World Trip - Padraic Hickey

Background
Similar to Ko Pha Ngan for its daytime tranquillity and vibrant nightlife, it also had some distinct differences. For one it was affected by the Sumatra Tsumani. It was strange to think that the majority of the locals (if not all) would have lost someone to the Tsunami. I also found the people here more friendly than the people in other parts of Thailand. Maybe this could be attributed to the assitance they received from the West in helping to rebuild the island.

DayTime
During the day we lazed about on the beach, watched movies in the small island town and read books in some of the cafes. Since there are no cars or motorbikes allowed on the island our ears were open to a variety of other sounds. The engine from a distant boat, the bell from a push bike, the wind rustling through the palm trees or the pitter patter from flip flops on cobblestones.

Activties
A day later Ciaran arrived. He had stayed with Pat longer than I could and convinced me we needed to go back to Phuket. That was a few days away and there were things to do in the mean time.
On 2 seperate days we tried to go to Phi Phi La. This is small island beside Ko Phi Phi and is a world heritage sight. The island featured in a James Bond movie and the movie 'The Beach'. Unfortunatly for us monsoon season brought large waves which meant that the trips were cancelled. We did manage to rent out sea kayaks and do some exploring.

The view point over Ko Phi Phi

NightTime
We spent the nights in bars beside the beach. Each night started out with a fire show. This involved guys juggling num-chucks, staffs and balls on the end of chains, all of which were ablaze. Afterwards we sat and drank from our buckets, less the red bull.

The fire dancers who were also the bartenders

Moving On
After four nights here we were moving past our allocated time in Thailand. We wanted to go to Krabi but we had a friend we needed to go back to visit.

Unimpressive
The land of prostitutes, 40 year old plus white men and lady boys. After the beautiful island of Ko Pha Ngan this place was hard to stomach. With Virgile and Nick distinctly un-impressed they had decided to go to Ko Phi Phi tomorrow. Pat would have to stay here for a while to attend Phuket hospital. A tough decision had to be made.

The Party seperates
The next day I left with Nick and Vergile to Ko Phi Phi. I felt bad about leaving Pat and Ciaran behind, but with Pat awaiting treatment there was not much I could do. I assured Pat I would only be a few hours away and if he needed anything to send me an email. Feeling guilty I left Ciaran, Pat and Phuket behind. I hoped I would not have to return.

Recovery

On Sunday it was time to recover from the full moon party. We spent the day lazing around and determined to do something the next day we stayed in for the night. I was up early and went for a run on the beach. I was promptly followed by 3 dogs who even came into the sea for a swim.

Scooters
On Monday we rented scooters in order to see the entire island. They only cost 250 Baht for the day and this price included petrol. This is equivalent to 5 euro. We travelled up the West Coast and found this nice secluded beach.

We are standing on Mae Haad beach and you can see Koh Ma in the background

We next went to a view point in the middle of the island, a large waterfall and discovered that 125cc mopeds can go 100 km/h. In hindsight this may not have been a good idea as none of us were wearing helmets. We then went to Hat Rin beach where we met a friend from college, Dave Tucker. We all got some food and headed back to the hostel.

Accident
As we were nearing the hut Pat scooter skidding in sand in on the road and he fell off. He badly scraped his arm and looked like he seriously damaged is leg. Any normal man would have gone to the hospital but not Pat. With steely determination he got back on his scooter and we made it back to beach huts. By the luck of God a girl staying at the huts was a nurse and she treated Pats wounds. Without her Pat's wounds would surely have been infected. Maybe it would have been my idea to swim in the sea that would of got his wounds infected or something else. We will never know.
With Pats wounds cleaned and bandaged we were under strict orders to check into Phuket hospital when we arrived. We owe our gratitude to Carolin the nurse from Germany.

Leaving
So miraculously we managed to make the night boat. We had a great time on the island and we were hopeful Pats injuries would heal quickly. The sun had truly set on our time in Ko Pha Ngan.

Taken on the West Coast of the island after Pat had fallen off his bike.

