Travelfish #305: Ko Mak + The mystery of the minibar

Everywhere is on the way to somewhere Hi all, One week the Togean Islands, another week, Chinatown in Bangkok—oh, the contrasts that travel allows one to soak up. Me, [I'm missing the Togeans]( On the site this week we have newly updated coverage for [Ko Mak]( a cute and very welcoming island in the Ko Chang archipelago in eastern Thailand. Interestingly, it was on a beach on Ko Mak many many moons ago that Sam and I first sketched out what would eventually (after a few fits and starts) become Travelfish. Who knew! This coming week, we have on the way a raft of new material on Indonesia's Java plus Laos, along with more updates from northern Laos. Good travels Stuart, Sam and the Travelfish crew Support Travelfish! If you'd like to chip in (if you haven’t already) for using the site, we'd love you to sign up for a year-long subscription for just A$35. [See more here](. Exclusive for Travelfish readers: Save an additional 7% at Agoda [Use promo code Tfishpromo »]( Soapbox The mystery of the minibar Having a fridge or minibar of some description is increasingly common in all but the cheapest of rooms across Southeast Asia. Indeed, a chilled drink of water is often a very nice welcome as you drop your bag and put your feet up. Often though, the fridge just sits there running 24/7 regardless of whether guests are in residence, keeping just a bottle or two of water chilled. That seems like a waste. As with TVs, are fridges on the way out? We wonder what thought process is involved when hotels decide on the fridge issue. There are no shortage of stories of outrageous price-gouging by hotels on minibar items and I'll confess to occasionally drinking the fridge contents and replacing them from a nearby 7-eleven rather than paying hotel rates—I'm sure plenty gets drunk and not paid for—or drunk and refilled with something cheaper... yes, do check the seals on those miniature liquor bottles! Are they really worth the effort for the hotel? I wonder if they are more of a headache than a profit centre and that's why they are more often than not empty. For travelling families, a fridge might be essential for keeping stuff for a baby cool, but for others, perhaps less so. Do you like to have a fridge in your room? Stocked or unstocked? Enquiring minds want to know! Safe travels Stuart Premium members only: Book a round the world with [roundtheworldflights.com]( (must travel from the UK via Asia, Australia, New Zealand AND the Americas) and get £30pp off your trip. Offer valid for departures to December 2018. Log in to the Member Centre on Travelfish now for your coupon code and [start designing your own round the world trip »]( What we’re reading Night Sky With Exit Wounds by Ocean Vuong Award-winning, 2016-published Night Sky With Exit Wounds is a beautiful collection of often startling poems by Vietnamese-born, American-raised Ocean Vuong. Spanning war, the fall of Saigon, gay love, families and much more, the poems may traverse sometimes familiar ground, but they offer [fresh perspectives using language that sparkles]( as if its very words were diamonds. Thank you Just a few quick words of thanks to businesses who have decided to advertise direct with us on Travelfish recently. If you know a business, small or large, who may be interested in advertising on the site, please send them our [One Page Media Kit!]( Other advertisers include [Asia Highlights]( offer tailor made travel through Vietnam, [Take Me Tour]( offer experiences with locals out of Chiang Mai, [Akha Kitchen]( offer Thai cooking classes in Chiang Rai, WWOOF Thailand [connect hosts and organic farm volunteers]( and VD Travel offer [trending itineraries across the region](. Featured Ko Mak If you’re set on an island in eastern Thailand, but Ko Chang is too busy, Ko Kut too pricey and Ko Wai to small, where should you head? [We say Ko Mak](. Home to an all-round excellent selection of places to stay, with plenty of beaches to choose from, each with its own distinct vibe (and sand grain), Ko Mak can be a lot of different things to different people. This is one of the reasons it continues to attract both devotees and first-time visitors, year in, year out. It isn’t perfect, of course—few places truly are—but put aside those pesky sandflies and on a clear and sunny late afternoon, with a light seabreeze and an iced cold drink, Ko Mak can feel pretty close to perfection. Also, this is the very island which Travelfish was conceived on (mentally!), so it has to be worth a look, right? Please follow the link below to feast your eyes on [our completely updated coverage for Thailand’s Ko Mak](. Travelfish partners Want to head to Ha Long Bay but don’t want to spend the earth? Get Your Guide offer tours ex Hanoi for under US$50 per person. [Halong Bay Islands and Caves: Full-Day Tour from Hanoi from US$47]( News from the region BURMA: Myanmar police 'set up' Reuters reporters in sting-police witness “Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, who is part of the team representing the Reuters reporters, said in a statement [the prosecution should now drop the case]( or the judge should dismiss it.” CAMBODIA: Threatened Cambodia river dolphins making 'historic' rebound “The number of dolphins in the Mekong has increased from 80 to 92 in the past two years, according to a survey by Cambodian authorities and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), which called the rebound a '[historic increase]( INDONESIA I: Bodies remodelled for a life at sea “ 'We were so fascinated that they could stay underwater much longer than us local islanders,' Dr. Jubilado said. '[I could see them literally walking under the sea]( ” INDONESIA II: 'A vigilante state': Aceh's citizens take sharia law into their own hands “ 'If my daughter did something like that and people beat her to death,' he adds, 'I would agree with it.' ” Indonesia has a nationwide problem with [vigilantism]( but this is a concerning look into the mindset of some people in Aceh. SOUTHEAST ASIA: Five Asian countries dump more plastic into oceans than anyone else combined: How you can help The situation isn't hopeless. The best way to cut plastic waste is to cut consumption, experts say. [Here are some ways you can join the movement](. Travel writing INDONESIA: Preserving Indonesia’s marine paradise as tourists flock to West Papau islands “Such [grassroots initiatives]( appear to have motivated the Raja Ampat government, which has shown its intention to manage increasing tourism with plans to control the number of live-aboard boats visiting the busiest dive sites in the Dampier Strait.” Interesting site Urbanist Hanoi [From the smart cookies who brought you Saigoneer](. Travel shot [Ao Kao is none too shabby. Photo: David Luekens] Ao Kao is none too shabby. Photo: David Luekens Till next time [Sam and Stuart.] That’s it from us for now. As usual, enjoy the site’s new additions and drop us a line if there’s something in particular you’d like us to cover in Southeast Asia. Travel light! Stuart, Sam & the Travelfish team [( You're receiving the Travelfish newsletter because you signed up at Travelfish.org. Not interested anymore? [Unsubscribe Instantly](. Make sure you're getting our emails! 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