27 October
Koh Phagnan

Mark: Low Season - October to December. Why? Monsoon!!! Yes, the rains have come. The locals aren't sure it's monsoon yet (which lasts a month!), but it's coming…

Woke up to the crash of thunder and intermittent lightning bolts and the continuous barking of a dog on the beach which was obviously scared of something… Rained intermittently for most of the morning. Had a lazy breakfast - muesli with homemade yoghurt, fruits & honey - and read our books until the rains died down.

Later we jumped on the scooter and headed out to explore. We realized that we're not very good at chilling and keeping still….. Rode down from the very north of the island down the east coast, stopping at all the bays and nice little resorts and then all the way down to the south, via Thong Sala which is the main town. Saw some elephants along the way, which are tame and used for hillside trekking which we plan to do in Chang Mai.

KIM: Have not seen rain like this in a while (well, at least not since the flash floods of London in the Summer) although, somehow.. this is a bit different - something about being on a tropical island instead of the smog of Trafalgar square I think.
After exploring the explorable part of koh Phangan on the back of the scooter, I can safely say that Haad Khom is a little piece of undiscovered paradise. Its remoteness is exactly what we were hoping for and today, as I sat in the gorgeous octagonal restaurant open to the sea and the sand (and the elements) I'm so glad we didn't settle on the first bungalow and went on a bit of a search for the ideal place. (I'm also ever grateful for Rita lending us her lonely planet where Ocean View is recommended!)