So we left Kantiang Bay yesterday. Our last few days there were pretty good. The weather sorta turned crappy in the afternoons though so we didnt get much sun-action. Our last night at the Why Not Bar was good. Had some yummy food and some shots given to us from Ali. The power went out for a bit and Ali played guitar to take-over the silence from no music. He was really nice and gave me a good deal on some jewellry as well. Got to hear Chad say Miiiye a few more times, which of course, made my day. We were both sad to be leaving but it was kind of perfect timing in our bungalow because I dont think I could have comfortably slept in there one more night because I saw...THEE nastiest biggest piece of crap a-hole of a spider I have ever seen in my entire (terrified-of-spiders) life. It was in our bathroom, and as soon as I saw it, I stopped like a deer in the head-lights. I would normally have screamed or yelped or sworn or jumped ontop of the toilet lid or soemthing...but I was so disturbed and petrified by it, that all I could do was say "Mike, get me out of here." (Preferably without having to see it move or without it blocking the door-way) It was SOO SICK!!! I jumped into the bed and closed off the misquito netting, while Mike blew at it to go back over the wall (our bathroom wasnt fully enclosed at this place)...He succesfully scared it over the wall but it was back inside in the morning looming over the doorway. I refused to go in there so I brushed my teeth outside. Even Mike admitted he was a bit scared of this thing. It was big enough to eat the geckos that lived in the bathroom. It's body was about the circumference of a can of pop...and the legs came out so much further. GROSS!!! So...it was a good thing we were leaving yesterday cause I think I would have needed to have switched bungalows to a concrete one if we were staying any longer.

The last few days Mike and I haven't been doing so well in our tummies. I thought and hoped we could get through our entire trip without getting sick, but I was wrong. Not too sure what it was that we ate that has forced us into aching tummies and popping imodium, but here we have been feeling like complete crap. Mike was worse yesterday and better today, but today it is my turn and I am really disappointed. We had a tour planned today (that will hopefully now happen tomorrow) because I had to cancel going about 15 minutes before they were to come meet us for 'pick-up'. 'Pick-up' on Phi Phi is really, someone meeting you, because there are no cars or tuk tuks on this island.

So...before I have to run back to our place, I'll spend some time talking about where we are. Ko Phi Phi is exactly what I read. Total paradise. It is gorgeous. BUT...it's not at the same time for a few reasons. The ocean, the beach, the trees, the rock-faces, the bays, everything is beautiful and it makes me really sad to think about how once it was empty of people and buildings and how much of the tourist business has ruined it. Now it isnt exactly paradise. It smells here and there is gargbage scattered about. The one good thing about it is that they dont have any motor vehicles, which I think is so good, since this place would obviously be much worse if they had cars. Despite all the garbage, the random smells, and feeling like complete crap today I still really like it here because I can see it for what it once was. The beach isnt that bad. I mean, its not dirty down there, its more the tourist village that we walk through to get to our bungalow that is nasty and stenchy.

The place we are staying is called Tropical Garden Bungalows. The staff is really nice and our little hut is really cool. It's a log-cabin style bungalow with a really high pointy tee-pee like roof. We have the usual geckos living in it, misquito netting, cold shower, and a toilet that actally flushes (for the love of God, thank you!) It's about a 15 minute walk from the main pier.

As for the tour we were supposed to do today, that we will being doing tomorrow...we will be snorkelling, canoeing, seeing sharks, monkeys, the beach where the movie The Beach was filmed, some caves and a few tiny islands in the area. I am really excited. Bought an under-water camera too, so we're all set.

We have 2 more nights here on Ko Phi Phi and Im reeeeallly hoping to be feeling better (by the evening I hope!) I really want to swim in the bay on the other side of the tourist village because it is so shallow and clear. The colour of the water is so amazing. And we saw people standing so far out where you think it would be really deep.

Well, off to get boat/bus tickets sorted out for our next destination (Khao Lak - in 2 more sleeps) Everytime we mention Khao Lak here they keep telling us how its the most beautiful place to stay in Thailand. Thanks to Mike's cousins Roberta & Paige Birnie, who were staying there just last week, we have a reservation at Nang Thong Bay. Here we will be paying more than we have at any other place in Thailand, but I can happily say right now, that I am very excited and dont care to be shelfing out a bit more coin for a hot shower. (Ya, what I said before about welcoming cold-showers, I changed my mind...Im almost completely done with them.)

See ya!