The minibus was due to pick me at 7.20am to take me to the pier so I could catch the 8.30am ferry over to Koh Phi Phi. Of course the minibus was late.. no surprise there after all the transport issues I've had in Thailand, but it was very late and I feared it may not come at all.

It eventually arrived at 7.45am and didn't seem in any sort of rush still having to pick up more passengers. I wasn't sure how far away the pier was but I thought it couldn't be that far away if the driver isn't in a rush.

I started clock watching at around 8.15am as we still hadn't arrived at the pier. I started getting a bit edgy when it got to 8.20 and then 8.25am. I really started to worry whether we'd make it as did the rest of the passengers on the bus. We asked the ponytailed Thai driver how much longer it would take but he never said a word, he just continued driving slowly through the traffic with not a care in the world. I wasn't sure whether we were going to make it or not but thankfully we arrived with a minute to spare. No sooner had I grabbed my bags and rushed over to board the ferry we set off.. Jeeeez, these guys like to do things the hard way, why is nothing ever simple in Thailand?!

I sat down, composed myself and bought a snack for breakfast. I'd been told the ferry journey over would be very choppy at this time of year but it was very calm and the easy rocking motion helped me to doze off for the majority of the journey.

An hour and a half passed by which meant we were nearing Koh Phi Phi. I walked up to the top deck and there it was right before my eyes.. we were approaching Koh Phi Phi Ley, I'd be staying on it's sister island Koh Phi Phi Don.

The ferry slowed as we neared Phi Phi Ley enabling us to take some photos of the famous Maya Bay. The views of the island were simply breathtaking.. huge white face cliffs dropping vertically into the greeny blue waters below where secret caves and coves attempt to hide from the world not wanting to be found. I took in the islands beauty as the ferry cruised around its perimeter.. I looked on in awe curious to know what other sort of wondrous things I could find within. I couldn't help but feel something magical was hiding in there.. I suppose that's why they filmed 'The Beach' here starring Leonardo Di Caprio.

The ferry continued en route to Phi Phi Don where the harbour was clearly visible in the distance. Don was also beautiful but somewhat scarred by the mass of tourism taking away much of it's charm and innocence.

Hundreds of boats and ferries lined the shore as we docked at Tonsai Pier. I collected my bags and walked down the pier with the rest of the herd feeling embarrassed to be a tourist. I found the Ivory Guesthouse where I was staying with relative ease and the friendly owner showed me to my room which was lovely.. massive double bed, air-conditioning and a flatscreen TV with cable!

Phi Phi Don is only a small island but heavily overloaded with tourism. The shape of the letter 'H' helps to understand the way the island is mapped out. The line in the middle that connects the 'H' is the small area where the island holds the majority of it's shops, bars, restaurants, cafes and accommodation. All of which is sandwiched between Tonsai Pier on one side and Loh Dalum Bay on the other. The beautiful surrounding landscape makes up the rest of the 'H'.

It was only 11am so I chilled in the room for a little while before heading out to the Loh Dalum Beach after grabbing a sandwich for lunch. I could tell something special was waiting for me as I approached the beach. I stepped out onto the pure white sands to be welcomed by a horseshoe shape of stunning scenery surrounding me.. WOW!! The clearest green waters I've ever seen sat motionless infront of me within the horseshoe shaped cliffs. This would be absolute paradise if it wasn't for the crowded beach and the thud of beats emanating from one of the beach bars.. but it was good enough!

It was very hot, in the mid-30's, with only a few tiny clouds dotted in the sky doing nothing to help cool things down. I led there for 3 hours topping up my tan until I'd had enough. I was pretty tired too so I made my way back to the guest house where I cooled off in my room under the air-con.

I went out for some tea in the evening to an Italian/Thai restaurant and had another excellent meal! After my food I wandered around the tiny area of shops, bars and restaurants and it was blatant to see that underneath the picturesque scenery which draws in thousands of tourists every year lies a poverty stricken community that can only survive if the island is preserved. I felt a little bit guilty for invading their privacy but on the other hand I was helping bring money to their island.. I think the poverty on the island gets overlooked by many purely because the natural beauty of it's surroundings is so astounding!

I came back to the room to relax shortly after having some food. I watched Copa America football and Channel 4's very own 'Come Dine With Me' (haha), then I got an early night.

After having a great nights sleep in my massive double bed I woke up around 8.30am then went out to buy some breakfast. I came back to the room, got changed and made the short walk to the beach at 10am.

It was another roasting hot day on Phi Phi Don and the beach was pretty much deserted when I got there showing how much of a paradise this place could be without all the tourists. I picked my lounger in the best possible spot and settled in for the day. I enjoyed the peace, quiet and tranquility for a few hours until the rest of the tourists started appearing in their dribs and drabs. I just put my headphones in and went off into my own little world baking under the searing heat.

I called it a day at 3.30pm and boy had I caught the sun!! I came back to the guest house and had a similar evening to the previous one. I showered, changed then went out to eat in the same restaurant as I did yesterday since I enjoyed my meal so much.. it was great again.

I came back to the room to get my stuff together for the morning when I'd be catching the ferry back to Phuket at 9am. I was pretty tired again, probably from all the sun I had got earlier on so I had another relatively early night.

I had a great nights sleep and woke up this morning to the BEST NEWS EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My sister had given birth to twins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :))))))) Jack and Ben Pendlebury!!! Absolutely amazing news.. well done sis!!!

Congratulations Sarah and Pete, love you both dearly and can't wait to see you and meet the new family members!!!! :)

I'm off to catch the ferry over to Phuket now buzzing at becoming an uncle!!! :)

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