Traveling to Ko Tao, Thailand | This Island is So Sweet

Taking a boat from Chumphon on the mainland of Thailand to the island of Ko Tao (Koh Tao) in the Gulf of Thailand.
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Music during the video (in order):
"Crashing Waves" by Tatono. Tatono music: / tatono
&
"Paint" by Jones Meadow
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Video created by Gabriel Morris, who is the owner of all video or photo content. Filmed with a DJI Osmo Action: amzn.to/3gSi8rA
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Gabriel is a world traveler and travel writer who has been adventuring around the world since his first trip to Europe in the summer of 1990 when he was 18 years old. He is author of "Gabe's Guide to Budget Travel", "Following My Thumb" and several other books available on Amazon.com and elsewhere.
Thanks a lot for watching and safe journeys!

[@alex182618]

Gabriel looks very much relaxed there. He definitely feels at home in Thailand

[@JBwhattodo]

This was the very first island I visited in Thailand in 1994 I don’t recognise anything! 🍄🇹🇭🙏

[@DaltonMirklestein]

That sucks. I wish you had remembered things

[@JBwhattodo]

I remember everything, I just don’t recognise! I do recognise your comments aren’t funny though!🍄@@DaltonMirklestein

[@DaltonMirklestein]

@@JBwhattodo I'm here to spark your memory, not your funny bone.

[@tombuddy100]

19:40 Such calmness of the sea. No wind whatsoever.

[@5thdimension625]

One thing about Phuket and the surrounding islands is you’re definitely going to be climbing hills all day in every way. It got me into really good shape in no time.

[@bradley_Bradley]

Man Gabriel...i am so enjoying your current journey thru Thailand ! I really miss that place

[@secretbeach999]

Hey Gabriel. I realize this is not a Koh Phi Phi video but it got me thinking. I think i mentioned to you a year or two ago that it was your first Phi Phi series that convinced my then girlfriend and I to make that our very first Thailand experience. What I was just thinking about though is that I never told you that my then girlfriend and I actually went back to Phi Phi last year, stayed in the same hotel (Phi Phi The Beach Resort), and it was on Long Beach that I purposed to my now wife! And its all because of your videos in a sort of round about way haha. So anyways, I just wanted to drop by and thank you for doing what you do. Without you, so many of us wouldn’t have some of the amazing memories that we do. So thank you, sir. And safe travels 🤙🏻

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

That's amazing, very cool to hear. Congratulations and cheers. ✌️🍺

[@thebudgetbackpackers]

Very cool video Gabe! Loved seeing the one from 10 years ago and all of the backpackers coming and going. Thanks for sharing!

[@coleenoliva291]

Hi Gabriel! That time warp sequence was SO COOL!! I loved it! SO creative and really really well done too! I'd love to see more of that in the future when you re-visit specific places you've been before. Great editing! You are really finding your groove and I love it. Thank you again so much for all the hard work you do to show us these amazing places, and as usual, please stay safe!!

[@scottarchibaldmusic]

Kampot , Cambodia is such an awesome place. I spent a lot of time there 10-11 years ago. Was hard to leave. I hear Phnom Penh has changed a lot,

[@Stevonthemove]

Kampot changed too.....

[@CelticMickWalks]

Alright alright alright ☺️

[@nlights6]

"watch the leather, man"

[@spitfirered]

I Believe I Like This Island The Best!

[@sjonkelrolfsen]

Fantastic video as always ❤ Congratulations on reaching 600 K in advance 🎉 This takes me back to when I visited Koh Tao way back in 2010 😊 Much love and respect from a big fan in Norway 🌍

[@kanslansverkstad-thecourse4373]

I recently found you. Need to say thanks for having me in your hand and holding me up like I am with you for real. You are a pleasure to have as a travel companion. Your openness, general opinions, curiosity, choice of destination and generosity makes you my best. Your topic of conversations is exactly what I want to hear. So, how is it to have thousands of invisible friends walking with you?

[@jimmanserlivemusic]

great to see the old footage next to the new footage ..10 years ..time and prices change but travel is always awesome

[@ladyblabla3611]

So sweet!

[@adataylor6793]

Absolutely gorgeous!!

