Happy New Year from Koh Phangan Island over in the Gulf of Thailand...the part that didn't get crushed by the tsunami 3 years ago.

Let's just say it right away ... this was not a Thai cultural experience. Although the various "moon parties" (full-moon, half-moon, 9/16-moon, etc) that they have here have taken on a sub-culture of their own, we didn't exactly experience Thai cuisine, buddhist rituals, or anything like that. To come here for New Years means "big party" and that's what we did. Besides, the Thais won't celebrate their own new year until April when it will be 2551. I had no idea...so I had my friend show me her ID card and she was born in 2515.

New years also coincided with a half-moon party as well and the beach at Haad Rin is famous for these events. The best way to describe what I saw on new years is simple: 12,000 to 15,000 stupid white people cram themselves onto the beach and then consume way too much of every drug on the planet and drink themselves into a techno-dance frenzy until way into the next day...if you can stay awake that long. I saw many casualties that didn't make it. The aftermath is pure environmental destruction that still has me wondering who cleans it all up (which they did quite well by the way) .   My weapon of choice was the plastic buckets of booze they sell with a variety of alcoholic choices. I had fun and I can now say "been there, done that" ... but once will probably be enough. I'll let the photos I took say the rest.... 

And finally, I have some bad news.  As you are probably aware, the US dollar is at an historical low against foreign currencies. This adversely affects my travels and screwing off around the globe. In an effort to improve the US economy and strengthen the dollar, I need to ask each of you to work just a little harder each day when you are at your job thingy. We need to come together on this as a team! I know you all can do it...so after the new year, why not go into work a little early, maybe cut lunch a little shorter, and stay an extra hour or so in the office each evening.  If we all just put our heads down and grind through it, things will eventually improve. I thank each and every one of you in advance for your efforts.   As I finish writing this installment, it is very sunny and about 80 degrees outside so I will be at the beach.  But just please keep in mind our common goal for the new year and remember hard work yields great rewards!!!   I hope you all had a great holiday.

See you on the road to wherever I go next........