The Arrival & First Steps on Koh Phangan

On the day of my arrival, my host suddenly cancels my stay...! My S-Bahn train is delayed so much that despite having generously allowed for a 'buffer,' I miss my connection to Frankfurt. The next train comes with only half of the carriages - but once again, with a stroke of luck, I manage to get a seat, including a friendly seat neighbor. The rest goes according to plan, 12:20 hours flight to Singapore (I - always a big fan of a good nap - simply cannot sleep!), 1 hour layover (during which I spent at least 20 minutes getting to my gate), 2 hours flight to Koh Samui, a transfer to the harbor, and from there by ferry to Koh Phangan. Unfortunately, unlike before, there are no people waiting there offering accommodations. So I first look for a restaurant with Wi-Fi, and while having a glass noodle salad with chicken & a cold Thai beer, I search for a place to sleep - this time of course on a different platform. And lo and behold, around the place I wanted to go, something appears that I can afford - booked! I board a 'Songthaew' (shared taxi with two benches facing each other in the cargo area - seatbelts etc. don't concern anyone here), and a few minutes later, I'm dropped off on the main road that runs parallel to the beach. I'm standing in front of a restaurant (well, more of a snack bar, open to the street), next to a kind of wide passage to the beach. I'm greeted by my very nice landlord David and settled into a bungalow whose glass front faces the sea, just a few meters away from me. A small paradise with a hammock, seating, and a lovely bamboo pavilion right by the water...

I ask David if he can recommend a scooter rental - and he gets one for me!

I go shopping a bit (water!), and set off on the scooter to Udo's last accommodation - only to find that I can't locate it... GoogleMaps leads me to a place in the middle of nowhere. But a stunning long beach surrounds me, with many resorts, just not the one I'm looking for. I give up for today...

After a much-needed shower, I head out on the scooter to the Full Moon Party - for old times' sake. I was here a long time ago with good friends, one of whom has unfortunately passed away from cancer. I experience a bit of culture shock: everything is built up, incredibly crowded, and you have to pay an entrance fee to get to the beach. For the sake of old times, I endure it all, and have a small beer for Chris & the good old days amidst the hustle and bustle. After that, I just want to leave - especially since I have respect for the way back: surprisingly hilly here, I'm not used to such inclines. Plus, driving on the left side of the road, and larger vehicles coming toward me in my lane, because they're sure I will swerve, and for once, no 'sheet metal' around me - an adventure...! 😂 Upon arrival, I treat myself to a few minutes by the sea before collapsing into bed...