Phuket - Phi Phi Islands: Day 4

Phuket - Phi Phi Islands: Day 4
28th February 2009

8:07am Phuket time... Breakfast @ Cabana Hotel's Maya Restaurant.
Plain White Porridge with a couple drips of soy sauce... I thought its something nice in the morning since we've been eating fried and spicy food~
Orange juice always look nice in a glass yea?
Hotcakes with maple syrup, sausages, bacon and ham~
Sunny-side-up and Omelette~
Croissant bread with a cube of butter...
Coco-Crunch + Cornflakes + Milk
9:20am Phuket time...
We booked a Phi Phi Islands Half-Day Tour through a local tour agency the day before @ 800Thb /person. Choices are aplenty and it will be wise to compare each and ask for their rates. The ONLY crucial point to take note is that most agency does Afternoon-Evening or Whole-Day tours, which could really have you out in the sun the whole day. (Note that the sun between 12pm - 2pm is painfully scorching in the February months). We found an ideal Half-Day tour which starts in the early morning and brings us back to shore by 1pm Phuket time~ Just great~!
The 800Thb /person includes the Long-Tail boat trip around the islands, snorkeling equipment, life-jacket, drinking water, fruits, and lunch. Trip was from 9am - 1pm Phuket time...
Below is the video clip of the boat trip out to Koh Phi Phi Ley~ We shared the boat with 3 Ang Mohs and an Asian couple (and the boatman of course).

The terrain in the vicinity are mostly cliff-type mountains and emerald blue waters~Oh I love this photo~
Before you book your day-tours, it is wise to always ask what type of craft you're heading out in - Long-tail/Speedboat/Big boats. The bigger the boat, the faster you travel, but the more time you've to wait for everyone in the boat to get on and off the boat (the bigger the boat, the more passengers it carries).However, we do have the choice of booking a private boat for 3 hours. It will just be the 2 of us + the boatman. Of course, it will come at a price (approx. 2500Thb).Long-tailed boats are ideal for island-hopping for many reasons~ it is lightweight and thus has more maneuverability. It carries a maximum of 12 passengers only, but its rarely filled to the max on each boat; lesser people means more time at each spot. The engine for Long-tailed boats are mounted on an inboard turret-like pole, which can rotate through 180degrees, allowing steering by thrust-vectoring. The propeller is mounted directly on a long drive-shaft with no additional gearing or transmission. The advantage of an inboard engine includes keeping the engine relatively dry.
More importantly, engine-oil leakage, if any, only drips on the boat, not directly into the seawaters; its more environmentally friendly this way. Lastly, hiring Long-tail boats lets the locals make a living~
9:30am Phuket time...
Koh Phi Phi Ley Isles
Phi Phi Ley is an uninhabited island whose natural beauty is still unspoiled. The island is mostly composed of towering limestone cliffs that spring up at right angles with the blue water surface. The water is brightly turquoise with the abundant coral reefs and species of fish. There are several magnificent beaches and scenic islands standing offshore. There is no accommodation on Phi Phi Lei, as most of the island is composed of sheer cliffs and small lagoons with teeming fish. Trips leave every day for sightseeing and snorkelling, especially good for beginners as the water is warm, absolutely clear, and shallow. - quoted from http://www.ko-phiphi.com/phi-phi-ley.htm
Bird Nest Cave~Viking Cave~Look! Vikings~! (Was surprised to see some locals sort of 'staying' there... whats with the tentage and plastic containers anyways?)The Viking Cave looks beautiful though~Viking Cave is the immense cave named after the pictographs on the wall of the cave which indistinctly resemble to ancient Viking ships. This cave was renamed by H.M Rama IX when he visited it in 1972, which resembles in shape the head of the great serpent of Buddhist legend is a revered place of local people who come to collect the swift's nests that is used to make Bird's Nest Soup. The cave is a spectacular scene created by the nature itself; cave and a sea lake formed by a clef between the two cliffs that allows water to enter into a bowl-shaped canyon wherein several nice hidden beaches are shaped. Visitors can stop to relax and snorkel here. - quoted from http://www.ko-phiphi.com/phi-phi-ley.htm

Video clip on the Viking Cave approach...

Pi-Leh Cove~
We travelled along the sheer limestone cliffs southwards...The scenary is breathtaking~
Here's a random clip of a cliff overhang~

9:36am Phuket time...
Phi-Ley Bay
The boat turned into a cove area and we were surrounded all around by limestone cliffs~

The boatman said this place is "Phi-Ley"~ the waters is slightly over a metre deep, no fishes, good for swimming~
I took another video of the Phi-Ley Bay... the waters are crystal clear here and I could see right onto the bottom...

