La isla bonita! Pure heaven, no roads, just taxi boats. Had a really relaxing time. Definitely the most beautiful place so far. The sea is as warm as a bath and full of friendly fish! You can see every grain of sand on the ocean floor even when out on the boat, coral reefs everywhere. The sand is like talcum powder. Can't really describe it, photos don't do it justice, it's like no other place we have seen.

Stayed in Phi Phi Hill Resort-you'd think we would've guessed the nature of the resort from the name. Several heart-attacks later we found our room, through the haze of clouds, and after dodging several airplanes arrived inside. We were greeted by a very unwelcome welcoming committee, consisting of several reptiles and ants the size of small dogs. It was little more than a shack on stilts with a hose in the bathroom but we grew to love it. (Although that could have been due to lack of sleep and pure exhaustion caused by a combination of nightly insect parties and the trek to our room)

Spent a day travelling around Koh Phi Phi Lay (the smaller island) and after frolicing with the fishes, and Clare having a confrontation with coral, which we feared may have attracted several sharks, we made our way to The Beach beach "Maya Bay". Had a private beach for a while which we fully exploited, before retiring back to Koh Phi Phi Don on our private long boat.

That night we got a taxi boat to Tonsai Village, where Vicky bravely offered up her flesh to a madman with a bamboo stick! The flowery results can be seen in the photo album. Clare and Charlene, quickly swept up in the mood, followed suit. We all got variations of the leelawadee flower (traditonal thai flower) to mark our time in Thailand. We opted for the bamboo tattoo technique, machines are for cowards! Basically a big bamboo stick with a needle attached to the end, which they jab the b'jaysus out of you with in a very skillful and artistic way. We're hardcore!

The next day was action packed, beginning with a skilled descent from our mountain hut, we proceeded to snorkel, Clare took some persuasion, and kayak. Saw an amazing underwater world and an array of huge tropical fish mere yards from the shore. Kayaking was a more sinister affair, Charlene discovered her inner tyrant, quickly taking charge from the rear of the vessel; after doussing Clare several times, screeching "About turn!!!" in a manic fashion, and almost forcing Vicky to abandon ship, metres from what we later discovered to be shark point, we finally retired the kayak looking slightly dishevelled. Clare spent the remainder of the day shaking under an umbrella as Charlene and Vicky trailed the satanic vessel up the beach. Definitely the best beach day so far :) After recouperating for several hours we made the journey home, vowing never to climb said steps again.

Relaxed on the beach with a cold beer that night, and were devastated to see the back of Phi Phi the next morning. GO THERE!!! Can't speak highly enough of it! :(

As we write this the clock is ticking on our time in Thailand, we are currently in Krabi town, awaiting our bus to Penang, Malaysia, early tomorrow morning. Genuinely sad to leave, friendly people, amazing scenery, a great experience....