26/10/07 - 28/10/07 Sachas Guesthouse 500B

Booked the journey to Ko Phi Phi through our guesthouse in Krabi so got picked up in a truck at 9am and taken to the pier where we got the boat to Ko Phi Phi, seemed to take forever to find a place to stay and weirdly would have worked out cheaper per person if there had only been 2 of us... there's a first! Found Sacha's guesthouse, run by a firm but fair lady and decided it was perfect. Apparently the room we took, which had 2 beds and a 3rd campbed wheeled in sleeps up to 10 people a night in peak season and if we had arrived a few days later would have cost us double per night.

I really loved Ko Phi Phi town, which surprised me as it's pretty geared up for tourists, which is usually something I hate. But I guess it was still fairly quiet when I got there and the small streets are so quaint and I looved the fact that the only mode of transport other than walking is pushbike.

The island was hit pretty badly during the tsunami and is still re-building itself. I went on my own to look around the memorial garden one day and it was so sad to think of all the losses there. I read a few of the notes and things people had left for the people they lost, but it was so upsetting that I had to stop. It's crazy when you look out from the garden as when the tide is out the water looks so far away, yet it pretty much engulfed the island and now there are evacuation routes signposted everywhere.

The 26th was full moon, so we headed to one of the beach bars, with plastic chairs on the sand and the waves splashing our feet and watched the fire shows. The island was pretty quiet as I guess most people had headed to Koh Phangan, but it was nice. Although I would have gone to THE Full Moon Party for the experience if we'd been on Koh Phangan, I really don't think it sounds like my thing. from what I can gather it's mainly dance/trance style music and pill-poppers... which is most definitely not my thing. Plus apparently you have to be really careful with your drinks as even the draught beer has pre-added drugs!!!

Anywho... back to Phi Phi, spent quite a bit of time exploring the island, did some shopping at the stalls (only just replaced my broken sunglasses!) and spent a rain afternoon in a cheap cafe watching dvds... the film knocked up is hilarious... if you haven't seen it already make sure you do!!!

Phi Phi was a great place and so beautiful... Maya Bay on the Phi Phi islands is actually where they filmed The Beach... you get the picture... so definitely worth a visit!