Koh Tao (Freedom Beach)

After a scenic hour long boat, we arrived in Koh Tao. On first sight it was obviously paradise, however my first picture below doesn't show it.

There were so many colourful long boats and the water was crystal clear. We caught a taxi to our accommodation on Freedom Beach, which is on the South of the island. 

After reading a bit about Koh Tao, we learnt that Koh Tao translates in English to Turtle Island as the island used to be inhabited by turtles. The island's shape is also though to resemble a turtle when viewed from Koh Phangnan. 

Anyway, back to our accommodation, we stayed in a cabana (wooden cabin) over the beach however annoyingly a large tree obstructed most of our view of the sea.

After a few hours at the beach, we headed back to the cabana where we were able to capture this lovely picture of the sun setting behind some palm trees.

For dinner we went to Chalok Harbour where we had some Thai food, I ordered a Massaman curry and Nath ordered White Snapper which we shared between us. Nath also had Coconut Milk as his drink.

The following day, we rented some snorkels and snorkelled around Freedom Beach. We saw so many fish, none of which we could identify offhand but after looking at a guide book we recognised them as Longfin Bannerfish, Tailfin Batfish and a Titan Trigger Fish. However when one fish came straight for Nath 'viciously' (as he described it) we decided to call it a day. 

Here are some pictures of the beach.

That evening after a refreshing mixed fruit shake,

We headed to Sairee Beach, which is the most populated and busy area with many bars, restaurants and dive schools. This was also where the Scottish girls and their friends were staying. 

We went for dinner and then met them at Lotus Bar, which was situated on the beachfront. There were fire dancers who performed to the crowd who were incredible and we all had an array of different flavoured buckets.

It was a good night and a lot less crazy than Koh Phangnan. 

The next day we had breakfast at the resort before heading to Sairee Beach again, where we booked a taxi boat to Koh Nang Yuan. This island is said to be one of the most beautiful in the world 

It was beautiful. 

When we returned to Sairee Beach the restaurant we wanted to eat at for dinner wasn't open yet so we went to a cafe for a Very Berry Smoothie, which was ridiculously delicious.

For dinner we went to an Italian restaurant which was recommended in the Koh Tao guide book and we had the most humongous Calzone.

The next day was Monday and it was my 22nd birthday. We spent the morning by the beach.

By we then had to head to Mae Haad around midday to travel back via boat ad bus to Bangkok, which meant it was the end of my very short birthday and the end of Koh Tao.