Day 69 - 13th April 2010

Its Songkran!!!   Basically a massive water fight on the island.
For the Thai's it's the traditional New Years day from 13 -15 April.  Songkran falls in the hottest time of the year in Thailand, at the end of the dry season.  Songkran was originally celebrated just in the North of Thailand but now it's spread across the whole country where in places it continues for 6 or more days but here in Koh Tao, it lasts 1 day.

Simon and I didnt go out until 2pm and on our journey into Mae Haad, we got absolutely soaked.  Our first soaking was in Sairee where we had to stop at the cross roads, kids shot us with their water pistols and a couple of girls ran over with an iced bowl of water.  So much for trying to stay dry. 

There were taxi's (pickups) crammed full, travelling from one end of the island to the other, just firing water at everyone passing and when taxi's passed it was chaos :-D    People on mopeds, bikes, foot armed up with supersoakers, such great fun.

Simon and I finally made it to Safety stop soaked to meet up with friends.  After having a drink and standing in the entrance, soaking every dry person passing for an hour or so, we refilled our guns and a gang of us marched down to Crystal (2 mins walk away) to soak any dry person hanging around.

The Crystal taxi was headed back into Sairee, to 'Vibe' beach bar so we all piled in the back shooting as many people on the way.

At 'Vibe' a vast amount of soaked Crystal people were shooting each other, playing around in the sea and dancing along with the band that was playing.  I just couldnt get over the warmth of the sea when I went to refil my supersoaker, it was like a bath.  Thank goodness for Songkran  ..just the way to cool down on a sweltering hot day..

Imagine the best water fight you've been in but having everyone in your village, town, city joining in.

We stayed at Vibe until 10pm and walked home for drying out and bed, while others partied the night away...!