Well we woke up at just before 7am and weren't all that pleased at the idea. We had very little sleep and a trek to Koh Phi Phi ahead. We packed the last of our things and waited out front for the mini van to the pier. We had bananas for breakfast but I couldn't stomach them... I was soooo tired and nauseous from too much rum and to little sleep.

Eventually the mini van arrived and we squeezed ourselves in with our luggage and headed to the pier... Goodbye Phuket! At the pier there were loads of boats anchored and awaiting passengers and numerous lost souls seeking the right boat. Ours was at the very end of the pier and was already packed...the only seats free were on the wall of the second floor seating area, I was hoping for a chair where I could pass out but no such luck. We took a perch and waited for another dozen or so people to squeeze on whilst being continuously asked by the crew if we wanted to upgrade to the lounge area for two hundred extra each... So you need to upgrade to avoid sunstroke? Lovely... We didn't and remained in our space.

After everyone was aboard and the crew were happy, we set sail and waved good bye to Phuket and the Big Buddha who was watching out to sea.. It really was quite a hill we climbed. After about forty minutes Steven headed off in search of the free tea and cakes before returning all excited that he had found seats. Turned out that downstairs was a large seating area where people where sprawled out sleeping... Jealous? Me? Never! We took a seat and sipped our drinks before I attempted to catch a power nap... It lasted about ten mins before the captain announced we were passing Koh Phi Phi Lae and the famous Maya bay. We didn't get up and look as we didn't want to spoil it for later. Soon after we were sailing in to Koh Phi Phi Don pier and wow it really is a beautiful island. We disembarked after a huge palaver as everyone ran to get off first (never understand this way of thinking) and made our way ashore. As you arrive you must pay 20 baht each to keep the island clean so that was another palaver as half the passengers missed the numerous signs stating this prior to the pay point and then had to fumble around for change.

Once we were on dry land and off the pier we found ourselves in a tourist trap... There were shops, taxi drivers and everything everywhere although the actual area isn't too bad. I was expecting it to be very busy and touristy and dirty but it was actually okay. The town centre is narrow so no cars can fit down the streets... so you don't have to worry about being mown down, you just have to move out the way of the guys who trolley everyone's luggage around and say beep beep a lot. We headed left towards the Maya bay companies office so we could drop off our bags and enjoyed a little orientation of the town. It seemed to mostly consist of gap year kids and dive schools but the location is stunning and from almost everywhere you can see a stunning view.

At the office we dropped our bags and then headed out for some food. We stopped in a few 'local' eateries but soon left as they were just miserable and unfriendly plus there was an overwhelming amount of flies. However the other options were overpriced cafes selling western food... We eventually found a small cafe where the guy wasn't particularly cheery but seemed pleasant enough and the food was reasonably priced (everything on Phi Phi is even more expensive... with a bottle of water double priced in the 7-11). I ordered a beef green curry and Steven ordered a noodle soup. The food was pleasant and just what we needed although made us even more sleepy. We decided to just head to the beach and relax for a short while before the trip. The beach was literally a five minute walk and beautiful. It was a little busy and I don't think it's even considered one of the nicest on the island but it was one of the prettiest we had seen. We laid on the powdery white sand and swam in the clear blue sea before it was soon two thirty and had to go.

We arrived back at the office and met a couple there who were also on our trip, they were two American guys called Todd and Tom and seemed really nice. Apparently they had been told there was only six of us on the overnight trip.... Which is crazy! We headed out with Phil (the owner) and walked to the pier to meet the boat... At the pier we met a few more fellow passengers. There was Mark and Leah who were English as well as a couple from Switzerland, a couple from Canada and another young chap. The English couple were joining us over night and the rest were on the evening Plankton trip so would leave us at eight pm.

We headed aboard the boat and took a pew before Phil explained what would be happening. It sounded very cool and we couldn't wait to get started... We started by sailing out past monkey island and the lagoon before pulling into Maya bay where we were going to be spending the night. The bay was beautiful but as expected the beach was crammed with holiday makers and the shore covered in long tail boats and speed boats... this sort of made the place lose its appeal a bit and made me thankful we we coming at this time of day.

We started the proceedings by doing some snorkelling and it wasn't long before we were all ready to go. Todd and Tom were the first in and already off but I wanted to wear a life jacket and went in search of one. Steven decided he was going to wear one too as it tends to take a lot of the effort away as you don't have to struggle to stay a float (or he didn't want me to feel like a baby on my own...). I was at the back of the boat putting the life jacket on and grabbing a snorkel when Steven appeared in a tiny cropped life jacket haha... He had put a kids one on and it barely came to his tummy. Me and the instructor couldn't stop laughing as he looked quite the sight... He then realised and went in search if a jacket more fitting to his stature

Once he was wearing a proper sized jacket we jumped into the water (see better already) and swam around looking for the sea life. One of the crew ...a young thai lady swam over to me and beckoned me to follow her. We followed her and she took us to all these really cool little coves and such. We felt honoured, she even took us to a little cave where you could stand on the ground.. It was a bit creepy as there was crabs running up the walls and looked a bit like spiders. We swam around for a good forty mins seeing all sorts of sea life and coral before she asked if we were tired. I wasn't but just really slow at swimming... The current was really strong and you would be swimming like crazy and not even move, plus she was like a fish and diving up and down and swimming all around quickly which only highlighted my poor ability lol.

