Take me to the beach...
From leaving Ko Tao, Cass and i headed to Ko Pha Ngan for our next stop. Ko Pha Ngan is probably one of the most notable destinations on the infamous Banana pancake trail (a term given to the well trodden and constantly growing routes around South East Asia travelled by backpackers and tourists), predominantly for its full moon parties on Haad Rin beach. Starting off as a small birthday bash by a couple of backpackers in the mid-eighties, it gathered attention and momentum and now reaches numbers of around 30,000 people - foreign and local, every full moon. With our stay on the island coinciding with May's full moon, it seemed only logical to pay Haad Rin a visit! Arriving at the port in Thong Sala, we were greeted by a taxi which was run on behalf of our resort. As it was completely unexpected (and free!) we had no qualms about waiting a few minutes for a second taxi while the first one took their full load away. The local vendors saw this as an ideal opportunity to convince us that their resort was much better! Our resort, Sunset Cove, had been recommended to us by a friend who'd stayed there earlier in the year. The location on the west-coast, as far away from Haad Rin as geographically possible, acted as a deterrent for any hardcore ravers or party animals and ensured a peaceful nights sleep for the rest of us! As the taxi pulled up outside the resort, we were greeted with a handshake and a pineapple juice, and let through a maze of wooden platforms set into a scene of vivid green plants and vines. The occasional passing car was easily masked by the noise of chirping crickets and the splashing of the tide against the restaurants wooden terrace. The setting couldn't be any more different from the crammed budget accommodation of Ko Tao despite only being 50 Baht (£1) more expensive each night! The room itself was spacious. A double bed, fridge, dvd player, television, security box, air conditioning, front decking with table and chairs, and...