[@JennyGunner-ge3lz]

Well this is a change of pace compared to the other islands. Nice accommodation you have. Loved the back and forth between now and 10 years ago. Looking forward to more of this sweet island. Cheers 😊🍹

[@papaflickr]

Wow ! The ending was awesome ! Thanks for sharing 😉

[@effie-montreal]

This was another great video Gabe and also love the hotel you are staying..................... beautiful

[@parulsinha3092]

Yes, the hotel is beautiful...

[@TrustandDo]

Only the price is not reasonable for Thailand. Crazy to pay that much for a night ..

[@elizabethcraig5825]

Love seeing you get to enjoy a bit of luxury. I have seen it all as a tagalong through those awesome 8 months. What a treat it has been.😊❤

[@anitacarleton1661]

WOW!!! I want to be there yesterday!

[@Bruno-kt9xf]

Also known as Death Island, watch your back. I filled up too when I got there but didn't even use half a tank.

[@jacksoncornbreadmcbride6763]

Those murders happened 10 years ago. Watch your accuracy

[@charlottethien3749]

Gabriel , Have a nice time , be careful !

[@somejohndoe3004]

Highly enjoyable sir ! 🙏

[@foiabun1]

What a nice montage with the music to finish off the video!

[@xxx777xxxrrr]

I've seen koh tao with only a handfull of bungalow...and the 3 little island connect to each other by 2 beaches was untouched...a pure natural paradise ....it was in 1986..... cheers Gab

[@markmorfesse8080]

Yes, I was on a Koh Tao in 1992 for a month at Ta Note bay, great snorkelling beach. A bungalow for 100 baht per night, one day I went into the room and a green tree snake was hanging from the rafters over my bed eating a gecko, got a pic though.

[@smch6416]

Yes it used to be truly beautiful. Not any more

[@dusty_muff]

All the coral and those 2 separate beaches is dead now.

[@terencegraham8414]

What year was that then ?

[@dusty_muff]

@@terencegraham8414 everything is dead there now. I was just there. Hardly any colorful fish too. U have to go way out into the ocean for decent snorkeling. The world is in big trouble now. Im glad I got to experience everything the first time, 20 years ago before the coral died. Whoever this KZbinr is... he's not telling the truth.

[@michellesteinbeiss-bryan7366]

Cool video. Your hotel room is AWESOME!!! Absolutely loved the ending of this video with the music. Went back and watched it another time, it was amazing. ❤️👏🏝️🍷👏

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Sweet, glad to hear it.

[@rebekahsalt26]

❤ love yr room. I love bungalows but then a bit of luxury after. Yr balcony was cute. Beautiful setting.

[@TravelbyDartTV]

Island vibes so chill, you'll forget your phone charger even exists. Until you realize you need it to call a tuk-tuk to get to the other side of the island. I just can't deny how beautiful Ko Tao is! As somebody who visited it last year, this is worth visiting over and over again!

[@junefirst500]

Hi Gabriel, This is the most beautiful & Modern. Thanks!

[@lesernsdoerfer7524]

God bless what awesome adventures

[@markclayton626]

Gabriel, wow, what a great day you had, you have so much energy, I wouldn’t be surprised if that was you doing the fire dance…. 👍

[@jhunt8937]

Always enjoy when you activate "Gabriel Traveler Mode"!

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Cool.

[@marafarnham595]

Sweet 😊 almost 600k! 👏👏😎☀️🌊😊❤

[@socialmoravec]

Got to try scuba diving on Koh Tao!

[@kevinf-b5065]

Stop off in Taiwan on the way back, good connections from Bangkok and fly Eva (superb) back to the states.

[@markmorfesse8080]

Always great music soundtracks Gabriel.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Cool, glad to hear it.

[@stephenworthington-white8294]

Have not been to Koh Tao since my first time to Thailand in 2000. I understand the popularity as the island and waters are so amazing! I stayed for 10-11 days but the way it looks now I wouldn't stay as long. That was where I first did some fire spinning!! Happy Travels BTW I would love to see what Bottle Beach on Koh Phangan looks like these days!

[@topfueler2]

Enjoy

[@user-fn6wm5pk3g]

Crazy I was there at the same time as you a few days ago. Amazing place. Backpacker Central. The wharf is a bit crazy with the different boats but great experience

[@Iloveallanimals312]

I'M going to miss your videos..I've learned and experienced so much from watching in my home in SC. My dogs are entertained also..

[@jacksoncornbreadmcbride6763]

Why are you not watching further?

