We arrived in Ko Phangan at around 5pm and we had to get a cab from the terminal to Trang Sala and then we were getting picked up from the 7/11 there. While we were waiting for our cab, we saw a guy fall off his scooter! We had only been on the island 2 minutes! We had heard SO many stories about people renting those scooters and how it was a massive thing on this island! There are so many scams! Like, when you rent a scooter and you bring it back they say that there are scratches that weren't there before etc. There's not a chance I'd rent one! Although EVERYONE on the island is riding about on one! As we were on our way to Tong Sala the driver was pointing out all he places people had died on those things! All stupid travelers who don't have a clue!

We had arrived in slightly late, but luckily our lift was also on Thai time and he was late as well, so we got in the back of a 4x4 and headed off into the jungle!! The journey took forever and it was right through the jungle, up and down HUGE scary hills! We arrived in the dark (which I hate!) and were greeting by a lovely woman called 'SuSu'. We were given fresh pineapple juice and she wanted to know all about us! We have not been living in luxury, so this was a nice surprise for us! We got taken to our luxury room(, which was the same price if not cheaper than some places we have stayed previously!!) It was SO nice, but the only thing we were thinking was that we hadn't seen many pubs and the game was kicking off in a few hours!! We walked up and down the beach and found a television in the last bar. He said we could definitely watch the first game but because the Ireland game didn't start until midnight he didn't know if his boss would let us!?!?! Some hope was better than none, so we ate there and then went back to our room for a while before kick-off. When we got back to the room, we were all just talking about how we didn't have a good vibe for where we were at all! Everything seemed really expensive and the people seemed a bit pretentious. I was glad we were all feeling the same, as I would have been happier a bit closer to town. We decided that first thing in the morning, we would ring some places and see about accommodation, but we were really worried because it was only 3 days before the full moon party!?!? With that in mind Mike and I went back to the bar to watch the game. What we hadn't realized is the only TV they had was their own personal TV which was in their kitchen/living room! They put the game on for us and gave us some cushions to sit on the floor. During the game we slowly began to realize that they weren't going to let us watch the Ireland game, so we kept dropping hints but they just weren't getting it. After the England Italy game they changed the channel!! We begged them to let us watch the game and after a huge discussion they said they would let us watch it, but if his boss woke up we would have to leave. Watched the anthems, saw Ronan's penalty and then his boss woke up!!!! We were GUTTED! So we headed back to our beautiful room and had a restless nights sleep. Next morning as planned, we phoned some places and only found 1 place but they said we couldn't reserve and just to come on down! So we got on the 1st boat out of 'Bottle Beach'! Our new place is really nice and its right on the beach. Our Canadian friends are staying in a place just down the road, so Mike and I walked down to theirs to surprise them. They had just arrived in form Ko Samui and their place is beautiful! We all walked into town via the beach which was such a treck, but it was good fun! Some of it we had to wade through the water and climb over rocks, but it was a really fun walk. The town of Hat Rin, was so busy! 2 days before the full moon party and there is such a cool vibe! Everyone is already drinking on the beach and going crazy! It was mental! We found our Australian friends place which is a luxury hotel right on the beach!! SO nice! They convinced me and Mike to stay out for the night and lend me clothes and make-up. Unfortunately they didn't have a dress to fit Mike!! J They are such nice girls. We had a really good night partying on the beach. There are a load of bars along the beach, but everyone just dances on the beach. The girls let us stay at theirs that night and in the morning we got a FREE buffet breakfast! It was so good! We haven't had ANYTHING for free since we got here!! So we ate til we felt ill!! We didn't end up heading back to our place until about 4pm and I had a cup of tea and the nicest pancake ever and then crashed! The next day was full moon day and you could tell!! Everyone was getting ready and loads of people at Gemma and Tylers place had already started drinking since 3pm! I'm thinking they are all going to be home pretty early!! We had dinner at Gemma and Tylers (as their restaurant is AMAZING!) and then head into Had Rin! We met up with the girls who were all covered in UV paint. Within about 10 minutes they had painted us all up and we head off to the beach! It was CRAZY! When we had been there the other night we thought it was busy, but nothing compared to tonight! It was packed! Everyone was covered in UV paint and there were people juggling fire and setting off fireworks! It was a really good night, but I think because it was so hyped up I ended up having a better night the few nights before. The next day, everyone at our place was SO hung over! We just sat and watched movies all day. In most hotels they have a chill out are with a DVD player and loads of DVDs to choose from. They have these cushions called towers which are he comfiest thing ever! We booked our ferry to Ko Toa for tomorrow but we are worried about accommodation because no-where will let us pre-book! Im sure it will all work out fine, even if we have to stay somewhere a little out of the way and then go in early the next morning to find somewhere. Everyone heads to Ko Toa after full moon and its always really busy!

The ferry terminal was PACKED! There were people EVERYWHERE going to Ko Samui, Ko Toa or Surit Tani (mainland). Nobody had a clue where they were meant to be or what ferry went where! We ended up not getting the 12.30 ferry because it was too full and were told that we would have to wait 10/15 minutes. 4 hours later our boat arrives! It's SO typical of Thailand! Its made me realize how organized and conformed we are back in the UK. There is a cue for everything and there is always someone telling you where you're meant to be and what your meant to be doing. Thailand is VERY different. NOTHING is on time and they just don't care. Back in Australia our coach broke down and we ended up getting into Sydney 2 hours late. Our driver said that he knew it was a disgrace, gave us the number for customer service over the microphone and we ended up getting a refund! This would NEVER happen in Thailand! All you can do is laugh and get on with it!