Koh Phi Phi

We leave Koh Phi Phi tomorrow for the more humid and cultured atmosphere of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. I can't wait. Much like that summer I spent working in Corfu, Greece, my time here on Koh Phi Phi won't have added much to my life or my development as a person. Maybe my development of a tough immune system but not much else. Lorna read on some blog that the islanders pump their waste directly into the sea, giving a few lucky visitors a hefty dose of pink eye. It could also be a rumor but we avoided paddling since.

Now, don't get me wrong; I've had a great time here. But Koh Phi Phi isn't a highlight for me. Now maybe I need to lighten up a little; the island is stunning and certainly lively. But it's not for me. We've been here a week but its been about 5 days too much. The most we've really done is sun bathe, sleep ridiculous hours of the day, wander around the stalls, climb the monkey lined path to the viewpoint (official Tsunami evacuation route FYI) and take a trip to the infamous Maya Beach (Leonardo's beach - but I'll talk about that in a sec.) Which is actually all fine, gives us some down time to catch our breath and relax before we head off trekking and whatnot in Northern Thailand and Laos. Oh, we'll we've drank a fair bit as well, it's hard not to here. :) 

The island definitely has lots to offer. It's one of the best places to scuba dive and many schools to choose from. There are all sorts of day trips to other islands and activities to suit everyone. We took a trip over to Maya beach where 'The Beach' was filmed and had a look. Have to say, bit of a let down. The best part was being told we had to swim from the boat to the island and climb up a rope ladder to enter the bay. Bit of an experience but highly wheelchair unfriendly. The beach itself was beautiful. No denying it. But it's jammers there. Literally teeming full of people. That wouldn't be so bad if there wasn't a hundred awful, noisy speedboats blocking the view. Myself and Lorna walked the length of the beach and found a spot to take a boat free pic. Anyway, we'll make a note for the future to go a bit more off the beaten track. 

Thailand so far has been an experience. It certainly has a different personality compared to that of Malaysia and Singapore. I won't go on too much about it because you'll think I'm having a terrible time and I don't want to make a flash opinion on how some people live (even though that's exactly what I'm doing). I think I need to change my expectations and mind set a bit. I just have to suck up the fact that toilets here are awful. 

Anyway, it's on to Chiang Mai tomorrow for some elephant conservation, jungle trekking and lots more.