Showing posts with label islands. Show all posts
Showing posts with label islands. Show all posts

Wednesday, 1 February 2012

Phi Phi to Phuket

Fairly sad to leave the island so soon, there is a lot to do on the island ,even though it is very small, and we have barely scratched the surface which seems to be a common these so far on this trip, quickly hopping around does have it's downsides. On leaving the wind has picked up which is a nice change and helps with cooling in the mid day sun, not to a lot but with a big kite and large board kitesurfing between all the islands could be unbelievable. A school here would be amazing especially as there is no competition although I’m pretty sure the wind would be rather light the majority of the time so lots of theory and day one lessons. The ferry crossing is fairly uneventful and calm as expected with only the slight obscurity at the start when a couple of small boats catch us up to bring along those that had missed it at the pier or were being brought from activities that ran late.
A few jam sandwiches and some proper sized pineapple chunks on oversized cocktail sticks later and Phi Phi's great cliffs are fading behind the sea mist into the horizon. Around another small island and Phuket Pier is in sight, looking rather more industrial than the huts perched on a hillside that we have left, it's time to head out of tourist serenity and into the urbanized wild streets and the cabaret shows of Patong road.

Phi Phi

An Hour or so on the ferry was fairly pleasant, a relatively flat seas, lots of stunning islands either side and small Thai fishing vessels at work kept us occupied, along with trying to work out which island had been used in which film.
On arrival at the port we found an islander with a sign for the accommodation they led the way, we headed continuously upwards through the town. The newest hut in which we stayed overlooks the town and a little of the bay with banana plants and palm trees everywhere. We checked out the town and then the two beaches either side of the island only separated by 100m strip of land at their narrowest point. A swim to cool off and in search for food, getting ever nearer to our budget for this section we have to be ever more incentive to find a cheap meal. Bread & Jam found to see us through a few days of lunches it was time for chick pea vegetarian curry and a few portions of rice for us to share...Probably the best vegetarian food I’ve ever had although a tad spicy for Bex I think.
Back to the room then I leave Bex blogging away while I go in search for tomorrows activities. On my return to the huts we met some more South Africans and a British girl, this time when swapping stories we found they were English teachers from north Korea all on holiday for a week, another snack and off to check out the night-life we had been told so much about.

Well that is something special! The night life down by the beach is how I would imagine Ibiza to be if all the locals could dance with fire. Every bar has something going on, raised dance floors from the bar out into the sand with everyone partying all the way down to the water. Limbo competitions, and displays taking part left right and centre, our favourite bar was Slinkys but one down the other end had a sand stage and a whole team putting on a show with Fire Sticks and Poi. Even nature decided to join in with a tremendous tropical storm going off on the horizon, huge fork lightning exploding over the mainland and lighting up the sky creating an atmosphere a spectacular sight wherever you looked. If ever I return to Thailand or others go a night out in Phi Phi is clearly always a great option.