Ko Phi Phi is considered to be one of the most naturally beautiful islands in the world (in fact, there are six islands in Phi Phi). They lie 50km south-east of Phuket and are part of Hadnopparattara-Koh Phi Phi National Park which is home to an abundance of corals and amazing marine life. After the tsunami, approximately 70% of the buildings on the island had been destroyed. By the end of July 2005, an estimated 850 bodies had been recovered, and an estimated 1,200 people were still missing. The total number of fatalities is unlikely to be known however local tour guides cite the figure of 4,000. Of Phi Phi Don residents, 104 surviving children had lost one or both parents.
Phi Phi is my favourite island in Thailand. Just the size and friendliness of people, and the beauty of it all. I loved it there. As we arrived, it was mid day and the mid day heat was incredible. Not in a good way. In a real hot way. We shuffled up to an information travel place and just booked one night somewhere as none of us had the energy to look around with our backpacks in the heat. Walking through the town, I couldn't really imagine that the Tsunami had hit Phi Phi so hard as it had been built up really well in just 4 years. Lots of little bars and shops. It was quite touristy but you didn't feel overwhelmed by it.
It was our last weekend together, and with only 2 weeks before my birthday I had started to moan about getting really old... so on the Friday we were all getting ready to go out. We had moved guest house by now, and there were no plugs sockets in our rooms (!), so the girls were all doing their hair in the front entrance. I was getting all flustered over nothing, and Rachel was hurrying me along to come upstairs to the others' room. So after some more phaffing I went up there to arrive at a room full of balloons and a cake with candles and having happy birthday sung to me. It was wicked, thanks guys!! We had some pre drinks in the room (although we had to keep the door open because of all the smoke from the candles). The pre-drinks involved 2 MEGA buckets. I don't think I've explained the concept of a bucket yet...
... in Thailand, they serve buckets of drink. Similar size to a bucket you would buy for sandcastles. And inside the bucket they have a half or quarter bottle of either vodka or thai rum (Sangsom) with a can of coke, diet coke, or red bull to accompany it with. Me and Rachel's eyes nearly popped out when we saw the mega buckets. There was 7 of us though so we're not raving alcoholics or anything...
... so there we were in the room, playing more games and drinking our mega buckets with mega straws, ready for a top night out. Lots of dancing, watching fake thai boxing in the Reggae bar. And I bought a new frock as well. I had to. It called out to me in the shop. "Annnyyyaaaaaaaa... AANNNNNNNYYYYYAAAAAAAAA". Just wish someone had told me how short it was!!!
So our time in Phi Phi (you say it 'pee pee') was spent lazing on the beach, watching a tropical downpour, chilling out watching films in the film place, eating a gorgeous fish dinner in a fish restaurant (Garlic, I think it was called), more lazing, a night doing a quiz night, a couple of massages... this travelling lark is hardcore. Then it came to Sunday when the group dispersed. Hollie, Rosie and Sam were going on an overnight trip and we would not see them the next day as me and Rachel were heading back to Krabi to meet the next installment to the group.
Just a few things to remember from this place though, which you won't get but it's more for the memory.
1. The Krabi man
2. The bloody chicken - ok so maybe i'd rather forget this one. We got some chicken off a street stall and it actually started bleeding when we bit i to it...
3. Billie picking up a random chair on the way home from the Hippie bar (which we didn't qute make), and using it to wait for her con on the cob then eat her corn on the cob by the street vendor. Corn hasn't got blood in it so it was ok. Judging by the picture above it wa pretty darn tastey, haha. Sorry Billie, that picture makes me lauh so much I couldn't not post it on here.
4. Stephen getting lost and making friends with Kittens.
5. More bats
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