Koh Phangan, Thailand

One of the great things about living in Bangkok is the ability to get away and be somewhere totally different by lunchtime. Today we’re in Koh Phangan, 775 kms from Bangkok on the Central Gulf Coast of Southern Thailand.

Koh Phangan, Thailand’s fifth biggest island is only reached by ferry, from either the mainland or from Koh Samui (12 kms.) It was once a pristine Island only for intrepid travelers, now it is pretty much on every backpacker’s schedule.

We’ve been pretty popular since we arrived to live in Thailand ourselves, and have seen a steady stream of our friend’s kids, on various gap years as they traverse the world. It has been lovely seeing the next generation of travelers coming through and getting to know them as people in their own rights.

I am always happy to put up Gappy’s who want to stay, as I know that somewhere in the world, our kids will be likely doing the same – stopping by with family friends for a decent meal and with a load of washing needing to be done.

It is also quite interesting as other peoples kids are always more chatty than mine, not wanting to freak Mum out – which is how I come to know so much about the full moon parties on Koh Phangan.

So largely what goes on tour stays on tour, but I know enough to be careful not to book a holiday in Koh Phangan around a full, half, black or any other colour moon festival.

We are after all in search of the other Koh Phangan, the idyllic island where we can get away from it all from our crazy city Bangkok life.

I know what to do, how to survive the night, how not to get cuts on your feet, wear proper enclosed shoes, not flip-flops, I know how to avoid dodgy cocktails – never buy a bucket of some unknown cocktail, stick to bottled beer… and never leave your drink unattended.

I’ve heard it all in a way that my own kids would not tell me, as they wouldn’t want me to be worried, or worse still judge…

So today we are in the queue to get on the high-speed Catamaran it’s not the cheapest travel option, the ferry is cheaper. We’re bound for Koh Phangan from Koh Samui and we’re not exactly blending in.

Mr Wren is the only person on the boat with long trousers and I reckon pretty much the only bloke without a huge sleeve tattoo, and little old Moi, is still pulling along my Samsonite cabin baggage whilst every woman and their dog has a backpack, with their gym shoes strapped to the outside (at least they got the memo about enclosed shoes).

Body piercings are big in Koh Phangan as are amongst this generation, skimpy clothes. It’s actually quite a shock after some of the more conservative clothes needed for Bangkok life – there is not one pair of elephant trousers here…

‘Where are we going to?‘ says Mr Wren, wishing he hadn’t left the holiday planning to me?

We’ve booked a Secret Escapes Holiday and I did check there were no full moon parties when we were there… I’m hoping it’s so secret that no one else is there. Just call me anti-social but we’ve been flat out since Christmas and we need a quiet holiday.

It was such a relief to find that when we arrived at the hotel to find it’s low season and the place is deserted. I’m not sure where the rest of the boat went but it was not our way!

There is no a soul around. Mr Wren goes off to check out the hotel. It’s 12 noon. It’s happy hour and he’s ordered me a Pina Colada and himself a bucket of beer. ‘

Steady on’, I say ‘anyone would think we’re here to party!’

Linking with thanks to all the hosts at  Communal Global for WATW

K is for Koh Phangan in Thailand and part of Blogging from A to Z April (2018) Challenge.

Click here to see the list of all participants!

Thanks so much to the organisers.