Phanganist went down to Fishbowl Beach Bar whilst we were visiting Koh Tao to meet with Manager Nando and also have a quick chat with Bartender Sally who was part of the great team of staff who kindly donated all of their weekend tips to the fundraising for our friend Alena, cheers guys!
We spoke to Sally first;
So Sally, what brings you to Koh Tao?
I got here in January whilst travelling and felt so at home that I ended up staying.
And tell us abit about Fishbowl…
We have live music every night from 8.30 to 11pm, it’s all different really, vocalists, guitarists and Thai bands.
There’s always a good atmosphere and lots of locals come, everyone knows each other and there’s a nice vibe all the time. I love it here I do, the locals make it homey!
What do you love about the island?
I see it as home, it’s so nice. It’s small with a nice community, everyone helps each other and it’s gorgeous. It’s like your own small tropical island, a lot of people fall in love with it here.
We think someone's smitten with life on Koh Tao, who would blame her?!
We enjoyed the views across the beach and beautiful ocean whilst we waited for Nando to arrive. The restaurant was bustling with families and young people enjoying lunch with a sea breeze.
Nando made a friendly entrance, made sure the music was switched on and then we had a chat…
Tell us your Koh Tao story Nando…
It’s very similar to other people, in 1999 I came to snorkel from Samui, I was dropped at the North end then went for a stroll. I am half japanese so I had a big camera and met a bunch of people and got talking to them and they convinced me to stay for the night. I had all of four hundred Baht to my name but I spent the night and it was amazing, partying in Asia Bar.
I remember sitting there smoking and drinking Thai whiskey with herbs as you do…
One year later I was living in Japan at the time and wanted one final trip before going back to my home of Brazil, so I had two months off and came here and never left, I had the bug! I started to dive at the end of 2000.
How did Fishbowl start?
The guys who started the bar were divers so they made the bar close to the dive centre and created the link with the Ban’s Diving people.
People always have a good time, it’s the shots and the dancing on the bar!
Why do you think Koh Tao is special?
It’s the people, especially back then it is the connections you made. Everyone after Full Moon would go crazy for four days. The type of tourists are more hippy but also it’s a holiday destination. You also make a really solid connection with the Thai people here.
It’s the mixed elements that made me stay and of course its beautiful beach and nature.
What are your plans for the next few years?
You want an honest answer?... What I am doing now, really just to keep on going. We provide a service and a meeting point for divers. We believe the bar is a key point for how the place has grown but of course it’s escalate to a big bar on the beach, it just happened. I’m quite happy with how it’s going.
One thing which is good is we bring live music to the island, it keeps people coming back and they always enjoy it, we have good musicians here.
And your life philosophy?
Ha-ha I haven’t had a drink yet!... Do things day by day as long as you’re happy, I’m broke still but happy!
We really enjoyed meeting Sally and Nando, it was an enjoyable and very positive last stop during our trip to Koh Tao. Maybe next time we'll go and enjoy some of their famous evening vibes...
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