Approaching the end of our epic trip we fancied checking out one of Thailand's islands and spending several days relaxing and soaking up the sun before we land in freezing cold England.

We'd watched the movie The Beach some years back and the scenery was beautiful so we choose the area where it was filmed.

We caught a boat from the port near Phuket town to Phi Phi. We passed Phi Phi Ley which is the uninhabited one of the two islands and the place actually used for The Beach, and onto Phi Phi Don where we stayed. This was the place devastated by the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, by the way.

Although it was difficult to find accommodation online there was ample available when we got there ranging from cheap grotty guest houses to luxury resorts. We picked a beach bunglow as neither of us had stayed in one before. It was cosy (ie. small) and environmentally friendly (ie. no air-con just a fan and a cold water shower) but suited us just fine!

The town is built on a small strip of low laying land between tall limestone cliffs covered in trees and white sandy beaches either side. Half way up the cliffs there's a view point over the island with Phi Phi Ley in the distance. We walked up there in the humidity which was a bit of an effort but the sight was absolutely stunning. So good we decided to go again at sunset, but that was a little disappointing - it's much better earlier in the day before the sun goes behind the cliffs.

In the town there's a series of bustling lanes filled with young European backpackers on their gap year. There are no cars, just people pushing carts and bicycles with their riders shouting "beep, beep" in your ear so they can get through.

One thing we'd heard about from reading other peoples blogs in Asia was having your feet cleaned by fish and we came across a place on the island that offered this service. You basically sit with your feet in a tank of little fish and they nibble all the dead skin off your feet. Obviously with my fish phobia there was no way my feet were going near the water, but Richard decided to have ago. They were toothless fish so didn't really bite, just tickled. He had a large amount of fish on him compared to other customers so I can only guess his feet needed it!

The evening is where the place comes to life. The music starts beating, the tattoo parlours fill up with tourists getting a permanent souvenir, the massage parlours are busy giving young guys happy endings, and the shops & bars are selling buckets (without the spade) which you fill with your chosen spirit & mixer and drink through with a straw.

We spent a couple of evenings at the party on the beach next to where we stayed. This was partly due to the loud music they played till 1am every morning preventing you from sleeping. We opted for the "if you can't beat them, join them approach" and sat on the chairs on the beach, drinking cocktails, banging our heads to the music while watching the fire display.

You can also join in with this if you want by skipping over fire ropes, going under the lit up limbo pole, and jumping through a hole on fire. By the second night of observing all this I decided I fancied a turn. I thought about the limbo but having not done it before I wasn't too confident. People were getting hit by the skipping rope and didn't seem in pain but I didn't fancy that as the object was moving. So I went for the hole.

This is a circular piece of rope that you jump through whilst it's on fire. The people ahead of me in the queue all managed it fine. Richard stood at the other end ready with the video camera.

So there I am, waiting my turn. I start my approach and begin to realise the sand is quite heavy and my legs are still in agony from the walk up to the view point. I get my front leg over successfully but my second leg just doesn't make it. I scrape it on the rope and hobble off in embarrassed pain with my foot feeling like it is on fire. I stand in the sea trying to cool it down while Richard tries to get some ice. I can't understand why nobody else has any injuries - that's the last time I attempt that!

Katy