[@Iloveallanimals312]

@jacksoncornbreadmcbride6763 He's just going to take a break..we've gotten spoiled watching back to back videos for 8 months..I'll never stop watching unless he quits or I die..lol

[@johnknox4293]

Hi Gabriel...very cool...vid...I liked the flash backs

[@idontwantahandle._.]

I hope you go to the viewpoint with the cat that chills next to visitors. It has the " I love Koh Tao" or whatever sign. Definitely a sunset experience.

[@DeputyDog-mh1yo]

That sounds like touristic silliness

[@sushilrai9144]

I think ‘86 was the year my cousin introduced me the band UB40.”Don’t break my heart” my first UB40’s song.

[@stoicfreediver]

“Mr. Fantasy” 🎵😁👍

[@Nature_with_Peter_Kane]

Beautiful island! Thanks for the great video...too bad your SD cards got full...You know what you gotta do! lol CHeers!!

[@roberth7894]

Those wifi speeds are impressive for an island!

[@sincerechristine508]

The legend of Death Island.

[@Stevonthemove]

Stay at home,please,you are depressing

[@ivysprieto6058]

Well, good to know it is still sweet. 😁 despite all of the reputation i firmly believe you dont encounter what you are not a match to, so definitely a very alive gorgeous island 😍 to visit 🏝

[@pleasantjourneys]

Nice digs

[@ritch8088]

In my opinion Bans is the best place to stay in Koh Tao. Inexpensive, local to bars/restaurants, good breakfast. I have stayed in places that cost three times more there, and still prefer Bans.

[@karbonypereira1186]

Nice playlist on your phone, dude.

[@ValentinaMitchell1]

Woo hoooooo 🎉

[@TheSwede70]

Nice. Last time for me on Koh Tao was 2006 when I also visited Ko Phangan and Koh Samui too. Still looks nice of course but I almost cried when I saw all the cement at Chawen Beach. Visited the islands first time in 1991. I think the change in those 15 years was huge. Of course everthing is not for the worse, but I don't like it as much anymore unfortunately. For someone who has never visited I still recommend it of course. Thai islands will always be nice. This video is where I will continue watching from since I have been in Central America for 6 weeks. Need to catch up. :-)

[@Matij1004]

Looks like you'll leave as I'll get there - regardless - loved watching this ✨

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

You're coming to Thailand soon? Where are you planning to go?

[@Matij1004]

@@GabrielTravelerVideos yes, I'll be there soon! I've been several times already all over - I think this time I'll go back to Samui/Pha Ngan/Tao and maybe explore some less-known islands: your videos of Koh Phayam were interesting although I need good internet - so not sure!

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

I had pretty fast wifi on Ko Phayam, but not on Ko Chang. If you go to Ko Tao, the restaurant I showed at the end has amazing wifi.

[@torvaldelletveito9181]

I was there in 2001, would love to go back.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Do it, you won't regret it. But be prepared for times to have changed.

[@jacksoncornbreadmcbride6763]

Grab a ticket and go

[@torvaldelletveito9181]

Checking tickets! I remember there was no electricity in the daytime, diesel generators started in the evening produced some electricity

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

@@torvaldelletveito9181 That was exactly the situation on Ko Chang island when I visited a week ago. In twenty years I can talk about how different it was now, as I'm sure it will change like everywhere.

[@chilbertuk1960]

live the dream

[@vaultkeeper2]

Hello from Sweden! Would love to visit Thailand, many Swedes go there, infact I heard some people speaking Swedish in this video! I dont think you have been to Brunei yet, small country on the island of Borneo with good international connections at the aiport, you could go there along the way!

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Nope, haven't been yet, curious to go there sometime. Sounds like a few days will be enough.

[@vaultkeeper2]

@@GabrielTravelerVideos From what I understand, it should be very safe and very clean, a few days will probably be enough! Capital and main city is Bandar Seri Begawan

[@idontwantahandle._.]

Should have taken the sleeper boat. Not serious. 2 hours for under $20 is incredible. I stayed at Koh Tao heights big apartments for $60 7 years ago with wife. It was so cereal. Best trip ever. The trips back to the apartment were very wild and crazy. You have to take a motor bike and accelerate fast at the start of the driveway and keep the speed up until you get to the top of a football field length steep hill where the apartment is. Not for everybody.

