january30

January 30

     After a quick minibus ride to the western coast, we took a longboat across the Andaman Sea, past picturesque karsts, to Ko Hai island. Ko Hai is small and private with a tiny white sand beach and lush tropical forest behind the 30 or so bungalows. The water is cool, emerald green which is perfect for swimming. Just a few meters more and there is a beautiful living coral reef teeming with brilliant fish.
     We quickly settled in for much deserved R&R.

Hotel - $15, Food - $12, Trans - $2, Random (park entrance -$1)     Total - $30

February 1

     We were starting to feel a little guilty about doing nothing so we booked an afternoon trip. We boated over to Ko Mook and then swam into a dark cave. At the end, we emerged at a small, inner beach surrounded by steep walls of vegetation covered limestone. Truly spectaular. Next, we went snokeling with schools of fish off Ko Cheuk.
     Another great day capped that was capped off with a rainstorm after a late dinner.

Hotel - $15, Food - $15, Trip - $20     Total - $50

February 3

     We had met a nice German couple on the island and together we left our little paradise and headed back to the mainland. We then took a couple of buses north to Krabi. Krabi once was a small fishing village but has become a major jumping point for several popular islands. It is so incredibly crowded with tourists and hawkers that we considered skipping this whole area.
     Instead, we followed our friends to Ko Phi Phi (where The Beach was filmed). As soon as we boarded the ferry, we knew we had made a mistake. It was an international frat party that only got worse when we made it to the island. Ko Phi Phi is/was beautiful but has become overdeveloped, apparently clothing optional, and the locals are predatory. Not what we were hoping for.

Hotel - $20, Food - $6, Trans - $28, Random (internet - $1)     Total - $55