h i s t o r y for May, 2011...
The Beach . Maya Bay . Ko Phi Phi Ley
Next stop for our island hopping tour: Ko Phi Phi Ley, the 2nd largest island in the Phi Phi archipelago after Ko Phi Phi Don and the highlight of this excursion. And the star attraction here? Maya Bay, the well-hidden beach paradise that was being searched by a group of young backpackers in the 2000 Hollywood film, The Beach, that starred the post-Titanic fame Leonardo DiCaprio.
Since I haven’t watched the movie (am still searching for it!) and thus I’m not able to comment on how much the bay had changed in a decade’s time. But one thing’s for sure, this once unknown paradise – while still a paradise to a certain extent – is no longer a secluded hideaway for the adventurous paradise seekers due to its unexpected surge in popularity among travellers following the release of the film.
As expected, you won’t be having the beach all to yourself like in the movie, and you gotta be prepared to share it with hundreds of others who come all the way here to taste a piece of the picturesque yet sadly overcrowded bay.
The Viking Cave, home to ancient cave paintings of long boats that resemble the Viking ships. Besides, it’s also the place where the highly valued bird’s nests are collected.
Boat and rays
More limestones and boats
A smiling boatman and sparkling emerald green water at a beautiful cove
On the way to Maya Bay…
And here we were, Maya Bay! :D
Does that name remind you of the former world’s most wanted fugitive?
This way to Lo Sama Bay, marked by a distinctive deep-V, cleavage-like valley (that was how we called it :P)
Up, up we went…
‘The cleavage’ @ Lo Sama Bay! :D
Those limestone karsts were pretty impressive, ain’t they? A bit Jurassic Park-ish here and a bit LOTR-esque there. Simply breathtaking!
Maya Bay again
And finally back at Loh Dalum Bay in Ko Phi Phi Don before nightfall
Wonderful blend of hues in the evening sky
Funny hat there! :P
A small feast to ourselves after a tiring day at sea
Diners
A funky bar and bright neons
I instantly recognized those eyes he was painting! How about you? ;)
An illustrated map of Ko Phi Phi
Us at the Phi Phi Pier! :D
Compilation of KRABI & KO PHI PHI TRIP 2010
- PART I : Crossing borders: En route to paradise
- PART II : Sunshine Krabi
- PART III : East Railay: Backpackers’ haven
- PART IV : Sunset . West Railay
- PART V : The night’s still young . East Railay
- PART VI : Morning, Phra Nang!
- PART VII : Going Phi Phi
- PART VIII: Ko Phi Phi Don
- PART IX : Phi Phi, walk walk, yum yum
- PART X : Monkey Beach & Bamboo Island
c a t e g o r y | passport to nowhere . yummylicious
f l u f f e r p u f f | beaches . food . southern thailand . thailand . travels
21 sOleiLians
Monkey Beach & Bamboo Island
A fresh new day in Ko Phi Phi Don. Our schedule was already packed from noon to evening as we’d signed up for an island hopping tour around the archipelago at a pretty reasonable price. Since we had ample time to spare before that, we decided to take a lil’ stroll along the many lanes and to check out what the other tourists were up to on an island so packed that could either leave you in awe or suffocated at times. In between, we stopped by a convenience store to get ourselves some cup noodles for breakfast. That’s right: no baguettes, no toasts, no scrambled eggs and sausages. Can’t blame us, we’re East Asians after all! (Nah… Lame excuse. The truth is travellers on a tight budget like us could only afford cup noodles and not scrumptious continental breakfasts at some posh sidewalk cafés! :P)
Great morning with big blue sky. A good sign!
Muay Thai actions and Funny House
Walk, trot, stroll
Who was he painting?
Available in all major European languages
Kinda rustic
Vibrant-coloured kayaks at Loh Dalum Bay, where we waited for the arrival of our boat
The boat didn’t moor on the beach and we were required to walk for a distance on the water in order to reach it
Island hoppers
Everything was just blue and green
Our first stop: Monkey Beach! Perhaps the finest stretch of sand in Krabi. It was as smooth as silk and as fine as your talcum powder!
The namesake of the beach! Naughty creatures.
Spectacular limestone cliffs along the way
Picture-postcard view at every turn
Bamboo Island (Ko Mai Phai)! A beautiful isle completely ringed by sandy beaches!
Speedboats and tourists
Not sure what these tree species were but they were everywhere on the island
Just love the different colour layers of the sea!
A perfect spot for hanging out and perhaps, camping! Yes, they do offer this package where you can spend a night on the island with your best buddies.
Miles and miles of blues and whites
Dead corals
Crooked stick
Compilation of KRABI & KO PHI PHI TRIP 2010
- PART I : Crossing borders: En route to paradise
- PART II : Sunshine Krabi
- PART III : East Railay: Backpackers’ haven
- PART IV : Sunset . West Railay
- PART V : The night’s still young . East Railay
- PART VI : Morning, Phra Nang!
- PART VII : Going Phi Phi
- PART VIII: Ko Phi Phi Don
- PART IX : Phi Phi, walk walk, yum yum
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On a side note, I’ll be leaving for the Lion City by bus tonight. And not forgetting, a very Happy Vesak Day to all you Buddhists out there! :D
c a t e g o r y | passport to nowhere
f l u f f e r p u f f | beaches . southern thailand . thailand . travels
13 sOleiLians
