Thailand ~ Islands

24 May 2025


Six weeks of hiking in Baja California, Koh Samui, and Phuket. Here with savvy, smart fellow hikers from Singapore and Zurich.



First, I spent two weeks hiking around Rancho la Puerta near Tecate, Mexico, gasping for breath on every climb. Then in San Diego I spent time with my great sister, brilliant niece, her cool husband, and their amazing kids pictured above.

Then my fitness travel took me to Thailand:

● Started with two weeks at health resorts in Koh Samui on the east coast of Thailand's southern tail.

● Concluded with over two weeks at Phuket Cleanse, a unique place I'd visited before, on the island of Phuket on Thailand's west coast. By this point, I was making serious progress — still sweating but not gasping for breath and now enjoying the early morning hikes!


You never feel like you are in Thailand until you see a colossal golden Buddha. 

The north side of Koh Samui had some varied and vibrant temples and statues.

Koh Samui has some striking sunrises too. Top is from my Mercure hotel by Chaweng Beach; then is from Maenam Beach; last is from my room (billed as an "ocean view") at the Absolute Sanctuary.

Not every morning hike in Phuket was ideal. May is the start of the monsoon season, but the rain was usually intermittent. Nonetheless, nobody wanted to join me this morning. 

Last hike on an ideal morning near the south tip of Phuket with upbeat fellow hikers from Singapore and Florida.