A glimpse into beach heaven

The coolest and most dangerous thing I have ever witnessed. There is a small thai teenager jumping and dancing to pumping music while he whirles behind/above/around him two metal chains supporting at the end wads of cotton-soaked kerosene consumed in flames.
I was there for the Black moon party, celebrating no moon. (smaller version of the backpackers party paradise, Full Moon Party, which has gained tremendous popularity in recent years). In Koh Phangan, on Haad Rin beach there are huge- 10,000 people huge- parties on the beach to welcome the full moon.
Ever have a guy flirt with you while striking a "GQ" style pose with balls of fire swirling around his head?
More playing with fire on the beach, only we've switched to 2 flaming poles now
Inevitably, visitors to the island are going to become fascinated by the fire dancers and want to partake in the fire games themselves. The thai dudes thought us regular folk swinging balls of fire was just too dangerous, so they lit 2 hoops on fire, strung them up 4 feet off the ground, and told people to run and jump through them. This guy makes it... but I think tasted sand for 3 days afterward
Typical street in Phangan- internet cafes, restaurants that magically serve every dish in the world with just one cook, and "ticket change" stores
One of the many dogs who lived on the beach- very unusual animals, as I only saw about 2 awake the entire time I was there. Mostly they curled up in the sand (or on my beach mat in this case) and slept morning noon and night.
Late night snack at Mama's Schnitzel- Adam and Carlton getting friendly with the dogs and sharing the schnitzel
mmmm bucket drink (don't worry, I shared)
mini-kerosene wicker lamps that were on top of every beachside table- and carlton relaxing on a hammock
The humble abode #2
A lonely island
Complete peacefulness
First humble abode's bathroom the shower/bucket contraption are behind me. Can't get picky on 7 usd a night
View from humble abode #1's door. perfection
Leaving koh samui- the runway is the large expanse of pavement and the airport huts are behind me... you can almost touch the planes as they take off. scary/cool thing number 59 we encountered in thailand