A culture shock to many, but generally the island reacted with a passion to these new visitors, over the following months much change had taken place, new resorts, with more facilities, a new array of restaurants offering different food from around the world.
In the beginning of 1980's brought to Ko Toa some of the first people from KoPhangan who were looking for something new away from the crowds and masses who were going crazy for the Full Moon party on Ko Phangan. Here they found something more than just a new island to discover and soon the back-packer groups were energetic about the breathtaking newly found island paradise. Mesmerised by the beautiful powdery white beaches, the back of beyond aura, and of course the low-priced living, back packers soon came in droves. Departure and arrivals were on the local fishing boats, and even then hold-ups of several days were regular. Back to the hammocks and a world of dreams; The boat comes another day . Consequently, as its reputation for elegant nature, unique marine life and remarkable landscapes grew, simple access was made available when enhanced and safer boats were brought in to handle the number of backpackers, being attracted to the island.
Now a days, you can find everything from cheap simple wooden huts with palm leaf roofs to exotic high class villas with their own exclusive swimming pool.
In the late 1990's KoTao's first, and until recently, only road was constructed, it runs South to North from the far side of Sairee to the southern settlement of Chalok Baan Kao.
A new road is under construction on the way to Tanote Bay, and once finised it will open up the far side of Koh Tao for better development, it is accessable with care at the moment by 4x4.
Straight after the terrible events of the December 2004 Tsunami, the caliber of tourist coming to KoTao have changed, before it had been a Mecca for back packers, year out students along their way south to Malaysia and beyond.
Their lives consisted of harvesting coconuts, growing fruit & vegetables and of course sustaining themselves with fishing.
Kho Tao's weather is during all seasons beautiful. Blue-sky days and a nice sea breeze are the norm. For the purists, late December to late of March is the ideal holiday island experience.
Arrivals & departures were on the local coconut boats, and even then delays of several days were common place, so back to the hammock and the world of dreams, the boat will come another day.
Strange, but true, from 1933 until 1947 Ko Tao housed political prisoners. Being positioned approximately 70 km from the mainland meant it was very hard to escape from! Alcatraz...piece of cake. |
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