Whale Sharks Make Me Smile

Me and Isabelle, a fresh new diver (yes, be jealous!) were enjoying a nice late afternoon dive at White rock, no other boats around, just swimming among the resident massive shoal of yellowtail barracuda.... and then out of the blue we spotted an even bigger fish, Mr Whale Shark!

Sport Routes

Well finally after a couple of years we have some sport routes on Koh Tao. One on Sairee Face (Good Morning Koh Tao - 5b) and two on Eagle wall (I got a feeling - 5c and Clear Horizons - 5a). They are all small and designed for training and in the next few weeks we will round the routes out with another five ranging from 5c to 6b+.

There is till no intention of putting in hundred's of routes, but the new ones will round out the climbing on Koh Tao allowing us to take people on guide sessions of both sport and top rope and open the way top teach sport leading in the new year when our new lead climbing instructor arrives.

Never sitting still!!

More photo's here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=322185&id=286465380157&ref=nf

The Watchtower

New routes are always worth writing about and our newest is about as high as we could find. The biggest boulder perched right up on top of Fraggle Rock, the Watchtower is a precarious boulder offering some exposure like no where else on Koh Tao. Previously too dangerous to free climb or boulder due to the sloping bottom and very long fall, Tim and Bart scrambled up and placed a permanent anchor with a stringer for easier access.

With two routes, a very easy kiddie slope to scramble up to reach the top or the much fun overhanging, exposed front of the rock where you dangle in the air looking for somewhere for your feet while you hands are on a couple of 'thank god' holds until you find you way up with a heel hook to reach to top. Yet to be graded but probably a 6a and about 9 m in length. The view rolls from Hin Wong, around the Sairee and Mae Haad opening up right in front of you, best spot on the island hands down.

Some new bolts in the Laem Thien jungle complementing some expansion months ago has also been finished adding to the seldom used climbing area with some more to come down the line. Sport routes are next with 3 lined up and another 2 being looked at, the only thing holding us back is the customers making us work (which is great) and the typhoons (which is not so good).

Jeff's Hiatus

Well well well... Good Time Adventures all started with some crazy bar talk about doing things better than what we see around us. The same thing many people do the world over, however this time the drunken plans where actually acted upon (with some sober reasoning and planning!!) and the business was on its way. Now one of the architects of the original good time was Jeff. Everyone that has visited us generally will remember Jeff as the senior rock climbing instructor (or outdoor program coordinator as he likes to be called... Americans!), the boat driver or that little guy with the crazy beard. If you know Jeff you know he has some health and insurance issues that came up during 2009 (Thailand got him basically) and he has had to take some time to improve his situation. Unfortunately for everyone, Koh Tao is not the high earning centre of the world, even though many of us would like it to be, and the United States is now where he is headed.

Jeff has driven the climbing side in the beginning with many a day spenthanging from some rocks with a drill and a sledge hammer preparing new routes or teaching the more complex aspects of equipment placement and anchors. He was instrumental in getting the good time climbing off the ground and the development of our climbing courses. He has been a bit of a good time stalwart with always being there and ready to get out of the office and run with customers around the island.

2009 started a little unfortunately for Jeff after a motorcycle accident on his way to buy beer (if he actually was drunk he probably would have

been ok!) and his little wings where clipped, being relegated to the office and eventually as a boat driver. We are sure that as his movements come back and his foot and leg becomes stronger that he will be back into it all in no time.

So until we see you again mate, we all wish you a good journey in this next period of your life and don't get stuck in the San Francisco 9-5 office mayhem. You are missed by us and the ladyboy's at AC bar.

Basement Bouldering

One of the Good Time extended family 'Mikey' was feeling his lack of tropical climbing in his snowy land of Canada so got creative with his basement and constructed himself a Bouldering cave! We love it!

We love the Portuguese!

It was only 2 years ago I met my first group of

Portuguese... so enthusiastic, driven, lively... and not bad on the eyes! Among this group was a young stallion called Andre: a diver, climber, martial artist and all round good guy!

After our opening in early 2008, Goodtime's soon realized they needed another crew member and Andre fitted the post perfectly.

Since he came aboard he has not stopped, the man can't sit still!