Our boat made a 180 degrees turn...
... and we start to get ready for a swim~Behind us... thats the entrance to this Phi-Ley Bay...
Got an Ang Moh to help take our pictures~... and I dive in~ all the way in.... its at least over 2 metres deep cuz my feet didn't touch the sandbed at all - its just amazing how clear the waters are~ Went up the boat again for our snorkel equipment (we bought our own snorkel set at 250Thb /set on one of the island's shop; didn't really wanna use the "public" ones... hehe)
Also switched to a waterproof camera~ the waters looked more emerald in these photos... either due to the angle of the shot taken, or its the problem with a disposable camera...Climbed back the boat after some 15mins...... and we set off for another spot~ the boatman was cutting fruits abroad earlier and handed out a tray of pineapples for us~
10:04am Phuket time...
Loh Samah Bay~
This place has many fishes~!
Taking underwater photos is a quite a feat...... and I got to chase after these fishes for a clear shot...Regretted buying the cheap snorkel set as salt water seeps in after just 2 mouthful of breath... tried blowing out heavily but gave up soon enough.
10:32am Phuket time...
We moved off after some 30mins of swimming around there~
10:33am Phuket time...
Maya Bay~
Turning into Maya Bay...
There is a floating jetty extending some 50 yards from the beach... and everyone just wanna have a walk on it...The boatman handled each of us a packet of lunch as we got off the boat. He reminded us to return the styrofoam boxes and not leave it on the island... (which led me to think, either its part of every locals' effort to keep the place clean and beautiful... or will they recycle the boxes? I hoped for the former~). Oh, there's a little pub selling chilled beer and softdrinks, and business is darn good.
Here's the view from Maya Bay of the floating jetty... and an idea just struck me as I ate my lunch from a nearby table...
Got an Ang Moh to take our pictures... (my shorts looked weird cuz I stuff the waterproof camera in my right pocket...)Watch me do a Jetty dive~ (I didn't go all the way~ its crowded, and the swim back will be far~).

There scenary here at Maya Bay (Ao Maya) is just beautiful~ Made famous as a location for the Hollywood film "The Beach" starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Maya Bay is visited by tourist in the thousands yearly~ lets hope everyone keep this paradise clean~
Here's a video clip of the the Maya Bay...

Beyond the drinks bar~ this sandy footpath leads to 2 places - Loh Samah Bay (right opposite the island, and the toilet...) Its advisable to keep your slippers on.
Maya Bay is an area under environmental-conservation... and I love my 15litres Red Ocean Pak~ had 2 huge beach towels inside, cameras, wallet, 1-litre mineral water, and 2 bottles of suntan lotion~ real good a bag~
Somewhere deeper into the sandy footpaths, another signboard points the direction back onto Maya Bay...
We followed the sandy footpath back onto Maya Bay...

Got another Ang Moh to take our pictures... Maya Bay is so beautiful I couldn't find another word to describe it (ok, my vocab is poor~)~ (^-^)b
11:26am Phuket time...
An hour on Maya Bay past so fast~ we were just about to lay out our beach towels when the boatman beckons us to return to the boat...
We left Maya Bay relunctantly~

Note: There is a 24-hrs trip where it allows you to camp over night at Maya Bay; includes BBQ food, sleeping bags, tentage (when raining), and most necessities. I think its worth it.
We arrived at another area where the blue is great to snorkel in~ I couldn't identify another location on the map after leaving Maya Bay~
But I think its just somewhere further north of Maya Bay...
We berthed alongside another fellow Long-Tail boat for stability...
... and we jumped into the waters for a swim~
Abandoned the life-jackets and snorkeling equipment this time~
We couldn't spot any fishes in the waters... but when the boatman threw the leftover pineapples into the waters, hordes of colorful fishes, big and small, swarm over....
Here's a short footage...

12:16pm Phuket time...
Monkey Beach~
(There appears to be 2 locations called "Monkey Beach". I compared a couple of local area maps and noticed a certain bay is either named Yong-Gasem Bay or Monkey Bay/Beach, while there is another spot named Monkey Beach.)
We arrived at a "common feeding time" as the local monkeys knew how to approach us when our boats neared it... many other day-tour boats also berthed in along the same timing with us...It would be ideal to bring your own bunch of bananas if you want to get up close with the monkeys... our boatman didn't bring any... so we only watched others do the feeding...
Here's a video footage... watch the monkeys catch the bananas thrown to them...

Kayaking over to Monkey beach seems most ideal if you've lotsa energy to spend~
This is the official Monkey Beach, but the high tide covered the beach...
12:40pm Phuket time...
We returned back to Tonsai Bay... what an exciting morning~!This part of Tonsai bay (west) seems the most ideal for a swim~ but watch out for water crafts coming in...
12:53pm Phuket time...
Back @ Loh Dalum Bay...
We went back to our hotel grounds for a swim~ the water was warm from the morning sun~Hop back to our hotel room (just 20 steps away) to pick up a hammock we bought from Patong Beach... (this fella tried to hard sell us this hammock for 850Thb. We chopped the price down to 200Thb... approx. S$8.60. xD You couldn't find this price anywhere else.)
Then we hung this hammock so close to the beach under the jealous eyes of the rows of Ang Mohs on the deck chairs behind us... kekeke~ What a view~!... and what a view~!
That's me lying on the waters... shiok~Parasailing is available at Loh Dalum Bay too... but I suggest you better try in at Patong Beach instead... cuz the fellas drop you into the waters, instead of on the beach like the one at Patong Beach~6:21pm Phuket time...
Tonsai Bay @ Low Tide...
Yes, this is Tonsai Bay in the evening. You'll be surprised how much the waters will go out compared to the water level in the morning.Here's a video footage of the evening time Tonsai Bay...

