A Kob Tao turtle resident at the Koh Tao Resort

Discover Koh Tao

By FRANCIS BETHARD

THE name Koh Tao has been whispered among knowing locals for many years. It brings forth images of natural island beauty, exceptional diving and laid-back beaches with hammocks gently rocking in the cool sea breeze.

Today thousands of visitors arrive on Koh Tao for numerous adventure sports and to soak in the relaxed island vibe. Surprisingly, the island still retains the look of the relaxed backpackers’ hangout of the early ‘90s. But slowly Koh Tao is acquiring the more sophisticated tastes of its bigger island neighbors.

In fact, Koh Tao has been quietly developing its own cosmopolitan reputation. While managing to keep its simple island charm, today’s visitors have easy access to luxurious accommodations, reliable health services, plentiful IT services and beautiful, clean beaches, along with a good selection of restaurants and beach pubs.

Add to the list an endless supply of adventure activi- ties including scuba diving, wakeboarding, paintball, Muay Thai training, under- water video production workshops, yoga training and mountain trekking.

Along with a group of friends, it was time to find out firsthand why Koh Tao is so highly regarded.

The Lomprayah high- speed catamaran is great to travel in (upgrade onboard to the VIP cabin for Bt50). As we drew near Koh Tao, the famed Turtle rock formation came into view.

Upon arrival we were whisked to Koh Tao Resort, which is a pioneering accom- modation built 20 years ago. On the way we were as- tounded to discover roads better (and more picturesque) than on Samui! In many ways it was like stepping back in time to what it must have been like 20 years ago on Sarnui.

The weather was surprisingly not humid and later in the day ocean breezes softly wafted about. The island appeared exceptionally clean with pristine beaches.

Local history buffs shared that the island first appeared on western navigational maps in the 17th century, and at one time was known as Pub Bardia. Later settlers named the island Koh Tao (Turtle Island) owing to its turtle-like shape and plentiful turtles. In 1899 King Chulalongkorn left his mono- gram on a large boulder on the west coast and the site today is still revered as a holy place by the local Thais.

The island served as a political prisonfrom 1933 until 1947.Also in 1933, two brothers from neighboring Koh Phangan set sail with their families and staked a claim to a large portion of the western side of the island. Fonmng the first generation of the present-day community, these early pioneers sustained them- selves by farming and fishing.

The first adventurous backpackers began boarding the coconut trading boats to the island in the 1980s and quickly fell in love with its stunning beaches, laid-back atmosphere and welcoming locals. The island is only about 21 square kilome- ters and is remotely located about 70 km from the mainland.

During the past 15 years the reputation of Koh Tao’s natural beauty has grown.

As explorations uncovered fantastic diving and snorkeling, Koh Tao rapidly grew into one of Asia’s best dive destinations.

Other activities have become popular, too; the region’s only free- diving school is based on Koh Tao as is a Muay Thai training camp run by one of the country’s former champion fighters. An underwater video training facility also calls Koh Tao home.

Koh Tao Resort, where we checked in, has beautiful landscaped gardens set in a spacious area next to Chabok Baan Kao village.

It is situated at the south end of Koh Tao on a most perfect and pristine bay.

The original owners Kiat “Kosol”) Pongpadoung and Payom Pongpadoung still run Koh Tao Resort. They said, “We are ever mindful of the environ- mental impact that mankind has on the planet.

For this reason the rooms are located in low-impact areas and we have a dedicated sewage system in an effort to minimize the threats that we pose to the beautiful natural world, both above and below the sea.”

(For information on Koh Tao Resort, visit www kotaoresort. com)

From : Samuiexpress The island NEWSPAPER.