Koh Pangan: the island of plenty (hills)
I survived the steepest inclining and declining hills I've ever been on. Oh, and to make the matters worse, I was riding on a motorbike. And knowing my history with them; falling twice and getting stuck in mud, I was very lucky to get out of that end of Koh Pangan without a scratch. I am rewarding myself with a nice bowl of local spicy noodle soup with pork!
The first couple days on the island, I just settled in and relaxed with the beach view from my very own bungalow with a hammock. A beautiful beach is literally steps away and I am going to sleep with the sounds of the waves and waking to the same symphony. It's really great and I can't complain about life being bad. Not at all...
My third day on the island, started out with a sleepy morning because of a very sleepless night, yet again. I made some ginger tea with lime, went over to the restaurant to turn on the wifi (the people working here don't know how to do it and always wait for the owner to do it) and then had a nice chat on Skype with mum and dad.
It was a very windy night and the morning proved to be even more so. A storm was coming. I hung out on the porch for a bit and then decided to hop on the bike and head to do some exploring around the island. I rode down the same road that leads to the main town of Tongsala which is where the ferry is. I decided to first stop to see the Phaeng Waterfall. To my disappointment, the waterfall was just a tall rock face with absolutely no water. Bummer!
There was a short trail up steep hills which led to a nice viewing point at the top, which overlooked the main town as well as the Koh Tae Nai (Tae Nai Island) nearby. After a short break I started heading back because the wind was quickly picking up and the dark clouds were rolling in faster with each second. A storm was coming really quickly.
By the time I got down to where I parked, it was already raining slowly. By the time I put on the poncho, I was soaked and it was pouring rain! I started heading back to Chaloklum which is where I was staying.
I slowly made my way back since the rain was coming down hard head on. I finally made it back, shed all the wet clothes and got cozy in my bed to warm up. After drifting off to sleep because of how comfortable I was, I woke up to birds singing and sunshine breaking in through the cracks in the windows. It was as if I woke up to a whole new day.
So I used that opportunity and got right back on the bike and rode out to town. With no particular destination I was just cruising down the coast towards the southern end of the island. The further I went, the bigger the were getting and I was becoming more nervous with each one. Going up them was scary because it felt like I was about to tip and fall backwards. That worried me until I made it up the winding hill, then I immediately realized that I had no choice but to go back the same way and go on this hill again, this this time going down.
I continued going until a huge dinosaur sized rock on the left, welcomed me to Haan Rin Beach, the proud place pf the one and only; Full Moon Party. It wasn't full moon time yet so the place was a bit of a ghost town. With only a few restaurants and shops open, there still seemed to be a soft bustle of people setting up for the big event.
Since I came all the way here, and survived those up and down hills (one way so far), I figured I'll check out the famous beach for the craziest party people have been to. Everyone who I've met traveling, raved about the Full Moon Party being the craziest event they have been to. I've heard many crazy stories, some good and some very bad. The beach itself was pretty massive so I can imagine what it looks like jammed with hundreds of drunk, stoned, and under all kinds of other influences, young people.
Crazy, would be the word that comes to mind.
No wonder why people warn for tourists to be careful during the full party season when kids ride around on their motorbikes under the influence of whatever tickles their fancy and get on those dangerous winding roads. I can't imagine driving up and down those hills influenced by anything other than the high of life! I was riding those hills being sober for almost two months now. I continued my one month cleansing from alcohol commitment I made when I climbed to the top of Mount Kinabalu. I guess so satisfied and happy with life at the time, that I realized the lack of need for drinking. My body and I have never felt better because of that.
But back to the story. I survived the hills and then stopped at a cute little local place for some delicious noodle soup. I finished eating just in time to catch a lovely sunset from the Baan Tai Pier nearby.
That evening did not end without a few more adventures though. Two to be exact.
The first couple days on the island, I just settled in and relaxed with the beach view from my very own bungalow with a hammock. A beautiful beach is literally steps away and I am going to sleep with the sounds of the waves and waking to the same symphony. It's really great and I can't complain about life being bad. Not at all...My third day on the island, started out with a sleepy morning because of a very sleepless night, yet again. I made some ginger tea with lime, went over to the restaurant to turn on the wifi (the people working here don't know how to do it and always wait for the owner to do it) and then had a nice chat on Skype with mum and dad.
It was a very windy night and the morning proved to be even more so. A storm was coming. I hung out on the porch for a bit and then decided to hop on the bike and head to do some exploring around the island. I rode down the same road that leads to the main town of Tongsala which is where the ferry is. I decided to first stop to see the Phaeng Waterfall. To my disappointment, the waterfall was just a tall rock face with absolutely no water. Bummer! There was a short trail up steep hills which led to a nice viewing point at the top, which overlooked the main town as well as the Koh Tae Nai (Tae Nai Island) nearby. After a short break I started heading back because the wind was quickly picking up and the dark clouds were rolling in faster with each second. A storm was coming really quickly.
By the time I got down to where I parked, it was already raining slowly. By the time I put on the poncho, I was soaked and it was pouring rain! I started heading back to Chaloklum which is where I was staying.
I slowly made my way back since the rain was coming down hard head on. I finally made it back, shed all the wet clothes and got cozy in my bed to warm up. After drifting off to sleep because of how comfortable I was, I woke up to birds singing and sunshine breaking in through the cracks in the windows. It was as if I woke up to a whole new day.
So I used that opportunity and got right back on the bike and rode out to town. With no particular destination I was just cruising down the coast towards the southern end of the island. The further I went, the bigger the were getting and I was becoming more nervous with each one. Going up them was scary because it felt like I was about to tip and fall backwards. That worried me until I made it up the winding hill, then I immediately realized that I had no choice but to go back the same way and go on this hill again, this this time going down.
I continued going until a huge dinosaur sized rock on the left, welcomed me to Haan Rin Beach, the proud place pf the one and only; Full Moon Party. It wasn't full moon time yet so the place was a bit of a ghost town. With only a few restaurants and shops open, there still seemed to be a soft bustle of people setting up for the big event.
Crazy, would be the word that comes to mind.
But back to the story. I survived the hills and then stopped at a cute little local place for some delicious noodle soup. I finished eating just in time to catch a lovely sunset from the Baan Tai Pier nearby.
That evening did not end without a few more adventures though. Two to be exact.
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