Off to Ko Phangan...OH MY BUDDAH!

Getting from one place to another sure takes a long time.  When you expect to arrive somewhere or leave someplace, it's never quite how you thought it would go.  After an hour flight out of Bangkok to Suratani, a 2 hour bus ride to the ferry boat and then another 2 1/2 hour boat ride which we thought was leaving at 2 pm...nope!  (it left at 4:30) and then finally arriving in Ko Phangan, our official destination, then of course a ride in a songthaew (basically a back of a truck, a version of a taxi) to our little bungalow.  Phew what a day!  Ko Phangan is an island in the Gulf of Thailand in South East Thailand.  It is mostly famous for its full moon party at Haad Rin Beach (which I will get to later)

 

The good news is we are staying here for about 6 days so we can relax and take in the beauty of this lovely place.  Our bungalow is perfect, with an ocean view and a gorgeous and somewhat challenging trek to the beach.  We basically have to wade through the water to get to the beach.  

Every morning we are greeted by the family parrot, enjoying banana pancakes, and coconut rice pudding, not to mention the amazing coconut shakes, and of course the clear blue warm waters and sandy beaches that go for miles.  Our first day was gloriously lovely.  Sunny, warm, care-free and relaxing, then the weather changed.  We woke up the following morning to thunder/rain showers and a downpour that would not stop.  The tiny roads were starting to flood and the little stores had to stack sand bags so the water wouldn't flood the stores.  Luckily for me Deb had brought us ponchos!  No rain will stop us!!  I mean come on we are from Seattle!  We put those ponchos on and wandered the streets on the search for delicious food and beverages which of course we always found.  

We have been getting so much needed rest and relaxation even with all the rain it has been so wonderful to be here.  

Another hilarious and amazing feat of facebook found us again.  Some high school friends of Debbie's were on the same island as we were at the same time, of course we were bound to meet up.  We all decided to attend the full moon party together on Haad Rin Beach.  It was a great crew of people, and Debbie and I were so glad to have some humorous and fun folk to share the experience with.  The full moon party happens every month on the full moon and is bascially a bunch of people dancing on the beach, eating awesome street food, jumping through jump ropes and hula hoops that are on fire, and enjoying the full moon with "special shakes."  

The next few days consisted of swimming, foot massages, night markets, scooter rides, amazing views, and lots of relaxing.  Which we need for the next leg of our journey.