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Koh Tao, Koh Phan Ngan, Thailand
Monday, Oct 09, 2000

Life on the islands

David Murray
2007-02-02 03:32:12

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I arrived on Koh Tao as I wanted to do a diving course. It all sounded so easy. 3 days, 4 dives, 1 open water cert to your name. Little did I realise that all this bus travel and drinking of river water would spread an infection through my system. So, after 1 dive, I was out of the water for 10 days. Still there could be worst places to be than Koh Tao. Could have been in either Sydney or London for that matter. So, eventually, I passed my course and I went onto to do my advanced, then my rescue and first aid. It was a good place to hang out.
My passport went for a trip to Malaysia on a passport run and I went to Koh Phan Ngan for the full moon party. People around the world rave about this place but I, to tell you the truth would rather have been in Munich at the Oktoberfest. It would have been number 5, but I had to console myself with buckets of Thai whisky, Coke and Red Bull. I can now tick it off of my Lonely Planet. Having spent 6 weeks on the island, you do tend to meet loads of locals and the long term resident Westerners, so it was hard and strange saying goodbye.
They say there are 3 lies to Koh Tao.
1) I am never drinking again
2) I love you
3) I am leaving tomorrow
So when I said that line, nobody believed me. So as I sit here thinking about the last 4.5 months, thinking about the people I met and the good times I had, it brings a tear to the eye having to say goodbye to so many people and countries. One thing for sure, I will be back.