Hike up to the Golden Pagoda - Koh Tao

So whilst on the Island I thought it was best to see as much as possible, especially those sights that are most enjoyed on foot. This trail upto the golden pagoda is pretty knackering, but very much worth it, and is lovely and peaceful compared to may other parts on the island. To get here you take the road from Sairee towards Hin Wong, and turn right at the signs for Bottle House (just after Roctopus and the Big Yellow Hotel). Keep along the trail - some parts are quite steep, but they normally only last 20-30m. You can then follow the path around, or turn left and go up the steps. The steps are more direct, but steeper, so you may not be able to do it in one go on a hot day. It is still very worth having a wonder up here and having a look around.

Trail to the Pagoda

View before the temple steps

Entrance to the Pagoda

View of the bay

The Golden Pagoda

Budda at Golden Pagoda

Golden Pagoda

Koh Nangyuan from the Golden Pagoda

Koh Nangyuan from the Golden Pagoda

Mae Haad Bay

Hotel not quite finished - seen at the end of my walk

Snorkelling with Black Tip Reef Sharks

Snorkelling with Black Tip Reef Sharks

So if you want to experience so wildlife on Koh Tao that seems to stay away from Scuba Divers, you can snorkel Black Tip Reef Sharks.

Black Tip Reef Shark

These guys seem to stay away from the busier beaches and bays and frequent Shark Bay (Thian Og), Sai Daeng and Ao Leuk.

Shark Bay /Thian Og Bay

 Shark Bay is part of the largely private resort, however you are always able to access it by taxi boat. The roads to this part of the island are steep so you may need to ditch any passengers for certain sections. Sai Daeng also has private resorts - and you cannot always guarantee road access. Ao Leuk seems to have recently had an abundance of Baby Reef Sharks, though I have not seen them myself, but check them out here

Coral at Thian Og Bay

 It can be hit and miss to actually spot these guys, and the coral here is not the prettiest, unfortunately being at the South of the Island they seem to have the brunt of storms, coupled with El Nino coral bleaching  has meant that the coral is not doing too well here, but the Island is trying it's best by encouraging artificial reefs close by.

Black Tip Reef Shark

 These guys are super fast, and normally not too happy about being chased or followed so can be tricky to get any good shots - but it is still an amazing experience to see a shark in the wild for the first time. They are naturally timid, so are nothing to be scared of.

Black Tip Reef Shark

We have spotted them in several locations, but to increase your odds remember that they have super senses, so splashing around making lots of noise is likely to keep them away. We found that they usually stick to shallow water of around 4m, but you do have to be patient, we have spent 1.5 hours in the water previously before spotting them. Otherwise you can always take a longtail, and they will help drop you in locations - or ask the other longtail passengers where they have seen them!

Black Tip Reef Shark Locations

Another Big Old Hike

Koh Nangyuan from High up on the Hill

So after somewhat of a hiatus, I decided that I should start exploring the island again, after consulting various maps (the free ones) I decided to go towards the Laem Thain but branch off at the three way point and head South. Here are some of my pictures along the way, showing the conditions of the road, but also the awesome views you do get to see..

Sign Laem Thain Road

This time I took two big bottles of water with electrolytes as it was pretty hot and know most of this area is without any emergency shops. I also took some yummy flapjack.

Washed Out Road on the way to Laem Thain

Washed out road Laem Thain

Washed out and steep road Laem Thain

 So the road to Laem Thain was pretty much as I rememebered it from last time, you just have to watch your step and be careful not to slip - the conditions in some places are still like walking on marbles, which seems easier going up rather than down.

At the crossroad, turn right towards Two View

 I had peeked up this road before, but never really tackled it - as it looked like a pretty long journey and I wanted to be safe and make sure I had enough water etc.

Road to Two View, starts simple enough...

When starting along the road, it is really easy, not too steep and the road itself is quite compacted, so easier to walk on, this does however dissappear quite quickly and become more tricky terrain

View of the East Side of the Island, still get to go higher...

 Remember to turn around every once in a while and you get to see some absolutely amazing views

Koh Phangan spotted in the distance

 Once the trial heads more in a more southerly direction, you get to see the outline of Koh Phangan

Road to Two View, starting to get tricky

As the route turns back in on the Island (East) it becomes alot more tricky and just keeps going up and up.

Bamboo Shack didn't make it

 You get to see some lovely things, like this poor washed out old bamboo hut, it would be amazing/highly dangerous to be here when the water is pouring down the hill.

Destroyed Shack next to washed out road

As you can see the path just keeps going up and up, so the water washing all this away must have been quite a force.

Reservoir in the distance

 I got excited when I saw the reservoir in the distance and could finally guess where abouts I was. 

Hut at the junction point of Two View/road to reservoir 

 Get really happy when you see this hut, it means you are at a junction path that goes up to Two View to the right (North) and the reservoir to the bottom left (Southish). The top left path goes to Sairee/Mae Haad, which is the path I eventually took.

Two View Rocks

So I took the path up to two rock and you are able to scrabble about on these rock to try and get a better view, but it looked slightly treacherous and as I was on my own, didn't want to risk injury.

Koh Nangyuan from up on high 

 So this was the path down to Sairee/Mea Haad. Always be watchful of absolutely astounding views hiding behind trees or rocks.

The path down was tricky in place too

 This path starts really nice at first and for the first 15 minutes, then it starts becoming alot more tricky..

Warning on last stretch

This is the point of the last stretch - it lasts about 200m, but it is really rough terrain, I guess they keep it that way to keep out the bikes.

Sign to Two View

 This is the sign from the other end - if you were to go the other way around. However I always find the down parts harder due to the slippy nature of the path. This way round lots of the downhill stuff hits a concrete path downwards , which is far easier to tackle.

Clumsy Me

 Despite all the tricky stuff that I managed to get over, I tripped right at the end of the 200m stretech once it was flat, D'oh!

Route of the hike that I took

This walk was challenging but really rewarding, I've left a map with the trail, as lots of the maps here have conflicting ideas of paths and what is still there. Next challenge to be decided.....