Phi Phi Islands

Our stay at Phi Phi Don was truthfully by coincidence. We were staying in Phuket and we passed one of the thousands of posts where they sell tours and saw the offer to spend a night at Phi Phi Don. We thought it was a good opportunity since we wanted to tour Phi Phi Lee. Phi Phi Don is not a very big island, and most of the shops and restaurants were at the port. We decided to stay in the andaman legacy hotel, even though it was a bit far away from the center. Then again, it was the only one available.
Anyway, when we arrived at the hotel we were very surprised. It was isolated, but still only 10 minutes away from the center, and it was very nice and had a nice pool. The only thing is that there is a Muslim church next door and at 5am, they burst a song out through the megaphone.

Gorgeous island with many opportunities to kayak, boat or booze cruise, hike, party, relax, and take in amazing tropical views. Lots of tourists make it a little overwhelming.

The attendants hold the boat firmly to the pier and herd us out. Like dozens of clumsy and clueless cattle at an auction, we tumble forth out of the rickety boat onto the wooden dock leading to town. We have arrived from Phuket to the Andaman Sea’s crown-jewel: Koh Phi Phi.

I imagine words and scenes I have long associated with the southern Thai islands.

The island appears as a salted cashew nut that broke when it hit the hard sea just offshore. At its ends, two huge shrub-covered humps of limestone rise through the billowing blue water and tower just below the white checkered sky. Hidden coves of still water paint the high and sharp and green rocks on its still surface so when one cuts through the water it appears as if you are climbing to the heavens. The island’s curved spine is a hodgepodge of lush vegetation fronted on both sides by powdered sands as white as milk. The canopied vines shade elevated wooden cottages – like big brown crabs - with verandas overlooking hibiscus and dewdrop lined pathways descending over the sandy floor to the beach and the still water. In the sweating and swaying palm trees, light attacks their green leaves while rainbowed insects leisurely munch on the serrated ends. The cool sand easily swallows bare feet as nectar-drunk hummingbirds dart from one flower to another desperate for more sweets. The tide is out and dozens of long, colorful wooden boats rest on the edge of a puddled and thirsty strip of sand running seemingly infinite to the end of the world. The horizon is water and water is the horizon. And as the sun sets, its colors form a long flashlight lighting the way to the hereafter. In the distance a motored boat jet lashes toward the island sending the wave-less water up in a murderous rage.