Koa Samui, Koa Toa and the Full Moon party

On the third morning of our tour of Thailand we boarded our ferry to Koh Samui. I had heard many great things about how beautiful Samui is. We got there for lunch and the island was rather deserted. There has been a major flood only a few days earlier and the island had been excavated, we were one of the first ferries back. The streets were littered with sand bags and shops were clearing out flooded stock. Unfortunately this did not represent Koh Samui in its best light. We only stayed in Koh Samui for one night. Just long enough to catch a famous Thai Lady Boy show. It’s a cross between cabaret and drag. It was really entertaining especially when our friend Jacco was kissed on the lips by a lady boy.

Very early the next morning we headed to Koa Toa. A beautiful island, one of the smallest on the east coast. Many of the tour members went snorkelling in Koh Toa (I had already gone in Koa Phi Phi) so I relaxed by the pool all afternoon and it was lovely!

The next morning, my birthday, I started the day with a thai oil massage, which was “interesting”. Let’s just say it was very intimate to say the least. Then a lovely breakfast by the sea and a drink to start the day (it was 11am somewhere in the world :D). We then got ready for the full moon party!!! Lots of water to hydrate for the rave style party that happens every 28 days. This month it fell on November 21st. At 3pm we boarded our ferry for Koh Penang. We didn’t have any accommodation on Penang so we knew we had to stay partying until our return ferry at 8:45am the next day. It was an amazing night full or buckets of drink (mine vodka, soda and red bull), amazing chicken on a stick and “shakes” (anyone that has done the full moon party will know about the shakes).

Well we party in the moon light until the sunrise. Now up for 24hrs we boarded our return ferry, having not once sat down. But no rest yet as we had a full day of travel before our over night train to Bangkok. Two more ferries (one of which broke down in the middle of the gulf of Thailand and had to have some mid-ocean repair work) a few buses and then the train. By now it was 9pm, 36.5hrs since sleep. The second we boarded the train my head hit the pillow and I was dead to the world until our tour guide, Mr. Yoo, woke me from my slumber at 5:30am the next morning for Bangkok.


Despite the sleep deprivation it was well worth it and the best way to celebrate a birthday. Best part… I outlasted all the 19 year-olds that have yet to learn how to pace themselves with alcohol :)