I want to express first and foremost that I Love Koh Phangan. It is a combination of everything I could ever hope for; amazing people, endless parties, beautiful landscape, ocean, waterfalls, and acceptance.
This special island creates the rhythm that makes my heart beat. I am reminded every day that we are all one people and a smile transcends all languages. We may live different lifestyles. We may have alternative beliefs, but when the day comes to an end, we can look at each other and know that we are thankful to have experienced the life we are living here on Koh Phangan.
The Couchsurfing Project: A New Way to Travel
If you love Koh Phangan and all it has to offer, then I am sure you would like to share your experiences with other like minded people.
For those who are just getting introduced to Koh Phangan and want to see something outside the (tourist) box, take a look into Couchsurfing.org.
I was first introduced to it about 5 years ago in San Francisco, California. It took me some time to warm up to the idea, but I soon realized that this is the social networking community of the future.
Couchsurfing connects people from all over the world with different lifestyles, backgrounds, and cultures, who share a similar view that we are all one people and that understanding and acceptance is necessary in order for us to truly flourish.
The Couchsurfing website enables you to contact people from almost any country. There are currently millions of members from 230 countries and territories all over the world. When meaningful connections can be made across cultures, it creates appreciation and respect for diversity. Couchsurfing gives travelers and hosts the opportunity to meet people they may have otherwise never crossed paths with.
It is free to sign up, create a profile, and browse other couchsurfers’ profiles and references. There are many ways to participate in the Couchsurfing Project. You can host by offering a place on your couch for a couple nights. Usually couchsurfers are planning to stay longer in Koh Phangan than just a few nights, so I often give them an initial home base and then recommend other places that are nice to stay as well and fun things to do. Another way to participate if you do not have a couch or space available is to offer to meet up for coffee or a drink. It is nice to welcome people to this beautiful island, take them somewhere off the beaten path, or show them your favorite party or hangout spot.
I am always very grateful when I go to a new place and someone tells me about all the best places to go! Sometimes people write to me simply for information asking about how long they should stay and where is a good place to stay if they want a nice bungalow on the beach or backpacker accommodation.
It is a great way to spread information. If you are traveling, you can contribute your experiences and give insight into the place you come from. It is possible to meet people who have never been to your country and are curious and interested about a different way of life.
What are some similarities and differences? It is amazing how much you learn just by getting to know people from different parts of the world. You can share traveling tips and stories.
Overall, the couchsurfing experience is to unite the world and bring us closer together one couch at a time. Happy traveling!
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