[@ivanbaricevic7856]

Gabe, I thought for 75 bucks in Thailand you'll get at least a happy ending.... 😂😂😂

[@janeldunn65]

Well he did get a happy bungalow at least 😂

[@jacksoncornbreadmcbride6763]

​@@janeldunn65happy ending Janel?

[@seba117]

Great video! I am currently in Koh Phangan (wich is spelled "Pan-gan", not "Pan-yan", by the way) for the 5th time and will visit Koh Tao for the 1st time afterwards, as i have to escape the Full Moon Party crowd (and the extreme rise of accomodation prices it brings) at the end of the month.

[@thereisnopandemic]

After what happened to Hannah Whitheridge and David miller why would anyone want to go there?

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Very sad incident, but unfortunately these types of things happen all around the world.

[@Stevonthemove]

People are stabbed every day in london england

[@mazarinrichelieu3265]

Wow, didn't expect Gabriel to be visiting "Murder Island" - the only island I'd trade for Skull Island (King Kong, et al). Stay safe, Gabe!

[@DeputyDog-mh1yo]

The murders happened in 2014. You're still frightened? 🫣

[@DougDennis]

Wow, ten years later, the video quality and especially stabilization is amazing. Are you using that tiny DJI for this?

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Yes, almost all my videos have been filmed with a DJI Osmo Action 1 since July of 2020. It's time for me to upgrade to the 4.

[@DaltonMirklestein]

The stabilizer was not very good

[@DougDennis]

@@GabrielTravelerVideos awesome, thank you! 🙏

[@jacksoncornbreadmcbride6763]

​@@DougDenniscan't handle the truth Denise?

[@CuMentorulinVacanta]

❤

[@churchofbrap876]

Beautiful place Gabe! U sure u want to come back to US ? 😆

[@CharlieChaplinVideos]

Somehow I feel, your new camera is higher in resolution but dull in colours/vibrancy/dynamic range.. old one looks better

[@pasqualeabarno]

👍👍👍

[@JosieB76]

Are you going to China anytime soon? Would be fab to see some rural non touristy parts if possible

[@scottarchibaldmusic]

Vietnam or Cambodia next ?

[@travelvideos]

Chose your island carefully: some of those islands are like tourist zoos. The best places are in the very South of Thailand, where tourists don't go.

[@TrustandDo]

Last year I spent 30$ in Ko Tao for a night in a beautiful resort next to the beach. I think 70$ for Thailand is not reasonable for a simple room, was there nothing else available in this time?

[@palukens]

? Do you ever get lonely on your solo travels? How do you deal with if so?

[@rumik-stahnke6512]

😁👍

[@RabidTales]

It would be been astonishing if not hilarious if that same lady approached u 10 years later after u got off the pier with her accommodation offer

[@TonyAngelino.]

Hello Gabriel, do you have 4k camera or my wifi is on low speed?

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Hi, I film and process my videos at 1080p. Not sure about your wifi speeds. ✌️

[@tombuddy100]

06:07 Did you change the camera there? It suddenly looks like a video from a few years ago.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

You're onto something. Keep watching. 😊

[@Deepak-tw8lx]

Just curious, what size Memory Cards do you use and are the videos deleted after it has been edited and uploaded to KZbin?

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

I use a 64 gb memory card in my camera and then back up all the video files on my laptop. After I've edited the video I delete all the footage off both the camera and my laptop, except a few clips that I store on my laptop.

[@lukasmeyer105]

Read "Surfing the Himalayas" by Frederick Lenz. You can download it for free... 😊

[@mirzagoralija4492]

😊😊😊❤🇧🇦🇧🇦🇧🇦

[@tombuddy100]

04:39 Wouldn't "Kingston Town" be more appropriate for the tropics you're in?

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Maybe so. That isn't an original UB40 song, it's a cover on "Labour of Love 2", which I also listened to recently. But "Rat in the Kitchen" is a much better album.

[@fjdkfdfjdf33]

dejavu!

[@keithhardy8513]

Very interesting that ALL of the visitors to these islands are farang. Are these places too expensive for the average Thai ?

[@PeterKraus1]

Which DJI Osmo Action are you using now?

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

I'm still using the 1, need to get the 4.

[@janeldunn65]

At the beginning I thought wow Gabriel is looking fresh .. what’s your secret 😂… then I realised it was ten yrs ago . Not that your not looking fresh today dug a hole for myself 😂

[@DaltonMirklestein]

Does not make sense. How could you have dug a hole for yourself if you explained your mistake?

