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Published: October 12th 2005
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I’ve always said my life is a bit of a contradiction (that’s right I’m a living oxymoron) but no where is that better illustrated than Thailand. It was a fairly impulsive decision to leave Keys in Laos…… in 6 weeks traveling I’d see no beach so with everyone one we talked to heading towards the Full Moon I decided some R&R with some sun, sea and…… sand mixed in would be just right. Besides the Full Moon I was desperate to get back to The Sanctuary, a yoga retreat I visited 5 years ago on my first trip to Thailand and vowed to return to one day. My original plan was to head straight to the Sanctuary, but I arrived later than I thought in Hadd Rin and trying to get a long tail (it can only be reached by boat) in the middle of the night with a backpack seemed foolish.
So there I was spending a night Hadd Rin, Backpackers Party Capital of Thailand and it proved strangely addictive. This was actually going to be my third full moon party and I’d decided on my last trip that hadd rin was not a place I ever wanted to
stay again. Much is said in backpacker circles how it has changed and now five years on since my first visit I vouch that it is changing very fast. On my first trip the first 7-11 had opened but there was still only one bank and no ATM now there are three 7-11s and numerous cash machines and banks. Back then a room with a fan was luxury now it seems a/c is standard and one place even had a pool. Still on the upside it does seem marginally cleaner. Whatever you thing of this place it is good party town and without realizing it I was really in the mood to party!!!! So with the Full Moon three nights away I decided it was worth the sacrifice to stay.
The first few nights where a little mediocre as I just didn’t know anyone but on the night before the full moon I met Toby, who I’d met in Laos, he in turn seemed to know half of Hadd Rin from various SE Asian party locations. And I as most people find with the Full Moon it is the night before where they have the best time!!! My third
santuary at last
one raver needs bed urgently Full Moon went as the two others; filled with anticipation of the night before us it starts slowly without anything really kicking off then around 2am I’ll loose all the people I’m with only to spend the rest of the night dancing away on various elevated platforms. The only real difference this time was that being low season it seemed relatively quiet and come sunrise most people had gone home…… to which there should be a law against!!! To add to that about 8am a thunder storm came rolling in and everyone sought shelter in the bars….. what is wrong with this younger generation? Being the sort of rain where if you’re out in it for 5 mins you may as well be out in it for a few hours I and a few other literally danced it off on the beach for a couple of hours.
This year I was determined to make the after party but at 35gbp a night my room was costing way too much (although it was quite swish) so I went back to negotiate a discount given most people were leaving. To my surprise there was no ‘room for negotiation’ so I called
Bling Bling
Me with the honeys their bluff and packed my stuff up and checked out at 12am. With no sleep so far there I was on the beach trying to haggle with the long tail guys to take me to the Sanctuary again there was no middle ground to be had!!!
So there he goes, the oxymoron, fresh from 15 hours partying jumping off a boat to buy back his sanity and contradict the last three days of his existence. Peace at last when I jumped off the boat into The Sanctuary. I was a little worried what they would think about an obvious raver with no sleep trying to check in…. would I spoil their Karma? But this place takes you in with open arms and will only let you go when you are better. I read a lot of people who rave about a place and then finish by saying don’t go there cause you’ll spoil it for me….. well this place is that for me. The Bungalows are just divine and at one with nature (again my bathroom was in a semi cave), the food is world class and the feeling of remoteness is priceless. Bring it on and let the
sail away
Butterfly healing begin. Yoga everyday, solely vegetarian food and the most chilled atmosphere in the world. My rebirth took 11 days but was worth 11 months of credit on my life. On my second day I actually went for a one on one healing session - it lasted an hour and at the end I was told about a past reincarnated life…… I was priest in Ireland…. Yes I was a little skeptical but the healing itself was very invigorating. I was going to attempt a day fasting but fear of failing the saliva test and actual thought of not eating told me I wasn’t ready!!
On top of all The Sanctuary has to offer I met a great bunch of people. Laura who I’d met in Hadd Rin came in search of inner peace too, Nicola the City Broker trying to buy back her sole (all you finance lot are all the same ), Carrie yoga teacher and musical sole mate…….. and last but not least Vanessa, the beautiful butterfly I chased round a field of shrooms. We all had such a good time together there’s nothing like walking into the bar and always knowing that you’ll know someone.
Thanks guys it was a very special time for me!!!!
So next stop Sydney where hopefully I’ll find a home and maybe catch that butterfly in my net once more!!!!!
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Issy
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Like the beard!!
Glad to see you are looking more like a traveller and less like a banker! If the beach life gets too much in Sydney you should be able to make it back here in just in time for busy season!