Random Koh Pha Ngan

 

 Every cafe is also a movie theater

It would be wise to plan your meals based on the chalkboard signs outside each restaurant. One board is for the food and drink specials of the day and the other board is for the show times of bootleg dvds of brand new films and cult classics. They do not charge you to sit and watch the movie, but it is generally good manners to eat or drink in the cafe if you plan to dwell there for 2 hours. This is also a great time to meet other travelers if you're feeling the need for fresh company. And I can almost guarantee you that at least one if not two restaurants will be playing the movie The Beach at any time of the day. The places closer to the party beach seem to play more tv shows than movies. Seasons of the tv show Friends will always be on a loop.

Adopt a dog!

The entire island is full of stray dogs. However, very few of them appear to be sick, beaten or starved. Most of them actually seem quite happy. Why is that? Because apparently travelers who stay for extended periods of time just adopt a dog for the stay. Personally, the Samui dogs are my favorite. They're medium sized, short hair, have perky ears and a wonderful disposition. They kind of resemble a mix of a German Shepard and a black Corgi, I suppose, but they have a little faux hawk ridge going down their backs. They're all over SE Asia, but I was told they originated on the island next to Koh Pha Ngan called Koh Samui.

So if you're staying around Haad Rin chances are a sprite little dog has sat near your table while you had lunch, peering up at you with adorable brown eyes. If you like the dog and it turns out to like you, it'll even follow you home, sleep on your porch and bark at intruders for you. If you rent a jeep to go check out the island, it'll hop in the back, tail a waggin'. My friend Calvin meant to spend 2 weeks on Koh Pha Ngan and ended staying 6 weeks, getting a job and adopting a local dog that he named Saturday (because he found it on a Saturday). That's just how it is there, non Full Moon Party time. The whole place is like an instant home.

So show these cute little guys some love!

FREE WIFI SPOT! - The Outback Bar

photo via ollikkala.comAh, the Outback. It's on the east/west running 'Main St.' between Sunrise and Sunset beaches. Many a morning has been spent by me at said location soaking up the free Wifi. Oh yea, and they have bagels and cream cheese. Yay western carbs! The guy who's usually running the bar is this cool tattooed Irish guy who makes sure that the movie selection is prime. He once reprimanded one of the other workers for playing the news instead of Inglorious Basterds. You hear that? Basterds trumps News - Wanderlust Law. I would not suggest going for Wifi during busy nighttime hours though because the bitchy UK waitress doesn't appreciate someone taking up a seat who's only going to order one drink and use the internet. It's just a more pleasant environment, internet wise, if you attend during the daylight hours. But don't stay too long! You're on a beautiful island! Get out there!

 

Caution. These are not bottles of fruit punch. Do not drink them. These are bottles of fuel sold at most convenient stores and shops for people on mopeds. If you see a bottle on the beach resembling these pictured here, do not shout an exclamation announcing free juice. This public service announcement is brought to you by Christina Wanderlust.