Thursday the 26th of september was defiantly a highlight of the holiday and probably a highlight of my life. When my travels are over and I am heading back to winter in Ireland I wouldn't be surprised it I named that experience as the best of my travels.
Most people have seen the movie the beach which is set in a secret island in Thailand. Ko Phi Phi Leh is the actual island on which this movie was filmed. The island is a national park so there is no sleeping on it, most people visit it during the day for snorkelling trips but have to leave before sunset. Brid however heard of an amazing opportunity which we couldn't resist regardless of the slightly steep price. For 3,000B we got to travel to the island and stay there until 10.30 in the night after which we returned to the boat and slept there under the stars, once again returning to the island in the early morning. This trip ment that we got to experience the island all by ourself without the burdon of groups of tourists ruining the ambiance.
At three o clock thursday we boarded the ship, [we being myself, the three girls and three people that we had went out with on the previous night, Andy, Lisbet and MIkkel], and eight other people. Also there was a crew of Thai people and an English girl who were there to ensure we had the time of our lives.
Ko Phi Phi Leh is a small island protected on all sides by very high, very steep cliffs. The island has two lagoons, Pilah and Ao Maya. Ao Maya is the lagoon that was used as the set for the beach. The first stop of our trip was at Pilah where we spent an hour diving off the roof of the boat, snorkelling and kayaking. After that we got back onto the boats had some refreshing watermelon and pineapple and then headed onto the island. As I mentioned the island mainly consists of steep cliffs and the only means of entry from Pilah involved climbing up a web like structure of ropes to a break in the cliffs. Most people got a small boat which transported them from our boat to the ropes however myself, lisbet and Mikkel chose to swim. I did this as I felt it added to "the beach" experience. Swimming across was easy enough until we got near the cliffs and ropes. Here there were a lot of sharp rocks and the waves were quiet violent. Luckily I had goggles on so I could see the rocks and was able to avoid being bashed into them but a lot of people from other tours weren't so lucky and emerged from the water with bad cuts and scratches, one girl had to be taken away because of her injuries. Once the boat arrived with the others we walked through beautiful foliage and emerged at Ao Maya aka the beach! In the movie The characters can be seen emerging from the trees into the beach and that is exactly how we entered, we even made sure to play all saints "pure shores" on our phones as we walked (a popular song from the soundtrack of the movie). At this stage there were quiet a few people on the beach but after about an hour everybody had to leave except for our little group. It was such an experience, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world on one of the most beautiful islands in the world and for that night it was all ours. We enjoyed a beautiful sunset on the beach and messed around taking photos, getting in the water and getting to know each other. Once it was dark we went into the forest to a clearing where we had a delicious dinner. This was followed by a free bucket and a game of kings and other drinking games which was so much fun. After the games we had a BBQ and sat around singing songs and messing about.
At half ten we left the island and returned to the boat. Another very famous scene in the movie "the beach" was when the two main characters swam in the sea at night time and by dong so disturbed the plankton which glow and appear as little speckles, resembling thousands of tiny stars. This was something I always wanted to do so you can imagine my delight when upon returning to the boat we were handed goggles and told that we could get into the sea. It was so wonderful in the water. Every time we moved we were surrounded by what could be described as little specks of glitter that followed each movement. It was stunning. We were not able to capture this on camera because the glow wouldn't come out on a regular camera. I was disappointed by this but then brid said something really nice, she said that the fact that we couldn't photo that part of our experience almost make it more special because it is our and only our moment, a bit corny maybe but I love it regardless so thanks for that Briddie!!

The entire evening and night I was so full of happiness, and looking around at everyone else it was clear that all felt the same. At many stages myself and the girls said how this may be the happiest we have been in our life. What an amazing feeling and it was so wonderful to share it not only with the girls but with everyone on the trip.
After getting out of the water we continues drinking into the early hours before passing out in sleeping bags on the boat deck.
After a surprisingly good sleep we were awoken at six in the morning. The excitement made it easy to get up as we were about to once again return to the beach. At this early hour the beach was once again deserted so we got to fully appreciate its beauty in the early morning sun. The entire group then posed in a similar manner as the pose of the characters in the movie.
This was followed by a final snorkelling trip. This time the group gave us bread while we were in the water. When we held the bread dozens of fish clambered around and ate the bread out of our hands.
When we pulled ourselves out of the water for the final time we were met with a massive breakfast and sadly afterwards we returned back to the main land.
The only word I can use to describe that experience is perfection, total perfection!!
[photos in album paradise on earth but note the photos really didn't even come close to capturing the beauty of the island at all]