EARLY CHRISTMAS CRACKER TRIVIA:

QUESTION: what is the difference between Kho Phi Phi and Malia, Magaluf, Agia Napa and Butlins in Bognor Regis?!

ANSWER: Nothing...

I honestly could not believe my eyes, as the boat came round the corner and approached this once green, relaxing and almost ghostly island we were greeted by a sky line of high rise hotels, the sound of thumping music blearing, the buzz and mingling of Club Reps handing out flyers for a cheap fry up breakfast at the "Eastenders Cafe," and "drum and base night" at slinkys.... The sight of, what could have easily been our school students with illuminous face paint drinking wiskey out of plastic buckets was the moment where we all thought, WTF?!
What had happened to Kho Phi Phi?? The Tsunami had taken away everything they had and withina few years they had replaced it with everything you would expect to see on your first "lads on tour" holiday. The mixture of beautiful sand, amazing high green cliff tops and teenagers puking up in the sea was an experience we will all remember forever....
There has been the introduction of a road system complete with cars and motor bikes, and shop after shop selling cheap alcohol, drunken snack foods and even cheaper tattoos.
I'm so pleased that the rubble and tears of locals has been replaced and recovered by new budding business, but also a little sickened by what has been supplied for the demand of Westeners, the "farong".
Katie was amazing as our acomodation was little more than a mozzie net, a matress on the floor and a toilet with a cold rain water shower attached to the top.
We would be there for 3 days... Could she make it through?!
We met up with Hannah, Becca and Debs from back home and made the most of the beautiful surroundings, which are still possible to find if you walk up to the tsunami village and view point areas, up there the sound of 1990's UK pop music is just a distant buzz.
The next stop for us is Phuket on the boat, which is acting as our gateway to Bali via te international airport on the island. The idea was to get to Phuket and pull an all day and all nighter at the airport in order to catch a 6.45 plane Ito Dempasar airport, Bali.
However, Hannah saved the day by coming with us before she flew to Kho Tao, booking into a 5* Hotel in a gorgeous part of Phuket called Kamala bay. While distracting the reception staff, myself and Katie, alongside 2 big hiking bags and a guitar, crawled across the hotel lobby into her amaZing room! We spent the day by the pool, surfing the waves of the private beach and drinking cocktails before getting a few hours sleep in her room.
A taxi was called for 3am to the airport which confused hotel staff as their only actual guest still had another night to stay, but we flew off into the night knowing a good friend did us a great favour. thanks Han!

Next stop Bali!!!!!!!

Peace out x