Howlin' at the Moon

Today I find myself in Koh Pah Ngan on the eve of the Full Moon Party. I've been here for three nights now and there hasn't really been a calm before the storm. The beach has been packed with people going strong until dawn every night. There are about 8 clubs that spill onto Hadd Rin Beach, but all afternoon Thai's have been erecting more humongous structures in preparation for the big party.

Thousands of people descend from neighboring beaches and islands for this monthly lunar event. There promises to be painted bodies, lethal buckets of booze, fire shows, and plenty of stumbly revilers. Such a perfect setting: soft sand beach, good weather, moonlight. Mix in a little international flavor with a healthy dose of smiling faces and I really couldn't imagine a better place on the planet to be tonight.