PHI-PHI

From Maya Beach it was of for lunch on Phi Phi Island. Yet another idyllic location, although for me it was a little spoiled by its commercialism. But dont be put off, if you are looking for a paradise holiday destination this place should come high on the list.
It has plenty of cafes and restaurants to choose from, a great market village, resorts and all the usual Island tours, diving, snorkeling , trekking, etc.

After our buffet lunch, it was back onto the boat to explore more of the neighbouring Islands.

Nearby Monkey Island was our next stop , where we moored a little offshore and went snorkelling around the extensive coral beds. We had enough time to swim into the beach if we wanted and a couple of our fellow passengers took that option, to check out the monkeys on the beach. Boon and I stuck with the snorkelling in the deep waters, so many more fish to see, especially when the boat hands threw bread. This made the fish come in from all over and we were in the thick of them , some literally brushing past our goggles.

MORE SNORKELING AND PLANNING THE REST OF THE TRIP

Our last spot of snorkeling was a bit further round the same island where we were once again in deep water but had the chance to swim under overhanging rocks and small ‘caves’. some of the coral covered rocks came high enough to allow for rests from swimming, but we had to be extremely wary of the many Spiny Urchins. You really don’t want to stand on one of those.The water here had a very strong current and a few of us had some difficulty getting back to the boat. Life jackets are available and it is very advisable to use them. The one criticism that I have of the boat crew we were with is that when the eldest tour goer was having real difficulties with the current and starting to panic, they took a long time doing anything, preferring to watch and laugh for a while before backing the boat up to him.

This was our last stop before heading back to Ao Nang Beach. The weather had worsened and the seas were even choppier than on the trip out. I had to retreat from the bow position, about half way back, because it was just too much.

We were dropped back at the guest house at around 5 and it was straight into the shower to wash off the biting plankton.

Over dinner we decided on a day out on the motorcy for the next day and a Kayaking tour at nearby Boh Tor for the Tuesday, which we booked at our guest house.

We then had a mild panic about getting home on the Wednesday, when we discovered that most transport options back home were all booked up.

The T.A.T agent had great fun doing her best to sell us premium rate air tickets as one of the only remaining options. Trouble was it was the week before Christmas , and although this is a Buddhist country, many Thais are travelling during this period, going home to family for the New Year.

Risking the possibility that we would loose even the option to fly we decided to ignore the problem and get on with enjoying the rest of our holiday.

We spent the evening having a little wander around Krabi centre, which isn’t terribly exciting but seems to have some popular bars and restaurants.

As usual we took the option of finding the local street food stalls and had a very nice supper of Pad Thai and fruit shakes and Boon was able to get some good Thai conversation from the very friendly proprietors.

The main area for the street stalls can be found down by the riverside close to the centre of town.
DAY 5 …1237 STEPS, TIGER TEMPLE

The activity the day before had been quite tiring so we had an easy start the next morning, heading out on the bike at around 10.30. We first went in search of the Tiger Cave Temple, just outside Krabi. It was a nice ride past many mountainous rocks jutting out of the flat lands. A long tree lined road took us into the Temple grounds and we parked up to take a look around.
The cave Temple is full of Buddhas and there is a set of steps up into the main cave , which is not very big at all, but interesting to see how it has been used as a Temple.

There are many monkeys in this area and we were met by a whole bunch of them , hanging around the shop just outside the Cave.

They have little fear of humans and can be very intimidating if you buy food from the shop. We found this out having bought nuts to feed them. at first they kept their distance as we threw the food , but then steadily began to approach too close for comfort and we threw what we had left, complete with bag. One of they had already made a grab for my carrier bag earlier and managed to make off with my tin of ice coffee.

Above the Temple is a huge mountain rock, on top of which is a large Sitting Buddha and viewing platform. You just have to climb the 1237 steps to get there.Puffing and panting I dragged myself up. I have to admit to almost reaching my limit around 3 quarters of the way up. Foolishly we had forgotten to take water with us and there was scant shelter from the blazing sun on the steps.

As Boon went ahead in search of water, I spotted a stone sculpture , of what appeared to be a mystical Monk next to a Tiger , just a few steps up. Feeling close to the point of collapse , I dragged myself up to the sculpture and prayed for the strength to complete the climb.

Will power or prayers answered, who can really say, but before Boon reappeared with the water I was up and climbing again and very nearly at the top.

Thankfully it was well worth the effort
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