Full Moon Rehearsal

After our exhausting bus ride we replenished in the pool and ate some delicious curry. Our hotel pool had a waterfall, a pool side bar complete with margaritas and of course Chang beer. We also had our very own 12 year old bartender.

After our energy came back it was time to prepare for the full moon party. People wear neon clothing to the party and paint themselves with neon body paint so we headed to town to buy some neon clothes at the many shops selling them. Danielle and I got same same hot pink shorts but different neon tanks. "Same same but different " has become our phrase of the trip. Apparently Thai people often say "same same" and have this phrase on many souvenir tanks. Danielle and I plan to get 2 and wear them out together in the states since we are often confused for each other at Med school and because we are cool and nerdy like that.

Lets pause for a moment to the present moment. I am typing this pool side, and just got back from a dip under the waterfall. A Thai man at the pool just gave me some banana bread and is friend is serenading their family with guitar and singing. This is THE life, except for the 100 malaria filled mosquito bumps covering my legs...I look like I've been attacked by a swarm of tracker jackers (Hunger Games reference).

OK, back to full moon. We were legitimately nervous about this party after hearing stories about fires and buckets and massive hangovers. There is a similar party in the days leading up to the full moon, so we went that night to check it out and know what to expect. The drink of the party was sold everywhere you look: buckets. They fill a small bucket with ice, a red bull, a sprite or other juice, and a (small) bottle of liquor of your choice. For the rehearsal day, we all split one bucket, wanting to avoid a hangover before the real party. One bucket costs from $6-$12, but has at least 5 normal sized drinks in it. My guide book warned to make sure the liquor bottle was sealed, as they may try to sell you moonshine instead. The first place we tried to buy a bucket did NOT have sealed bottles. Good thing we are scam savy. We laughed at some guys wearing neon pink skirts, finished our bucket, and headed home. 

open air taxi on the way to the party

full moon attire

There were 5 people besides me also photographing this man. I'm assuming his shirt is off because it hurts to put on.

buckets!!

We spent the next day before the party going to bottle beach, a beach only accessible by boat or a hike through the mountains (we did the boat). At first we thought we were being scammed for the boat price, 100 baht each for a one way trip ($3). A European couple told us that this was standard and it was worth it. After getting to the gorgeous and practically deserted beach, we realized our boat and boat driver was planning on waiting the 3 or 4 hours while we lounged until we wanted to head back. That means he was making only $24 during our entire beach day, very likely his only boat trip of the day since there were many other boat drivers also waiting for customers.

Heading to bottle beach. We like to liven up our photo ops here and there..

Next was time to go home and get ready for the party!!!