Following the urge to escape the ratrace of Sydney, in April of this year, Bess was offered a finance job (of all things) on Koh Phangan, working for a start-up BI company to an online trading platform.
However, she decided that working long hours inside an office on a tropical island was not the adventure she had come to pursue and left the job a month later with freelance writing work from Sydney to fall back on.
“Luckily enough, I'd made good friends with Holly at Tru Travels and within a week of leaving my office job, my rubber arm had been twisted to jump aboard their Cambodia tour”.
Bess had an amazing experience and upon returning to Koh Phangan after a few weeks, “it was a heartwarming feeling coming back to a place which felt like home”.
A sensation she believes will continue to get stronger each time Bess returns to the island.
Bess has been a ‘Airbnb’ host whilst living on Koh Phangan, we spoke to her about what it is like to do this and her experiences with guests coming to her home.
Hey Bess so can you explain ‘Airbnb’ for those who don’t know...
Airbnb is an interesting, unique and often luxurious and affordable way to travel. If you want a break from the hostels and "tourist traps" it gives you a great opportunity to gain local insight with a "home" feel.. And if you're lucky enough, even a long craved home cooked meal.
Why did you get involved?
I wanted to share my amazing house and new found island home. I think a lot of people come to Koh Phangan purely for the Full Moon party and have no idea about the other face of the island. So, my aim was to help as many people experience all the amazing and magical gifts the island has to offer. And a bit of extra coin never hurt.
(Guests Miles and Ash enjoying the Jungle Experience)
Talk us through a general day with guests…
Helping them find my home is the only strenuous part of the hosting, it's a bit hard to find the place tucked away in the jungle like it is but that's what makes it special. I'd then either tell them or take them to a nice restaurant nearby, Baan Tai, has plenty. Then chat about what they wanted to do whilst on the island, always using the Phanganist gig guide as a reference point.
Have you had any crazy / funny guests?
No guests managed to out-weird myself. However, on two occasions I've taken guests on their first mushroom journey. An experience they both asked for without being prompted, and thoroughly enjoyed.
Would you recomend doing this?
Shrooms? Always! Ha
No, yes indeed, I would recommend being an AirBnb host to anyone who has the opportunity and space to cater for it. Knowledge is a gift as is sharing it, and I've made some lifelong friends as a result.
What do you do in your free time?
Pump hip-hop in my Jungle Green House with my animals and animalistic island mates, daily Rocket Yoga at Orion's, visits to my boys at Top Rock bar and just generally bask in the beauty of island life.
What is your life philosophy?
I follow the Gonzo philosophy of life, that being, condensed to a single sentence...
"Buy the ticket, take the ride."
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