# Gal Goes Solo — Koh Tao, Thailand > Gal Goes Solo is the personal travel blog and consulting service of Jennifer Varner, an American expat living full-time on Koh Tao, Thailand since November 2021. Specialized in honest, lived-in solo travel guidance for Thailand and Southeast Asia. > Three consulting tiers: Quick Question ($45 / 30 min), Trip Plan Session ($90 / 60 min + written plan), Full Itinerary Support ($250 / pre-trip + plan + mid-trip check-in + 5 days WhatsApp support). > All sessions on Zoom or WhatsApp. Prices in USD. Payment at booking. Operating from Chalok, Koh Tao. Indochina Time (UTC+7). ## Main pages - [Home](https://galgoessolo.com): Homepage with story, services overview, testimonials, blog teaser - [About](https://galgoessolo.com/about/): Long-form bio of Jennifer Varner — expat journey, what she actually does, who she works best with - [Work With Me](https://galgoessolo.com/work-with-me/): Detailed tier breakdown for the 3 consulting packages with booking links - [Blog](https://galgoessolo.com/blog/): 24+ long-form articles on solo travel in Thailand, Koh Tao deep dive, dive trips, expat life - [FAQ](https://galgoessolo.com/work-with-me/#faq): Common questions about sessions, cancellations, time zones, parent calls, payment - [Contact](https://galgoessolo.com/contact/): Email contact form for non-booking inquiries ## Key information - **Founder/Author** : Jennifer Varner (American expat, Gen X, on Koh Tao since November 2021) - **Email** : jenv@galgoessolo.com - **Operating from** : Chalok, Koh Tao, Surat Thani Province, Thailand - **U.S. business address** : 5057 Harbourview Drive, Boise, Idaho 83704, USA - **Time zone** : Indochina Time (ICT, UTC+7) - **Languages** : English only - **Currency** : USD - **Payment** : at booking, non-refundable once delivered ## Specialties - Solo female travel guidance in Thailand and Southeast Asia - Koh Tao deep dive (4+ years living on the island) - Scuba diving advice for Koh Tao - Solo travel safety for women - Parent reassurance calls (parents of adult solo travelers) - Honest, no-bullshit recommendations from someone who actually lives in the destination ## Blog All blog articles at https://galgoessolo.com/blog/. Long-form solo travel writing from Koh Tao, Thailand and across Southeast Asia (including Laos). - [Three Magical Seahorse Encounters in Koh Tao Thailand](/blog/three-magical-seahorse-encounters-in-koh-tao-thailand/): Seahorses are known to live in the waters around Koh Tao, but finding one feels like discovering a secret the ocean has been keeping. My first appeared while I was collecting trash in Shark Bay. The... - [Lion's Mane Jellyfish in Koh Tao: An Unforgettable Ocean Encounter](/blog/lion-s-mane-jellyfish-in-koh-tao-an-unforgettable-ocean-encounter/): Lion’s Mane jellyfish have appeared around Koh Tao, Thailand. Here’s what we know about these unusual visitors and what it’s like to encounter one. - [What Every Parent Should Know Before Their Young Adult Backpacks Southeast Asia](/blog/parent-young-adult-backpacking-southeast-asia/): People like to say that once your children turn 18, your job as a parent is done. Anyone with a young adult knows that's not true. You stop making their decisions, but you never stop hoping they're... - [The China-Laos Railway: Is First Class Worth It? My Honest Take](/blog/china-laos-railway-laos-honest-take/): I rode the China-Laos railway twice in May, in both first class and second class, to settle one question for myself: is the upgrade actually worth it? Here is the honest answer, plus how I booked,... - [Is Vang Vieng, Laos Safe? My Honest Solo Travel Experience](/blog/vang-vieng-solo-travel-honest-take/): I arrived in Vang Vieng in the rain at a railway station ten minutes outside of town with no idea what to do next. Four newborn puppies, one cracked camera screen, a zombie-apocalypse night market,... - [Kuang Si Waterfalls: Worth Visiting in the Rain?](/blog/kuang-si-waterfalls-worth-visiting-in-the-rain/): Everyone in Laos told me Kuang Si Falls was an absolute must. So I rode a scooter alone through a tropical storm to find out. Here is my honest take on the falls, the crowds, the bear rescue, and why... - [Luang Prabang Solo Travel: My Honest 4-Day Take from Laos](/blog/luang-prabang-solo-travel-honest-4-day-take/): I came to Luang Prabang for a Thailand visa run, not a discovery trip. Four days, one scooter, several rainstorms, and way too many Chinese tour buses later, here's my take on solo travel in Laos. - [The Tak Bat Monk Procession in Luang Prabang: What I Wish I'd Known](/blog/tak-bat-monk-procession-luang-prabang-what-i-wish-i-knew/): 200+ monks. 