The travel between Singapore and Koh Phangan was easier than expected, especially as we arrived the day before the infamous full moon party. We took an overnight bus from Singapore to Hatyai in Thailand before catching another bus to Suratthani where we boarded a ferry across to Koh Samui, the larger island next to Koh Phangan. From there, we caught the last ferry of the day to our destination. All in all it was comfortable-ish, inexpensive and well organised - not what I'd expected it to be! I do feel we got our first real taste of Asia too as we journeyed through the southern suburbs of Thailand taking in some extraordinary views which ranged from stunning temples decorated magically to some real slums where you got an insight into some of the standard of living. More good news is that everything got cheaper still with a can of coke being sold for no more than 10 baht (around 20p)!

Upon arrival to our resort on Koh Phangan it was clear why so many of the travellers we'd met raved about Thailand. For £5 a night we were treated to a private 2 bed bungalow in a resort which best suited a space on 'Going Places'. The island was surprisingly bigger than I first anticipated but held the traditional elements of a tropical island - sun, turquoise blue sea and covered in rainforest. The day of the full moon party we spent recovering from our exhausting travels. The beach near where we stayed was idyllic, peaceful, surrounded by restaurants and travellers with a sheltered lagoon to swim in. The water was gorgeously warm too which let us drift with the waves as the sun set on our side of the island. And then came the full moon...

Before I'd come travelling I'd not actually heard of a full moon party. However, the moment I came away it was mentioned by everyone who'd travelled Thailand. The best way I can describe it is a huge melting pot of people from all over the world packed onto a beach which has some of the craziest stuff you will ever see. I can safely say it was the maddest party I have ever been to. The beach was lined with stalls selling buckets of drink for £2, florescent paint artists and of course the bars/clubs that opened out onto the beach. There were jump ropes on fire, fire spinners, slides down through rings of fire and everything was geared up for you to give it a go. The sea was practically a taxi rank as it was lined with boats ready to take people back and they even had a pass out/sleep area you were dumped in if found on the beach in a let's say less than sober state. Under a full moon the party went on until the early hours before people started to catch their taxis home. The party may have got some bad press, but it is honestly an incredible experience that I don't think any party will ever top!

Naturally, the next day was never going to be eventful. Reminiscing about the stories, recovering down by the beach with a massage and watching the football on the evening was as much as we could muster really. However, all that changed the following day as we booked ourselves in for a day tour of Koh Phangan!

Starting the day we were taken to the inner island where we met the most beautiful elephants. They were absolutely massive up close and really friendly. 3 of us jumped straight aboard one of them and began our trek through the forest. With Woody up front on the elephants neck and me and Beans riding shotgun in the seat behind we got some incredible views of the island along the bumpy track. The trainers had everything so well controlled and we were having a great laugh on our 35 year old mamma elephant. At the end of the track we all got a chance to cool down in true elephant style with a massive spray from the trunks! We were then shipped down to the local port where we got on a taxi boat and went to a snorkelling spot for some more fun. Then came lunch and damn it was nice. I got my first taste of Thai green curry amongst other things and it was absolutely gorgeous. Packed full of rice and Thai food we then spent an hour on Bottle Beach which was as picturesque as they get before making our way to another snorkelling spot for another fish frenzy. The day was capped off with a small waterfall which had unfortunately had a bit of a drought - or you could say fortunately with the weather being so fantastic.

After a great day to finish out stay on Koh Phangan we caught a ferry for the short trip across to it's nearest and larger island Koh Samui. Here we had a couple of nights to extend our visa's and arrange the travel to our next destination... Phuket!