9am at the Samui Airport

This place is great... it looks like it was built by the gang on Gilligan's Island. Seriously, the entire airport is open-air, thatched-roof huts. Anyway, last night was the big Full Moon Party on Ko Pah Ngan. Shuttled over there from Samui with mind-boggling efficiency, I arrived around 9:30pm. At that time, things were still rather tame despite the fact that buckets were moving like they were going out of style. Here, on Samui, most drinks are had via the bucket... ice, a Red Bull-like product, coke or sprite, and a mini bottle of some local booze. They drop a bunch of straws in there and multiple people can share the cough syrup. Needless to say, it was knocking people on their ass. By 3am, there were hundreds (yes, HUNDREDS) or people passed out on the beach. Most were still drinking and dancing to the loud, thumping, music, but it looked like a giant game of last man standing. With thousands of people spread out over Hat Rin beach, the party was still going until 8am. I, however, left on the 5am ferry back to Samui. I was warned that if you do not use drugs, it's a really bad time, but I have to say that I rather enjoyed it. Great people watching... flame twirlers, glow paint, madness. At one point, a group was hudled over a guy laying on the beach. Ï asked some European guy what happened. "He fell. He has taken drugs." Thanks, Captain Obvious. This was the scene. Now, as I sit at this perfect airport in paradise, I am on my way north to Chiang Mai. If part one of this trip was ocean, tourism, and party - part two will be mountains, real people, and zen. Looking forward to it. Until then...