Day 155! Today was another great chill day. I’ve really been enjoying being chilled out and just relaxing. I’ve really needed it. But at the same time, I’m still loving the go go go of being a hostel volunteer and experiencing everything this island has to offer!

After a chill day yesterday, I was able to wake up nice and early and get my day started. My friend Immy asked me to come to Echo to hang out while she worked, so that’s how I started my day!

We ended up chatting all morning and her boss, Joelle joined us in the chatter. It was a really really lovely way to start the day and it’s nice having Immy around to hang out with again!

Also it was nice to chat with Joelle again, even though she didn’t have a volunteer spot for me a few weeks ago.

Before I headed back to taco for my morning shift, I took advantage of Immy’s 50% off and got one of my favorite breakfasts… avocado toast and fried eggs!

For the past couple years I’ve had this as my breakfast… but ever since traveling I haven’t been able to have it! It was a nice and cheap treat and the bread was some of the best I’ve had since the start of my travels.

But it was time to head back to Taco and start my morning of volunteering.

My morning consisted of A LOT of pool. I basically played or watched all morning. I took breaks to chat with new travelers or divers about to head off for the day. Otherwise, it was a fun morning of pool playing!

1:30pm quickly rolled around and I had a very tasty chicken chili and basil from the hostel. It’s so nice having the 50% off for my meals too and just makes eating at the hostel so convenient (and cheap).

2pm hit, I played one more game of pool, and then headed off to the gym for a pull day workout.

The gym was quite empty when I was there, which was very nice! It meant I had the freedom to do whatever exercises I wanted.

I also weighed myself and I’ve actually been able to put on a few kilos since staying still in Koh Tao! That really excited me and showed me I’ve been on the right track since settling down here.

Over an hour later, I wrapped up my workout and headed back to the hostel to meet up with Immy!

She was coming over to sign up for her advanced diving course, which she’ll be doing with Emma and I! We’ll be starting on June 8th (how the heck is it June already) and I can’t wait to get back diving!

Immy was planning on heading to my favorite beach, Aow Leuk, so after she signed up, we drove over.

I started reading my book, which was the first time cracking it open for a while… but it didn’t last long as some of Immy’s friends came to join us.

We ended up chatting for about an hour before I had to run and meet up with some Taco Shack friends. We made plans earlier in the day to meet at 5:45pm, where Kiki would be showing us a secret sunset viewpoint.

Kiki, Ami, Pi, Lydia, Lena, Simon, and I motorbiked to the viewpoint… but the entrance was a bit elusive at first. We eventually found it though and were met with an abandoned building over looking the west side of the island!

I’m sure this viewpoint won’t be permanent. But for the time being, this will definitely be my “secret” spot to show people that I know won’t give it away. It’s nice to have a bit of local knowledge for a change!

We hung out and watched the sunset for a bit and then I needed to rush back to my room to shower and get ready for the night.

Tonight’s activity was a smash ball tournament! I socialized a bit and spread the word and in the end we had a decent crew playing. The game quickly became competitive as people started understanding the rules!

After three rounds we had three winners who faced off for the prize… a free bucket of whatever drink they wanted.

In the end it was a traveler from Ireland, Declan, who took the championship home! But he was a good sport and split it with the runner up, Grace!

It was a fun night but I was getting a pretty tired, so once 11pm hit, I snuck back to my room to sleep!

It was another nice and chill day with a lot of quality time with my friend Immy. It was super nice feeling like a local today and really getting to enjoy my chill time on the island. My ears are feeling so much better, but there were definitely times it was putting a damper on my mood… I’m hoping they clear up before the 8th!

– Elie