Woman from Zurich creates a new life in Khao Lak: immerses herself in paradise

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Melanie Andriolo discovered diving thanks to her ex-boyfriend, who was a keen diver. In 2004, she went to Egypt with him and dived into the underwater world for the first time.

Diving trips to Malaysia and Phi Phi Island followed, and the sport gradually became the Zurich native’s greatest passion. “The peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of the underwater world fascinates me, and I am happy even today when I can inspire others,” says Melanie Andriolo in an interview with Blick.

Starting over in Khao Lak with savings

In 2007, the trained screen printer planned to travel to Khao Lak alone for two months. “Diving in the Similan Islands has been a dream of mine for a long time,” she says. The well-known, uninhabited archipelago contains nine small islands and can be reached by boat in less than two hours. “This is a piece of heaven,” the Swiss woman gets excited.

It was extremely difficult for him to return to Switzerland in sub-zero temperatures after his stay in Khao Lak, and the idea of ​​moving to Thailand grew permanent. “I don’t like the cold, I love the warm climate and the sea.”

During his stay, thanks to local contacts, he had the opportunity to work at a diving school. So Andriolo left his apartment and well-paying job in the Zurich plains and moved to Khao Lak in September 2008. “My mother taught me to save at an early age and I always save money outside of my salary. “With my savings, I was able to plan my migration to Thailand and finance my training, first as a guide and then as a diving instructor,” he says.

Mother follows her daughter to Thailand

Two years later, Melanie Andriolo’s mother retired early and moved to her new home to be with her daughter. “I am an only child and I have a close relationship with my mother. “He gives me advice, support and supports me in the background.”

Since then, mother and daughter have been living in the same resort in their own small bungalow with 50 square meters of living space, seating area and garden for just under 300 francs a month. “I couldn’t afford to live so beautifully in Switzerland. The overall cost of living in Thailand remains cheap,” says Andriolo.

Step into independence

She started freelancing in Khao Lak almost twelve years ago when the German owner of the diving school where the Swiss woman worked gave up the business for personal reasons, motivating Melanie Andriolo to open a diving school herself.

In addition to diving school for seven years, he also had his own ship, which he could buy from his former boss, and offered diving safaris. “Maintaining a ship requires a lot of time and money. When the corona epidemic came and tourists could no longer come to Thailand, I sold my ship for a good price,” says Andriolo. Since then, he has devoted more time to himself and his dogs and has been able to dive more again.

Lots of work and almost no free time in high season

October to May is the peak season in Khao Lak and therefore the strictest time for Switzerland. “I work there seven days a week.” The office is a few minutes’ drive from his home in Bang Niang. The Swiss woman often spends lunch with her mother on the beach and buys food from Thais. She likes to cook for herself at home in the evenings. She usually goes to the fresh produce market to shop. «I cook mostly European dishes. Omelet with salad or pork loin with roast potatoes. “I often bake bread myself.”

While eating, your inner Swiss comes to his senses: Whenever possible, have lunch ready at twelve o’clock and dinner at six o’clock. He likes to spend his evenings with his dogs on the beach or in his garden. The talented and creative Zurich native has also discovered a new hobby, making sculptures from cement: “In the off-season I have time for crafts and small renovations in the house and garden.”

Return is unthinkable

Andriolo doesn’t miss Switzerland. He says the climate is physically much better for him than the cold in Switzerland. “Sometimes I miss my old friends and colleagues. “For example, for going to the movies or for spontaneous meetings,” he says. Many of his Swiss friends have already visited him and they continue their friendship in his old hometown, albeit from a distance. He was last in Switzerland about seven years ago.

“I probably almost couldn’t find my way there anymore. “I was a little surprised by the abundance and variety in the stores.” Switzerland is also quite expensive. Therefore, a return for Melanie Andriolo is unthinkable. She loves her life by the sea, the sun and the underwater world. “I have everything I need and I feel at home.”

Source : Blick