Island Hopping
Trip Start
Feb 07, 2005
1
20
43
Trip End
Aug 24, 2005
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Ko Phi Phi,
Thailand
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Simply put, Ko Phi Phi is beautiful. Its image is tarnished as a consequence of the tsunami and whilst it is still only 70-80% up and running again, the island's character is still captivating. The water is no longer as crystal clear but remains an incredible turqouise colour and the beaches have been cleared of most debris. We were there during Songkran, which is the Thai New Year. It is infamous for it water festivals and supersoakers have never been more readily available than here!! Everyone had one and everyone got drenched!!! We had all met up by this point; Me, Dave, Rob, Mel, Leila, Emma (Leila's friend from home), Laurence and Kat and Ash. Buckets of Sansom (Thai whisky which tastes like rum!) were consumed and everyone ended up in the sea whether by choice or dumped there - quite an experience. The Thai guys at a bar called Hippies
do a nightly fire show using flaming sticks and tennis balls on chains. They dance to the music making awesome patterns in the air with the flames, I watched a few westerners trying it during the day and it just wasnt graceful at all, the complexity of the movements is made to look so easy.
We did a bit of volunteer work but nearly enough to feel like we'd made a difference. Dave and I went snorkelling to help remove debris from the bay. It was fairly hard work and it did feel good to be doing something if, albeit, not very much!
The next day Dave cut his leg open on some metal and required 7 stitches. Mel, Leila and Emma organised a raffle and raised about 35 quid in one day, but there is still so much that can be done there. When we came to leave the island, they headed off to Malaysia Unfortunately we had to move on and headed to Ko Lanta for a bit of isolation on a quiet beach. We only stayed here for a couple of days as it was too quiet and the
beaches were covered in pine needles. We then headed to Krabi and Au Nang. The latter is a typical sea side town, the Irish dragged us to 'The Irish Rover' for a pint of Guiness and a Sunday Dinner, the first on the trip I think and it went down an absolute treat!! We were by now pushed for time as we were adamant we'd reach Ko Tao and Ko Phanang for the Full Moon Party on the 23rd April.
