One problem with Koh Phangan is that it's a relatively large island with things to see all over it. What's the solution? Rent a motorbike!! Seriously, it cost $5/day (plus gas). At first I wasn't sure that renting one was a great idea, but it turns out that if you have EVER ridden a bicycle, these things are just as easy to ride. Since it was an automatic, the necessary knowledge was that the right handle is the gas, and that one needs to hold the brake when pushing the ignition button. Also, Thailand drives on the left side of the road, a concept that is easy to forget when there are no other cars around.
Flash
Andrew on his bike
I had rented my bike (whom I called Flash) the second night we were there. Along with Brent (a Kiwi staying at the same resort) we made the trek from the resort on the west side of the island all the way to the southeast point along one very long, twisty road. The beach is where the infamous Full Moon Party is held each month, and the even bigger New Year's Eve Party. Since it was just December 29, it was one (of many) warm up days for the big bash. We were greeted by hundreds of booths selling alcohol and a few hundred participants.... relatively calm. We found a table and rented a sheesha (or hukkah), which is a large vessel used for smoking a smooth, flavoured tobacco. We, of course made several friends, and enjoyed a rather wonderful time. Having driven, I abstained from the drinking for the night, and since I was still kind of new at the whole motorbike thing (they do make you a little nervous, especially on the large hills), Andrew took one of the transport vehicles while I drove home.
New friends made at Haad Rin Beach
The next day was once again sunny and 30+ degrees. I obtained a map of the island and Andrew and I decided to go tour the island. We first stopped at the Phaeng Noy Waterfall, Phaeng Waterfall and Dome Sila, which provides a great view out over the island.
From there, we moved on north to a Chinese temple, which was nice, but somewhat oddly out-of-place in this part of the world.
Chinngis Khaan? What is he doing in a Chinese temple that is found in the center of an island in Southern Thailand? Is he stalking me?
We continued north to the L'oasi Phangan Safari where we met a couple of elephants (although I think claiming them as "wild" might be a stretch).
Even elephants accept tips (only the babies though)
Right next to the safari was one of our intended destinations, Paradise Waterfall.
After we saw what we had wanted to see (and a couple of others), we decided to let loose and drive the long way home, consisting of many twisting, turning roads, but not so much that you couldn't drive at a rather comfortable speed (the bikes could actually reach speeds of 100 km/h - but mom, I promise I never went above 70, and tended to stay around 40-50).
After dinner, a rather international collection of us drove up into the mountains to the Amsterdam bar, where we enjoyed a beer while having a spectacular view over the edge of the island and out over the open Pacific Ocean.
From left to right: Jack (England), Arno (Netherlands), Andrew (Canada), Me (Canada), Brent (New Zealand), Luke (England). Typically, the Canadians are the ones with beer in hand.
