Thailand
Trip Start
Apr 16, 2007
1
57
88
Trip End
Jul 2008
Ko Phi Phi Don,
Thailand
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
We had yet another nauseous ferry trip from Phuket to Phi Phi and whilst Margarida felt sick inside, Jim was outside enjoying the sunshine and views.
We found the island very different to when we were last here in Dec 2004. There is a definate sense of getting on with life but there are huge gaps in the line of palm trees so now you can see directly through from one side of the beach across the island to the other beach whereas previously you could not. Also many of the hotels/ resorts that had a presence on the beach front along the sand spa are no longer visible, they have clearly made a decision to restict construction across the sand bar based on past events...There are signs of construction and clearly plans to build up a bit more but it's looking good at the moment. There are tsunami evacuation signs everywhere and a small but moving memorial garden right by the beach.
We decided to stay at Phi Phi View Point Resort just off the beach (relatively high up) but overlooking it which happens to be where we ended 'sleeping' and taking refuge after the tsunami back in 2004, Margarida was more relaxed staying there. The Phi Phi View Point resort is off on the side of the beach up on the hillside, where there are good views of the whole beach and bay.
We spent a few days here just getting used to being here and wandering around getting to know the place again. We did a snorkelling trip and went to Maya Bay where the film The Beach was filmed. We also enjoyed many nights out at lovely restaurants. (As we are fast approaching christmas we did a spot of christmas shopping for each other too.)
One night we decided to go all out for it with a late night and spot of dancing on the old buckets...not a good move I felt the next day!
Although we were both a bit apprehensive at first when we first arrived, all in all it was good to have gone back to Kho Phi Phi and good to see life goes on, still a beatiful and idyllic part of the world.
