'The journey to the island, ah'
So, Ko Pha Ngan (pronounced 'Ko Pang Yang') is an international party island renownd around the world as a center for beach raves. Home of the Full Moon Parties (everyone raves all night on the beach under a full moon), the Half Moon Parties (everyone raves all night on the beach under a half moon) and the Black Moon Party (everyone raves all night on the beach under er....no moon). The original was the Full Moon and started way back in 1678 by Phillius Fogg. I lie. It was started by some ravers outside the Paradise Bungalows one night in 1989 or something and grew and grew each year until today where you get like 20,000 people from around the world descend to the beach every month.
I wasnt there for any Mooning parties (guffaw) but was there for New Years which is equally as mental. I was based at Hat Rin which where all the main parties and clubs are. Was difficult for some people to get a place to stay as there were so many people going there for New Years. Sensibly we arrived a few days early and had booked in advance. Trouble was the room only had a double bed and I was sharing with Holmsey. Luckily there was a futon in the corner so he had that.
It was busy busy busy with people of every nationality buzzing around the main streets. The roads were hopeless with potholes everywhere and rocks lying around. However that didnt stop dozens of people whizzing around on motorbikes dodging in and out of the people. It was annoyingly ridiculous as everytime you go ANYWHERE you have to constantly dodge people on frickin mopeds. Surprised nobody got run over. You do see LOADS of people with motorbike injuries though. They even call it a 'Ko Pha Ngan Tatoo'. Once saw a group of four 6 year old thai kids all on one bike. Ridiculous. For me Thailand is backwards. In some respects it has no rules with things like road safety, counterfeit goods, prostitution, stray animals, animal cruelty but if you do something like say anything bad about the King it can get you a prison sentence! Imagine that back home, they'd have to build more prisons!
Enough ranting, thats why Im travelling, to experience hows it done elsewhere. Back to Pha Ngan. There are numerous ways to get yourself 'juiced' for a night out here. The most popular, and those readin this who've already been to Thailand are probably nodding their head anticipating what Im about to say, are buckets. A smallish bucket filled with ice, half a bottle of spirit, and lots of crazy energy drink with dubiously high amphetamine content. A few of them and you go doo-lally until morning. Heres a typical night on the beach in picture format
Step 1: Drink Bucket
Step 2: Watch crazy local Thai guys spin fire around with wreckless abandon
Step 3: Do stupid things you wouldnt normally do (can you believe this guy is a fireman back home)
Step 4: Dont pass out and let your mates do you over 
Step 5: Spend 3 hours trying to find where you live on the way home
Lots of other things happen and crazy things go on but as I said it was a bit of a blur and I didnt take my camera out much in fear of losing it.
The music from the clubs on the beaches was a grim (in my humbled opinion) selection of indie pop, RnB, psy tranceand drum and bass with the latter 2 being the most barable and danceable after a few buckets. I did manage to find some bars that played some proper music (House) and hassled them for DJ gigs. Managed to play in 4 different bar/clubs which people enjoyed so good news there. One night I did a 4 hour set at one place then trotted off to do another 3 hour set somewhere else! Impressed myself. Almost like a full days work. Hmmm, 'work' not heard that word in a while yuk yuk!
New Years Eve was a blur. Arrived on beach, was vaguely aware of some fireworks going off somewhere, looked at my watch it was 12:40 (shit, missed it). Smooched with a cutie whilst paddling then she had to leave to catch the last ferry home. The next thing I know its 830, the suns blazing and Im raving to some psy trance with a lot of strange zombified people. Bedtime methinks. Happy New Year! Holmsey managed to top the bill by letting me shave him a mohawk then cover his entire body in blue day-glo paint and go dressed as a smurf.
'And in the red corner...'
I hope all your New Years was as memorable (or not) as mine. New Years resolution is to quit smoking. But only when I get back home. So not til the end of the year then. Well at 80p a packet everyone should be smoking!
Until the next time blog fans!
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