KOH TAO ISLAND: You won't be alone for sure.

One of the famous islands in Thailand. You name it, expect you can get it. 

My official post every time I go somewhere.

Going to this beautiful island is not so difficult. There are so many travel agencies all over Thailand that can take you there regardless which part are you in Thailand. Since I am staying somewhere at Chumphon it was an easy access going to there.

 It was 6 days before New Year's eve when we decided to go. Just got lucky one of the locals booked a boat ticket for us  going to Koh Tao.

Normal fair is around 700 Baht for the fast craft that will take you an hour and a half to the island from Chumphon pier. There so many ways to get there; there's an over night boat - 400 Baht and a normal boat around 500 Baht. 

Pinnacle hotel.

I never felt that excitement since we were waiting for our ferry going to Koh Tao. I mean, I always travel back home via ferry but that time it was different. Fast ferry didn't bother me back home but to my surprise; It was a puke boat! I mean it! It was like you're on a roller coaster for an hour and a half. Me and my friends didn't throw up (Yey!) but the people around us were like dying to get to the island ASAP. Not to mention the puke smell(sorry if you're eating). Well, we survived! We all got there alive and kicking and restless.

One fine morning. So relaxing!

The 2nd hotel we stayed after we were ripped off of that first hotel.  This hotel is so good and much affordable. 

Since we all are tired when we got to our hotel we didn't argue much with the price as they were ripping us off. They are charging us 2,800 baht per night but we were told by a local friend who booked us it's just 1,800 baht (bless her heart; the lady at the lobby).  

First few drinks on our first day. yum-yum!

We just chilled somewhere near our hotel on our first day. Eat some thai food (expensive hey, we were used to eat 35-40 baht per meal but in Koh Tao its doubled).

Lady Boy Show in Koh Tao

Entrance going to Nang Yuan Island, Ko Pangan

During the night - the island turned into a party haven. You will see people from different races from different countries. It was like come one come all party -EVERY NIGHT! The food are  pricey as it's a commercialised island.

Daytime in Koh Tao 

Western food are not much of a problem in Koh Tao. You can even eat Mexican food anywhere. Clubs are everywhere with different genre. If you want to go to a full moon party you can always go to Koh Pangan which is close from Koh Tao. That's one of the options too once you get to Koh Tao and you can't find any accommodation - especially during peak season.

Pork BBq with corn - one of the restaurants near the shore. This was fantastic! 180 Baht - a little pricey but 'twas so delicious.

Baby back ribs in a Mexican restaurant - $450 Baht. Trust me, it's all worth it!

Normal night in Koh Tao

I've met so many people around the islands everyday and I got the chance to talk to them and shared some ideas one way or another.  For almost 2 weeks that I stayed on the island I can tell that the island is divided into three; family place, honeymoon place and crazy party place. Unfortunately, we were stayed in a family place so we needed to walk every night to go the place where we belong. It was a good exercise though to make it positive.

That guy must be shocked. I forgot to turn off my flash and he stood at me like he wanted to beat me. LOL

During the New Year's Eve, we were expecting less people as they might go to a full party. Hell no - most of them I guess stayed in Koh Tao and celebrated their New Year's Eve. Well, I find it even better. More people, more fun! We started our New Year's eve by watching a lady boy show. It was amazing. What a performance!  Then, my friend Sarah brought enough lanterns for us so we let them flew before midnight. It was a little hard because it was a little windy. Good thing some locals were there t help us. We bought a local whiskey and a bucket of mojito that made our night more exciting. We danced like no tomorrow. 

Free shots if you pass this limbo on fire.

Yeah, this girl is literally on fire!

Pub Crawl - sticks and stones yow! LOL!

I jumped on a skipping rope and crossed under a limbo rock on fire! Yes, on fire! I got some few burns the next day. 

One of the scenes you will get if you will do snorkelling all over Koh Tao for a day. We paid 600 baht for the tour.

While waiting for our boat to get us back to Koh Tao. 

Before we left Koh Tao we went for a day trip snorkelling. It was okay. Maybe because Koh Tao isn't that good for snorkelling but diving. I enjoyed the Koh Pangan tour though. That island is so dope. Two islands  connected to each other through an aisle of sand. They have an entrance fee of 100 baht to get there but I think it's worth it. The island was so clean and beautiful. Such a paradise!