The Island
Ko Phan Ngan is a beautiful island off the East Coast of Thailand. The bus from Bangkok took about 8 hours to get to a twon called Chumporn. From there we took a 3 hour ferry to the island. On a travels we met some companions who would share our adventure on Ko Phan Ngan.

Companions
On the bus journey we met a good few people all heading to the Full Moon Party. The bus was like a United Nations convoy with the Irish as the lead socialisers. We were like mediators for different countries.

From left to right Virgile (Paris), Natalia (Canada), Emily (Canada), Ciaran (you already know) and Nick (USA). After getting off the boat we went in search of accomodation. We got a beach hut on the West Coast of the island with Nick and Virgile. The girls were not too far away either.

Full Moon Pre - Party
So with accomodation sorted it was time to party. The beach party is held on Hat Rin Beach and it was about 30 minutes away. The best explanation I could give for the full moon party would be America's spring break. The beach is about 1 km wide and was packed with up to 20k people. Buckets are the drink of choice. I later found out that red bull is included in these buckets and that it has anphetamines in it. This explained where my insomnia was coming from.
Dotted at several locations on the beach were face painters with illuminous paint. I decided to get an Irish flag on my right cheek [as I am Irish] and a Swedish flag on my left cheek [Swedish girls are hot]. The face painter made a complete hash of both flags and so I decided to wash them off in the sea. As I was washing off the paint I look up and see about 50 people all pissing into the sea in close vicinity. I still havn't gone back in the water.
All along the beach there are bars and each with its own DJ. Some photos will explain things better.

The five of us getting started on our buckets.

All along the beach are wooden stages where people can get up and dance. Needless to say I spent most of the night up here. In the distance you can see light from bars further down the beach.

Full Moon Party
So now we have been on Ko Pha Ngan 2 days and what had we done, drinking and recovering. And what was the next thing on our list, another party. This was similar to the pre party except bigger. A lightning storm out at sea and some rain made the party even more exotic. I would like to fill you in on the details of the full moon party but my mind is a little hazy. Queue some pictures I found on my camera.

I don't even remember taking my top off. But everyone was naked so I had an excuse.

These are some random girls who shot me down. Irish girls if you believe it.

7:30 in the morning and the party is still in full swing.

Part 2
To be continued.

Arrival
The first thing that hit when I stepped off the plane was the heat. Like stepping from a cool refrigerator into a sauna. Jeans were definitely not needed.

Thai People
From the outset the people are very friendly. Met a man in the airport who was employed to greet any visitors and give them as much information as possible. Told us how to get where we needed to go, what activities we could partake in and most importantly how to get to the Full Moon Party.
As soon as we stepped outside the airport. The Thai people were completely different. As soon as we got near Ko San Road we got hassled by everyone. Buy my suit, buy this hat, buy a lighter / pens / flowers / clothes / wallets. I don't believe that Ko San Road is an accurate reflection of Thai people. Overall they are a peaceful, calm and very friendly people.

Ciaran losing money to Bebe. She was only twelve and sold flowers for a living. She also went to school everyday and as Ciaran found out was remarkably good at paper, scissors, rock.

Worst Tourists Ever
During our 3 days in Bangkok we saw a total of 0 museums / 0 sights and about 20 different pubs. We blamed this on the jet Lag and hopefully we will improve as the trip goes on. What we did manage to do is get hussled in Pool by every person in sight. Even the Thai women were kicking my ass.

Thai Food & Drink
The combination of buckets of alcohol and curries are not doing my system any favours. The Thai food is absolutely delicious. My favourite dish so far is Thai green curry. Its reminds me of chicken Korma with hints of coconut, some exotic herbs and flavoured meats. The most dangerous thing so far has been the buckets. One specific ingredient RED BULL. The red bull here has anpethamines in it. I have been in Bangkok 3 days and I have got about 6 hours sleep and I am still wide awake. No more Red Bull.

Time to go to the Beach
Leaving Bangkok I was glad. Its an average sized city which has poor air quality, lots of noise and lots of people. It has its charms but the thought of relaxing on a beach is much more appealing. Its Thursday and we have booked an overnight bus and boat to Koh Phangan. The full moon beach party awaits us.