We left on a bus from a 711 in Phuket and traveled across southern Thailand. As we’ve previously observed, the travel company used stickers to keep everyone’s destination straight. The journey was uneventful. The bus dropped us off at a ferry terminal that was full of hundreds of other travelers waiting around. We walked around a building looking for some information, but only found a food court so we decided to walk down the long jetty where the boats were parked. At the end, we again did not find any information posted, just travelers waiting while more and more busses dropped people off. Eventually, 5 people wearing uniforms approached the boat and started yelling destinations to board. To say the process was hectic is an understatement. As people were boarding, their bags were placed outside at the bow the boat which was a bit unsettling. Somehow it all come together (with the help of stickers of course). We were finally on a fast ferry crossing the Gulf of Thailand headed for Koh Phagnan.
We stayed in a guesthouse in Haad Rin at the south side of the island. The town is very small with only about a quarter mile between beaches to the east and west. The streets were also very small (only one car wide) and were always packed with people, scooters and occasional cars/trucks. The streets were lined with convenience stores, food vendors, restaurants, travel agents, and bucket drink vendors. About every 10 feet in this town was a very nice local selling sand buckets full of mixed drinks. I’ve never seen anything like it. This town was prepared to party.
Koh Pangnan is famous for its full moon parties. Apparently, some time ago a group of travelers realized Haad Rin’s beach has an excellent view of the moon rise and started celebrating the full moon. It has since turned into a gathering of 30,000 travelers (99% westerners) on this one beach for a party that lasts 24 hours (I think only the youngsters can enjoy a party that long). There are venues along the beach playing all types of music, there are interactive “activities” hosted by the locals, there are extra bucket vendors set up along beach (as if there wasn’t enough before), and it’s completely free to attend! Click here to view the video Will compiled from our night’s adventures.
Other than the big party, we spent our time enjoying the beaches, watching spectacular sunsets, shopping (Will even joined), and hiking. Will found a trail that went from Haad Rin to the next beach north, Haad Yuan Beach. We left early one morning for the 12km hike. About half way at the hill’s peak was a wonderful view of Haad Yuan. Upon reaching the beach, we enjoyed lunch in a hut perched on rocks overlooking the ocean. We soaked up some rays and chilled out in our hammock before making the hike back. On the return hike, Will found an unpublished outlook over Haad Rin which we enjoyed as dusk took over. At that moment, we couldn’t help but wonder how many of the 30,000 parting travelers saw that amazing view.
Next: Ferry north to Koh Tao for scuba!
