Ko Phangan

The next island not another one I hear you cry.... was Ko Phangan (KP). So I have now visited the 3 main islands off both the east and west coast of thailand the aforementioned being on the east.

The trip to KP was soley for the full moon party (FMP) however we ended up goig to the pre parties which consisted of the famous coral bungalows pool party, a jungle and the the FMP itself.

For this post I will stray away from the usual format due to the fact I only spent one day being productive again hiring a bike and exploring the island... (on my own whilst everyone was recovering). However the island of Ko Phangan was stunning and he beach where the FMP is held is amazing when not in action. I brief trip to the norh of the island revealed more beauty and secluded bays.

We stopped in the aptly named beach village which had a beach side pool complete with DJ's and drinking games one of which I won and represented TRUFC in splendid fashion agaisnt the southerners. It was the pool area where I spent the most time during the day relaxing before the previously mentioned parties. Before heading out we would meet up and drink as much as possible to save on cash which also had the desired effect of being gassed making the 12 person taxi drive hillarious. The pool party was crazy and the pool eventually turned into a breeding pond ahahahaha sorry no pics (didnt want to get my phone wet). This was followed by the jungle party exactly what says on the tin/tree nothing amazing but a good night.

THE FULL MOON PARTY

It wasnt a life changing expierence but that said it was a great night where else can you party on a warm beach drinking booze out of buckets.... For me the FMP finished thailand off perfectly and it was a great way to spend my last night with fantastic people. Plus I secretly enjoyed the vest and body paint!! Hopefully the photos do the night justice on just how many people were there!!! I would say easy 3k plus....

Special thanks again to lee, nicola, holly, simon and sophie it was amazeballs! Xxxxxx

Peace and Love Jack

Ko Tao

Another ferry trip another island. The journey from Samui to Ko Tao was around two and a half hours and it was made all the more torturous by the stomach bug/cramps I had. However I had good company on this trip with my new found friends Lee, Holly, Sophie, Nicola and Simon (all brits) and Ido from Isreal.

We arrived without any accomodation so after a walk around we settled for a beach bungalow with AC on sairee beach, being a stones throw from a beach with white sand and crystal waters has become a must!

Daytime:

The days were spent again lounging on the beach with a few days of activity thrown in for good measure... The island like all of the others in Thailand was best explored by motorbike. So myself and Ido hired 110cc scooters with dirt tyres on and set off into the hills of Ko Tao to find secluded bays and beachs.... complete with an impressive view (Mango Bay) point looking out over the island. The roads were terrible try and imagine riding a penny farthing on a bmx track and you will get the picture....A great day which I enjoyed however the best day on Ko Tao was spent snorkelling as part of an organised day trip. It was like swimming in a tropical fish tank so many fish and amazing coral. Ido even managed to catch a black tipped reed shark from "sharks bay" (although it was dead) very impressive. The trip ended at the stunning Ko Nang Yuan Island here you could snorkel around the "Japanese Garden" dive site and climb to an impressive view point which myself, lee, holly and nicola did! A few rest days chilling at "Maya Bar" listening to Greg Wilson and watchig the sunset with a few mojito's made Ko Tao a great place to stay.

Evenings:

I spent two nights in the bugalow due to the stomach bug and I wanted to be in top form for the full moon so rest was needed. However the nights I did venture out were eventful to say the least. Nights started on the porch of the bungalow with a few drinks often accompanied by a few Gecko's before heading to Lotus beach bar. One of the most memorable nights to date was lying on the beach watching a shooting star before swimming in the sea and then heading to a pool party a great memory even if it does sound a bit cheesey!!!

So Ko Tao was far more enjoyable than Samui... great times had by all.

Pics FYI

Ko Samui

So after the whistle stop tour of KL in Malaysia I returned to the eastern coast of Thailand to visit to the island of Ko Samui. When I arrived it was chucking it down which is what happened for most of my stay.

I stopped in Chaweng and met up with a lad who I originally met in chiang mai who was waiting to be joined by his girlfriend and her friends. The hostel was pretty cool and the dorm I was in mixed really well and we ended up going out most nights and getting gassed!!! The Hong Thong again being my downfall....

Chaweng is the main party resort and due to the poor weather I didnt explore Ko Samui at all. My days were spent recovering from the previous night by watching films or chilling at Ark Bar's pool with my new found friends... not particularly travelling more holidaying.

The last day was the best... we spent the whole day at Ark Bar which is located on Chaweng Beach listening to their live DJ's and drummer drinking cocktails and vodka out of watermelons! As you can see the weather wasnt brilliant but us Brits are used to it.

I have other photos from my nights out but I can't upload them at the moment as my phones wi fi isnt working which is a complete pain in the arse.

All in all Samui was great because of the people I met but in honesty I could have been in Magaluf!!! Not really a line the Thai tourist board would use but I suppose this was largly due to the weather!!!

Peace and Love Jack

KL

Kuala Lumpur

In order to get a visa extension to party at the full moon on Ko Phangan in Thailand I had to leave the country. I decided to visit KL and managed to get flights for around £100 the return flight being the bulk of that cost.

