While the rest of Phuket was not unexciting, since I'm pretty behind in my blog I'm going to skip over it.

Cool architecture in Phuket

Decide to go to Ko Phangan, an island in the Gulf of Thailand. So that involves crossing the country, kind of (getting from the west coast to the east coast :) ) and taking a ferry to the islands. I didn't want to spend the whole day traveling, so decided to take the night ferry despite new bedbug paranoia. Didn't know how to get a reliable time table of buses and ferry scehdules since everything seems to run on a different schedule in the off season, and in a moment of weakness decided to just book the trip through one of the travel agents near the bus station. I get on my overpriced minibus at 5 and the driver drives like a maniac to Surat Thani, the town I'm supposed to catch the ferry from, and drops me off with a giggle nowhere near the pier. There I'm met by some other guy, who tells me that the ferry is not running tonight due to the monsoon and that I'll have to pay another 750 baht for another ferry ticket for tomorrow (because I'd lost the original ticket - oops) despite the fact that the initial bus-ferry combo ticket was only 700 baht. SCAM!!!!!!! Having read about this exact scam in my guidebook, I walk out unamused and hop a tuktuk to the pier. Of course the ferry is there and waiting for our scheduled 11 pm departure, and I climb aboard.

The trip is very nice as the air is cool, there's a nice cross breeze, and no bed bugs to speak of.

Fill next morning finding a place to stay and conducting some minor island exploration. In the afternoon go to Sunrise Beach for a swim, the site of the island's famous "full moon parties". Far out. Rent motorbike for tomorrow's use and head to bed early so I can get a full day of action in before it's on to Bangkok.

Day 14.

Early morning up and at 'em so I can be sure to get to Bottle Beach, supposed to be the most beautiful beach on the island, on the other side of the island and back in time for the ferry.

Map of Koh Phangon. Notice how there is but a dotted line instead of an actual road getting to Bottle Beach

I'm staying at Hat Rin Nai in the southeastern corner of the island.

Fueling up the bike pretrip

Gas comes in bottles

Rebel without a cause

I start out on the road and am pretty much a grinning fool for the first several hours on the bike, zipping around and catching lots of awesome views. Maybe feeling pretty cool too.

Cool old wat on the way. Didn't get much info on it as all signage was in Thai

First stop is Ban Thong Nai Pan, which I was hoping was Bottle Beach, but alas it was not. Got some great views anyway.

Ban Thong Nai Pan

View off the northeast side

It was really hot

You might think about coming down this on your bike, but I advise against

Ride back and forth by the road turning off to Bottle Beach about 5 times before I meet Pedro at a roadside stand where we had both stopped to ask for directions. Pedro and I set off on the quest for Bottle Beach together.

Three or so dead ends and several hours later we finally make it to the right road. Very excited to make it to the beach finally but I have to turn around after a quick drink in order to catch my ferry. Was pouring rain on Bottle Beach when I got there, but could tell it was a beautiful beach with a cool crowd, and would recommend anyone who goes to Phangon to check it out

Is it this road? Pedro and I park our bikes and hike in

Or this road? Park and hike #2

Finally found it at the end of the third road

Make it back to get my ferry with time to spare and order up some delicious noodles and spring roll, enjoy with a coke before hopping on the ferry off island.

Dinner



Wet clothes hanging off bag akimbo

Fishing boats heading out for evening catch

Close up. Lieutenant Dan!