A passionate climber, he passes on this passion to all his students and keeps up the enthusiasm in the office with many early morning boulder sessions and non-stop downloading of countless climbing videos (Mmmm Sharma!).

As well as the climbing his roles are varied and numerable: Dive junkie, rock smasher, trail blazer, peace keeper, cobbler, jumper, free diver, stretcher, energiser bunny, ice-cream enthusiast, adventurer, eco-warrior, inventor of the boys favorite colour and most importantly a really great friend.

It is all this and much more that we are going to greatly miss. Sadly (for us) Andre made the hard decision to continue with his journey he started a few years ago and continue onwards into that big wide world.

Mate, it has been a pleasure to have you aboard and you will be greatly missed but never forgotten! I have no doubt you will continue to shine in everything you do, keep spreading your enthusiasm and zest for life, you are the ultimate Goodtime man!

P.s. There is one more thing you should know about the Portuguese.......

Best Climbing Students Ever!!

Here at Goodtime we run a 4 day beginner rock climbing course (Rock on), designed to introduce people to all the essentials need to get you into the world of rock climbing. This includes instruction on outdoor top roping, a bouldering workshop, anchor building and then finishes with a climbing session utilising all the skills learnt over the past few days. Jeff and Rachel from the UK just finished the course and we were all sad to see them go. Me (Charly) and Andre felt lucky to be their instructors, 'you guys had amzing enthusiasm and it was a pleasure to see your climbing develop as we worked through the course'. Also, thank you (NOT!) for the massive hangover I had after the couse ending celebration drinks, Im very glad I did not have to get out of bed the next day! And thanks again Jeff for the new customer comment book with your lovely oppening comment, It was a pleasure.












Hey guys, which ways the Beach? !!!

Finger-ripping Good!

The Goodtime team are constantly scouting Koh Tao for more rock climbing and bouldering sites, we defiantly ain't short of rock around here! There really is something for all levels, and with the main bouldering areas being really easy to access its so easy to just grab a crash pad, shoes and chalk and go boulder.... Its our favourite way to start the day.

Goodbye to the great Slade

Last week we sadly lost one of the founding members of Goodtime Adventures, the man they call Slade. Slade has been coming to and from Koh Tao since 2006 and has become a well loved and known member of the island. Near the end of 2007 we persuaded him to come back from a brief stop in Alaska to help us establish an Adventure shop here on Koh Tao, and so Goodtime was born.


With all his past experience in rock climbing, his past divemaster work here on Koh Tao and with a background in biology, specialising in ornithology he proved a very valuable part of the team; driving development of new climbing sites on Koh Tao and also offering a wealth of knowledge on the islands flora and fauna. He was also an expert on the islands night life, running our regular pub crawls and training many people in the art of bucket drinking!!

But recently he made the decision to return to the States and proceed with his ongoing research in Alaska monitoring the bird life of the Aleutian islands. So its farewell Slade, thank you for all your enthusiasm and energy, you have been a big part in making GTA what it is and we are gonna miss you big time mate!!

Songkran - Thai New Year
with the Goodtime Commando's!

Songkran is celebrated by the washing away of the sin's from the past year, this is now conducted in the form of a massive nation wide water fight! If there is any day to be in Thailand it is Songkran, the day is filled with smiling wet people and lots of alcohol!

Like last year, Goodtime Adventures recruited an army of Commando's to take Koh Tao by (water) force! The Goodtime deck was packed with an excitable mob of water warriors poised to wet any unsuspecting dry person, especially the hoards of speed boat day-trippers from Samui! The party continued from day to night with everyone on the island heading to Maya for a massive beach party that continued into the next morning (I only lasted till 10.30pm..... its a long day when you start drinking at 9am!)

If you missed out this year make sure you get yourselves to Thailand, better than that: Koh Tao Goodtime Adventures for some Songkran madness, a day you wont forget!

Boulders Boulders Everywhere

Sometimes the GTA team like to have a morning work out on the rocks and on Koh Tao rocks are never hard to find! There is bouldering potential almost anywhere you look so its easy to crawl out of bed, sprey yourself liberally with insect repellant, grab your crash pad, shoes and chalk and pull down on a few problems. Its a great wy to warm up your body and mind for the day ahead. I feel great!

