Koh Phangan

Had our last breakfast at Cinnamon Villas then got a lift to the pier at Maenam. Got the 12.30 ferry over to Koh Phangan. Lovely smooth crossing that only took 1/2 hour. The ferry was quite busy and we sat on the top in the breeze and sun. Once we docked we quickly found our driver to take us to Cookies Salad Hotel where we are staying for the next 5 nights. The roads on Koh Phangan are much quieter than Koh Samui and not as bumpy! Checked in to our room, very steep and hilly here but a beautiful view over the bay of Haad Salad beach. Went to the restaurant and had a bit of lunch then went for a walk along the beach. Very low tide here at the moment so not much sea. Went and sat by our swimming pool and had a quick dip but quite a few kids in there so bit noisy too after what we have been use to haha! That evening we went for a little walk around to a couple of other close beaches then back to walk along the beach and have some dinner at a place called Haad Salad Villas. Sat right on the

beach to eat, just like being back in the Maldives..!

We decided to hire a scooter for the next three days. We had an idea of where we wanted to stay next so had a little tour around to check out a few different places. Finally decided on a hotel called Wang Sai Resort near the north of the island. Paid for a two week stay there as we both want to just be in one place for a bit longer than a week or so! Also it will incorporate Steve's birthday too.

Then we carried on driving up to the north of the island. Stopped at a pier at Chaloklum Beach then drove a bit further along to a lovely beach where the water was crystal clear. Not much shade so we got straight in the sea to cool off - beautiful! Stayed there for a couple of hours. That evening we ate at our hotel, both had a pasta dish and both very nice.

On Wednesday we headed out right down to the south of the island to the beaches of Rin Nai Beach (sunset beach) and Haad Rin (sunrise beach and also the location of the Full Moon Parties). The sunrise beach was the best and we spent a lovely few hours there and had a spot of lunch. The sea once again was crystal clear and so warm. That evening we ate at the little restaurant along the beach again.

Thursday we had breakfast then headed up to a place called Becks Place which is just north of the pier at Thong Salat. We intended to hire a kayak and go around the small island called Ko Tae Nai which is just 400m from the shoreline. Unfortunately when we asked to hire one it was not possible as there was a slight wind and it was low tide so not able to do it. So we decided to head back up the coast to a beach called Zen Beach. Another lovely beach with beautiful sea. We went for a walk along it first and right down to the right of it was a nudist part!
Saw some very brown bits down there! Then we walked back along the beach round to the other side. Stayed here for the day, had some lunch and sat and watched the sunset on the beach. Lots of people come down to see the sunset. All sorts of people too, from hippy

guitar playing hari krishna types to kids running around screaming and people doing yoga. One guy was spinning what looked like a coat rack on his head....! Very bizarre.

Friday was our last day at Cookies so we decided to have a lazy day around the hotel. Went and sat on the beach and went in the sea. Quite a few sea urchins around though. In the evening Steve took a kayak out to watch the sunset whilst I watched from the beach. Had our final meal at Cookies with a couple of Pina Coladas thrown in too.