After a while she realised we were quite a way from the boat and didn't want the others to worry so we headed back still seeing all the sea had to offer. At one point we swam through a narrow stack of rock and were swimming through a school of fish... There was literally thousands of anchovy sized fish surrounding us, it was amazing. We swam back and met the others on the boat and thanked her for the tour, we were truly honoured and saw so much... Plus trying to keep up with her put my fear at the back of my mind and I was fine. Once back on the boat we saw Todd and Tom were yet to return and were still snorkelling miles away lol... As we all tried to get their attention we noticed a guy who had swam up to the base of one of the huge rocks then stood in the shallows and peed up against the rock before jumping back in. We were all a bit surprised at the fact he would blatantly pee up against one of the most beautiful landscapes ever seen and also that he would get out of the water to do it... While not just pee in the sea?! Very bizarre. Anyway we were soon in our little boat and whizzing over to the beach while the girls went to find Todd and Tom who were still MIA.

Once we were heading over to the shore we could see how quiet the beach was getting, the boats were slowly leaving and taking numerous passengers with them. We landed on the beach and sat back and relaxed. We took some photos and paddled into the sea before lounging on the soft sand. We then headed through towards the back of the beach where there is a little beach bar located... Rather overpriced but is suppose not much competition lol. We passed the bar and followed a pathway which led to the toilets and the the park rangers accommodation all enclosed in the immense vegetation. Further back you come back to the sea... It shows how narrow this section of the island is. There is a ladder which leads up to a viewpoint where you can see the raging sea and a few more islands. I was feeling a little brave and climbed down the ladder into the rocks below that sit just under the surface of the sea, the current was really strong and I had to hold on to a rope bannister that had been erected before heading through to a small alcove and through a hole which led back through to the point of entry in the staircase. Apparently before the staircase was built the only way to see the view was to climb through the rocks and hold on to the rope for dear life.

After this we headed back onwards the beach, by now it was almost empty and the sun was slowly falling behind the vast great rocks surrounding the bay. We took some nice sunset pics before taking some obligatory jumping shots and lying back and relaxing. Before long it was six thirty and the evening group were heading back to the boat for their dinner and snorkelling, we said our goodbyes and the six of us remaining sat and chatted as the sun set... Well five of us, Tom was busy making a very beautiful sandcastle. We lounged till just after seven when we headed around the back to the beach bar for our dinner. Behind the bar they had put some matting down and lights and laid out some big pots of rice, vegetables in oyster sauce and Penang chicken.. It was delicious and plenty to go round. We ate until we were at capacity then lounged listening to music and chatting. Before long the bar was up and running so we proceeded to put our orders in for our free bucket. We chose vodka, pineapple juice and sprite and it was lovely... Even nicer when they added a larger dash of vodka midway through drinking it haha.

While we were drinking and chatting they bought out some garlic bread and barbecued chicken, which was so moist and tasty. We we all still full from dinner but it was so tasty we couldn't resist and munched it all down. While we were eating a very rustic looking thai chap who I think owns the bar sat behind me and kept telling me to go and over to the other mat. I couldn't really understand what he wanted so after he nagged for a period of time I stood up and went over to the other mat where there was a bucket. I thought he wanted me to sit on it but alas he didn't... Then we thought he was giving me the bucket to sit on as he was gesturing for me to pick I up... Which I did! Turns out he had been collecting loads of sand crabs and when I lifted it they all spewed out and so then came the girly shrieks lol. I went back and joined the others and the next thing the guy had produced a massive crab... With big bulging eyes. He then proceeded to show us how good the crabs grip was by giving him a straw which he wouldn't let go of... It was quite cute as all the time he was being shown to the boys and running around the sand he had a little leaf in his claw which he wouldn't let go of.

We hung out some more having a laugh and listening to the music while enjoying further buckets (which were a lot stronger) before we saw some darting lights on the sand about fifty yards from us. Next thing a random German guy in speedos and a headlight wanders up to us lol... He had rowed from a nearby catamaran and he looked quite a sight. Soon after we all retreated back to the beach where it was as dark as anything... all you could see was the moonlight which highlighted the huge rocks beautifully. We sat for a while taking in the sound of the sea lapping the shore and the beautiful star filled sky then before we knew it eleven o'clock was upon us and we had to head back to the boat (your no longer allowed on the beach overnight). We jumped in our little plastic boat and headed back to the main boat which was situated about 100 meters away.

Once we were back on the boat it was time for our nighttime snorkelling with the Plankton. I think the spirit filled buckets helped with my confidence a little and as soon as we were life jacketed up we jumped in. It was really bizarre as it was pitch back and very eery. You literally couldn't see anything beneath you (I tried to not focus on this too much). However when ever you splashed the water by waving your arms or splashing your legs you were treated to a light show by the plankton. They would flash a neon blue lights at you and it was amazing... Like the sea was full of glittery fairy lights. A few times Todd or Steven would swim under me and it was amazing... Like a glittery angel flying through a dark night sky. I hope I'm helping you to imagine the sight as my camera isn't waterproof so no pictures. It was honestly one of the most amazing sights I've ever seen.

After a while splashing and and lighting up the sea we climbed back on board and headed up top to see the stairs with a glass of 'Hong Thong' lol... By now it was after midnight and Tom had retreated and Todd soon after. We sat quietly with Mark and Leah and chatted before a women stuck her head out and said 'are you going to sleep' then proceeded to stare at Mark and Leah. Leah wasn't happy and said so! But were were all pretty tired so retreated soon after. The kids had taken up most of the boat so we climbed on to the roof of the control room and curled up next to Tom and Todd. The view was amazing as we laid directly under the starry sky... we could only just make out the vast black shadowed rocks that surround the bay and it looked pretty cool. We weren't awake for long and soon feel asleep listening to the sea.