13 temples. One stubborn American woman in the rain at 5 a.m., walking 45 minutes in the wrong direction. Here's the practical guide I wish someone had handed me before my first morning... - [Dolphin Bay (Sam Roi Yot): The Slow-Paced Thai Beach Stop Almost No One Talks About](/blog/dolphin-bay-sam-roi-yot-thailand/): Wide-open beach, towering karsts, longtail boats, and barely any Western tourists, Dolphin Bay is where the pace finally changes on the road from Hua Hin to Chumphon. - [Hua Hin to Chumphon, Thailand: 4 Ways to Get There (and What Each One Costs)](/blog/hua-hin-to-chumphon-transport-options/): Bus, train, private car, or motorbike? Here's exactly what each transport option from Hua Hin to Chumphon looks like, with real prices and what I'd choose next time. - [Phraya Nakhon Cave (Sam Roi Yot): Hike Logistics, Real Costs & What It's Actually Like](/blog/phraya-nakhon-cave-hike-guide/): Boat or walk in? Crocs or proper shoes? Here's the no-fluff guide to hiking Phraya Nakhon Cave in Sam Roi Yot National Park, based on actually doing it. - [Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand: The Coastal Town That Surprised Me the Most](/blog/prachuap-khiri-khan-thailand-hidden-gem/): Quiet bay, one of Thailand's best night markets, almost no farang, and a 2-hour train ride to Chumphon, Prachuap Khiri Khan is the hidden gem on the Hua Hin to Chumphon route. - [Is Koh Tao, Thailand, Safe for Solo Female Travelers? (Honest 2026 Perspective)](/blog/is-koh-tao-thailand-safe-for-solo-female-travelers-honest-2026-perspective/): If you're thinking about coming to Koh Tao alone, safety is probably the first thing you Google. I get it. Before I ever moved here, I did the exact same thing , scrolling through articles, trying to - [Koh Tao Travel Consulting | Solo Travel Advice Thailand](/blog/koh-tao-travel-consulting-thailand/): If you've been researching Koh Tao and feeling slightly overwhelmed, I understand. This small island in the Gulf of Thailand is just 21 square kilometers, yet it has an outsized online presence. There - [Koh Tao Sea Turtles in Shark Bay, Thailand](/blog/koh-tao-sea-turtles-shark-bay/): On the southern tip of Koh Tao lies Shark Bay , a crescent of turquoise water known for its resident sea turtles. It's one of the few places in Thailand where you can still swim alongside these wild c - [Honeymoon in Koh Rong Sanloem: Cambodia's Hidden Island Paradise](/blog/koh-rong-sanloem-cambodia-honeymoon/): Koh Rong Sanloem is a small island paradise in the Cambodian part of the Gulf of Thailand. Located 16 miles south of Sihanoukville, Koh Rong - [Unlocking the Secret Wisdom of Koh Tao](/blog/unlocking-the-secret-wisdom-of-koh-tao/): If you have visited Koh Tao or are lucky enough to stay here long-term, read on to learn the secret wisdom of Koh Tao. - [Islands in the Gulf of Thailand: Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao](/blog/islands-in-the-gulf-of-thailand-koh-samui-koh-phangan-and-koh-tao/): Here is everything you need to know about Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao to help plan your adventure! - [Solo Travel in Cozumel, Mexico- The Good, Bad and THE Ugly](/blog/solo-travel-in-cozumel-mexico-the-good-bad-and-the-ugly/): Are you planning to travel solo to Cozumel, Mexico but worried about the safety and cost of the island? This gal has spent a month in Cozume - [2 Nights in Bangkok Thailand- The Ultimate Solo Travel Guide in 48 Hours or Less](/blog/2-nights-in-bangkok-thailand/): Bangkok is the capital and most populous city in Thailand. Here are some suggestions if you only 2 nights in Bangkok Thailand. - [Buriram