Welcome to Paridise.

Hello all from the sunny, beachy koh phanghan.

Last wednesday we took a 12hr bus journey all the way from Bankok and then toook a 2hr boat journey to Koh Phanghan via Ko Tao (Thailand). It was a well deserved journey as this place is beautiful. Nothing we'd thing we'd see until fiji. Since we arived we have been staying in a place called 'haad son' north west of the island (one of the quietest places). It feels soo good to get away from the cities (Bankok and Hong Kong) and to somewhere a bit more remote. We have been staying in beach bungalows, all 5 of us squeezing into 1. This island has endless things to do, for the past couple of days we have been swimming off shore in 'haad salad' to do quite a bit of snorkelling around the reefs. It's great iv'e never seen so many fish in one place. Chris (the expert diver) has managed to spot a couple of clown fish and a few puffa fish which is pretty gd.

The day we arrived (the 14th i think) we managed to catch the 'Half Moon Party' which you cant really explain it was soo good. Let me put it this way.. take the best night club you have ever been to, tenth the price of drinks and take that into the middle of the jungle (oh and throw in some rave paint and glow sticks). It was a pretty crazy night. I lukily stuck to the beer unlike some people (not naming names) who went directly onto the whisky buckets who found themselves sleeping behind the dancefloor.

Last night there was a big thai boxing fight in 'thong sala' close to the international port. We decided to go because its something that is very important to people over here in thailand. It was really good, 8 fights from different age ranges. It was an outdoor ring with sets of seats running around the outside, it was great to watch, a good experience and a great atmosphere. For many people over here thai boxing is their life, we were introduced to a previous champion who has now retired at the age 33 who kindly offered to teach us thai boxing for 350baht this afternoon. We may take him up on that..

One of the most memorable moments for me so far on this island would probably be an evening we went down to 'haad salad' and took the guitar. Watching the sunset with my friends with a bit of acoustic guitar is wonderful. This attracted the locals who invited us into their resturant on the beach where they played us their instruments, some drums and some pipe instument that they had made themselves, we all sat there playing and singing together.

So where from here... today we check out of 'haad son' and head further down towards 'haad rin' (where the full moon party happens) so were going to be stayin near 'baan kai' in the hills, a fantastic view. We're paying about 3pound per night theres which is amasing for what it is. Tonight we will probably go to the 'jungle experience' (the warm up party for the full moon) quite simular to the half moon apparently. I look forward to it. In a couple of days we plan to go elephant trekking which should be something different. Can't wait. On the 24th we plan to leave the island for malaysia.

I hope to upload the photos as soon as I can.

speak to you all soon.

AJ.
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