People are people from places to places - from strangers to friends.

When you travel, you'll be acquainted to many people from different walks of life. 

You will learn the culture and most of the time the "food" that they eat. One of the things that really changed my outlook in life was being friendly(not that I'm not friendly before). What I meant - I get along with strangers, wear a smile to everyone and be patient all the time.

Ready and all set to explore Chumphon. 

In Thailand, motorcycle is owned by everyone. I even saw a kid (I think he was like 7-9 years old driving). When I came to Thailand, I don't know how to drive a motorcycle. It's even hard for me to drive a bicycle. Surprise! I had no choice but to learn driving it or else I will end up walking or asking someone to drive me somewhere. The place that I stayed has no public transportation around the town. They have vans going to the city and buses going to Bangkok only. My first attempt was horrible. I almost slam myself with the motorcycle against a concrete wall. Alas! After 2 days I can now drive. My friends (co-teachers) has their own motorbikes too. During weekends we go out anywhere somewhere with our motorbikes. I had so much fun. We even had a 3 hour ride just to have pizza. We were able to explore the town and even went to those places that most of the locals didn't go just yet.

 I pass this road every time I go our secret beach or the fishing village.

Fishing Village - 40 KMs away from my place.

"secret beach" Yeah, I was alone when I when I went here and took this picture. This beach is so breathtaking.  No one was there but me. The water was so calm and wind was so relaxing. Heaven, that's what I felt that time. 

This is somewhere at the fishing village.  That sunset was a bomb. 

I was speechless when I saw the sunset. It was like angels are going down from heaven. So comforting to the eyes.

Places that I wont forget when I was in Chumphon are the fishing village, the beach near Sarah's place(my co-teacher), the crazy curve roads going to the beaches, Cabana Beach and of course our so called "secret beach."

Living in Chumphon was so laid back. No pressure at all though I'm teaching nursery students. Food were so delicious and spicy. People are so kind and very hospitable. It was kinda awkward as most of the people in the area knew I am a teacher so I always get a especial treatment anywhere I will go. At first I felt weird until I got used to it. The town has very low English level so I had no choice but to learn some simple Thai words so that I can buy what I want or eat what I want. It was rough at first as Thai language is so difficult. One single rising or falling when you say a word would totally mean different.

One of the weekends with my ninjas. We were heading to Cabana Beach, Chumphon this day,

Literally - Party Rock! 

So wake me up when it's over. When I'm wiser and I'm older.....

Sarah and Celeste - Were you guys trying to find something? They met a Canadian guy married to a local. There on a vacation and will be going back to Canada by spring. 

That's not a ball at all! Parental Guidance. For cryin' out out - that's a coconut. Theto, you are amazing!

Mykee, Theto, Sarah and Celeste. Enjoying the sand while waiting for the sunset. 

I will always treasure the people I met in this town. I met 5 people (all foreigners too). I guess they were the reason why I enjoyed it a lot. These people were too easy to handle, so true to themselves and crazy like me - not literally though. Too bad, in this world there's no such thing as permanent. After 5 months we all separated and went to different places. I am still hopeful that one day in right time and in right place we all meet each other.

To Sarah,Celeste,Theto, Mykee and Brian - see you around and get your ass ready for some crazy action. =)

Chumphon, Thailand - A Hidden Paradise

Chumphon is at the central part of Thailand. There are many islands nearby and beautiful beaches. Three days after I landed at Phuket I headed to Chumphon. I have no idea at all how it looks like until I got there.

I travelled almost 9 hours via bus from Phuket. I was hosted by a friend back home to stay in her place. I stayed in a small town which is an hour away from Chumphon. The town population for sure is less than 10,000. When I got there I was somewhat nervous for some reason that I didn't figure out until I saw some beautiful places. I was told that there are many good beaches nearby.

Then the journey continued....
We went to Bang Boet Bay (bangburd). It was 25-30 KM away from our place. There's no public transportation in the area as all of the residents has their own car. We went there by motorcycle. Roads were amazing. It's one straight road for 5-7 KM. Curves? Don't ask for it. Hahaha...

