World Wanderers: Life is an adventure. It’s not the destination that’s rewarding, it’s the journey.: Koh Phi Phi--Sunshine Atlast!

Des and I were nearly considering leaving the islands of Thailand altogether after a solid week of rain but I am so so happy that we didn't for as soon as we arrived in Koh Phi Phi mother nature gave us a break and we had blue skies and sunshine for 4 days! (And the rest of our time in Thailand as well).

Koh Phi Phi is the epitomy of how I envisioned Thailand. Blonde beaches and turquoise water with palm trees and giant limestone rocks surrounding it. It is an absolutely stunning place with a very active night life and lots of things to do (needless to say, it was therefore quite expensive compared to what we have been used to over the past 5 months!) The water is crystal clear and I had an amazing time as someone who loves to beach comb as the shells and coral that wash up onto shore are gorgeous! Although beautiful, the pure white coral and other treasures I found are a clear indication that the coral reef is in trouble and getting completely bleached out by the sun and dying.

We did a brilliant day trip where we went exploring the surroundings of Phi Phi on a long-tail boat with a few other people and were served fresh fruit and lunch. We were out in the sunshine flying by exotic shaped rocks and beautiful beaches. We stopped at all the prime locations and snorkeled around the most breathtaking under-water scenery. Colorful and active coral, "nemo" fish, emperor fish, extremely bright and neon fish, snakes, spiky black sea urchins with glowing sequins and a big eye, sea cucumbers....and loads more...it was amazing and the water was beautifully clear and warm.

We went to Bamboo Island where we sat on the white sand and had our lunch, next stop was Monkey Island where monkeys roam on the sandy beaches, we went around and through little bays and canals and then finally we stopped at the infamous "Maya Beach" where the movie with Leonardo DiCaprio, "The Beach" was filmed and it is clear why they chose it as a location! It is a gorgeous white sand beach with a bay of turquoise water surrounded and nearly enclosed by limestone cliffs---absolutely stunning! We finished the day by watching the sun set and squid fishing-boats turn on their lights out at sea (the light attracts the squids).

Maya Beach

Squid Fishing Boat

We saw a fantastic fire show on the island where several very experienced guys had all sorts of batons that they lit with fire and swung around gracefully-choreographed to different music. It was extremely entertaining and the one fire-maniac turned out to be Des's rock-climbing guide the next day.

My toe was still dodgy (atleast that was my excuse!) so Des went out to the corner of Phi Phi with just him and a guide and spent the day rock-climbing up a gorgeous and massive cliff face that overlooked the harbor and beach. I watched him climb higher and higher--he was so nerve-racking-ly high that he looked like a tiny dot of yellow (his shirt color) from where I was. He did amazingly well for someone that has never climbed before and he is determined to take up the sport when we get back to Canada! I eventually climbed up to where he was beginning his ascents and the view from even there was spectacular! He had an awesome and satisfyingly exhausting day.