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Published: December 9th 2005
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Headed from Chang Mai down to Ko Pha Ngan in time for the full moon party, took a mere 27 hours by bus and ferry. Cost about 10 quid! Stayed on a quieter side of the island as all accommondation in Hat Rin (where party was) was long gone. Party itself was exactly how you can imagine it- loads of messed up people dancing and passing out on beach, quite amusing, loads of fire jugglers etc, worth seeing but didn't think that much of it really. Few too many English chavs as well. Maybe i should have had some of those mushroom flavoured drinks ;-). Spent another couple of days here chilling in bars or snorkelling on our private beach! Really relaxing- eating BBQ shark in front of a fire on the beach, very chilled. Obviously had to get the peds out for a day of riding- there aren't really all that many roads on Ko Pha Ngan so spent alot of time on dirt tracks hunting for beaches and waterfalls- great time! As Shetton and Ad will testify, giving me a geared bike probably wasn't too wise, but all went well! Weather here wasn't brilliant, hot but rained alot so
headed across Thailand to Koh Phi Phi.
I really can't say enough about this island- paradise. Planned on doing our Open Water Scuba Course at some point so chose here only to find a handy little "price agreement" between all the dive shops so couldn't really do much bartering, turned out we chose a really good shop- spent the next few days diving in stunning turqoise waters surrounded by limestone cliffs and perfect beaches- just look at the photos. So many colourful fish as well- brilliant stuff. No sharks or turtles though, ( will have to change that- see later!!) It's so cheap here that its just rude not to get hammered every night as well!! ended up spending ages in one apartment because we never got up in time to change rooms- drinking till 6 doesn't mix with moving out by 11am............. Another few nights on the buckets had the desired effect! Hired a long tail boat and headed over to Koh Phi Phi Ley, which is where "The Beach" was filmed. The guy dropped us off on the other side of the island and we swam through a cave, walked up through the jungle to come out
on the beach set in a cove, really can't describe how nice this place is. Will definately be coming to Phi Phi again!! On way back we stopped of at Monkey Beach, we expected them to be quite shy and we would have to sneak up for a photo.... no chance. These monkeys are thieven' bastards! One just ran up jumped on the boat and started tearing through our bags hunting for food! Realising we didn't have any he decided to throw my book in the sea and go for Arnie! Nutters.
Interesting to see the effect of the tsunami as well. The island was hit really badly and you can see why from the photos, the main part of the island is basically a sand bar between two coves- it is built at sea level, so the island is now a real mix of perfect beaches, little shops and bars and then construction sites trying to rebuild the locals homes..... Really makes you see the effect this thing had everywhere...... The locals are so friendly as well, can't really think of a better place for a couple of weeks holiday... Spent alot of time in this one bar
as well cos it had a huge outdoor bit, with a thai boxing ring in, there isnt really anything more interesting after a few pints than watching two thais knock the hell of each other- they really go for it as well! basically just kick each other in the head then one guy will just jump up and knee the other in the face etc, carrys on until one passes out!! great fun! The currys, oh my word, i'm not too good with hot stuff so tried this one curry and you can ask for how much spice you want... so i ordered 40% spice as opposed to 100% normal, started off ok but it was one of those currys that sneaks up on you and just builds and builds until you can't feel your tongue or speak!! I had to leave the restaurant and go hunting for an ice cream! Never again.
Spent all our time here with a guy Justin from Melbourne, who we are gonna see when in Aus and the girls from our Scuba Dive shop. Anyway enough beach bumming.... off to climb the highest mountain in SE Asia- 4092m ASL- why the hell did
we choose to do this???
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Katrina Comer
non-member comment
Amazing
These photos are brilliant. Its good to read what you are up to. Sounds like you are collecting some fantastic memories.