Rainbow Bungalow Haadrin Koh Phangan

I have been visiting this island Koh Phangan and Rainbow Bungalows on and off for the past 30 years. I have seen Koh Phangan develop its roads from two lane flooded dirt tracks to paved concrete roads. I’ve watched single fibro cement bungalows with torch lights, simple plumbing, drop toilets & no aircon develop into well appointed, nicely painted apartments. Bungalows now have western toilets, split system air conditioning in some (or fans) hot showers with great water pressure and a bath. Not to mention the views. This visit seems different for some reason. It is visit number six, The craziness has gone( it may return) but for the moment, Koh Phangan is waking from a two year slumber that was Covid. The island has had time to recover & breathe! The fishing trawlers and the constant overfishing of the oceans has stopped. At the moment there is hardly any tourists, which is bad for businesses but seems to be good for the island. Previously if you had a motorbike you had to avoid speeding tourists that had no regard for road rules, this trip, there is NONE of that, it’s back to nature. The sunsets are better, clearer with no pollution haze The food on offer is just as good as it’s ever been I have also noticed, that due to the lack of haze, the views across to Koh Samui are so much clearer this time The usually crazy Haad Rin (famous for its monthly Full Moon Parties) is almost deserted, the beach is pristine, the water is clear & clean, gone are the very loud doof doof bars replaced with bars playing a more mellow selection. Haad rin used to be overrun and the beaches were littered, the bars were painted black (for night effect) so during the day everything seemed very dingy and dark, those bars are gone & the area is now a delight to visit. The full moon parties are returning slowly though. Since my last visit there are various large grocery stores that have been built, with everything now on offer. I can’t say how pleased I am to be back , how pleased I am for the island & the locals, sure, the tourists will return, but for the moment it’s beautiful. We flew on Jetstar direct from Melbourne Australia to Phuket, Then one night in Phuket, Then Bangkok air from Phuket to Koh Samui, A quick transfer to the port and quick 25 minute catamaran transfer to Koh Phangan. Do yourselves a favour & visit before it gets crazy again.