The day after Kate left, I began a new adventure and was bound for the beaches on the east coast. While backpacking, you embark on such ungodly long journeys without batting an eye that you would NEVER do at home. After 3 buses, 2 ferries, 1 taxi, a motorbike a truck and 12 hours later, I finally arrived in Ko Phangan. Traveling for 3 hours at home feels like a ordeal, yet that alone was the length of my one ferry rides. I only spent 3 nights on the small island, but it was all well worth it.
By the grace of God, I made it on the last ferry from Ko Samui to the lovely Ko Phangan. There were only a handful of people on the ferry, and thankfully I met really cool British guys (and a local Thai girl) who spent a night in Samui for a Thai wedding. They were really interesting and great to talk to during the hr. long trip. While the sun setting over the sea, Stuart and I compared our travel experiences in India, and he essentially inspired me to visit Laos. At this point, I wasn't sure if I should spend my last 2 weeks relaxing in Thailand or begin a new adventure in Laos. I wasn't sure if I had the energy to take on a new country, but by the time the ferry docked I was convinced I needed to see Laos. I don't take any encounters with fellow travelers for granted, as you never know where conversations will lead :-)
I headed to Ko Phangan with the intention of going back to the popular beach, Had Rinn (home of the full moon parties). Stuart and Jay, on the other hand, prefer to stay at the remote beach, Thongnaipan Noi. They raved about how beautiful, pristine and quiet their beach is, and how I'd be missing out on something special if I went to the tourist hot zone. After Stu told me he knew the bungalow next door to his was empty, and that they'd drive me there in their truck, how could I pass it up? The 4 of us then drove about 45 minutes down a pitch dark and long dirt road till we finally reached... nirvana. There's no way in the world I would have ever found Thongnaipan Noi on my own and was so thankful these guys brought me there. It was like an answer to a prayer I didn't even know I had made.
After checking into my bungalow (next to Stu's), I had a totally chill dinner on the beach underneath a bright starry sky. It was magical! The only negative about the unspoiled beach was it's lack of travel agents, and I need to book my flight to Laos. After only 2 relaxing days, I had to make (yet another) move and took a water taxi to the popular Had Rinn beach. Right after checking into my new bungalow, I secured my tickets for Laos! I spent two final nights at the Had Rinn beach, then took another ferry & overnight train back to Bangkok. After 2 night hanging out in the backpacker section (Khao San Road), I headed to the airport to catch my flight to Luang Prabang, Laos.
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