To the (full) moon and back

Ever since I was a kid, I have always been fascinated by the full moon. Somehow, I felt a gravitational pull while looking out from the window of our family car as my dad drove along the endless stretch of Roxas Boulevard. And this man on the moon? Where was he? I would try to figure out exactly where that figure was, not realizing that in the future, I would be staring at myself, staring at the full, full moon.

The full moon makes me sentimental. The full moon makes me crazy. The full moon makes werewolves out of some and vampires out of the others. It may have been this collective craziness or newfound awareness of new age beliefs that made people gather to celebrate this almost monthly phenomenon. Come to think of it, the moon completes its cycle, then becomes whole again — a pretty profound metaphor, if you ask me. I know of some very respectable ladies who bathe in the glory of the full moon, naked. But let’s not go there.

Fire starter: Party people in the house plus jumping rope in flames

 Google “Full Moon Party” and you’ll be led to the crescent-shaped beach of Haad Rin on the island of Koh Phangan, where some tourists from years back realized that the full moon was best viewed from this island. They then threw a party to celebrate with 20 to 30 partyphiles, which then became a tradition every night before or every full moon night. It now attracts 20-30,000 revelers each time the moon becomes full. How’s that for completion of a cycle?

Thai Airways flew us to the moon and back — literally, as we were right smack center of the action — via a one night’s stop in beautiful Bangkok with a next-day destination of captivating Koh Samui, that lovely island of honeymooners and day-to-night dreamers. It was from this island where a “party ferry” brought me and my friends to Koh Phangan island, ground zero of the moon-bathing activities. Think of it as Kalibo to Caticlan, only with more first-class amenities and party choices. Koh Samui's airport, for one, is a great study in using natural materials native to the island and infused with great design, resulting in a upscale resort and lounge feel.

Giant Buddha, Hard “Rock”

Standing tall with the giant golden Buddha in Koh Samui island

 The day tour of Koh Samui showed us a wide variety of Thai-inspired villas and tourist spots — from giant golden Buddhas to rock formations that resembled, uhm, private parts (whom the locals “respectfully” called “Grandfather and Grandmother Rock”). I guess this irony, very much prevalent in the Thai way of life, is what makes this entire culture interesting. They have a deep respect for all kinds of elements and they know how to party hard to show for it. A full moon party after all, was originated to thank the gods from Up Above for a bountiful harvest, or for a good life. Whichever way you looked at it, it was a means for celebration.

Our celebration on the island was bittersweet. It was the last fam tour for outgoing Thai Aiways country manager for the Philippines Nivat Chantarachoti as he moves on to his next posting in Zurich, Switzerland early October. For Nivat, he may have already completed his cycle in Manila and is about to embark on new moons in another part of the world, but Manila will always shine brightly in this well-loved expat’s heart, as he will in ours. So sentimental, yes. Crazy? Hell, yes!

 As soon as we got to the island, neon and day-glo permeated our sight. Flesh was painted with bright colors and everyone accessorized to glow in the dark, just like the revered moon. There seemed to be a contest on who shone brighter, or who drank more or danced longer. Drinks came in buckets with straws for sharing. There were fire jump-rope stations, friendly freaks and lovers bonding on the shore.

Some consider this to be the party experience of a lifetime. I am not one to be thrilled by hype. I make sure to check out the action for myself, to see if the news is worth spreading, before I spread it. I looked at the horizon and saw an endless stream of white meat, all dancing to the beat. We walked along the entire throng until we reached the end of the circus and looked up to Mellow Mountain. We headed up and grabbed some shakes and chilled from the best vantage view of the moon. Silence amid the chaos. I stared at the moon, looked at the rock formations that seemed to change shape as the moon beam met the sea. An overwhelmingly profound sense of beauty took over my sight as I looked at my mates and the moon...then bam!  We were on the road again, heading out into the next bar, ready for more action.

Shake Shake Shake It!

Colors of the wind: Massive party is an understatement to describe this one. Photos taken using the CANON Powershot S90

 A couple more shakes and we were on the dance floor, celebrating with party people from all over the world who had come via word-of-mouth to this out-of-this-world party experience. The experienced partyphile that I am, even without a watch, I knew that sunrise was on the horizon. I then shepherd our flock to the ferry, and we were met by a beautiful sunrise surrounded by a violet sky as we headed back safely into our stately home, the Centara Grand Hotel, where a sprawling breakfast spread welcomed our return. What a way to spend our sunset to sunrise, within Koh Samui’s finest white sand beach, Chaweng.

 The next waking hour was spent quietly in romantic Koh Samui, before another trip to Bangkok the following day for the requisite shopping before heading back to home sweet home Manila. Time flies too fast when you’re having fun!

 Now every time I see a full moon, I see myself and a couple of friends having a grand, fun time in a remote, romantic island in nearby Thailand, the Land of Smiles. And I smile back at the man on the moon — for he is dancing!

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(Thai Airways flies from Manila to Bangkok 12 times a week and to Koh Samui twice daily from Bangkok. For more details, contact www.thaiairways.com Waxing sentimental or crazy? Follow me at twitter.com/iamtimyap.)