I met Frank outside the Vietnam Embassy where I collected my visa. Although I had met other travelers on my trip, it was great to see such a familiar face. The idea of spending a couple days with Franky while traveling to some of Thailand’s most beautiful islands was exciting.
That evening, we took the overnight bus to Surat Thani. We met two very ordinary American girls and an interesting English guy by the name of Nick. Like nearly all of the English people we would meet in the next couple days, Nick was on his gap year between high school and university. Most of the bus ride was spent trying to figure out the most comfortable position to place your body instead of sleeping. Nick was heading to the same island as us and for the same reason: The Full Moon party.
One of the most beautiful views of the full moon is said to be from a beach located on Ko Phangan called Haad Rin. The story behind the origins of the full moon party are as numerous and come in as many flavors as the revelers that attend it today. One rumor tells of a group of young travellers that would return every year to gaze at the full moon. Each year they would return with a greater following of full moon gazers. Full moon watching turned into bon fires and bon fires to a party. Today, over 20,000 sun soaked travelers and tourist make their way to Haad Rin every month to participate in an all night party complete with music, fire shows an excessive fun.
Frank, Nick and I finally arrived at Ko Panang around mid-day after about 16 hours of traveling. Rest, of course, would have been the wise choice here but we decided to explore the island and have a swim in the pristine Thai waters. Night crept up on us and soon we found ourselves making our way in a taxi to the full moon party.
The site of 20,000 people partying on a beach was a truly sensory experience. Some buying drinks, others dancing on tables and on the sand and still others screaming at their friends in a feeble attempt to communicate over the heart throbbing music. The full moon party is definitely not for everyone, but for it was for Frank and I. We partied all night until the full moon made way for the sun. I danced with a lady boy (to my great dismay) and Frank stepped on a broken bottle. An old school friend accosted Nick. I bought a round of drinks. Frank had one or two and I had more. Frank danced and so did I. Nick disappeared and we didn’t see him for the rest of the night. Frank and I had breakfast; met some Latin girls and we went home. Alone.
Ko Phangan is truly a beautiful island and nothing was quite as exhilarating as exploring the island on a pair of scooters. We made a giant loop around the island stopping at some beaches and having a massage on a thatch roof hut. Although I danced with a lady boy, Frank has the experience of being massaged by one.
From Ko Phangan, we are heading to Phucket. Will update soon.
South East Asia
YEAHH!!!! Fantastic post. It captured the experience really well. Hope you’re well, man, and keep me updated on Vietnam. Be easy dread.
Franky!! Missing you already man! Wish you were here with me in Saigon. Meet these two really cool Norwegian girls and we toured the city together. You got your passport back I hope. Take care man – see you next month!