We arrived by ferry from Phuket, took about 2 hours, on aturday. The ferry ride was suprisingly good... very hot though. When we arrived we had to again look for accomodation - we have been pretty laissez - faire with accomodation recently, tend to just blag it when we arrived on the islands or in Phuket. We must have walked for only 10 minutes, but with th eisland heat and our big packs on it seemed like forever. We looked around several accomodation but to our dismay, most had only fans in the room which would have been ridiculously unbearable. We eventually found a really nice resort called P. P. Princess Resort, which although was a little out of our price range, it was to be the cheapest for an air conditioned room. We dumped our bags and went to explore the island. We were on Phi Phi Don Island (Koh Phi Phi has lots of little islands). As it was quite late on anyway, we went for food and headed for an early night.

Phi Phi really is the best island - so pituresque... You can tell it is still recovering from the Tsunami in most places but it really is amazing.

On Sunday, we set our alarms for early on and trekked the easy 2 minute walk from our resort to the beacj. The tide was about 100 metres out and all you could see was white sand and the water. It was amazing. We settled down on our sun loungers for the day, occasionally (like every 10 minutes) when it got too hot we went for a swim.We went for some lunch in one of the beach bars called Ciao Bella, where the guy who owned it had survived the tsunami. He had written a book which we bought, and had a little chat with him about it. Sounded very scary and we went to bed that night hoping we'd be safe haha! Sundaynight, was the BIG game. With Loz being a Liverpool supporter and myself a United, we decided to head to the 007 bar/restaurant where I watched Laura mope about for 90 minutes as we (addmitidly not deserving it) won :) We then went to a place called Reggae bar where there was a big Thai Boxing ring in thecentre. Members of the public could Thai box eachother. A muscular Swedish guy (who thought he was all that) stepped up to a scarwny guy thinking that he was going to win easily. However after a couple of harsh blows and several knock outs, the scrawny guy won. Then two Thai guys who very much looked the part stepped up in the ring. And all I can say is Wow and Ouch. I have a video on my camera of them both, and they were not having mercy on eachother. The video shows one guyt getting knocked out for several seconds..Harsh but was really good aswell :)

On Monday we wnet on a Day Trip of all the little islands making up Koh Phi Phi, and I can safely say that this is on par with the best day in Thailand (the otehr being Elephant riding in Kanchanaburi). We got on the boat at 9am, with snorkels and fins all ready and headed to Maya Bay. This is where the film Leo Dicaprio stars in The Beach. This had amazing white beaches. The boat stopped away from the beach and if we wanted to go look at it, we had to Kayak over. So the 3 of us decided we wanted to go explore the beach and so hopped on one kayak... Steph relaxzed in the middle whilst Loz and I paddled had with th eoars. On the way there was fine, we go there and explored a little of the island. When it was time to head back in the boat we got onto the kayak to set off back. Much easier than it seems to be. We were against the waves and no matter what we did we couldn't head in a straight direction. So we met some Aussie boys with the smae trouble as us off our boat and decided we'd let them pull us along. So im lay on my tummy holding the oar out whgile Loz paddles at the back. The kayak in front has two Aussie guys on, the front one (Rob) paddling hard and the back one holding onto the oar. They get us into trouble by moving furtehr from the boat and we decide we'd best do it on our own. At this point tour boat is moving with everyone else on it and we're worried they'll leave us stranded so start shouting for help. Laughing our heads off we realise the boat is simply moving closer to us. I jump off the Kayak and swim whilst pullinmg it with my hand and the other two paddle. Whilst I swallow half the ocean in the process, a kind Thai guide (laughing his head off mind you) comes to our rescue and paddles us all to safety :)

Next we passed the Viking Cave for a quick picture shot, then went to Monkey Island. Here again the boat stopped away from thebeach but by this time we'd made friends with the Aussie lads. Two of them and Loz and I decided to snorkel to the island, whilst ROb and Steph (or rtaher just Rob) paddles on the Kayak... Steph keeping camera equipment dry of course. When we got to the island there were lots of lillte monkeys around and again, white sandy beaches. When we snorkelled back it was amazing. There were thousands of tropical fish, Loz and I saw a needle fish which looked scarily sharp but of course was harmnless. The guide son the boat were throing food into the water at us and the fish would swim round us in their hundreds. Was truly awesome!! have it on the video camcorder.

We then went to Bamboo Island. The sea was rather choppy at this point however so whilst most decided to stay on the boat, one of the Aussie lads and I decided we'd attempt the snorekl/swim to the beach. Getting there was fine as the waves were on our side. When we got to the beach it was by far the mnicest. Very very white sand and clear water. We stayed on their for a while, and then decided to hit the immense task of heaidng back to the boat. The waves were against us, and tehse waves were quite big. After swallowing half teh ocean between us through our snorkel, we made it back exhausted but happy with what we'd discovered.

We then went to watch the sunset, however by this time several clouds appeared so we didn't get to see it but it was still a great day. We headed back to our island and showered etc. Went for food but it was a long day so we were exhausted and headed to bed.

Tuesday was going to be bad... a 2 hour ferry ride followed by a 12 hour bus ride back to Bangkok :( As I write this I'm exhausted in our original hostel in Bangkok. But tomorrow (Thursday) is our flight to Australia and I really cannot wait....

So, taht sums up my travels in Thailand. Have had the best three weeks and can hardly wait for our next antics in Australia and New Zealand.

xxxx