Beyond a page...: Scooters, Muay Thai Fights, and Painted People

Long overnight trips are going to be the norm here in Thailand and I am just fine with that. A 10 hour bus ride combined with a 5 hour ferry ride and we made it to the island of Koh Phangan. Koh Phangan is a decent sized island that easily quadruples in size during certain parts of the year due to the Full Moon and Half Moon Parties. Not wanting to be down in the craziness of Haad Rin Beach where the parties take place, we opted to stay in Ban Tai, a more centrally located spot right along the main road. We decided upon Ringside Hostel which turned out to be an excellent decision. The hostel was run by an American from LA named Jordan and his Swedish girlfriend named Nadine. They ended up being a big help to us directing us around all over the place and we hung out with them quite a bit at night as well.

Jordan and his brother Zach both train as Muay Thai fighters, Jordan with 22 fights and Zach awaiting his first. Ryan and I worked out in their gym down the street which was nice to get out and sweat a little bit. Clearly, we were ready for the beach after struggling through the heat in Bangkok, so we rented scooters which ended up costing us all of $20 for the entire week per person. I think everyone became quite attached to their scooter seeing as how we were on them so much each day. The beaches on this island are nice and the water here is so warm due to the blazing sun which has turned me brown again.

The first true discovery we made on the island was Amstardam Bar. Resting on top of a hill overlooking the ocean, it easily has one of the best views in all of Koh Phangan, and that I've ever seen for that matter. It is quite the hippie hangout and was an experience for even me, which is saying a lot. If you are ever out this way, I highly recommend you go there every evening for sunset.. just like we did...it was 'pretty neat.'

So as not to bore you with everything we did the past week, some of the adventures we did included: waterfall climbing and sightseeing, visiting temples, scooter rides through the hills from beach to beach, eating with an old Swiss man and his Thai wife in his home (“so is life!”), and watching Muay Thai fights. These fights were especially fun because it was Jordan’s 23 fight and Zach’s 1st. There were about seven fights each and it all started off with two eight-year olds in an “exhibition.” They are too young to be paid so they just hit and kick each other for five rounds until one is declared a winner. Jordan was put up against a fighter from Bangkok with over 250 professional fights that was easily 40 lbs larger than him. He did pretty well considering, but took a shot to the leg that ended up breaking his fibula and ending the fight. Zach’s fight the following night was even more exciting for everyone! Not only was it his first fight, but he was put up against a fighter with over 50 fights to his name. They do this so that a new fighter will get the crap beat out of them and go back to train harder. Well, despite all that, Zach ended up winning in the 3^rd round and I coincidentally lost my voice from all the yelling I did!

The only reason 99% of people will ever come to Koh Phangan is for the Full Moon Party. Over 30,000 painted people descend on Haad Rin Beach for a night of dancing and partying at the large festival they put on each Full Moon. I’ve heard people compare it to Glastonbury, Running Man, and Coachella… none of which I have ever gone to personally, but it was pretty much the strangest, craziest thing I have ever seen. There is so much more to see here and it is a shame so many people come to party and will never really experience the island like we did.

I’ve posted pictures below… hope you enjoy them!

-Bryan