What to Expect from a Full Moon Party
A full Moon party in Thailand is a monthly celebration that has become legendary in the global bucket list of things to tick off. I had always heard about it in articles, online & in books but it always seemed too confusing to navigate. One day I saw the Awake Tours Full Moon Party tour package + Island Hopping and thought to myself "What a better way to get my Thailand party experience fix + see the islands + get the help I needed with the logistics of getting to the Koh Phangan Full Moon Party!"
The tour was more than just the Full Moon Party. It was the best introduction to the diverse adventures Thailand has to offer. From exploring vibrant street markets to indulging in the delicious local ( very cheap !!) cuisine, seeing fire shows & all the cool events on each island, shopping + drinking for very, very cheap & seeing some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever witnessed!
The Beauty of the Thai Islands – Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, & Koh Tao:
Our first stop is the enchanting Koh Samui. Here we stayed in an amazing hotel right in the middle of the action in Chaweng Beach! There are many parts to Koh Samui – all suited to what you may wish to do! I’m so glad I booked this tour as I was looking in the wrong location when I was going to book it for myself. Chaweng Beach was epic, it was full of restaurants, places for a large night out but also had heaps of shopping and we were right on the beach! Koh Samui is known for big hotels, partying, honeymoons, luxury villas & vibrant nightlife.
Next up, the Full Moon Party's home – Koh Phangan. Koh Phangan also has many parts to it & is stunning however most people know the area that is called Haad Rin - which is the home of the Full Moon Party! Our accommodation was on the beach of the Full Moon Party which was an absoloute godsent due to the fact we only had to walk all of 20 steps to be back in our bed. On our first night we had a group dinner on the beach, watched the fire show & then went into the small alleys and met the locals / sang along to the music playing inside each stall ( they let us jump on the aux and we had our own street party aha ) You could really feel the island was gearing up for the Full Moon Party! After this Awake sorted us out with The Jungle Experience on our first night it is a crazy techno party in the middle of the jungle - this was way better than what I thought it would be ! It started as an underground party & had just grown into a mini festival. Of course, to finish off here there was the Full Moon Party.
The Full Moon Party was spread out all across Haad Rin Beach - where we were staying across the road. The FMP starts off slowly from about 5pm & goes until the next morning at 9am. It was full of neon signs + buckets + fire activities + people from all over the world. I felt very safe there & we all stuck together as a tour crew the whole time. It was so much fun, we went from stage to stage - listening to different music. From techno to trance & d+b - to hip hope & sing along classics & live music, there really was something for everyone, each hosted by a hotel & on the beach!
And then to finish the week off - there's Koh Tao, the diving mecca. I could write about Koh Tao for days. This island is exactly what you would picture when you think of an island getaway, high hills of lush, tropical greenery, animals, beaches with turquoise water & just pure island life vibes. The food & drinks here were so cheap. The whole island is built around scuba diving & people travel from all over to do seasons in Koh Tao! So during the day everyone is under water & during the night everyone parties together! There are so many nice places on this islands to eat & go out but it's also quite small so everyone ends up at the same places at the end of the night. It is such a fun place & I could not recommend my favourite island in the world enough!
The Affordability of Thai Cuisine and Drinks:
From mouth-watering street food that won't dent your wallet to beachside restaurants offering fresh seafood, the islands have it all. A meal was costing me around $4 which is soooo cheap for the delicious home made thai dishes they were serving up! Every day I would get pad thai or green chicken curry followed by mango sticky rice & a watermelon shake. Koh Tao was the cheapest island ( food was $2-4) and the other 2 islands were very close! Of course we can't forget about the drinks. Thai cocktails, pina coladas, strawberry daqs & and fresh coconut water became a daily ritual out there.
The Warmth of the Locals and the Island Life Experience:
What's a journey without the people? The locals on these islands welcome us with open arms and hearts full of warmth. Awake Tours introduces us not just to the picturesque landscapes but also to the vibrant culture of Thailand. Whether it's learning to cook traditional Thai dishes or engaging in the lively local markets, the island life experience is not just about the scenery; it's about the soul of the place.
The people on the islands are so lovely & so happy to meet you! They were so appreciative we we there, so kind & became our friends. Every hotel we checked into - we were greeted with a cocktail or a wet towel to clean our face or a bottle of water + a hug - the Thai people were truly a highlight of my experience there.
The Role of Awake Tours in Guiding Through the Islands:
Now, let's talk logistics. The Thai islands can be a bit overwhelming, right? That's where Awake Tours becomes our island sherpa, guiding us through the palm-fringed paths, ensuring we don't miss a beat or a breathtaking view. The islands, though captivating, can feel intimidating and confusing without the right guidance. Awake Tours takes that confusion and turns it into a curated experience, a journey that flows seamlessly from one island gem to the next. The ferries would've been very confusing on my own ( Koh Samui for example has 3 different places to catch it from & sometimes it changes due to weather ) there are a lot of logistics that you just can't know..until you know aha. I felt at ease every day knowing I basically just had to wake up ( never to early, usually around 10am ) and be there.
In conclusion, why Awake Tours? Because they don't just show you Thailand; they immerse you in it. They transform a trip into a carefree adventure making sure you don't just visit the islands but experience them properly & do everything there is to do there.
So, if you're dreaming of Thai beaches, vibrant markets, and moonlit parties, do it with Awake Tours. They don't just take you there; they make sure you feel it – the beats, the culture, and the magic of island life. Here's to the moonlit nights, the tropical days, and the week that will live in my heart forever.
