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Published: March 28th 2008
Sunset
Sunset from Sunset Beach on our first evening in Ko Phangan10th - 15th March - Ko Phangan
So...after a short, but rough, ferry journey down from Ko Tao we arrived at Ko Phangan and set straight for the backpackers mecca of Haad Rin on the Southern tip of the island. After checking in to some cheap but conveniently located accomodation on Sunset Beach (the quieter side of the peninsula) we nipped across to the legendary Sunrise Beach where the Full Moon Party is held every month.
Unfortunately we would not be able to stick around for the Full Moon Party as we didn't have time but the Half Moon fell on the 14th March and after speaking to a local hippy who had lived on the island for 25 years, having moved from the U.S, we had made the right decision as he said it has better music and is 'one crazy night!'
Arriving on Sunrise Beach in the evening we could see that a party here would be one to remember. The sprawling beach was lined with bar after bar all with huge soundsystems. Positioned just in front of the bars are the drinks stalls where the legendary 'buckets' are handed out to ravers. These are 'buckets'
Sunrise Beach
The first evening we arrived.The beach before the partying began. in every sense of the word, consisting of various bottled spirits with different mixers in a sandcastle bucket. What more could you want!
We then watched the sunset on Sunset Beach which has to be the most impressive of the gap year yet.
After some investigation we realised that our budget accomodation was actually part of a larger resort and had a brilliant swimming pool overlooking the beach which we were able to make use of. We also took the time to relax on Sunrise Beach...its a hard life! On the second night we decided it was time to head for our first beach party. After an afternoon nap to prepare we had a bite to eat at one of the everpopular movie restaurants (they show a movie while you eat/ drink) and made our way to Sunrise Beach. It was one CRAZY night that followed! Drop in Bar was our first stop where everyone had a go jumping through the ring of fire (which was regretted by all in the morning when finding singed leg hair!) Rick and I built up some good banter with Lee who sold us some crazy mixed buckets which kept us going
Haad Rin
Suspect looking rogues through the night.
I stayed partying until 7 in the morning and after finding a very dazed Ross, we grabbed some chairs, stuck them in the surf and watched the sunrise. Then, looking down the beach, which was now deserted apart from the odd drunk lay in the sand, I spotted a strange individual who came frolicking out of the forest and then made his way to the sea...at which point he fell face forward into the surf. It was at this point I relaised I had seen that distinctive yellow 'Mr Bump' T-Shirt before...IT WAS RICK! I don't think I have ever laughed that much in my life!
Another surreal event occured during the night in that we met Greg, the man who had actually booked our tickets to go on the Gap Year in STA Manchester. We didn't know he was due to come out and it was some crazy mixed up moment when he tapped me on the shoulder. Its a small world!
The day that followed was a quiet day for all. Without a traditional greasy fry up to help us through the hard times, the fresh BBQ'd Red Snapper at the fish
Sunset
Pure beauty restaurant was probably the only highlight of the day.
On the 13th we had made somewhat of a recovery and decided after our successes in Ko Tao we would rent mopeds for the day. We set off for the scenic beaches on the West coast of the island at Ao Thon Nai Pan. We didn't know what we were in for! After some rolling roads out of Haad Rin we hit the main road round the island. Heading North we went up to the viewpoint over the island where a very kind man emerged from a hut and told us 'I've got what you want' and then offered us every drug under the sun. We declined and moved on...until we hit the dirt track. This is when things got tricky. One thing I can say is that Mopeds are not designed to travel on dirt tracks. After making some progress, and passing numeous 4x4 vehicles we were going down a steep hill when Caz's bike lost its grip and slammed to the ground. Nightmare! After some discussion he decided it would be best for him to head back to assess the damage to the bike...and his wallet. We pushed
Legendary Lee
The provider of booze on and after about an hour and a half's riding we made it to the picturesque bay of Ao Thon Nai Pan. It was a great beach with some big waves. After spending some time there we made our way back over to Haad Rin. It was a relief to get back on the tarmac and we took the time to eat at a restaurant at the top of one of the hills and watch sunset across the bay.
Tonight was party time again at a pool party at one of the nearby resorts. Partied until 8 in the morning. Its becoming a bit of a trend!
Finally, the day of the Half Moon had arrived. We handed our mopeds back in the morning to be charged 14, 200 Baht (£230) collectively. Fair enough, Caz had crashed his bike but Ross and I were charged for minor scratches on the mud guards. We'd been taken to the cleaners by some cowboy salesmen. The man revealed a gun when Ross refused to pay so we thanked him, left the money and ran! Looking back I can smile...but we were definitely not happy at the time!
After a morning
of excitement we relaxed for the rest of the day, conserving our energy for the Half Moon Party that evening. After eating at the reknowned 'chicken corner', applying some glow paint (some people took it o.t.t!) we jumped in a taxi and headed for the jungle where the party is held. We passed hundreds of fellow ravers along the way and were dropped off. From here we followed the beat of the music along a dirt track and into the dance jungle arena. It was awesome. Neon lights glowed everywhere and the glowpaint bodyart definitely paid off. It looked immense! The central dance area was surrounded by bar areas upon the hill with the DJ on a platform overlooking the ravers. We raved into the night...until...the music went off! Didn't have a clue what had happened so we followed the crowds out and caught a taxi back to Sunrise Beach. After much debate between many drunken people we all managed to get in an open backed taxi with several others. Just as we were leaving a rogue Thai man jumped on the back and began to hitch a ride. The group weren't having any of it. With his bucket in
The Red Snapper
Not bad for under a fiver hand, the man was pushed off the back only for all his drink to be splashed on his head! If you don't pay you don't get!
We rode back over the hills and into Haad Rin, during which a certain Richard Huntington had a few problems. I will not go into detail...but he managed to clear a nice space for himself in the taxi 😊
Getting home at 8 in the morning after another rave session on the beach we expected to find Rick in bed after his misfortune on the ride home. This was not the case! Feeling pretty bad as we had lost our good friend...we went to sleep. Then, a knock on the door at 10AM gave us all hope. Rick entered looking as good as usual...with battered legs and a green skin colour. No questions were asked...we just went straight back to bed.
In the afternoon, reminiscing on last nights events, it was revealed that Rick had actually stumbled through bushes into a cafe and slept with a dog, a cat and a Thai man. An eventful night was had by all!
Today was our last day in Ko Phangan. We were
Ao Thon Nai Pan
Relief...after the treacherous journey across from Haad Rin on our mopeds all slightly under the weather. After stumbling to the travel agents in the heat of the day we negotiated our journey over to the West coast and our next destination, Krabi. Packing 12 people and a surfboard in a clapped out minivan to drive over the hills out of Haad Rin is not fun at the best of times...but its even worse with a hangover! Crawling up the steep inclines in first gear...often needing a runup to get up the hill, I genuinely feared for my life! But we made it and before we knew it we were on our way to Krabi...
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Huntz89
Richard H
Going going gone!
Haha! I was having an awesome time!