[@janeldunn65]

It was a light hearted comment not a serious comment but thank you

[@DaltonMirklestein]

@@janeldunn65 therefore you dug no hole for yourself

[@davidgower2848]

Think I prefer Koh Phayam 😂

[@keithhardy8513]

Agree ! Ko Tao looks far too touristy now !

[@santorini8423]

Also known as death island…

[@DeputyDog-mh1yo]

Dr Death ☠️ lives in the hills

[@Stevonthemove]

So spooky.lock yourself in your house.never leave ok?

[@DeputyDog-mh1yo]

@@Stevonthemove Yes, you must hide. Always

[@daniahamdan8861]

What is the name of the hotel ?

[@mickvillinger6279]

First and a half 😮

[@DaltonMirklestein]

False claim

[@israel_started_it_ALL_in_1947]

Welcome to "murder island"

[@jacksoncornbreadmcbride6763]

Looks fine to me. Past is past. Stop spreading lies. The Thais don't like it

[@andrewmcmahon958]

First! Do you wear suncream gabe? Can never see it on you lol

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Second. I don't, nothing against sunscreen. It's a good idea for many people to wear and of course I've used it sometimes. But I don't tend to get burnt easily. I manage it in terms of making sure not to spend too much time in the sun when I have zero tan, then I slowly get tanned over a few days. I usually buy some aloe vera gel in case I get a little too much sun, to spread on afterwards. But once I have a base tan I can spend hours in the sun without getting burnt. So I just let myself get tanned and then it isn't a problem for me to be in the sun.

[@Jack-2day]

Most importantly it destroys reefs. Most of Thailand’s coastal reefs have been decimated. Those divers in the pool will have to take a longer trip out if they hope to get a good experience..(something to consider) Cheers

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

@@Jack-2day Solid point.

[@DaltonMirklestein]

False claim

[@thomasprince4992]

ever go fishing ?

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Yes, in the mountains back home in California. I've never done sea fishing though.

[@IssacMacHawk]

Just wondering is there still an issue with tourists getting murdered there ?

[@DeputyDog-mh1yo]

Google it pal. What's your deal?

[@jacksoncornbreadmcbride6763]

There's been no "issue" for 10 years

[@Stevonthemove]

Huge issue,lock your front door

[@DeputyDog-mh1yo]

@@Stevonthemove hide in your basement. Don't travel

[@sparaglione]

Gabriel why don't you go to Shanghai for a few days, China is open for tourists at the moment.

[@DeputyDog-mh1yo]

Repressive govt. No thanks

[@corey312]

Hardly made it off the dock with all those people not paying any attention at all.. smh

[@kiwisounds3505]

1st

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Boom, got it, congrats. ✌️👊

[@DaltonMirklestein]

First 🥇

[@kiwisounds3505]

Thanks, Gabe, for uploading and taking us along.Really enjoyed the Thai videos.Welcome back thou the weather is not ideal currently.From MN.

[@jfp6400]

What nationalities are mostly there?

[@DaltonMirklestein]

Syrians and Mongolians

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

In Thailand? Mostly Thai people. If you mean foreign tourists, a real mix, hearing lots of different languages.

[@DeputyDog-mh1yo]

I've heard there are many Bengalis and Algerians

[@Stevonthemove]

Eskimos and ancestors from from ship bounty

[@DaltonMirklestein]

When the ancestors of the HMS Bounty mutineers arrived on the island, reports of incest suddenly spiked. Koh Tao officials were caught off guard.

[@dudu88xx]

the murder island

[@DaltonMirklestein]

Lies

[@dudu88xx]

@@DaltonMirklestein you have not even been there

[@DaltonMirklestein]

@@dudu88xx apparently you were there, and had a safe visit

[@dudu88xx]

@@DaltonMirklesteini diiid

[@DaltonMirklestein]

@@dudu88xx you must have captured the bad people

[@afaintmemory]

Told my friend I wanted to go to Ko Tao but he wants Phucket

[@DeputyDog-mh1yo]

He wants Russian girls

[@conanlebarbare6961]

where is the lady 10 years laters?

[@DeputyDog-mh1yo]

They say she went to Manila to live with her cousin

[@conanlebarbare6961]

@@DeputyDog-mh1yo thank you