Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Koh Phi Phi


During the holidays, we went to Koh Phi Phi to enjoy the beautiful island and spend some time in the sun. The beach was of white soft fluffy sand with small hermit crabs scurrying to dig the sand and get away from our feet. 

Some time ago, I wrote a post on my favourite Islands in ThailandI must add now Phi Phi island as the experience we had there was amazing. The hotel we stayed at was badly affected by the Tsunami of 2004 and there is even a Youtube video of the place when the waves hit. To have spent 3 nights there and then watch the video just a few days ago was shocking. Seeing the place now, one would not imagine that it was hit by massive grey waves which destroyed most of the island's infrastructure.  
 
Phi Phi island had a unique beach which connected a chain of majestic green mountains that rise from turquoise waters. We snorkeled to find colorful fish of all kinds but unfortunately the coral was suffering and probably from the countless boats that keep visiting the same areas 365 days a year. 

Long Tail Boats
 On the third day of our arrival we took a long tail boat to the smallest of the Koh Phi Phis (Koh Phi Phi Leh) where the movie The Beach was filmed. Now that was an adventure on its own as the waters were a little rough and we were splashed with salty water arriving there totally drenched. There was no need to jump in the water for a swim after that. On the way there we saw many ropes hanging from the rocky mountains which the inhabitants of the island used to get to the birds' nests and retrieve the eggs. 


Koh Phi Phi Leh
It was also on that trip that my son experienced an attack by a monkey trying to grab his juicy corn on the cob and also parasailing. He is only 6 years old but what a risk taker her is. He had seen his Aunts, cousin and mom go parasailing in Malaysia two years ago and was eager to try it himself. The people in charge told us that I am unable to go up with him because a double harness was unavailable. He had to go up alone with a man hanging on the ropes of the parachute. I have to admit that we, as parents, were taking a risk but they seem to know what they were doing and my son really wanted to go. 

He was so small that his body was lifted off the ground before the man towering behind him which was why he went face down in the water before taking off into the blue sky. He had enjoyed dangling in the air and when it was time to come down, the man let go and was dangling from his legs only to flip underneath my son and ease him into the waters below. What an experience for a 6 year old huh?


If you ever get a chance to visit Thailand, Koh Phi Phi must be on your list of islands to visit.


2 comments:

Isa said...

I need a JOB so I can start saving some money to travel... I SO WANNA GO THERE!

Tabouleh said...

:) You won't regret it!