05th - 07th Jan. Koh Pha-Ngan

Temperature: 32 degrees
Tropical downpours: 3
Mosquito bites; Carl:2 Vik: 15
Surfing methods: 2

Our next island hop was to the famous Full Moon Party capital - Koh Pha-Ngan. This island is smaller and more mountainous than Samui, and slightly less developed. We stayed in Haad Rin which is where the Full Moon party takes place. Unfortunately we weren't there at the right time to experience it.
We hadn't booked anywhere, so when we turned up we just walked along the beach hoping they'll be some beach huts available. Luckily we found a really nice spot called Palita Resort which is next door to Tommy's where Vik stayed 8 years ago (which is now a posh resort). Our little hut a view of the sea and sat right next to an "infinity pool" - always wanted to swim in one of those!

The waves were larger than normal (due to the stormy weather we'd had) and the first thing we did when we arrived was to jump in the sea and body surf.
In the morning we discovered that our breakfast was free! Yum, we had a choice of about 10 different set menus, such as "English breakfast", "Continental breakfast", even burger and chips (all came with fresh fruit juice and tea/coffee)! Vik on her 3rd morning had hot dog and chips - well it was around 11am and we had just done 22 lengths in the pool.

We walked around Haad Rin, and it had increased in size from 8 years ago. There were still the backpacker restaurants where you can watch a bootleg blockbuster film while eating your Thai meal. Also, some of the original full moon bars were still there but looking a bit grubby. Although 'peppered' amongst these are expensive spa resorts. One more thing that had changed, was the price of everything. Internet cost 4.40p an hour!!

The resort was very well equipped with a tennis table, games, and beach stuff. Carl borrowed a lilo and went "surfing". He didn't have any problem catching the waves, just couldn't steer it too well and therefore had a tendency to go straight to the beach. No change there then!

Again, we hired a ped to seek out some good snorkeling beaches. We ventured north to Salad beach which was idyllic and then on to Ao Mae beach. This was also amazingly tropical with palms fringing the white sand. There was a small island that was attached to the mainland by a sand bank with crystal clear water on both sides. The coral and fish here were great, we saw many different fish such as big rainbow parrot fish.

We only spent 3 days here, which we didn't think was long enough. With hindsight we would have liked to have spent Xmas and New Year here. Then at least we would have been able to enjoy the Christmas Eve Full Moon Party.