6:29pm Phuket time...
Tree House Restaurant~
This nice restaurant brings us up a little tree to a beautiful deck above!
Watch the video footage as I go up into the restaurant...

The tree house restaurant gave a beautiful view of the Tonsai Bay~
even though the waters at Tonsai Bay goes out in low tide...
the dusk gave a feeling of calmness and serenity over the bay~My first alcoholic cocktail of the trip... was hoping they would serve it in a nice cocktail glass.... but...
He see the fella down there? This Ang Moh super free~ every evening we see him decorating the beach in front of his restaurant with flowers, or combing the sand with brooms...
Also caught a performer practicing on the beach before the show at night...

Fried Springroll.... the Thais know how to say "Popiah"... this is a recommended dish~
nice with Thai sweet chilli~Chicken satay with super super thick peanut gravy~ and a few slices of bread~
Shrimp tempura~Tom Yum Goong~ spicy~Pat-Thai Fried Noodles with Squid. Squeeze the lime over the noodles and mix the peanut over.... marvelous~! I love it!Night came very quickly and our table was lited with an alcohol lamp~ sweet~A fire performance began below... there were more seats below too~ equally comfortable~Watch the fire performer...

8:15pm Phuket time...
Done a very full dinner and began strolling the streets for souvenirs~ wooden portriats with pictures of Maya Bay, Tonsai, Loh Dalum, and many other beautiful beaches in the vicinity...
Bags and Sea-shell Wind-Chimes...
Picture magnets~ keychains, braclets and necklaces...
Here's a photo of one of the many tour-agencies there. They offer pre-planned day-trips and also help in booking ferry tickets and other forms of transport to Phuket, Krabi, and even to Langkawi (Malaysia)~!
One of the many massage parlours on Phi Phi Don...
Very open concept~ I suggest you get your massage over in Patong Beach and not on Phi Phi Island... at least not in Tonsai Bay. The massage facilities are still in its infancy (as of February 2009).
Here're the rates~ I went for a massage at another operation on Phi Phi Island and I could only use one word to describe - Pain. The one on Patong was much much better.
9:19pm Phuket time... Back in Cabana Hotel...
Courtyard... clean, white, and well maintained.
Fountain sprays water in the morning...
Phi Phi Island Cabana Hotel~
Situated on the west end of Tonsai Bay, its merely 100 metres from the pier and I think its the best choice of stay there~ structurally strong and a very prominent building... the only part that got swept away during the Dec'2004 Tsunami was the Spa and Massage facilities~This is the ceiling at the patio... nice handicraft...
Pardon my ignorance, with due respect, I pressume this is a portrait of the Thai King, hung prominently above at the hotel lobby.
Hotel lobby...
on the right of the lobby...
2 clusters of beautiful chairs for the hotel guests~
Right behind the chairs, rows and rows of these posters boards introduces day trips and tours for the hotel guests...
You'll find these posters all over the islands, as its under the same few tour operators~
I photographed every one of them...
Notice "Yong-Gasem Bay"? Its sometimes called "Monkey Bay" too... but there's another Monkey Bay somewhere else...
Full-day tour could get you really baked...
And what I found enticing is this 24 hrs trip that gives you an overnight stay on Maya Beach! How romantic! (minus any possible insects and mosquitoes that might bug you at night)...
2 of the most dangerous activities Phi Phi tours can offer you... (1) Sharkwatch... Harmless blacktip shark? I'll give it a pass. Anything that has mouth, will bite. Murphy's Law. (2) Cliff Jumping... you'll need a lot of balls to jump.... too bad I only had 2...
Half-day trips are the best~ but it would be wise to go in the mornings... the afternoons are just too hot...
The reception at Cabana Hotel... the manager at the hotel is probably the only fella who can speak decent English... so please keep your enquiries simple. Check out timing was at 11am, but we asked for a 2pm checkout and they're pretty fine with it~ cool!

A grand chandelier on the ceiling...
Inner lobby...
Naughty elephants~
Oh, I walked around and finally decided to buy this 20litres Dry Tude~ Retailing at 580Thb - 600Thb at most shops, I managed to bargain down to 500Thb only. Thats almost S$21.00! I think this would have costed some S$40+ in Singapore.
Beautiful~
Can't wait to find the opportunity to use this...