Day 133! Day 4 of volunteering at Taco Shack! Today, during my break between my morning and evening shift, I went with some friends to explore a new beach. It was such a great way to spend the afternoon. I also got some great news from my “boss” which was a great way to carry the job!

After a successful night of hosting Taco Shack’s trivia night, I decided to let myself sleep in today.

I switched beds the day before and that helped a ton, as I wasn’t next to the window anymore. But… I set my alarm for 10am and still woke up around 8am.

So I laid in bed and watched some of a TV show I’ve been putting off. It was a very nice and relaxing way to start the morning!

I then went over to the lobby around 9:30am to enjoy another muesli bowl for breakfast.

While eating, I actually had a chance to chat with one of the Taco Shack owners, Kai, along with Paul (the other volunteer), and Travis (a newer friend who’s been at Taco Shack for a while). After that conversation, two of the dive masters, Pauline and Kiki, came over to chat and so did a traveler Tyler who’s from Canada.

Pauline just got a new apartment and was excited to share pictures and videos of it. It’s really nice getting to know the dive masters because I think I’ll eventually go for my PADI. It’ll be a lot nicer knowing them and having a relationship with them prior! They’re also really nice people with lots of fun stories to share.

But after eating and chit chatting, it was time to play some more pool!

I played against another diver, Albert, and a bunch of other people throughout the morning. I’m hoping my pool game will get better over the next month or so… because right now it’s just okay.

But it’s a great way to meet new travelers and mingle! There were a ton of people checking in today so I got to meet a lot of new faces. So far, volunteering has been a really cool and valuable experience. I’ve gotten to meet new people, help them out (with travel questions and getting comfortable in a new environment), and have a really fun time.

Also during the morning I was walking around the lobby and looked outside… and my friend Mabel, who was a part of my big group from Laos, was walking down the road! We were both super happy to see each other and caught up for a bit.

Turns out she’s volunteering on the island too! So I guess we’ll be bumping into each other more. I really love serendipitous moments like this, they feel really special.

Lunch time rolled around and I got myself a mango smoothie and a massaman curry. I’m slowly working my way through the hostel menu and so far, everything is fantastic! It also helps how cheap it is for me to get.

After I finished eating, I was joined by a lot of my new friends for some card playing. We dove into a big 2 deck game of Shithead and played a couple rounds before deciding to go on an adventure.

We were all wanting a beach day, so we set out on a short motorbike drive across the island. I still don’t have my own bike, so I rode on the back of my friend Lena’s bike. Eventually I’ll get my own.

Our friends went ahead, as I had a little side quest to go on. My friends Shannon and Seb were leaving the island today and unfortunately we didn’t get a chance to hang out one last time… but I’ll see them in England at some point. However, I got a text with a picture of a bracelet they made me and they left it at the reception of their hostel that was just down the road!

So Lena drove me over real quick and I went to get it!

They made it out of some fishing net they found on a beach! Fitting for where I’m spending my next month or so. It’s very nice that they thought of me and wanted to make me a little late birthday present before they headed home.

We then rode to the beach, where we spent two and a half hours floating in the most crystal clear blue ocean water.

This beach was called Aow Leuk Beach and it’s one I didn’t have the chance to go to last year when I was in Koh Tao! I did get to see it last year though, when I went up to the top of the Jon Suwan viewpoint.

The water was absolutely perfect and I ran into a number of other travelers who are staying at Taco Shack AND the three Israeli girls I met on the ferry ride to the island (again).

It was starting to get close to volunteer time. So I hopped on the back of my friend Paulina’s bike and we headed back to the hostel. I showered, rested in bed for a bit, and then headed over to the hostel as the sun was setting, to eat, mingle, and get ready for Karaoke night!

Karaoke night was a big success tonight! A couple nights ago, we needed to play a few games before karaoke night become a good time where people were participating. But tonight, everyone was excited to sing! It was a blast!

I ended up singing a few songs myself. Both by myself and with other travelers that needed a helping hand.

There were also a couple of Australians that I got along with very well. So maybe by the time I move to Australia they’ll be back!

We were then told about a live music jam band at the Chophouse Bar. So after closing time at the hostel, we headed to the bar to listen to the live music.

After thoroughly enjoying the night of music. My manager, Yi, told me that I get one day off a week and to tell him what day I want in two days…. So I guess I have the gig!

I’m not sure what day I want yet, but it’s nice to know that the staff like me around and want to have me for longer.

We then walked to a nearby food stand. I got one last meal for the night. I got a chicken sandwich (Banh Mi). I’ve missed Banh Mi! They are such a comfort food!

Tomorrow will be a lot of the same day of activity… but the evening we have a beer pong tournament and potentially a party somewhere on the island… but I guess we shall see!

– Elie