A week in the southeastern islands of Thailand -- Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao

During a break between studies, I have been enjoying this past week in the southern islands of Thailand. I have spent most of my time in Koh Samui, the most developed of the islands, but have made day trips to both Koh Tao and Koh Phangan, the latter for the infamous Full Moon Party. Unfortunately, my camera was a casualty of the Full Moon Party as it got wet in the ocean at the end of the night. I am still holding out hope that I may be able to get the camera fixed. I still do have many of the photos on the memory card, but will have to wait to post these until later this week.

Highlights of the week included the following:
-- Upon arrival in Koh Samui at 7:30am last Friday, I was very lucky to reserve a room at Chaweng Gardens resort, at what I later learned to be one of the best rates on the island – sometimes a lack of planning works wonders! J I walked out to the beach to await my room, and immediately met 6 other guys who were still partying from the night before. The group was an entertaining mix – two Canadians who now live in Japan and return to Koh Samui every year for New Years with their Japanese wives, two British, and two Australians. I connected well with the energy of the group – I spent the entire day with this crew and my week was off and running. I ended up spending a good amount of time with the two Canadians, Scott and Sean, throughout the week as well.

-- Ark Bar on Chaweng Beach in Koh Samui – this was a natural gathering point for everyone. I settled into a great routine of an English-style breakfast every morning at this location after my usual run and workout on the beach. The food was quality, the drinks were plentiful, …and yes, most of the women were topless!

-- Snorkeling day trip to Koh Tao – the two Canadians, their Japanese girlfriends and I boarded a boat at 8am to head to Koh Tao for the day. The snorkeling was average at best, but the atmosphere and company were great. There is a little island of Koh Tao called Koh Nangyuan that is especially nice, and the closest thing to paradise that I have seen. Since I can not load my photos here, I have attached a website w/ photos which can best describe it http://photosbymartin.com/asia/thailand_koh_tao_koh_nang_yuan_pictures.htm

-- Full Moon Party at Koh Phangan – this night was both thoroughly entertaining and somewhat disastrous as well. I took a boat over to Koh Phangan at around 11pm, and enjoyed one possibly the most famous monthly moon party in the world. Again I have attached a website here for reference -- http://www.fullmoon-party.com/It is a truly impressive scene, and something I would recommend for most at least once. One problem – they have yet to figure out the transport system at the end of the night. Picture 500 drunk, belligerent foreigners stuck in a wharf in the water at the end of the night (5am), trying to climb aboard little speed boats that seat 20 at most, with Thai men standing aboard each speed boat accepting only those people with the appropriate ticket purchase earlier in the night (i.e. there are about 30 different speed boat companies I would guess) -- it is an absolute disaster! ..and one of the best examples I have seen of classic inefficient Thai style. For such a great event, you would think they could figure out something more accommodating, but I guess it’s all part of the experience. Everyone had the same complaints the next morning. My camera was just one casualty of many I’m sure in this melee…