Goodtime Birthday bash!
As most people know who have been to Koh Tao, we live in a time warp! I can't believe a whole year has gone by since we opened up our little shop of adventures, as they say 'time flies when your having fun'! Though the time has flown by we have been very busy, most importantly establishing the climbing here on Koh Tao's amazing granite formations. We have also been exploring and diving lots of un-chartered areas of coastline, as always trying to avoid the crowds and discover new and untouched dive sites. On the 21st we had our 1 year anniversary party. It all started with a chilled afternoon of floating and beer, followed by a massive BBQ for all our frinds. As night fell we ventured down the beach to MOOV where our lovely Dutch friends had put on a party for our birthday! The night was epic, with funky tunes pumping from the decs till the early hours of the morning... thank you MOOV people for an amazing night and my massive hangover!

Sunshine and Butterflies

Alright then...a quick update from the Goodtime desk. We have been hard at work over the past couple of weeks, taking advantage of the pre-Full-Moon/February-is-always-slow-on-Koh-Tao period, and getting busy in the jungle building a new and soon to opened climbing complex. That is all I am at liberty to say at this point, but we are all very excited to start our second year off with a new climbing area. The jungle is stout out here and the rocks are even stouter, so get ready!

Our official one year anniversary is this month! We are celebrating it at MOOV on the 21st with a Goodtime bash...it's gonna be super sweeeet. The crew at MOOV has constructed a special floating-bar for the occasion, and we promise much mayhem and merriment to be had by all, but especially by us!!!

We have been leading trips steadily through the past month--here are a few photos from my climb the other day with Raymond. It was his first time climbing outdoors and he pulled as hard as I have seen anyone pull out here on the granite...a true rock warrior. Remember to keep the Goodtimes (tm) rolling wherever you are at on the globe and we hope to see you all sometime soon! Cheers...

Climbing the Koh Tao Coast

We have really begun to expand the Jansom Bay cliff area with two new routs right over the sea. The massive 30m granite cliffs overlook the whole of Sairee beach with the turquoise tropical waters glistening below. There is nothing like building up a sweat on the rock then taking a jump into the refreshing water below (not all the way from 30m!) and having a snorkel with the colouful fishes of the reef.

Diving, Diving, Diving then Pub Crawl Surviving

First pub crawl of 2009 was one to be remembered......of what i remember! We had 36 people loaded into 3 taxis cruzing around Koh Tao causing havoc! Thank you MOOV, Dragon Bar, Choppers, Vibe and Lotus for some awesome cocktails and shots and great entertainment as always. I think the highlight of the evening was the 4 tiered 10 lady pyramid, well done girls!

I also want to say thanks to Rick and his crew (a group of divers from San Fransisco) for creating an awesome vibe at GTA for the last few days, you guys rock! We have been doing a lot of diving the past few days with conditions getting better and better each day... 20m viz at Shark Island! My favorite dive has to be our Night dive at Twins, all other boats were parked up at White rock so we had the whole dive site to ourselves. The phosphorescent algae was beautiful, was saw lots of free swimming rays, crabs, sleeping parots and even a couple of barraccuda on the hunt. It was awesome!

Here we are, 2009.... I only just started remembering to write 2008! It looks like its going to be another good year here on Koh Tao with the team here at Goodtime working hard on establishing more climbing routs and adventurous activities to give all visitors to our little island in the sun an experience they wont forget!

Yesterday I took Warren from Australia up to Mek's mountain for a full day of Rock Climbing and Abseiling. The weather was perfect, nice and sunny with a cool breeze keeping us refreshed as we scaled the rocks. After 4 hours of climbing we were very ready for lunch so hiked to Fraggle Rock (an amazing viewpoint overlooking Sairee) and ate our sandwiches in the sun. Then it was time to test Warrens nerves with our famoust Island view abseils. We warmed up on the 25m flat cliff then moved over to the 30m overhang suspended high above the tree canopy. It was a great day, thank you Warren for non-stop banter and cheeky comments about my lack of ability to tan "Pale Pommy"! Its only taken me three years in Thailand to become an offish white.... im getting there!

We also had Aussa and Erin come and join us for a spot of diving. Tim and Slade took them out for a private dive experience, the main aim being the avoision of any other boats so getting the fish all to themselves. Thats the way we like it!