After an hour ride, we got to this place. This is a public beach. It's a paradise!

It was very windy when we got here.

That an hour motorcycle ride was worth it when we got to this place.

The wind was too much on that day. It didn't bother me though! It was amazing.

Bang Boet Bay Port

After I enjoyed this place, we went to another beach. My friends told me they call it "secret beach." They said they owned it -  I mean they discovered it. It's around 10 KM away from this beach. So, I said "let's go!" It took us around 15 minutes to get to another paradise. I came from a tropical country also but this was my first time to see pine trees nearby the sea shore. Mountains are skyscraper and the rock formations are mesmerising.

A road where you can drive to the limit. 

On our way to our "secret beach"

Spirit Tower - Thais believe that when someone died they will stay in this tower. It's not so tall though. Most of the towers I saw were like 4 to 5 ft long. 

Our Secret Beach

This rock is so huge but so rough. It's so hard to get my ass on top of it.

It had a strong storm the other night and there were some rubbish on the shore. It was my first time to see locals. However, they were there to swim but to clean and pick those rubbish. I was fascinated how responsible the Thais living around.

I went up to the hill just to capture this scene. It was a little scary I wasn't wearing any gear to climb but I didn't mind it that time. This was taken around May 2014. 

I had an awesome and memorable trip indeed. I didn't care how hot it was I was really overwhelmed of the sceneries. I stayed in Chumphon for almost 5 months. I got a job. Found good friends. I will never forget how this paradise gave me peace of mind. The sea breeze was just too relaxing and its non tourist much area so I can do whatever I wanted every time I go to these beaches.

Thailand - The country of smile

Why Thailand? I don't know. When I quit from my job back home, I suddenly thought of Thailand. Maybe because I heard and read so many amazing things about this country.

From Manila to Phuket. Yeah, we were less than 20 passengers in a 350 seater plane.

December 04, 2013 - the date I arrived in Thailand. I flew via Tiger Air. My flight from the Philippines was unforgettable. We were 14 passengers only in a 350 seater plane. I've been traveling around my country via plane and it was my first time ride like I'm a jet setter. I arrived around 6 O'clock at Phuket International Airport.

I was so overwhelmed when I saw this view. I went right ahead to the shore after we checked in to the hotel. After I saw this epic view, I said to myself that I made a right choice to travel to Thailand. 

I don't know what and where to go as my friend just told me she will pick me up at the airport. It was smooth and very soothing arrival. Then I saw my friend right ahead when I got to the exit area. We took an airport taxi going to our hotel. The taxi was a little pricey though. We paid 2,000 THB or around 70USD for a 10KM ride(I think). It didn't bother me because of my excitement to check the hotel and the famous Phuket.

My view when I had my first breakfast in Thailand. 

We checked in right ahead to our hotel and decided to eat some Thai dish as I was hungry as dead. My friend offered me to eat Pad Thai as it's not so spicy and its  farangs' favorite. Well, I couldn't agree or disagree. I just said yes. I already ate Pad Thai in one of the Thai restaurants back home but when I tasted the authentic one I was like "really?" I was surprised as it has a distinctive taste that I haven't tasted when I eat Pad Thai in the Philippines. Then we got some beer. I heard so many things about Thai beers. I ordered "leo" but I was surprised when I saw "san miguel beer". I had a long day so after 3 bottles  I decided to sleep and get ready for some action the next day.

Andrea is her name. I met her in one of the parties when I was in Phuket. She's from California.

I only stayed 2 nights in Phuket. Morning scenes at the shore were impeccable. Shore line is very far and sunrise is breathtaking.

My first Thai Beer moment.

I stayed at Patong Beach where they party all night long. No limits! My last night was even a blast.
Why? I can't remember at all some of the things I did when I was so drunk. I'm no first timer to crazy party but it was may first to have a blackout of some things happened while I'm drunk. Night life in Phuket is even more fun from what I read online. I will "Phuket" every moment of it.

Sure I will be back and explore Phuket more one day. Too bad I needed to leave as my next destination was Kho Tao.

One of the parties I attended during my stay.