Tantra, Karma & Reincarnation! Amazing Interview with Swami Vivekananda Saraswati at Agama Yoga, Koh Phangan

The island of Koh Phangan in southern Thailand is notorious for the Full Moon Party and a hedonistic destination for young backpackers! However, there's so much more to the island than meets the eye. In recent years, it has become a hub for yoga and spirituality and draws thousands of 'soul-searching' travelers who are looking for more than just buckets and beaches. After the New Year's Eve celebrations died down this year, we made our way to Agama Yoga on the beautiful West coast of the island to meet one of the most interesting characters we've come across, the legendary Swami Vivekananda Saraswati. In a mind-blowing encounter we discuss yin and yang, the laws of karma, tantric sex, God and reincarnation!

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Party Hotspots: Koh Phangan – Don’t Miss Rhythm & Sands Festival, 24th January

Spending the festive season on Koh Phangan was never going to be your average chill-out affair, but even for party-fiends like us, the mere thought of a massive three-stage rave-up on the January 2nd (yes, the second of January) seemed… well. A bit… much? Could we handle it? Well, just a tiny peek at the lineup of Rhythm and Sands gave us our answer pretty sharpish: Hell, yes – we could. And was it worth it? Travel writer, Karen Farini finds out...

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Guest Post: Play with Fire and You’re Gonna Get Burned!

Writer, blogger and lover of all things 'travel', Neil Barnes retells a fiery tale of adventure, nightlife and drunken decisions... Whilst enjoying the splendours of the beautiful island of Koh Phangan in South Thailand and sampling the delights of cheap Sam Song rum served in a sandcastle bucket, Neil made potentially the stupidest decision he's ever made. Whether it was the Red Bull or just the buzz of travelling he’ll never know... Would you make the same mistake?

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12 Most Popular Islands for Backpackers in South East Asia

Indonesia has an estimated 17,508, The Philippines 7107, (7100 at low tide), and Thailand’s not doing badly either with a tropical paradise to suit every taste. There’s no doubt that South East Asia’s got more than its fair share of beautiful tropical islands. Beaches, jungle, mountains, diving, partying, even dolphin spotting... each sparkling gem seems to offer something just a bit different from the next. We take a look at some of the most popular islands amongst backpackers in South East Asia. Where will you find your tropical island paradise?

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Dancing with Fire in Thailand!

As darkness falls on the popular beaches of South Thailand nocturnal creatures to come out and play. The fire dancers take centre stage silencing audiences with their danger defiant moves. Much later, backpackers can be seen trying their luck at this dangerous sport with most deadliest of all fire dancing apparatus... the flaming skipping rope! Would you try your luck?

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