Phangan Hang

Koh Phangan is infamous for its wild Full Moon Parties but what some people don't know is that there is a massive party like errr...every night! The variety of music and venues was crazy so Joanna, Tom and I started off the madness by going to a house music night at a 'floating bar' where we danced like maniacs all night and through to the morning and spent the entire next day in bed groaning in pain (it was worth it). This became a pattern for the next four days. The next night we went to a D&B event at a club that sprawled out on to the beach so we wore holes in the sand dancing away on the beach and in the sea. The next day - yes, you guessed it - was spent in bed in agony because by this point our calf muscles were on fire from all the shape-throwing (again, worth it).

We made our own bucket drinks using an actual bucket we found in a shop. This allows for maximum drinkage yet minimum spendage.

Raving in the sea!

We fit a little bit of hungover sunbathing in.

Our bungalow was right on the beach.

The third night out in a row was to The Jungle Experience: a techno rave nestled in the jungle on the side of a mountain. By this point we were all feeling half dead and so we didn't stay too late and instead stopped off at 7/11 to get a toastie on the way home (yes, I've managed to get Jo and Tom into my cheapo obsession with 7/11).

Following the lights, music, and piss-heads to find the party.

Lights, visuals and A LOT of UV paint.

Trevor the party dog.

The FOURTH night out was the biggie: New Year's Eve! Our hotel threw a compulsory NYE gala dinner with a multitude of Thai foods for us to try as well as a fire show, free drinks and Thai dancers; at the end they pulled audience members off their seats to dance and so I 'reluctantly' went to the stage to join in. We then made our way to the psy-trance themed debauchery on the beach, AKA The Full Moon Party, just in time for the midnight countdown and fireworks. How can I describe The Full Moon Party??!! Well, it's massive, loud and rammed with thousands of drunken, happy ravers - that look like a UV paint factory has thrown up on them - all dancing wildly on the beach under the glow of the moon, the blue haze of ultra violet lights and the glow of fire. Mental. We later moved on to a club and then watched the sun come up on the beach.

The Gala Buffet.

Thai dancers. 

The midnight fireworks.

The aftermath of our UV paint fight.

UV raving.

How dare that sneezing dog photobomb us!

Insanely beautiful sunrise after one of our many nights out.

New Years Day saw three comatose party people slumped in their beds only to emerge for dinner. We walked to a seafood restaurant on the beach and ate barbecued fish whilst the sun went down. The next day was our last on the island as we had booked a ferry to neighbouring Koh Samui the following morning; we wanted to explore the island and have a quiet night. Famous last words. We went to a bar called 'Mushroom Mountain' and met a man from Saudi Arabia who was telling us all about his country's traditions and culture - it was fascinating. He told us he had a lot of money and was happy to spend it on us; we protested and said we couldn't accept it but he insisted, saying in his culture if something is offered then you have to accept. We ended up all going to a waterfall party with him that night and were feeling awful the next day when we had to get our ferry to Koh Samui....

Sunset on New Year's Day.

The view from Mushroom Mountain.

The 'waterfall' was more like a trickle but we had a swim anyway.