It may sound weird but after 3,5 months traveling I was in need of a
break to revitalize my body and soul. So I decided in a spur of the moment that
I was leaving Laos after just 10 days to travel 1500kms to the Island of Koh
Phangan in Thailand for some R&R. First stop was Bangkok which felt much
nicer than my first visit – I’ve avoided the Khao San Road area- and took the
overnight sleeper to Surat Thani. In the train I met Carl and Angeli who were
on a holiday from their day job as flight attendants at Emirates. They told me
that they were getting ready to party in 6 days time for the famous Full Moon
party at Haad Rin Nai (Sunset Beach). I had no idea and never heard of these
parties – where have I been- in Koh
Phangan. So with that in mind I entered the island which looked very much
developed and like most beach resort places but it was surprisingly quiet.
My main reason was to come here for a rest and practice some yoga; I was informed to try a yoga place at The Sanctuary. Booking in advance wasn’t possible so you just had to try to get a bed / place there on the spot.
The first two nights I stayed in the busier area (Raad Rin Nai) which was getting ready for the Full Moon party, most evenings it was very quiet so I couldn’t image that in 6 days time the same beach would be crowded with 10 thousands of people/youngsters. The place had many eateries which could cater for the Westeners so they feel at home and have a burger with chips, sushi, pizza, pastas or a kebab (I had a very nice wood oven baked pizza). Luckily, the small Thai places served Pad Thai, Curry, Tom Yam or other soups for £1.50 too. Everywhere you could by a ‘bucket’ which is a small children’s sand bucket filled with a can of soda and a small bottle of spirits. The prices started at 100 Bath (£2) so no wonder people get drunk very easily and cheaply. I went for a bucket every evening on the beach to view the young crowd, the fire dancers and loud music. Needless to say I felt old as I could easily be their mother! Every day full boat loads were entering the island so I called them ‘Full Mooners’. On day three I started my yoga at the Agama centre www.agamayoga.com which looked a well established, organized place which attracted all sorts of people. Later on I found out that some of them were here for weeks or even months. The centre is in the North of the island (Shrithanu) which has a bohemian feeling with an ‘older’ crowd or families. Along the coast there are many small beach villages with little huts on stilts from very basic to a luxuries version. The beaches are beautiful and the sea is very calm. There are eateries which cater for vegetarians/vegans, fresh roasted coffee with cakes, fresh fruit or shakes and of course a Seven Eleven. My days were filled with a morning yoga session, than a 5 hours break- which I usually spend at my hut or beach- followed by a 2 hrs afternoon session.
The coolest bar I came across during my visit was Sunset Pearl Bar which just opened 3 weeks ago and is run by a German young couple who have a great vision for style. The bar is Ibiza style both music and interior but the best selling point is the view over the ocean. The place is a bit out of the way and hard to find but I do hope they can get it on the Koh Phangan map and make a success of it as they rock (Facebook, sunset pearl).
During my mini break on the Island I had 4 yoga days which were enough to give my body a rest and workout. My mind digested a lot of new information; some I’ve found interesting; like exploring new areas which were unknown for me but are part of the yoga universe and gave me a taste for more.
I’ve learnt that I like to practice yoga as its good for your body and mind, I like to encourage myself to continue to practice yoga during the rest of my trip. I also learned or it may be a reminder that you can’t take the grounded person out of me to become more ‘macrocosm’ or let go the boundaries to enjoy the chanting during the sun salutations or feel comfortable at a spiritual evening gathering, chanting and dancing to the chanting. My lovely London based yoga teachers Maggie and Jude always said that it doesn’t matter if you don’t feel comfortable to practice at that level. Enjoy yoga on your terms as that’s what it’s all about and you will take what you need from the practice. During my time there I stayed in the place which feels comfortable and safe for me with the odd exploration in the macrocosm world. Even after 4 days of yoga I still find it hard to meditate or put my mind to rest while you’re ask to listen to your body and enter the macrocosm, or other zones. For me that’s usually the time that I go through my To Do List or decide what to eat afterwards! Some people may understand this and some won’t. After 8 days I left the Island with most of the ‘Full Mooners’ who had no or hardly any sleep; were still in their party outfit; had wiped out -colourful painted faces; some of them were still under the influence of something; coping with a hangover or just in need of a bed and sleep. While waiting for the boat they were keen to get junk food, sodas, sandwiches and lots of water into their system to get ready for the trip to their next destination. On the boat and later on the train I was surrounded by Full Mooners who couldn’t wait to put their head down. On the contrary I left rested, my body (muscles) stretched, my shoulders raised, a small bag with life experiences and a smile on my face but most of all I’m looking forward and energized to continue my travels. I’m returning to Laos now to explore the rest of this country and its population.
