Koh Phi Phi

Koh Phi Phi

Siting within a national park, Koh Phi Phi is divided into two islands. Koh Phi Phi Don, the larger of the two, is inhabited and thus where you have to stay if you come out to Phi Phi. The main area is essentially two bays, facing out to eachother, with a small strip of land settled between and filled with a maze of narrow footpaths and small shops. Due to it's limestone cliffs, clear blue waters and white sands, popularity has recently turned the place into a bit of a party island. Among all nationalities, Phi Phi has a large influx of the Swedish, and it's only the sun and the sand and the tropical island beach island feel, that keep you from thinking that your boat may have actually dropped you off the Scandinavian coast. It is however a beautiful island and made more-so by the long but worth while climb up to viewpoints 1, 2 and then tiring to the 3rd and top spot.

Phi Phi Don is also famous for it's recent devastation by the boxing day, 2004 tsunami which wrecked havoc here and is still visible, especially on the faces of the locals who are willing to talk to you about it. There is now an evacuation route set up on the island.

The other island, Koh Phi Phi Ley is not inhabited and you can only stay there for the day before having to head back to Don at sunset. I went out as a day trip, which included snorkelling in nearby waters and then kayaking to Ley. The island is kept exclusive, rubbish free and people free by night. The main beach along Maya Bay is stunning. It was made famous for the filming of "The Beach". Unfortunately you have to share it with every other tourist desperate to see where Di Caprio played with sharks before eventually going mad in the film. Maya beach is a must see though.

Again, the rest of my days were spent lazily. I have come to realsie i need to get off these islands before I never leave!!!

The only other thing of note to tell you about Phi Phi, is my friend Peter got a bamboo tatoo, with the words "Love Of My Life" across his stomach, after his favourite song by QUEEN. I'm seriously starting to worry about him. I have now decided to get a tatoo with the words "Would The Real Slim Shady Please Stand Up" plastered across my bottom, in similar fashion. Don't worry mum, I would have to be very drunk to do that......"would someone get me another Beer Lao"!!!

Off to Koh Lanta....