We arrived on Koh Phangan on the 11th of May, and by this point had managed to travel to what felt like every corner of Thailand in less than 2 weeks. The thought of staying in the same place for 4 days seemed like bliss.

We stayed at Coco Gardens on Ban Tai beach which was a beaut location – in fact, we spent the entire first evening sat on the cushions at the beach bar chilled out to the absolute max. It’s a tough decision whether you choose to stare up at the stars or look out across the sea to Koh Samui, let me tell you that for free. We managed to laugh off the fact the staff were grumpier than Simon Cowell during a naff XFactor audition. A smile? What’s that?! Asking for the bill? How dare we!!

We met up with Ibs and Tom again on the island, and as their resort was only 10 minutes away we made full use of their swimming pool…only to get swiftly chased down the beach by an angry Thai lady shouting “one hundred baht!” at us because we ‘forgot’ to pay for the privilege (probably the best £2 i’ve ever spent.) You think they aren’t watching. But, they’re watching.

14th of May was Full Moon Party day! Tacky UV tops and vodka purchased, and a plan made for prinks (pre-drinking, just to clarify for those in the parental age category). We sat on the bench swings on the beach and played ring of fire with our OFFENSIVE vodka concoctions. Soon enough we all felt like vomming….yaaaay party time!! When we got to Haad Rin it was in full swing – we got some UV flowers painted down our arms and walked down onto the beach which I think can best be described as a huge rave?! Unfortunately we were very aware of our 12 hour journey to Bangkok the next morning, so the sort-of-sensible hats were on. I’d sooner eat numerous of the deep fried insects they sell on Khaosan Road than do that journey with one of my hangovers THANKS.

We had all heard the stories about Full Moon Parties: shady characters, a lot of lairy pissed English people, more people loving life on otherwise ‘non alcoholic’ substances, copious amounts of weeing in the sea, not to mention other questionable activities in the sea…

YEP. It’s all true! Some of it absolutely hilarious to watch. Tom told us there was a long-boat driver (is that what you call them?) about to mow down a couple getting pretty friendly in the sea, nothing was stopping them…so naturally we creased up and went to investigate. There they were for the entire shore to see. Ahhh, full moon, you bring out the best in people.

And there we have it, we can put a tick in the box next to ‘Full Moon Party’. It was an experience, and i’m really glad we did it. But i’m happier I didn’t wake up with a hangover and/or covered in a sea water cocktail…if you know what I mean.

The party has always signalled the end of our trip in Thailand – saying bye to Ibs before she heads home with Tom, and Alice’s holiday with us, so we’re on our way back up to Bangkok at the moment! (I’m getting worryingly used to these buses…)

On to the next chapter…

Jade, age 23 apparently going on 55 x