My main reason was to come here for a rest and practice some yoga; I was informed to try a yoga place at The Sanctuary. Booking in advance wasn’t possible so you just had to try to get a bed / place there on the spot.
The first two nights I stayed in the busier area (Raad Rin Nai) which was getting ready for the Full Moon party, most evenings it was very quiet so I couldn’t image that in 6 days time the same beach would be crowded with 10 thousands of people/youngsters. The place had many eateries which could cater for the Westeners so they feel at home and have a burger with chips, sushi, pizza, pastas or a kebab (I had a very nice wood oven baked pizza). Luckily, the small Thai places served Pad Thai, Curry, Tom Yam or other soups for £1.50 too. Everywhere you could by a ‘bucket’ which is a small children’s sand bucket filled with a can of soda and a small bottle of spirits. The prices started at 100 Bath (£2) so no wonder people get drunk very easily and cheaply. I went for a bucket every evening on the beach to view the young crowd, the fire dancers and loud music. Needless to say I felt old as I could easily be their mother! Every day full boat loads were entering the island so I called them ‘Full Mooners’. On day three I started my yoga at the Agama centre www.agamayoga.com which looked a well established, organized place which attracted all sorts of people. Later on I found out that some of them were here for weeks or even months. The centre is in the North of the island (Shrithanu) which has a bohemian feeling with an ‘older’ crowd or families. Along the coast there are many small beach villages with little huts on stilts from very basic to a luxuries version. The beaches are beautiful and the sea is very calm. There are eateries which cater for vegetarians/vegans, fresh roasted coffee with cakes, fresh fruit or shakes and of course a Seven Eleven. My days were filled with a morning yoga session, than a 5 hours break- which I usually spend at my hut or beach- followed by a 2 hrs afternoon session.
The coolest bar I came across during my visit was Sunset Pearl Bar which just opened 3 weeks ago and is run by a German young couple who have a great vision for style. The bar is Ibiza style both music and interior but the best selling point is the view over the ocean. The place is a bit out of the way and hard to find but I do hope they can get it on the Koh Phangan map and make a success of it as they rock (Facebook, sunset pearl).
During my mini break on the Island I had 4 yoga days which were enough to give my body a rest and workout. My mind digested a lot of new information; some I’ve found interesting; like exploring new areas which were unknown for me but are part of the yoga universe and gave me a taste for more.
I’ve learnt that I like to practice yoga as its good for your body and mind, I like to encourage myself to continue to practice yoga during the rest of my trip. I also learned or it may be a reminder that you can’t take the grounded person out of me to become more ‘macrocosm’ or let go the boundaries to enjoy the chanting during the sun salutations or feel comfortable at a spiritual evening gathering, chanting and dancing to the chanting. My lovely London based yoga teachers Maggie and Jude always said that it doesn’t matter if you don’t feel comfortable to practice at that level. Enjoy yoga on your terms as that’s what it’s all about and you will take what you need from the practice. During my time there I stayed in the place which feels comfortable and safe for me with the odd exploration in the macrocosm world. Even after 4 days of yoga I still find it hard to meditate or put my mind to rest while you’re ask to listen to your body and enter the macrocosm, or other zones. For me that’s usually the time that I go through my To Do List or decide what to eat afterwards! Some people may understand this and some won’t. After 8 days I left the Island with most of the ‘Full Mooners’ who had no or hardly any sleep; were still in their party outfit; had wiped out -colourful painted faces; some of them were still under the influence of something; coping with a hangover or just in need of a bed and sleep. While waiting for the boat they were keen to get junk food, sodas, sandwiches and lots of water into their system to get ready for the trip to their next destination. On the boat and later on the train I was surrounded by Full Mooners who couldn’t wait to put their head down. On the contrary I left rested, my body (muscles) stretched, my shoulders raised, a small bag with life experiences and a smile on my face but most of all I’m looking forward and energized to continue my travels. I’m returning to Laos now to explore the rest of this country and its population.
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| Playing with fire on Sunset Beach |
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| The bucket! |
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| Sunset Pearl Bar |
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| and it's views..... |
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| Life, oh Life, oh life.... |
Wow, the Sunset pearl bar looks amazing - incredible views too. Glad you found the yoga place - a much needed rest for you and a chance to recharge your batteries. I'm intrigued to know what the instructors meant by the macrocosm world - not something I've come across before.
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