Relaxing at Ko Phangan

With our 1 month free stay running out, we knew we wanted to head to one of the many islands around Thailand. After many reads through our LP guide, we decided on a small island off the east coast called Ko Phangan. We even knew which beach we wanted. One that wasn't too party like since we heard there are "Full Moon" parties which get kinda crazy (although from the ads we saw, it seems like any moon is a reason to have a party!)

Thong Nai Pan Yai is at the North East end of the island and from what we read, not as busy as some of the others.

So after an overnight train from Kanchanaburi, we got on a bus to take us to the ferry terminal where we hopped on to the ferry for a 2.5 hour boat out to the island.

Bungalows are the standard room types there. Small little wood huts built on stilts each with their own bathroom. We found a really nice one at a place named Dolphin. After settling in and walking around, we felt we got one of the best places on the beach. The owner kept as many trees as he could so it was very natural, unlike some of the other places which were just clear cut to make way for the rooms.

I've only been to one other island in my life (Tioman in Malaysia) and I must say, this place was amazing. A crescent shaped beach, soft sand, palm trees and warm waters. We couldn't ask for more.

Needless to say, the 10 days we were there went by fast and I don't think I've ever been more relaxed.

Our typical day was: sleep late, breakfast, lie in the hammock, go lie on the beach, coconut shake (YUM!), lie on the beach, swim, lie on the beach, lie in the hammock, dinner, lie in the hammock, go to bed!

Nice...