PHI PHI DON 2008

Friday 15.2.08
After the stress that we had undergone in the last few months selling our house, I was determined not to have any problems with our holiday so I had organised a car to pickus up from the Quality Resort in mid-morning and drive us across the island to the Rasada Pier ferry terminal where we boarded the ferry to Phi Phi Don. The cost of this was THB1200.00 or A$41.45 for two people. The ferry ftakes approximately 3 hours, leaving the harbour at 1.30pm and arriving in Tonsai Bay, Phi Phi Don at 4.30pm.

It is advisable to arrive early at the ferry, for seats are first come first served. When we arrived, it was crowded, with sedate older travellers in the salon and the deck awash with youth, sitting, lying and worshipping the hot sun which was beating down upon them. Although it would be a long trip, it was far too glorious a day to stay inside so Guy and I found ourselves a piece of deck to park ourselves on and waited to set off for our island holiday.

The trip was peaceful and the waters calm. We did get a little bit red in the sun but nothing too drastic. And it was with great excitement that we saw the islands of Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley finally appear on the horizon. With smaller rocks around them, their cliffs rise straight out of the sea. We knew that these islands had been badly affected by the Tsunami in 2007 and were amazed at how high the islands were. Surely the seas must have been mammoth to have any affect on these islands? And yet we knew that the village of Phi Phi Don was almost totally wiped out by the tsunami. We shook our heads in wonder. Never underestimate Mother Nature!!!

Well toasted by the tropical sun, we hopped off the ferry to be met by a young man from our hotel, Viewpoint Resort. He walked with us through Phi Phi Don village and we could now see how the tsunami had devastated the island. There is a low thin neck of land between Tonsai Bay where the ferry berths and the next bay, Loh Dalam where our hotel was situated. This strip of land contains Phi Phi Don village and it was one of the spots which was totally wiped out during the tsunami. Now there are tsunami warning signs everywhere and arrows pointing to escape routes. There is a tower which blasts a siren if and when another tsunami should occur. The Thais have learnt their lesson well. We found ourselves in Loh Dalam Bay and walked up to the Viewpoint Resort, a very pretty hotel with small bungalows reaching up the side of the hill. We booked a seafront bungalow right next to the swimming pool at a cost of THB40,992 (A$1419.12) for 11 nights.

Our room I was very pleased with the hotel. The views were amazing and the rooms spacious, clean and cool. Our room had a balcony leading into a small private garden and we had two showers - the internal one with hot water and a courtyard shower outside with cold water only. It was the only one we used throughout our stay. The chance to shower outdoors whilst watching the beautiful water of the bay was not one to ignore. View from the shower

	It didn't take us very long to hop into the amazing swimming pool (see left) which seemed to float right out into the bay. And Jamie our friendly bartender was soon kneeling beside the pool with a cocktail menu. Noting that the bar was called The Mojito Bar we opted for one of its namesakes. Wow! What a great choice!!! The mint, lime and soda totally cooled us down and the rum gave it a kick.
During our stay, we spent an hour or two every night at the Mojito Bar with Jamie and Connie and enjoyed their company. Jamie was from Melbourne and Connie from Singapore. Jamie's sister Anne also helped out from time to time. She was on her way home to Melbourne from London to attend her sister's wedding.
There was always a good crowd of people to talk to around the bar, from all parts of the world. And after a few drinks, we would amble down into the village for a meal or go to the hotel restaurant which served an excellent meal.

	Left, true to form, I found some cats. I always find cats! I love them. These little kittens were too wild to let me near them. Their mother came into the restaurant at meal times to try and persuade the guests to pass her some titbits but the kittens would stay well out of reach. These two were sunbaking on the verandah of a vacant bungalow.
	And two more photos of the view from our room. It really couldn't get much better than this, could it?