‘I Went On Holiday And Stayed'

Heading home after time off in an amazing location can be a wrench. So, what if you could live there forever? We meet three women who did just that

- Fiona Gibson

DESTINATION: THAILAND

‘ My home is a beautiful house in the jungle’

When FAITH HILL, 41, visited the island of Koh Phangan, there was no turning back. She now lives there permanently.

“A few years ago, my life was very different. I worked in publishing and, while I loved it, the pressure got to me. I was exhausted by work and city life.

The big trigger was seeing a life coach. In just one session, she helped me realise that, instead of working flat out, I wanted to see the world. I left the session thinking ‘I’m going to do this’. As I had some savings, it seemed entirely possible.

To my boss’s astonishment, I resigned the next day and booked a one-way ticket to India with a plan to travel for six months. Some people thought it was drastic, but it felt right. I owned a flat with a friend but, as she was working overseas, I rented it out and set off. For the first few weeks, I’d have moments when I’d think, ‘My word – I’m here alone in India!’ But I began to love waking up each day and being able to do whatever I wanted.

On a packed Indian train, I got chatting to a German man who said, ‘If you ever go to Thailand, you must visit the Sanctuary on Koh Phangan.’ When you’re travelling, people recommend places all the time, but this stuck. I made my way there – it’s a beautiful retreat – and fell in love with the place. I’d booked in for three days but stayed for six weeks, doing yoga, making friends, and trying healing therapies.