January 12, 2014

New year full moon

Chiara Di ASIA, TRAVEL Full Moon Party, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, New Year's Eve, Phi Phi Island, Phuket, Thailand, Travel, Wanderlust 0 Comments

On the bucket list for a while was a Full Moon Party in Thailand so when I started thinking about where to go for New Year’s around mid year, a New Year’s Full Moon Party was the perfect idea. We planned the trip with another couple and spent four nights in Phuket and four nights in Koh Samui.

I had been to Phuket with a girlfriend five years ago so I had a pretty good idea of what to see and do but it also helped to meet up with someone there who part lives there and had a car.

In Phuket we enjoyed $12 massages every day, did a day trip to Maya Bay and Phi Phi Island, hung out at Catch Beach Club, shopped at the markets, bought some artwork in Phuket Town, enjoyed the nightlife of Patong and all its quirky bits and hung out at our beautiful resort – the Kalima Resort & Spa.

The plane ride to Koh Samui from Phuket was interesting. The plane was so small it used propellers instead of jets – scary! In Koh Samui we enjoyed $10 massages, made the journey to Koh Phangan for the Full Moon Party on New Year’s Eve, shopped at the markets, went to a Thai boxing tournament and went jet skiing. We also enjoyed the nightlife at Ark Bar and a meal at The Cliff Bar.

The Full Moon Party was an experience in itself. We purchased a return transfer through our hotel in Koh Samui and left the port in Koh Samui around 5pm for Koh Phangan, enduring rough seas.

When we arrived on the island, we were greeted at gates to purchase our ‘ticket’ (wristband) into the party. Past the gates, the buckets and body paint stalls started. I decided to get into the spirit and had my arm painted with colourful stars. I also added some flashing pink horns to my outfit which I picked up for a few dollars at the port in Koh Samui.

We made our way to the beach and checked out a few of the bars. It was still daylight but the sun was setting. We walked along the beach and had a drink at the bar on the far corner, perched above some rocks. We stayed there for a couple of hours looking out over the beach.

We then made our way back to the beach where music was in full blare at each of the bars and stopped at one which had the music we preferred. By now people had overflowed out of the bars and were dancing on the sand. We bought some buckets and danced the night away, watching as thousands of tourists made their way onto the beach.

At midnight, for a few minutes, fireworks exploded into the sky as we all celebrated the start of 2014. The only real annoying part of the experience was the boat ride back to Koh Samui as there were massive lines at the port and a lot of pushing and shoving. I would recommend booking a room and staying on Koh Phangan for the night.

All in all though it was a lot of fun and an experience I won’t forget. Would definitely recommend to anyone who likes to party.