A couple of weekends ago we headed down to Phuket for the second time. Last time we went, we endured a 3-day monsoon. Luckily, despite coming in the midst of rainy season, we got mostly sunny weather this time. The other two differences is went with Lee (aka GG) and stayed in a residential marina area rather than by the beach. While most visitors to Phuket end up by a beach somewhere, we enjoyed mixing it up as our place had great restaurants, two pools, our own kitchen, stairs (Shane's obsession on the trip) and easy access to day boat trips.
We took a day boat trip to the Phi Phi island chain (we have plans to return for an extended stay when Jay and Cassie come). The ride out was really choppy, with one woman spending most of the trip depositing her breakfast into the sea. There was a little queasiness in our group, but for the most part, we enjoyed the bumpy ride.
It was worth it, though, as the scenery we passed was breathtaking. Island cliffs rising out of aquamarine water, Thai fishing boats floating by, and beaches of all sizes everywhere.
(Viking Cave)
Our first stop was of Koh Phi Phi Leh, into the inlet that served as the setting for the move, The Beach. One of the more beautiful places I've ever been, save for the 30 motorboats parked there. Imagine a circular bay surrounded by cliffs with a very small opening to get in and then a beach at the opposite end of that opening.
Next was a stop at Monkey Beach which, as the name indicates, is a beach crawling with monkeys. Eliana enjoyed giving them peanuts and bananas.
Then, after some snorkeling (Eliana actually went in but did not put her face under. She was frightened by the...coral) we went to Koh Phi Phi Don for lunch, the big island in the chain shaped like an hourglass (beach in the middle part). This is where most people stay when they come out here. Absolutely gorgeous.
Out last stop was the beach at Koh Kai Nay, a tiny island that you could circumnavigate in 5 minutes and never leave the beach.
On another day, we also checked out Surin Beach, where we had stayed during our first visit to Phuket. The beach was still beautiful but the water was teeming with jellyfish. Eliana got her hair braided and Sam got a massage and we had a delicious seafood lunch.
