The island for the original Full Moon Party. The island thousands come to; and many limp away from. The island for partying and sunbathing. Stepping onto the beach I was hit by 4 clinics/doctors in the space of 20 meters; just how lively does it get at night I wondered? Well I was sure about to find out! The night life here was very different to that of Phi Phi. Here things don't kick off till around 11pm or even later and you roll back home neaer to sunrise opposed to going out at 9pm and getting in at 3am. One night was spent on the famous Mushroom Mound (because most are high on mushroom shakes) where house music played till early hours of the morning. At night the streets come alive with bucket sellers, street food sellers and neon t-shirt sellers…..oh, and drunken tourists. The day of the 'Full moon' had finally come. On the beach a few minutes from our guesthouse, sea garden resort, called Haad Rin Nok. The sellers came out in troops and locals were painting florescent colours on everyone walking by. Everyone was dressed in florescent 'full moon' tops, shorts, jewellery, wrist bands and ribbons. The streets glowed and the crowds emerged in army's. Reaching the beach I could feel the body heat suddenly hit me due to the volume of people. People to the left, right, in front, it was crazy and the slow walk to get there was more like a shuffle and a dance. There were around twenty bars playing different music along the beach, each with various fire shows, and other entertainment. Various passing out zones/ sleep zones were dotted among them…..a funny sight and strangely they were packed. The morning after the streets were home to zombie-looking tourists hunting for the pharmacy with the latest cut or burn and for food. I'm pleased to say I was looking for food!

I'm glad I made it to this island, as that was also part of the reason for extending. Yes it was party party party but that's not to say I didn't meet loads of locals and still engulf myself in the culture along the way. The twelve hour ride back to Bangkok was a long one, especially being on my own and not having Will, who travelled with me the first time around. But I made it in one piece and am now dead excited to go back to Cambodia; I know the next five days are going to go so quickly! five days left in Asia then it's back to reality….eeeek!

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