Tripping to Koh Pha-Ngan
Just across the bay from Mae Nam beach lies the
island of Koh Pha-Ngan. It is a quieter island than Koh Samui - less developed,
less roads and less expensive. It's famous for the full moon parties held
on the main beach at Haad Rin - tens of thousands of backpackers flock
there for the all-night party held every month. Although it's something
institutionalised now, with much more organisation to it, there's still
a wild side to it - every month the hospital on the island has a flood
of psychiatric cases caused by drug use, and this month's party ended
with three shot and two dead. Hmm, maybe not a family party!
Fortunately, away from Haad Rin, the island is just a laid back, peaceful, tropical paradise. Which is why we thought we should make a short trip over. Mind you, it didn't seem short, after we'd spent two hours on a small boat, bumping up and down on a mildly choppy sea. As the ferry went up the east coast of the island, we passed bay after bay, with crescent-shaped white beaches and rustic bungalows on the shore. We finally pulled in to Ao Thang Nai Pan, a small bay with two beaches extending out either side of the rocks in the middle. As it was low tide, we had to wade to shore in thigh-deep water, carrying Emily and Rachel, and up onto the powdery sand beach. We'd bought an overnight bag, so while the children had a drink and lunch, Peter and I wandered along the beach to find some accommodation.
Behind
the beach there are a number of bungalow operators, from rustic bamboo
shacks to brand-new concrete bungalows, spread out on small plots leading
back from the sand. In the end we chose Ao Thang Nai Pan Resort & Spa
(well, it will be a 'spa' once the pool is finished - today it's a concrete
patch in the ground!). For 12 Pounds we got a brand new three-bedded bungalow
without air-con, while Peter and Caroline splashed out the full 20 Pounds
to get the air-con version in the photo (the one on the left - the right
hand building is the 'rustic' restaurant). And there was nothing more
to do than sit on the beach and build sandcastles.
Fortunately, away from Haad Rin, the island is just a laid back, peaceful, tropical paradise. Which is why we thought we should make a short trip over. Mind you, it didn't seem short, after we'd spent two hours on a small boat, bumping up and down on a mildly choppy sea. As the ferry went up the east coast of the island, we passed bay after bay, with crescent-shaped white beaches and rustic bungalows on the shore. We finally pulled in to Ao Thang Nai Pan, a small bay with two beaches extending out either side of the rocks in the middle. As it was low tide, we had to wade to shore in thigh-deep water, carrying Emily and Rachel, and up onto the powdery sand beach. We'd bought an overnight bag, so while the children had a drink and lunch, Peter and I wandered along the beach to find some accommodation.
Behind
the beach there are a number of bungalow operators, from rustic bamboo
shacks to brand-new concrete bungalows, spread out on small plots leading
back from the sand. In the end we chose Ao Thang Nai Pan Resort & Spa
(well, it will be a 'spa' once the pool is finished - today it's a concrete
patch in the ground!). For 12 Pounds we got a brand new three-bedded bungalow
without air-con, while Peter and Caroline splashed out the full 20 Pounds
to get the air-con version in the photo (the one on the left - the right
hand building is the 'rustic' restaurant). And there was nothing more
to do than sit on the beach and build sandcastles.