Thailand - Phi Phi Island

Still clutching to the remnants of a fantastic holiday its time to tell you all about it. Sarah has been busy blogging a day by day account here, but my brain is still in muddled holiday mode and a little less concise than Sarah's so you get the mixed up broad overview from me - I haven't even done mine in order! For no particular reason, lets start with Phi Phi...

Phi Phi Island

Keen to escape the ubiquitous European Speedo clad men of Kata we arranged for 4 nights on Phi Phi Don at the PP Cassita hotel. Arriving at the wharf we were presented with the usual throng of hawkers and long boat drivers and (eventually) ushered onwards, hot tailing a porter who led us through the rabbit warren to our hotel.

Although Phi Phi has come a long way to recover since the tsunami in 2004 there are still reminders everywhere - the place is a construction zone, with building supplies steadily flowing from the pier to the various new buildings in trolleys (there are no cars on Phi Phi).

Despite the construction Phi Phi is still a haven for backpackers from all over the world, again providing some quality people-watching fodder! Some tips for young players:

• Don't bother getting out of bed before lunch, Phi Phi doesn't "open" till midday
• Alcohol is consumed from a bucket - a much faster and cheaper route to becoming inebriated enough to fight your friend in the Thai boxing ring (to win another bucket of course!)
• For a cheap and delicious meal with friendly service and great ambiance, try "the Rock", find it on the other side of the construction zone. Best Tom Yum Goong on Phi Phi!

While on Phi Phi...

• Sarah and Brent braved the cliff and went rock climbing while Duncan and I watched from the beach.





• Brent and Duncan caught themselves a King Mackerel each with (quite a lot of) help from our Thai fisherman guide.

• Went of a sunset trip to the uninhabited Phi Phi Le (where the Beach movie was filmed) where we went snorkeling and then took the secret cave entrance to Maya bay and sailed back to Phi Phi Don while watching the sunset.
• Spent 4 relaxing evenings at various beach bars drinking cocktails, delicious fruit shakes and watching fire dancers.

• Got a relaxing $12 massage and my toenails painted by a lady boy as her (real) girl friends serenaded her with Brittany Spears, Not a girl, not yet a woman.
• Visited Long Beach for a bit of a snorkel and to get away from the bustle of the main town.

Next Up: Diving in the Similans.

Dont forget, for a more detailed account, go here, and for more photos, go here.