Ko Phi Phi: A Journey Through the Islands.

The bus picked me up at 9:30 a.m. this Wednesday. There were several of us from all over the world, and we gathered at a center where they explained what the day had in store for us and what we needed to watch out for (sea urchins and other dangers) during our excursion.
We boarded a speedboat; I stayed outside to make the most of the view and the sunshine. Four other people joined me: two Italians from Naples and a couple from Paris. As the trip went on, we got to know each other. The boat provided us with cold drinks and beer, so I wasn’t surprised to see people drunk by the end of the day.

When we arrived at the first island—a tiny white-sand island called Khai Nai—the sun was at its peak, and it was so hot that the couple from Paris, Jamila and Adan, invited me to join them for a swim.  what a refreshing experience—pure bliss to be able to dive into such crystal-clear water, see the fish, and gaze at the curved horizon—so I stayed there until it was time to leave.
Back to the boat and off to another island, Ko Yao Yai, for lunch—a 25-minute crossing and an hour there, just enough time to have lunch and take a few photos.

We then headed to Ko Phi Phi Don itself. A stunning island where the vegetation overhangs the cliffs and reaches down to the water’s edge. This makes the water a bit murky, but the views are so beautiful they’re worthy of a nature documentary. Jamila and I walked to the far end of the beach to find a quiet spot to swim and get to know each other better while her husband rested. During the trips, the music was in full swing on the boat; the passengers’ song selections, along with singing and a few dance moves, created a festive atmosphere.

We arrived at Monkey Bay, a cliff near Phi Phi Don, the small hidden cove of Ao Ling that has been taken over by monkeys—specifically macaques, who aren’t the least bit shy. We stayed there for a few minutes to admire them and capture them on camera. I exchanged a few words with the Italians, and Danilo told me it was their last day in Phuket; tomorrow they’d be heading to Bangkok for their final night in Thailand.

We passed by Viking Cave on Ko Phi Phi Lay, but we couldn’t go inside—apparently, the cave had become unstable and there was too much risk of a collapse.
We then headed to a snorkeling spot—simply magnificent—nestled between a cliff and the coral reefs. I let one of the crew members lead the way—he dived in with his fins—and I discovered large fish such as parrotfish, the famous Phi Phi fish, angelfish, sea urchins, and more…
Back on the boat, we headed to our final stop, which happened to be Maya Bay—the name probably doesn’t ring a bell, but that’s where the movie *The Beach* starring Leonardo DiCaprio was filmed.

Danilo had gotten a pretty bad sunburn—roasted like on a barbecue, as our guide put it.
We headed back to Phuket, enjoying a beautiful sunset over a stunning horizon. Some of the tired ones dozed off. I exchanged contact information with Danilo and Jamila, and we went our separate ways.
It was a superb day in every way. Wonderful encounters and magnificent views.
That evening, I packed my things to head to Khao Lak for my last four nights in the south. I’d already booked my hotel there—the Grand City Hotel.

To be continued,