Ko Phi Phi

This is a very long post, but I could not take out out my enthusiasm and obsession with Phi Phi island. 18 of us woke up at the crack of dawn on Sunday morning and were on the bus headed to the ferry in Phuket town at 7:10 AM. Our classes go too late for us to get the later of the two ferries that leave each day, so we took the earliest one possible on Sunday so that we could maximize our 1 night stay. We chose to go this weekend because it coincided with the full moon...and of course, we all wanted to attend a legendary Thai full moon party.
Before landing at Pei Pei Don, our ferry took us around Pei PeiLei, which is the uninhabited of the two Phi Phi islands. As we approached Maya Bay, which is where the movie The Beach starring Leonardo Dicaprio was filmed, we were greeted by towering sandstone cliffs. When we entered the bay, we were greeted by the most beautiful tourquoise water I could have ever imagined. Everyone in the group was shocked. I stood looking up and down with my mouth gaping, absolutely speechless, when only minutes earlier I had been in deep conversation.

 Matthias, me, Dillon, Bob, Laura, Alex, Tess, Mike, and Amy at the beach

As we went along the coast of the island we continued to be amazed. The height of the cliffs and their sharp edges were unlike anything I had ever seen. From the water it looked like Pei Pei Ley was solely sandstone jutting out of the water, but somehow lush green bushes, plants, and small trees were able to survive atop the 30 story cliffs.
We arrived in the bay of Ko Pei Pei Don and were informed that we were to pay 20 baht to visit the island. We were all confused and angered at this (meager) expense, but after spending time on the island we were able to accept the charge that went to the conservation of one of the most beautiful places in the world.

 Ferry and longboat port on Ko Phi Phi Don

Because we are all unemployed at the moment, we got the least expensive staying accommodations as possible: bungalows about 3 minutes from the beach. They were a series of tiny shacks with mattresses on the ground, and a small bathroom. All that was provided were top sheets, towels, and toilet paper.

 looking into Maya Bay on Ko Pei Pei Lei

After lunch the group decided on doing various activities to make the most of the short time we had in paradise. I decided to go on a hike with two of my friends, Alex and Mattias. The hike was hot and steep, and we thought we were going to get lost in the jungle of Ko Phi Phi, but we finally made it to the top. Saying it was worth it is one of the biggest understatements I've ever made--the view was stunning. We sat on the lookout point for 45 minutes gawking at the view of the double bay that Phi Phi Don provides, with its pristine clear blue waters, lush jungle, and view of Pei Pei Ley to the left and mainland Thailand to the right. I was truly in the most beautiful place I've ever been in my entire life.

The view from the lookout on our hike.

After tearing ourselves away from our incredible view, we made our way back down the mountain into the jungle. About half way down, Matthias noticed some rustling in the trees and we stopped and stared at the monkey jumping around in the canopy above us. We finally made it down to the beach and didn't even stop at our bungalow because we couldn't wait another second to jump into the water. We got to the beach and stopped in our tracks because the tide had gone out about 600 feet. Boats were beached, there were ugly brown rocks scattering the sand, and the water looked brown. Our dreams of jumping into the crystal clear water were shattered...so we did what anyone else would do and bought some large Chang beers, found a nice spot of sand in the 2 ft deep water, sat, and took in the beautiful scenery that still surrounded us.
Around 9 we showed up at the beach unsure if Pei Pei even celebrates the full moon party, but were greeted with fire dancers outside a few of the beach side bars and djs blaring music. We painted our faces and danced away the night. We were entertained with fire hoops, fire throwers, fire double dutch jump roping, fire limbo, and fire tight rope walking. At one point there was a sign that said "full moon party" that was lit up in fire. It was quite the celebration and we all had a great night.
The next day we had to catch the ferry at 2, some of my friends and I decided to just stay on the beach and enjoy paradise for a few more hours. The tide was high so I was able to enjoy several swims in the warm, calm, and endlessly perfect depth (a little over 5 ft deep) water.
As they say, all good things come to an end, and we all headed to the dock to board the ferry. As we got on the ferry, merchants attempted to sell us plates with unknowing people getting off the ferry's pictures on them. they were absolutely hilarious, and we wondered who would ever buy them....and were also a little alarmed that maybe one day our faces would be on a plate that was to be sold at the Phi Phi ferry.
 Though most people were ready to leave the island, take a nice shower, and get out of the sun, I could have stayed for a few more days. It was so difficult for me to leave the most beautiful place I have ever been, but I cannot wait to go to more islands in the area and see their beauty as well.