Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/936285
40 maltatoday SUNDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2018 Travel ≠≠ THE NATIVE Travelling is always risky business – get stuck in a touristy area and your meals are terrible. The same can be said of sightseeing, hotels and nightspots. Travelling to a place where you know people to recommend the right places makes your stay all the more enjoyable. Rebekah Debono (37), was born in Malta, and lived in Thailand for a year whilst doing a yoga teacher training course. If you're visiting the Gulf Isles of Thailand, these are the places she recommends to hang out like a native. NEED TO KNOW How to get there It's very easy to get to Bangkok, Thailand from Malta with airlines like Emirates and Turkish offering regular flights with stop overs in Dubai or Istanbul respectively. Best time to visit If travelling to experience the full touristic show, one would visit between January and Songkran (Thai new year), which happens on 16 April. Prices come down during low season, particularly for room rates, though between July and October the rainy season hits and brings with it an infestation of mosquitoes. . Currency The currency used in Thailand is the Thai baht. Visas The Tourist Visa for Thailand for Maltese citizens is quite easy to obtain and is also quite affordable. There are some new laws in Thailand. It is always best to check at the local Thai consulate in Sliema to be updated on any changes on visa laws since these change often. Thailand's Gulf islands Rebekah Debono spent a year studying yoga in Thailand and gives us an insight into life on the magical Gulf islands BEST ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES Koh Tao is a very small island teeming with interesting nature, small and large lizards, reptiles, bats and butterflies among other in- conspicuous but present insects and creatures. Because of the rich marine life and famous dive spots like Shark Island and Chumphon Pinna- cle, many whale shark enthusiasts come here to catch a glimpse of these majestic sea animals. Expect to find numerous dive centres and all the facilities keen divers and travellers would require, including food stalls, restaurants, bars and nightclubs, resorts and hotels, luxury and traditional spas, yoga and retreat centres and Muay Thai boxing. Chalok Baan is a quiet location that is home to a number of quality dive centres that offer dive courses as well as dive tours. Ocean Sound Dive centre also offers fantastic Hatha Yoga and Vinyasa flow sessions twice daily. It is always packed with locals and expats, highlighting that it has the Thai stamp of approval for quality. Divers from all over the world come to Koh Tao in the hope of catching a glimpse of the majestic whale sharks that live in these waters