Party time on Ko Phangan

4 wonderful days on Ko Phangan!  We managed to get conned by a pseudo information person at the Bangkok train station into booking our accomodation with her.  We found that we payed double for one of the crappiest bungalows on the island.  We met great people at Power Beach Bungalows though. 

Sim and Jim, from Perth, paid more for their bungalows than us and it seemed like their mission in Thailand was to be conned more than anyone else.  I'm throwing it out there, they were pretty proud of it ('I'm throwing it out there' was their favourite phrase - James caught it after a while and started saying it too).

"I can't believe I kissed a man!"

Pascal and Paul, from Holland, were also lots of fun.  We learnt a lesson with them though, never let Dutch men have the map.  They were leading the way to some waterfalls which were in the north part of the island.  We rode past 3 before we found one dodgy sign saying 'Paradise Waterfalls'.  Then after climbing 40 minutes to find Paradise Waterfall was a crappy little stream, it turned dark and we got lost in the jungle trying to find our way back.  Good times, good times.

Met some crazy poms on that waterfall trek, Edd, Raji and Ollie.  They were heaps of fun and Ollie was hilarious.  One morning we saw Sim and Jim, who hadn't been to bed, and they said they had met this funny guy on the way back from Haad Rin at 5am that morning.  He had spun out on his bike on a steep hill/sharp corner and was trying to get his bike out of the ditch.  Sim and Jim helped him get it out and continued home with him in tow, as he didn't know where his bungalow was.  This guy, being really pissed, said to the guys "When we get back, boys, I'm going to treat you to a nice, big, fat spliff!"   Unknown to him (his eyes must have been pretty blurry) they were at a police stop point and were surrounded by cops who were checking them for drugs.  However, they got back safely to tell us this story.  We said "Where is he now?"  They said "I don't know, he's wandering around here somewhere with someone's pajama pants on!"  And around the corner came Ollie!  With someone's pajama pants on.

We all bonded over beers at Power Beach.  The owner's favourite joke was answering "One Million Baht" to any question of price.  (Come to think of it, he did slightly resemble Dr Evil.)  Ko Phangan had great beaches (except for Power Beach - that stunk so much even James wouldn't go in it, we just swam in the pool!) and Haad Rin was the coolest beach, with pubs and restaurants all around the boys favourite, lots of topless European girls.  Also the beaches in the north part of the island had wonderful snorkelling, and the weather was so nice the whole time we were there (we heard they'd been flooded with rain the week before).

Full Moon Party night, Pascal, Paul and I headed to meet Luke and Maddie (Tassie) for dinner on Haad Rin, where the party was happening.  It was great seeing them and starting with a few beers.  Then we met up with the other bungalow people and they said they'd caught a taxi in that had been stopped by the cops and the driver didn't have a licence!  So they took a while to get there.  Dodgy Thai taxi drivers.

We started the rounds of buckets which were dangerous compilations of any kind of spirit, red bull and soft drink, all served in a bucket with a straw.  After one of these each, we found ourselves dancing to R&B with the teeny boppers (Sim and Jim) like teenagers at Surreal.  Headed down to the Drum and Bass place which went off!  Ended up on the beach dancing, Maddie on a table, for who knows how long.  At about 2am realised there was only Luke, Maddie and me and we had lost everyone else.  Headed up to Mellow Mountain to find people and I lost Luke and Maddie as well!  Can't remember much after that, damn buckets, but James found me at 6am and we danced till 8am and then headed back in a taxi with some crazy french people.

Stood around the bungalows talking with everyone when Paul came back at about 8.30, with company.  Probably the ugliest Thai girl I've ever seen.  Ollie asked her "What's your name?"  She replied "Jean".  He said "Is that short for John?"  However, Paul didn't seem to get the hint and said "OK, we're going to go inside now" and went inside with Jean/John with Ollie following him yelling "Are you sure?  Are you sure Paul?"  Had breakfast with Ollie and he stapled his head.  I've never seen someone do that.  It looked like it was lodged quite deeply.

That night, hung out on Power Beach with everyone, listening to music.  Paul came out and laid down on the sand.  Ollie said "You all shagged out Paul?"  Paul replied, "I can't believe I kissed a man!"  Seems Jean was really a lady boy (we had our doubts when Paul took her into his bungalow) and Paul had a nasty surprise.  hee hee

Headed to Ko Samui the next day with Raji, Edd, Sim and Jim.