After a little over two weeks of island hopping and one Koh Phangan Full Moon Party later, I can easily say I’m islanded out. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time on the Andaman Sea coast and the Gulf of Thailand and met some great people along the way, but the lifestyle a traveler lives on the islands is more akin to a college spring break than a cultural learning experience.
To debrief, after spending our first week in Bangkok (a bit too long, in my opinion), we headed south beginning with Krabi and the Andaman Sea coast islands of Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta. From there, we jumped over to the other coast to the islands of Koh Tao and Koh Phangan in the Gulf of Thailand.
What I did love about the islands was that each was vastly different in size and make up. Each had its own ethereal beauty and there was something to love about each. If Koh Phi Phi was a nonstop beach party flecked with famous beaches and beautiful tourists, Koh Lanta was the detox from it all, with its lush inclusive resorts overlooking a stunning sunset. Koh Tao served as the chill, diver’s paradise, while Koh Phangan provides the ultimate beach rave in the world under a full moon and UV lights.
The Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan brings mixed feelings for me. It’s an outrageous event and I had a blast drinking
from buckets, painting my body and dancing until sunrise. We made new friends from all over the world and loved our resort. It was an amazing experience and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. However — and I’m no prude — the idea that Koh Phangan exists solely as a party island and that tourists lose their minds in drugs and alcohol and many walk away the next day bandaged up and on crutches, makes me wonder if it gives the Western world a bad rap as spoiled, partying alcoholics. Exploring Haad Rin in daylight was telling for me: it’s seedy and dirty, a place more fit only to be seen under the glow of UV lights, body paint and intoxication.
I understand the amazing time I had at the Full Moon Party totally contradicts my feelings about Koh Phangan, but hey, it’s my blog. Go with it.
We arrived in Chiang Mai today and I couldn’t be more excited to be landlocked for the next week or so. It should introduce me to more of the culture I came to Southeast Asia to see in the first place. We already have plans to see the night bazaar tonight and trek through the jungle for the following three days. We hope to meet up with Benny Lewis again (hopefully he’ll still speak English to us!) and spend a night learning to meditate with Buddhist monks. Even if all of these plans don’t work out in Chiang Mai, I can at least rest easy that the real culture vulture experience is finally in full swing.
It’s not too late to put your two cents (and my dollar) toward helping out Haiti after the 7.0 earthquake. Check out my previous post on the similarities between Haiti and Koh Phi Phi.
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lol, don’t worry, I’ll speak English. It will take me at least a week or two until I can confidently TRY to speak just in Thai!! I’m going to start with an hour a day and increase it by an hour each day
My experience of the full moon party was rather disappointing – if you aren’t drunk on buckets or high, it’s just another beach party in my opinion. Nothing particularly special about it, and the other party goers were not so friendly since a lot were on a 1-2 week vacation, not interested in expanding their social circle. I had absolutely no problem making friends in Phi Phi, but that night I got the usual western fear of strangers I so hate that makes single travel that extra bit more difficult out of South America, Southern Europe and Asia.
The full moon aspect is wasted; even though that was the brightest moon of the year (gotta love elliptical orbits!) and you could indeed see a strong shadow cast by the moon, it’s overtaken in part by all the artificial lighting. I imagine it would have been a more impressive party before it became commercialized (nobody told me about the paid entry btw…)
I was on a hidden away beach in India a year ago during a full moon and it was the most breathtaking sight to witness how the entire beach was lit up in grey light from above. It was an eery and unique experience and what I imagine the initial point of the Pha Ngan party was to appreciate a bit more.
That party isn’t made for people who actually want more than just drinking to be the centre of the reason for its existence. (The fire jumping works just as well on Phi Phi on a normal night) Give me Carnaval or Burning Man any day!
Nice article, it’s sounds like the Sarah I know…and love, you’re always up for fun, but a party girl you’re not. Stay safe in the jungle. XXOO
One I my friends told me about that party…sounds like sheer INSANITY. Don’t think I could tolerate it for too long either though.
@Benny the Irish polyglot – Wow, Benny. A full moon on a secluded beach sounds fantastic. It makes me wonder how many people actually bother to look up during the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan! I’ve yet to experience Carnival or Burning Man, but no worries — they’re on the list!
@mom – Glad you enjoyed it, Mom.
@Candice – Don’t get me wrong, it’s definitely an experience to love and enjoy. But once is enough…for now!
WOW as if… Your picture has Sanny’s buckets in it… I actually LOVE Sanny!!! Whenever I’m on Koh Phangan I always go to Sanny, she’s like a second mother to me…