Had a day out yesterday and took a tour to Phi Phi Island.
Left the hotel about 7.15am and eventually made it back about 6.30pm so a very long day.
The trip down to Phuket was about an hour to start with then it was onto these Jet Boats which were queued up like I don’t know what – each one taking about 25 odd people and boy, could they motor along! Our morning introduction was a bit of a shock to say the least! Our tour guide for the day was “Jasmine”, a laugh a minute transvestite!!! They play themselves (or their character – not sure which!) very well and the arm and body movements that go with are totally unforgiving!
Jasmine’s microphone for the day was a cucumber!! At our final location we discovered that the transvestite business is alive and well in Thailand tour guides! One of these photos is of Jasmin, Beyonce, Marlena (Dietrich??) and Lady GaGa. The 4 of them had voices that screeched all over everyone – but they were really a lot of fun! Our Jasmine had the legs of a bloke but cute little tits as well so not really sure where he/she was at.
Our trip out to Phi Phi Island was to take about 1 hr by speedboat – the boat was 500 HP I think and it and the other 50 boats! all powered on out to the island at full throttle going thump, thump, thump at a million miles an hour over the ocean. A few bumps and side moves over another boats wave gave one girl a bit of a fright – she was a little pale most of the trip but I had unashamedly taken one of the bowlful of seasick tablets offered before we even took off and had no problems whatsoever. It was a very flat ocean but powering over it as fast as these boats do was a bit of fun.
Anyway our day trip out to the island was fabulous. The boat was our ‘home’ for the day so to speak – we were in and out all the time – first stop at Maya Bay, an absolutely beautiful bay where if there weren’t 3000 tourists and 50 jet boats! would be a magical spot. Had a half hour there to take photos and a quick swim then back in the boat to the next little bay for a spot of snorkelling. Wasn’t till then I realised how well watered’ we are – Kemm and I just jumped in, threw the fins, mask and snorkel on and away we went whilst many of the other people on the boat had never snorkelled before and took almost the half hour we had there, to put their gear on plus lifevests! I guess the tour company is responsible for everyone so those who were not overly confident swimmers were made to feel safe with the life vests on. The snorkelling was nowhere near as good as some we have done in the past however the swim in this weather was always welcome!
Next stop a picturesque little bay where the waters although similar to other bays around Phi Phi Island, were crystal clear azure blue/green. A very pretty area this whole island. A quick couple of photos of what they call ‘Viking Cave’ and on to another snorkelling area out in the middle of the ocean – a large coral reef outcrop provided the setting for more colourful fish and coral viewing but before long we were off again – in our 500HP speedboat! Next stop was Phi Phi Don Island for lunch – with the other 3000 guests!!! A very well organised system which allowed for a large covered area in our case of about 500 people to be fed within about 15 – 20 minutes. Obviously used to the hordes!
Then on the boat again where our next stop was half way back to the mainland to a tiny little island, Khai Nui Island where we once again caught up with the other 50 boats and 3000 people – those figures are not exactly correctly but I wasn’t counting – there were heaps!!!
The people on the island were very well set up for we hordes – want a seat under the shady umbrellas? – pay for it ($5 for 2 deck chairs for an hour or so means someone is making a killing!!). But most people fork out the money – the island is way too hot a little island to not want some shade! We had an hour and a half there then a storm began to roll in and made everyone almost rush their groups back on board to try and get back out on the sea again. The swell came up of course, the boats were blown against each other and running over each other’s anchor lines to get away from the shore – mild panic stations by the crews but a very bumpy ride back to the shore again anyway!
Picked up by our minivan for the hour trip back to Khao Lak and the hotel but not before the storm rolled through Phuket almost bringing traffic to a halt and one area us having to drive through flash flooding which had all come out of nowhere – the thunder and lightning were literally right over our heads and the rain was something else! BUT – we made it back all safe and sound a while later. Jumped into a big hot bath as soon as we got in – I was salt watered out, tired and hungry but had a great day!. I think I was asleep about 2 minutes after hitting the pillow.
