, Bangkok, and the last (island hopping) tour<br>G

... the water a bit while Graham did the CESA (Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent) with the group. It was during this time that I heard our boat captain shout 'Whaleshark! Whaleshark'! I couldn't believe my ears! I said 'Where'? and he pointed me in the right direction. I swam off like a torpedo in search of the Whaleshark. I found it some 20 seconds later and then began to film it. I think I spent some 20 minutes with it. Thankfully, after Graham finished the CESA with his students he joined ...

... night market and shared a whole fish. It was one of the most satisfying meals either of us has ever had.<br><br>Day 2 we rented bikes and rode around trying to look for the Ancient Royal Palace, which looked huge on the map. When we got there after an hour of riding and getting lost we realized that it was just a few bricks on the ground, because the Burmese had pretty much demolished the entire structure.

... get lost in translation so i can't testify to all the details. I can say that it is an amazing feat for anyone to be able to meditate so long, there's no doubt that he is an advanced individual. We gave him alms then gathered round while he gave a long talk of his experiences during meditation. The most profound experience was a vision he had of a dragon that came to him and told him to build temples to help spread the word of ...