Day Fifty-Five

Today was a day of relaxation. We woke up a little later in the morning and plopped down on the beach for the entire afternoon. Sam, aka "9 to 5", went to work and started picking up on girls. By the end of the day the Jeffs and I had had a good day of rest and relaxation and Sam had coordinated a group of four English girls for us to go with to the Half Moon Party.

After a quick dinner at the "Friends" show restaurant, we stopped at the market to buy some drinks. We cleaned up the bungalow and set up some tables. Once the girls came over we played a game called King's Cup. Right before we left the girls got out their glow in the dark paint and we all painted our bodies for the Half Moon Party.

On a side note, I actually found out that the Half Moon Party started not from Buddhist tradition but rather from a group or travelers who had a birthday party on a full moon for a friend. The travelers stayed for a few months and had party after party on every full moon. The parties were so popular that the island adopted it into its culture and became known as the "Full Moon Party Island."

We took a tuk tuk into the jungle in the hills. The party went all night, I didn't. We all kind of lost each other about three hours into the night and ended up coming home separately. Back at home I went on an adventure and ended up running into everyone else. It was probably our best night of partying and a great way to say goodbye to my favorite island, Ko Phangnan.

Day Fourty-Seven

Today has been quite relaxing. Last night, however, was insanity. I haven't mentioned it yet but Ko Phangnan is best known for its Full Moon Parties. According to some island natives the party actual started out as a ritual performed by monks who resided here nearly 600 years ago. Since then the ritual has evolved into a full fledged beach party! The party happens once a month on the night of the full moon and brings on average 10,000 partiers. Although there are a lot of drugs, among other vices, I can assure you Jeff and I are taking precaution and steering clear of any questionable situations.

Anyways, last night we found out that the beach we had been at that afternoon, Rin Nok beach, is actually the location of the Full Moon Party. We ended up just hanging out there meeting some "Euros" and dancing with the fire baton performers, (just like mom).

Like I said today has been pretty relaxing. As soon as we woke up we walked into the Haad Rin shopping area and booked our ferry and bus tickets to get to Phuket. Once we got that all figured out we dropped out gear back off at the hotel and returned to Rin Nok Beach. Besides lunch and dinner at the beach at the "Family Guy Bar," (a bar that plays the TV show Famly Guy episodes all day), we also played volleyball, read our books, hiked down the northside of the cove during the day.

Tonight we plan on going to the, not as popular, Black Moon Party which. The party is located at a different beach called Ban Tai Beach and is done on nights when the moon is not visble. Supposedly it isn't as chaotic as the Full Moon but it should still be exciting. Other than that we leave tomorrow around noonish to head over to Karon Beach in Phuket, (10 hour trip). See ya guys!