Koh Phangan

We decided to head for accommodation where the black moon party was to be held (as it was coming up). We turn up and we can't see a single person. No one on the beach, no-one at resorts so it was nice and peaceful but dead!
- Just a quick mention of a bird (in a cage) we saw at one of the bungalows. As we approached I heard a 'hello'. We presumed somebody could see us but we couldn't see anyone. We then saw this bird talking. It spoke in Thai and could speak sentences- we were both amazed! Little things!!

We got another taxi and headed to another area where the full moon parties are held. We found a complex which had cheap rooms and a pool. To our shock The Dutch guy Richard, Chris and Emma were staying there. We hungout by the pool (which overlooked the beach) and that evening met the guys to eat, play pool and drink strawberry shakes! (it's a hard life!)

The next day we headed for the full moon party beach (which wasn't on when we were there). The beach was really nice- a big stretch of White sand and clear waters. As we left we could see the many bars preparing for the evening events. We met up with the guys and headed back into town for dinner. We found a nice pizza restaurant and had an amazing calzone pizza! We went to 'drop in' bar on the beach which had made quite an effort with it's decorations. We were given a free drink and then I won a 'bucket' for getting a basketball into the hoop! So that was a good start! We watched local guys do what we'd call 'fire dancing'. It was a pretty crazy bar, every so often fireworks would go off, fire balls were being thrown over our heads (for another guy to catch it!) which didn't make it that relaxing! They later brought out a huge skipping rope which was doused in petrol and set alight. It didn't look very safe and our thoughts were confirmed when we saw a few people with minor burns!! They also got a hoop of fire out which was just at mental!! We chatted to the locals selling their cocktail buckets and they showed Emma how to make flower rings out of straws (I bet you can't wait for her to share this new found skill with all of you at home!!). Chris (not Kris!) got cornered by what he thought were prostitutes in the men's loos, but the local women took great delight in telling him that they were actually lady-boys!! She then told the rest of the bar people, and they all found his shocked face hilarious!! (Sorry Chris had to pass the story on!!) We ended up getting back at 4.30am which wasn't as late as the other guys!

The next day was Pool party day which was being held where we were staying. We again sat around the pool as it's in a pretty good setting. Before the pool party we went to a BBQ Buffet with Rich. We had a stove on our table and we helped ourselves to meat. There was mainly only meat to choose from so it got a bit heavy going after our second plateful! We get back to the pool party and it's in full swing. So another late night!!

The next day we left to get the ferry to koh samui. We didn't stick around for the black moon party as the weather was meant to get worse and we'd had a few late nights already. As we left on the ferry, in came the rain!