Koh Tao is not walk friendly, but we hike.

Lack of signage.

Wrong beach.

Short on water.

We hope the resort will provide. Water pipes guide us past a man's home, flowers and butterflies.

An abandoned resort boasts graffiti, broken glass and discarded mattresses.

No fresh water here.

A party-goers hang out, deserted midday. The waves crash into the rocks on the miniscule beach. We climb to the windy roof overlooking the ocean at the corner of the island. Perfect place for a disaster.

Back in town an hour later, a friendly lady-boy serves us much-needed fruit shakes.

Thai Christmas.

***

'Lady-boy' is an English translation of the Thai term 'kathoey' and has been used in other parts of South East Asia to describe a transgender woman, man exhibiting different degrees of femininity such as dressing feminine, wearing make-up, or undergoing surgery, or at times a homosexual man. It's generally more accepted as part of society in Thailand than it is in the West, though as in all countries there are many struggles for fair treatment.