I basically had the weekend in KL and I really liked the city. It's really upbeat and more organised than Bangkok. The public transport is brilliant and connects you across the entire city. The diversity of culture in KL is massive this was brilliant for doing one of my favourite pastimes eating!! There is a mix of Indian, Mayan and Chinese food everywhere and it's really cheap. I never thought I would enjoy an authentic vegetarian Indian curry but it was brilliant all for around £4 with drinks.....

Daytime:
The two days I had, I spent using the tube and monorail to get around. The city seems to center around the twin towers and the shopping mall and surrounding area is pretty impressive. I visited the Petronas towers at night and crossed the bridge between them before heading to the observation deck which was amazing. I also visited the aquarium which involved going through a huge tank on a escalator (sounds more impressive than it was) and the last day I took the train to the Batu caves with fellow travellers Dan and George from Manchester. A few walks up and down Petaling Street (Chinatown) was pretty cool... Loads of fake watches, bags and trainers etc!

Nightlife:
My hostel had a roof top bar looking out over KL it wasn't a brilliant vibe but still good enough for sinking back a load of rum and cokes. My last night I visited the vedgy Indian place for food and sipped a few rum and cokes on the rooftop watching the football... Pretty good setting for Norwich v Arsenal.

Special thanks to Dan and George for letting me tag along to the caves and sharing a few drinks all the best with your trip to Aus.

One Love JH

Ko Lanta

Ko Lanta
Heading south by ferry from Phi Phi my next port of call was Ko Lanta a more untouched Island about 25km long with only 5 or 6 main roads.

As soon as I arrived I hired a 125cc bike and made my way to the hostel with my bags strapped to both my front and back (just like a local) ahahahaha.

Special mention re the hostel "Non La Mer Hostel". Who often dished out free popcorn and cocktails whilst watching movies before heading out and even baked a cake for a fellow travellers birthday a nice touch!

Daytime:
Most days involved riding the bike to find secluded bays or beaches then stopping for lunch somewhere before heading back to the hostel. Another stop off at a beach to watch the sunset and slug a few cocktails was also thrown in for good measure. The beach directly opposite where I stayed (Long Beach) was good for a quick fix and the odd Thai massage!! It's a hard life eh...

Nightlife:
A short stroll down the local beach to a Thai Restaurant looking out over the ocean was followed by retiring to the hostel for drinks with whoever was knocking about. The nightlife seemed to be more exclusive in Ko Lanta than Phi Phi with local guys handing out flyers for reggae, dub or deep house nights at beach bars/shacks!!! Needless to say I ventured to one of these and threw some serious shapes (photos attached) GREAT NIGHT!!! Other nights I just sat on the beach boozing with whoever! This was made even more fun by chasing crabs down the beach and watching the illumnious plankton which live in the ocean.

Big thanks to Tim, Harry and James who I shared a few beers and bike rides with all the best!

Pics FYI

One love Jack! Xx

Phi Phi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqDoxUxpobg&feature=youtube_gdata_player

After the long bus journey from Chang Mai to Bangkok I rested for a night in Bangkok before my flight to Phuket. I spent the day in Bangkok on the river and visited the Wat Arun temple and spent the rest of the day bumming around the hostel and the Koh San Road area of Bangkok. 

Tuesdays flight to Phuket was followed by a 2hr ferry trip to the island of Koh Phi Phi... The islands are the main reason I came traveling crystal clear water bright white sands etc etc. I stopped right on the beach although the room was basic it did have a fan to circulate the warm air!!!! 

Daytime:
I spent most days lay on the beach chilling out... with a day trip thrown in for good measure to Maya Bay located on Phi Phi's sister island (Made famous by the film: "The Beach"). Snorkelling, cave visiting and lagoon swimming all included this has probably been one of my favourite days. To top if off I met three lads from Stoke... Great lads and good banter. Maya Bay is stunning and although it was packed and there was a little litter it was still awesome for me. A few people did confuse me for Leonardo himself... So rather than disappoint them I just said I was checking the place out for the new sequel film "The Beach Part 2".... 

Evenings: 
Phi Phi is crazy beach bars with fire pit shows and flame throwing etc so getting gassed was not a problem especially with my latest companion Lee from St Helen's  (see photos he is a big lad). Photos should describe the night life better than I can. Still having a blast sounds cold back home. Aahahahahahhahhahahahha 

I now moving on to Koh Lanta peace and Love! Xx 

Pai

On Friday myself and four others caught a bus to Pai from Chiang Mai which took around 4hrs. I travelled with my new found brother Michael from Israel, Rikard from Sweden and Aussies Leanne and Rob. The journey was a hard slog and as most of you know Jacky Moon likes to travel in style and 10 seater minibus with no AC was a nightmare to say the least... But the company was brilliant! A few choruses of Yogi Bear went down a storm. 

I only had the pleasure of Pai for 2 nights the first one being an early night. 

Saturday we hired scooters in order to find the waterfalls and hot springs of Pai and driving through the hills of Thailand was pretty awesome. We returned to the hostel early evening Quick dip in the pool then straight on the sauce. Bottles of Leo and Hong Thong made for a brilliant night finished of in a Reggae Bar where they showing the football even though it was Stoke v Everton.