We tried a few times to write a journal for Koh Phangan and lost connection and also lost a couple of completed ones. Anyway, its a bit hard to remember what we did there as it was a while ago and already our brains have turned to mush! We really enjoyed the Island. We stayed there for 2 weeks, so we have seen pretty much the whole place! To be honest we really didn't want to leave but as the name traveller suggests we knew we had to move on! Our first destination here was in Had Rin Province on Leela Beach! Its where the full moon parties are held! We found a nice resort called Sarikantang which had a pool and was on Leela Beach! It was only a 5min walk to the centre of Had rin where there were lots of Restaurants and bars for us to fill our bellies! lol! The best thing about here was that it hadn't been taken over by package holiday tourists so we weren't getting pestered every 2 secs to buy some rubbish! It was really chilled out here, you could lie and watch films in the bars and restaurants. There were also loads of bars on the beach with cushions to lie on whilst listening the sea! ahhh the memories! From here we went to Had Khom which was on the North of the island and was pretty isolated! It was a good place for snorkelling however so we enjoyed looking at the coral and huge marine life here! The scenery was amazing! The beach was basically situated at the foot of a mountain and huts had been built just of the beach in dense forest. There was only one restaurant, the food was good and the night was filled by playing games provided by the owner of the restaurant who also happened to own the huts we were staying in! She was really friendly and gave us a lift from her mum and dads restaurant in Thongsala. Thongsala was the main town in Koh Phangan as it was were the ports were for ppl arriving and leaving to travel onto their next destination. As it was so isolated and to be honest wasn't our scene we decided to stay for only 2 nights. The second day ( after the first night) we thought how amazing it would be to go elephant trekking. We knew were it was so we went for the long hike along our beach over a cliff and down to the next bay that would lead us to the next town Chaloklum. The tide was way out and the surface was covered in rocks and boulders. We eventually made it to the next beach and by this point the sweat was rolling off us. We decided when we got to the town we'd get a taxi to the elephant place. It was only 5mins ina taxi yet would ave been a twenty minute walk. When we reached outside of the elephant trekking place we couldn't believe our luck, or lack of it-the one day we decide to go, the elephants had decided to take a holiday. How convienent we thought as we walked away with our tails between our legs. We had a brain wave though, we remembered that there was a well known water-fall near to the elephants so we'd head to see it! Naturally this would be up a very steep hill but going by all the hype about it we wanted to see it! Alas we reached the top yet it seemed our luck had become like the waterfall - completely empty and dry! We actually found it quite funny though as the whole thing was man-made in the first place by a restaurant owner who made a fortune from poor tourists trekking up the hill to see 'nothing basically' and would be gasping for refreshments! Well what can I say he was def on of the brighter Thai's we'v met so far! Our next destination here was by far our favourite to date! It was called Tong nai Pan and once again we uncovered excellent value accomodation! Tong Nai Pan Beach Resort and Spa! Without a doubt we will def return here on a holiday! The sea was perfect for swimming as the tide was always in and the beach was wide and silky!haha! No honestly it really was lovely. Flip Flop bar was right next door to our bungalows and this was the main meeting place! There we enjoyed many games of pool and some tasty food too! One afternoon we were in the place for over 5 flipping hours we liked it so much, but then again the tropical monsoon had swept in and there wasn't much else to be at! The week consisted of....................... nothing basically!lol! We took a liking to reading and both finished our second book! Yes us reading - who would have thought! We also took a liking to lying on lilos in the sea and drifting away. Oh yeah while we are on the subject of drifting we probably should mention kayacks. They have a tendency to go where they wish when the wind picks up. We decided to hire one out for an hour. It was brilliant weather and the sea was really calm, the perfect day really. We went out around the edge of the bay and stuck close to the rocks but when we were about to make our way in the wind all of a sudden picked up. As we looked over the mountains we could see the rain coming. We were rowing and rowing and didn't seem to be getting anywhere. We eventually made it back in anyway, a journey that took around 40mins yet on our way out it took about 10. At one point we were thinking the best thing would be to just jump of onto the rocks and let the kayack drift away. Some things were more important than bringing the kayack back safely. We met a couple from Tyrone here who had just finished their travels and were on the way home! To ease our aches from battling the wind and tides we decided we would get a Thai massage. Well one things for sure they need to re-consider the term ;massage'. More like Thai stand all over the flipping top of you and push elbows and feet in to until they say a reaction from the induced pain!Needless to say we wont be getting one of those in a hurry again - although it was an experience and very enjoyable! If we hadn't have got one we would always have wondered what they would be like! As for their healing power - I'm just not convinced! They make you hurt somewhere else so that you forget about the original pain! The next morning we left this resort - as sad as it was and we were certain that we would get elephant trekking! We would saty in Thongsala for one night then get up early to get the boat over to the mainland the next morning. We found a real good guest house that served really nice food all day long. When we moved that morning we decided we would go elephant trekking that afternoon. And so we did. What an experience it was. Worth every baht we paid even if it was a bit steep at 500 baht each. Still only like 7-8 pound but when comparing it to prices over here it could have been 2 nites accomodation, 2 meals, maybe 3 pairs of shorts, 100 bottles of water, 4 pairs of flip-flops even. The list is endless. Thailand is extremelly cheap if you want it to be. We were on the elephants for half an hour and trekked up the side of a mountain than down again. As we came back down the heavens opened but it was still amazing. To be honest we didn't feel the elephants were looked after as well as they could have been and felt quite quilty as we sat on a seat attached to his back and he slowy but surly made his way up the path. None the less it was brilliant but don't think we would rush back to do it agin simply because it seemed a bit cruel. As the elephant made his way up the side of the mountain the guide would pull on his ears if he went to slow and he had a stick that was occasionally poked at the elephant to hurry him along. Atfer all time is money to the owners. Also, when we arived at the trek there was an infant elephant. When we seen him we we like ' awh class, theres a baby elephant, look theres the older one's up round the back' but when you get closer you can see they are chained up by the front leg, the chain is literally no longer than 1 metre. It makes you resent the owners even more and the fact that they are paid 1000Baht for 30mins! We would have prefered to pay 1000Baht to see them off the chain for half an hour enjoying themselves. We went back to Thongsala and stayed there that night. We ate some more lovely food and browsed round the shops (even though we have no room to carry anything in our rucksacks!)lol. We got the boat early the next morning to Donsak and then bused it to Phuket via 3 or 4 diff buses and cafe stops! We are in Phuket now and will update you on this area asap but for now its bedtime. We are to move in the morning again. On the whole we thought Koh Phangan was excellent and really enjoyed what the island had to offer. As we said before we will def return there at some point as it would be very hard to get tired of the amazing scenery and activities available.