Day 134! I’m having a blast on Koh Tao! Being a hostel volunteer has really been the right decision. It’s something that comes very naturally for me… to the point that it reminds me of hosting all the parties and gatherings at my apartment in Kansas City. But… just with hundreds and hundreds of new friends every day! And today, was no exception to that.

I kicked off my morning with a muesli bowl. I think this will probably be how I start every morning on the island. It’s a nice, filling, and healthy way to start the day!

I did actually check off a much needed to do after breakfast, but first it was time to work… well play pool, chit chat, and enjoy the morning at the hostel lobby! This job comes way too natural for me! Outside the playing pool part. But, I am getting better!

At around noon, the volunteer that has been here for a few months already, Paul (Pi), took me across the island to a motorbike shop. If I’m going to be staying here for a month… maybe more, I definitely need a motorbike to get around!

Pi took me to the best and most affordable shop he knew and i got a rental for the month for 3,000 Baht! Just under $85. This is insanely cheap for a really nice 125cc Honda Click.

It’s no Kilby, but it’ll do me very well while I’m living the island life!

I headed back to the hostel and hung out in the lobby some more to finish out my morning shift. While I was finishing up, I got a plate of chicken Pad See Ew and played some cards with my friends.

I also finished off my shift with one more quick game of pool… before a more somber note of the day.

One of the long time Taco Shack stayers in our friend group, Claudia from England, was heading home today! So instead of just saying goodbye at the hostel, a group of us drove her to the pier to see her off there!

My friends have known her much longer than I have. But over the past almost week, we’ve gotten to know each other pretty well! It’s always sad seeing people go and her sister was sad too… but instead of leaving with her like she had originally planned, her sister Georgia decided to stay!!

After our “see you later” to Claudia, we headed back to the hostel.

I was planning on going to the gym today and my friends Travis and Ollie were too! So we all went together and had a very solid leg workout.

Travis and Ollie are both avid gym goers and they pushed me to workout harder and in a very respectable manner! They’re super sweet guys and it was very nice having people around to workout with, motivate each other, chat with in between reps, and spot each other on heavier weights which I haven’t had all trip!

We did decide to do leg day… which I might regret later…

I was famished by the time we finished. So instead of showering right away, we went back to the hostel to eat! I got one of Taco Shacks famous quesadillas and feasted on the humongous goodness that was infront of me.

I spent the rest of the evening hanging out with my friends and then getting ready for tonight! Tonight was going to be a big one.

Not only did I need to host a beer pong tournament. But tonight was also one of Koh Taos biggest parties, the Jungle Party (this time actually in a jungle unlike Vang Vieng).

One of the many perks of being a volunteer at a hostel is free entry to the parties around the island. This one is especially great because it’s 700 Baht to get in! I thought this was a little steep, but the party ended up being a mini music festival… so in my mind it would be worth it (but we’ll get to that in a sec).

The hostel was kind of quiet around 8pm. So I wasn’t sure if people were going to want to play beer pong or not (since they probably just wanted to hang out before the party). So I walked around and asked to gauge interest… and in fact lots of people really wanted to tonight!

We ended up having 7 teams and a very fun and successful tournament, unlike a few nights ago! Everyone that played was having a blast and we even ended up having people want to join later on, but unfortunately we couldn’t add them since the tournament was under way.

A big gecko came to watch the beer pong tournament too! Pretty cool spotting.

As the hours rolled on, Taco Shack started to fill up! We had so many people hanging out in the lobby, chatting, playing cards and pool, and having a great time.

But as 11pm rolled around, I had to put on my volunteer/camp counselor pants and rally everyone going to the party to the taxi pickup point.

I’ve never enjoyed when a hostel volunteer told me it’s “time to leave.” But everyone seemed fairly game and ready to go. I also framed it in a way to help them out rather than force them. Allegedly some taxis would try to scam travelers to pay them… even though the taxi there was free. So when people heard that, they wanted to make sure they found the free spot as well!

I was able to get everyone on a taxi and I hopped on one myself after the fact! I also ran into my Swiss friends, Joya and Miri.

But I unfortunately lost them right as we got into the party.

The night went way into the early morning… but it was a blast! I met so many new people while dancing to great electronic music. The party even had four different stages with multiple genres of music ranging from techno to drum and bass, to the classic pop electronic club music!

I danced my butt off for the entire night and bumped into all the people from my hostel here and there. It’s nice having so many people to say hello to and genuinely know!

I thoroughly enjoyed my night… but eventually needed to head to bed because I had work the following morning.

It was a really amazing day! I honestly felt like I did a lot and checked off some nice to dos along the way. Also working out with friends was such a nice addition to the day.

As I keep saying, hostel work is perfect for me and I’m glad I’m getting to do it at Taco Shack. I’m looking forward to seeing how the rest of my time here goes… and tomorrow I’m hoping to participate in a sand volleyball tournament (if I can get off work tonight a little early)!

– Elie