Let me explain a little about this notorious get together before I detail our personal experience of the night! Basically, the whole night started many years ago, when a traveller, I think, decided that the island of Ko Phangan, on Hat Rin beach was the most idylic place to enjoy gazing at the full moon. As time went on he invited a few mates to enjoy the night with him, and this gathering grew and grew into what we know it as today, buzzing full of over 30,000 people, drinking, dancing well into the early hours and beyond. Ive been told that DJs dont stop till 11am and the party peaks between 3 to 4am. Those of you who have been reading my postacrds with the most avid of attention will note that Nicki and I were actually in Chaing Mai, visiting Doi Suthep on the day of the actual full moon, 10th July, as it was a religious holiday. And this fact explains why the full moon party occurs a couple of days after on 12th. Apparently there was so many religious protests concerning the date of the party, originally on the actual full moon, as it violated Buddhist tradition, that it had to be moved. Theres a little fact you didnt know! So on to our own experience... Fortunately, the Aussie twins we trekked with in the Hill tribes around Chiang Mai were actually going to the party too, so after a little confusion with meeting places, as is always the case with me and Nicki now, why cant anything be simple!, Emma picked us up on her rented scooter on the island, and we trundled off to have dinner at their resort. Have to add here that we were both very much inspired after our ride to rent a scooter ourselves on Ko Samui when we returned, ignoring the fact that it would be a far lot harder to meander around the considerably larger amount of traffic and one way systems on our island! Anyhoo, dinner came and went, a little disappointingly as the meal was pretty cold by the time we reached the buffet. It was cool to catch up with Emma and sarah though, as last time we saw them they were making their way to Chaing Mai train station in preparartion for the 14 hour ride to Bangkok. Its hard to sum up the eveing of festivities and far too long to detail the hours of the night. Instead I will note some of the things that particuarly stick out in my mind! 1. Buckets of alcohol! Yes bucket and spade size bucket, see photos!, ours was filled with vodka, red bull and sprite very strong! It was amusing to watch as throughout the night more and more buckets lay discarded on the beach, as the masses consumed more and more alcohol. This change from the normal broken galss bottles and empty beer cans added a real charm to the celebrations. Seemed somehow very Thai. 2. Illuminous painting of body parts! I had flowers up my arm while Nicki chose a blue dragon. The twins opted for their national flag, reminding us of our blatant lack of patriotism. Theres some cool pics of us and the boards that displayed the choices of designs on the beach. 3. the Hawaiin style necklaces, composed of polystyrene white balls and pretty purple flowers usually added to our drinks at our gorgeous haven of a hotel, Papillon Resort. Emma was very sweet and bought us both one. Sadly they are now past their best and withering away on our night stand. However, I do not as yet have the heart to throw them away. 4. The music! Pretty much all house and hip hop blasted out at different stations along the beach. This is the type of music I usually detest and shy away form dancing to. However, with enough vodka in me, and absorbed in the awesome atmosphere I was dancing, probably awfully away, at one point infront of a promotional camera. Well I wont be here to see the film so who cares! 5. Fire throwers and limbo. Very talented and up for very risky tricks! Most of which ended successfully! Sarah showed off her skills at the limbo, think have pic. Was really cool thing to have on the beach with that atmosphere. 6. Nicki getting very drunk and huggy/unable to stand as the night, for us, came to an end at aorund 4am, when we caught our deathdefying speedboat back to Ko Samui! 7. Many stoned, drunk and happy people. 8. Wierd Swedish guy, Johan, who was staying at the twins hotel and hung around with us for most of the night. turned out to be a bit of a sleeze. 9. Emmas very drunken escapades pole dancing and partying with a very affectionate Thai girl. Heard that the next day the twins had to check out of their room at 12, return their scooters and catch a ferry over to Ko Samui, all the time still drunk and starting to feel the bad side effects! Poor them, couldnt think of anything worse. 10. There was a real mix of ages, which I really liked, although thought perhaps the party a tad inappropriate for little kids selling sparkly lights. 11. Which brings me on to Nickis adoration for her sparkly light thing, which she took many many pictures of, along with everything else. We have a huge amount of pictures of the night! A very good advantage of Nickis drunkeness! All in all it was an awesome night! An amazing atmosphere and am very glad we went. Am also glad that I found the balance of alcohol consumption that made me very happy to dance and have a good time, while avoiding the awfulness that is my hangovers, basically 12 hours of being sick. How my body loathes me! But yes Im very proud of self for that accomplishment, long may it continue!