Slow Time and a Knowing Glance: Ko Tao
~
2004.11.06 13:30 (EST + 11 hrs): Haad Sai Ree (Ko Tao island), Kingdom of Thailand
At a soft pace, I etched north by northwest up aquamarine waves in the Gulf of Thailand from Ko Phangan to Ko Tao, exposed and happily searing under pure Thai sunshine. Wrapping up an over-extended five-day stay on Haad Rin Nok, the hour begged mobility and a change of scenery. So move I did.
Moored and disembarked, I quickly saw that life on Ko Tao -- the northermost destination of three main islands in the Gulf, off the peninsula's east coast -- is a more knowing and silently slower-paced world than its southern neighbours. The smallest of three, this island is mainly considered a diving locale, but for those curious or discerning enough to venture its shores, an atmospherically calm world within a world awaits.
Ko Tao is largely mountainous in the centre, with Haad Sai Ree -- the longest and most oft-tread beach -- spanning the middle third of the island's west coast. Unlike other resorts, restaurants and commercial beachfront amalgams, this beach's bars, bakeries, dive shops, Internet cafés, bungalow cottages and resort communities are linked by a peripheral, lit, interlocked path, mimicking the shoreline, making access to all facilities simple, even pleasureable -- much unlike the meandering and confusing dirt arteries clogging beachfront hamlets elsewhere.
To the eye, property landscaping is far superior on Haad Sai Ree as coconut and ficus trees mingle with multitudes of tame or wild white, fuschia and yellow flowers of tropical descent. Together with excellent upkeep and casually-slung bright hammocks smiling from many a front porch, the surroundings are altogether electrifyingly pacific. Haad Sai Ree's appeal is in its apparent care and carefulness in creating a layered environment designed intuitively with an eye on the warmth of a welcoming and space-concious aesthetic.
This beach's eateries -- as most places in Thailand -- serve sumptuous food: rich and overly affordable yet creative and healthy. To wit, the nightlife is smarter and better-suited to those tourists or travellers seeking a sharper and elevated way to spend their money and evenings. Beach bars built into stolonate tree roots stand quietly and smile below the soothing haze of floodlights lit green, nestled and shining into the underside of ginko crowns -- their total glow tumbling down to the straw mats and candlelit wicker tables, with sipping patrons lounging sweetly to the sound of unending, lapping waves and the sultry beat-filled music of a contemporary generation.
And as many coastal settings throughout the Kingdom, Haad Sai Ree proved equally hypnotic, standstill and welcomed as a hugging caress after a long time away, recommendable to anyone searching for leisure time's more adept face.
From this sandy and wave-lapped side of the globe, to wherever your nightlight glows low, this is your friendly neighbourhood S* sending you tight vibes and a deep gaze from a land where wanderlust is a celebrated symphony looked upon with great admiration and a smile at every turn.
Stay well and be love.
S*
Fave current track(s): "All That We Perceive" and "Until the Morning" - Thievery Corporation
Current read(s) in progress: "Immortality" - Milan Kundera
2004.11.06 13:30 (EST + 11 hrs): Haad Sai Ree (Ko Tao island), Kingdom of Thailand
At a soft pace, I etched north by northwest up aquamarine waves in the Gulf of Thailand from Ko Phangan to Ko Tao, exposed and happily searing under pure Thai sunshine. Wrapping up an over-extended five-day stay on Haad Rin Nok, the hour begged mobility and a change of scenery. So move I did.
Moored and disembarked, I quickly saw that life on Ko Tao -- the northermost destination of three main islands in the Gulf, off the peninsula's east coast -- is a more knowing and silently slower-paced world than its southern neighbours. The smallest of three, this island is mainly considered a diving locale, but for those curious or discerning enough to venture its shores, an atmospherically calm world within a world awaits.
Ko Tao is largely mountainous in the centre, with Haad Sai Ree -- the longest and most oft-tread beach -- spanning the middle third of the island's west coast. Unlike other resorts, restaurants and commercial beachfront amalgams, this beach's bars, bakeries, dive shops, Internet cafés, bungalow cottages and resort communities are linked by a peripheral, lit, interlocked path, mimicking the shoreline, making access to all facilities simple, even pleasureable -- much unlike the meandering and confusing dirt arteries clogging beachfront hamlets elsewhere.
To the eye, property landscaping is far superior on Haad Sai Ree as coconut and ficus trees mingle with multitudes of tame or wild white, fuschia and yellow flowers of tropical descent. Together with excellent upkeep and casually-slung bright hammocks smiling from many a front porch, the surroundings are altogether electrifyingly pacific. Haad Sai Ree's appeal is in its apparent care and carefulness in creating a layered environment designed intuitively with an eye on the warmth of a welcoming and space-concious aesthetic.
This beach's eateries -- as most places in Thailand -- serve sumptuous food: rich and overly affordable yet creative and healthy. To wit, the nightlife is smarter and better-suited to those tourists or travellers seeking a sharper and elevated way to spend their money and evenings. Beach bars built into stolonate tree roots stand quietly and smile below the soothing haze of floodlights lit green, nestled and shining into the underside of ginko crowns -- their total glow tumbling down to the straw mats and candlelit wicker tables, with sipping patrons lounging sweetly to the sound of unending, lapping waves and the sultry beat-filled music of a contemporary generation.
And as many coastal settings throughout the Kingdom, Haad Sai Ree proved equally hypnotic, standstill and welcomed as a hugging caress after a long time away, recommendable to anyone searching for leisure time's more adept face.
From this sandy and wave-lapped side of the globe, to wherever your nightlight glows low, this is your friendly neighbourhood S* sending you tight vibes and a deep gaze from a land where wanderlust is a celebrated symphony looked upon with great admiration and a smile at every turn.
Stay well and be love.
S*
Fave current track(s): "All That We Perceive" and "Until the Morning" - Thievery Corporation
Current read(s) in progress: "Immortality" - Milan Kundera
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