13.05.2014 – Phi Phi Island
It was another early start today considering we are supposed to be on holiday. A quick breakfast in the hotel, and then a drive down to the Krabi Passenger Terminal. My wife and I were panicking initially on the drive because this was the third time to SatNav had negotiated this route, and it was the 3rd different route it had taken us. No worries though, we were there at 08:05 for an 08:30 check-in.
- Krabi Passenger Terminal
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Check in was painless, and we boarded the boat – a little smaller than I’d expected, but more than ample for the task. We entered the seating area, and there was a strong smell of stale diesel – thinking back to my deep sea fishing days in the UK, nothing was more certain to make me sea sick. I opted to spend most of the journey on the upper deck.
- we boarded the boat
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As we departed Krabi, we went past the vast mangrove forest, and the oyster beds. The sea was very calm, so the cruise was very smooth, and a non-event. That was until one of boats sister boats en-route from Phi Phi to Phuket pulled alongside, and there was a transfer of some passengers at sea – just as well it was calm. Why this transfer took place will have to remain as one of life’s mysteries.
- mangrove forest
- transfer of some passengers at sea
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As we approached what turned out to be Phi Phi Island, it looked huge, and not at all how it looked on photographs I’d seen. Then we turned a corner, and we entered a hive of maritime activity. The sea had turned to a colour that you normally experience on postcards, but never believe it’s that colour. This looked very nice, and I could at last envisage photos that I’d seen in the past.
- Phi Phi Island looked huge, and not at all how it looked on photographs I’d seen
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- I could at last envisage photos that I’d seen in the past.
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We disembarked at the Jetty, and duly paid our 20 Baht (40p) to keep Phi Phi Island clean – compared with many Thai places I’ve been to, this 20 Baht tax works.
- paid our 20 Baht (40p) to keep Phi Phi Island clean
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I’ve read on the Internet many times people talking about the quality of the water in the South of Thailand, and I’ve always thought what a bunch of moaning Minnie’s, and have written their comments off as containing a lot of BS. Well, I apologise for all of those previous thoughts – I looked over the side of the jetty, which was fairly deep water and I was gob smacked at what I saw. The water was very clear (I’ve seen dirtier fish tanks), and I could see everything to the bottom. There were layers of different coloured fish – this in itself was worth the trip. I’d never seen sea water this colour, or this clear.
- The water was very clear (I’ve seen dirtier fish tanks)
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My wife and I wandered through the streets which are devoid of motor vehicles apart from the police, who go around on little scooters and pushbikes. This in itself was quite a novelty. The streets themselves were quite colourful, with a combination of bars, restaurants, tourist tat shops and dive shops. We’d done enough wandering about together, so I left my wife to wander around the tourist tat, while I sought out the famous Beach View Point.
- wandered through the streets
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- wandered through the streets
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As a bye the bye, a friend of mine came to Phi Phi Island 22 years ago, and also visited the view point. It was his photos that have made me want to follow in his footsteps ever since. Mind you, in his photos, there weren’t many buildings on the causeway, it was mainly sand. I was fortunate enough to find a photo showing a similar view in our hotel, so I took a photo of the photo.
- a photo of the photo
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I found the stairway to the view point eventually, which is also the Tsunami evacuation route. I’ve had some climbs in recent months, but this baby takes the biscuit. I would guess the extreme heat played a major factor in this climb. Just when I thought I was almost there, the stairs actually got steeper, although this was complimented by the addition of a hand rail. I know they say there’s no fool like an Englishman, but it was almost midday and the sweat was dripping from me. As I approached the top of the stairs, there was a sign stating that it would cost me 20 Baht to get in. The smallest denomination in my wallet was a 1,000 Baht. Surely, I hadn’t come all of this way to get turned away – I was hoping they would have change.
- the stairway to the view point
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- Just when I thought I was almost there, the stairs actually got steeper
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- it would cost me 20 Baht to get in
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I got to the pay booth, and thankfully, the young girl had plenty of change. There were now 2 pathways (and a very pretty garden). I asked her which way I should go, and she indicated the right hand pathway. This started almost flat, but got steeper and steeper – I was knackered.
- a very pretty garden
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Eventually, after a couple of breaks I reached view point 1. There were a couple of well positioned chairs there in the shade. Even though they were plastic, I made an exception and joined about a dozen others fighting for breath, whilst swimming in a pool of sweat. I took a few photos, and listened to the conversations going on around me.
- view point 1
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- view point 1
Slightly rejuvenated, I decided to move on to View Point 2. Wow, I thought I’d done steep, but this was getting silly. I eventually made it to the top, and immediately bought some water – 25 Baht for an 8 Baht 7-11 bottle of water. I needed it, so couldn’t care less. I sat on a rock under a tree, and started snapping away – this was where my friend had been 22 years ago, and now it was my turn. Then the dreaded phone call – how long are you going to be?
- View Point 2
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- View Point 2
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- View Point 2
I’d done what I’d come here for, so it was down again. The steep pathway was a killer on the backs of my legs, and after the steepest of the steps (with handrails), the remaining steps were a challenge (my knees had turned to rubber.
I worked my way back through the maze of streets to our agreed rendezvous point. My dear wife had a cold bottle of water waiting for me, which was very welcome.
We had lunch, did a bit of shopping and spent the rest of our short stay on the island sat at a beachside bar, people watching.
I did reflect on the high prices on the island – it definitely wasn’t cheap here. Then as I was musing about reasons why, the answer sailed into the bay. A converted fishing boat bringing in supplies – of course everything has to be shipped here from the mainland. An on-cost is inevitable.
As we left the island, the heavens opened – excellent timing. We were even treated to a twister during the storm. So that was Phi Phi island.
- treated to a twister during the storm
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Back to the hotel for a long overdue (after my climb) shower, and then out for an evening meal. Incidentally, we tried the nearest restaurant to the hotel – extensive Thai food menu, not expensive and no pizza. Another early(ish) night, because tomorrow sees another early start when we go to James Bond Island.
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Thanks a lot.