Province Thailand- A Guide to Life in Isan Country](/blog/buriram-province-thailand/): Buriram Province Thailand is known as Isan country and is very rural with plenty to do for the solo traveler. Read on to find out more... - [Oh Koh Lanta! One of Thailand's Most Mysterious Islands](/blog/oh-koh-lanta-part-one/): Koh Lanta is about 85 kilometers south of Krabi, just south of the Andaman Coast. There are 2 main ways to get to this tropical island. One is to take a ferry from neighboring destinations or by vehic - [Travel to Koh Yao Noi- Paradise Found in Thailand](/blog/travel-to-koh-yao-noi-thailand/): About an hour away by speedboat from both Phuket and the Krabi, Koh Yao Noi is located in Phang Nga Bay. There is a larger sister island called Koh Yoa Yai to the south and I was surprised to learn th - [The Magic of Railay Beach- Krabi, Thailand](/blog/railay-beach-krabi/): Railay is a charming town in Thailand, nestled between Ao Nang and Krabi. Only accessible by boat and it is famous for its towering limestone cliffs. This small peninsula is a dream destination for ro - [Life Aboard a Liveaboard in Thailand Scuba Diving](/blog/life-aboard-a-liveaboard-in-thailand/): A liveaboard is a scuba vessel with sleeping quarters, a place to eat, a briefing area, and a diving deck to prepare equipment. It is the best way to experience the remote dive sites in the Similan Is - [Nai Harn Phuket Thailand- Land of Ex Pats and Secret Portals](/blog/nai-harn-phuket-thailand/): Nai Harn is a small, quaint beach town in the south of Phuket surrounded by amazing viewpoints and Buddhist temples. The water is warm and clear, and the sunsets are some of the best in Thailand. Ther - [Culture Shock- 48 hours in Patong Phuket Thailand](/blog/culture-shock-patong-phuket-thailand/): When I booked my trip, I wasn't sure where I should stay for the required 7 days at an SHA-approved hotel through the Sandbox Program (see my post about entry requirements for Thailand for more detail - [The Journey to the Other Side of the World](/blog/solo-thailand-travel/): On November 10th, 2021, I packed my bags, said goodbye to my family and friends, and headed to the airport. I had gone to REI the weekend before and bought a Cotopaxi medium-sized backpack, a smaller - [So.... Why Thailand???](/blog/sooo-why-thailand/): Thailand... It's literally the other side of the world from Boise, Idaho. I had been to Mexico many times and could get home in 8 hours if I needed. I also considered spending the winter in Belize or - [The Fallout Before the Fall- Part 3~ Lessons in Humanity and Loss](/blog/the-fallout-before-the-fall-part-3-lessons-in-humanity-and-loss/): In August 2021, I found myself without a job and still in the process of rebuilding my house. Despite these setbacks, I was struck with a newfound sense of Wanderlust after my trip to Honduras in May. - [The Fallout before the Fall- Part 2~ The Flood](/blog/the-fallout-before-the-fall-part-2-the-flood/): What led to my decision to come to Thailand and check out of my life as I knew it? In early June 2021, I returned from Honduras feeling refreshed and relaxed, excited to return to some sort of normal - [Elephants in Thailand](/blog/elephants-in-thailand/): At a sanctuary, the elephants are not chained up, and there is no riding on them. Ask locals about which places are ethical and take good care of their elephants. - [Learning Motor Bike Riding in Thailand: My Adventures and Tips](/blog/motorbikes-in-thailand-to-rent-or-not-to-rent/): So should you rent a motorbike in Thailand? If you have a driver's license and know how to ride a bike, I say yes… or at least try it! If th - [The Fallout Before the Fall- Part 1](/blog/fallout-from-covid/): January 1st, 2021. The worst was over, right? The orange guy was out of the office, toilet paper was back on the shelves, and things were starting to look up. My son had a terrible November and Decemb - [The Going Solo Story- How 2020 Changed My Life](/blog/solo-travel-story/): Queue March 2020... Of all the random things I worried about (nuclear war, plane crashes, cancer, 4 more years of the Trumpster), a worldwid