China Picture of the Day: 23 December 2010 ~ Phi Phi Island

We took the Phi Phi Island cruise today! It started here at Boat Lagoon Marina...

...with the Royal Andaman Cruise Co.

Here are the guys cutting up pineapple for snack on the boat.

Fishing village

My new bud.

Amazingly beautiful islands dotting the Andaman Sea.

Our route around Bamboo, Phi Phi Don, and Phi Phi Lea Islands.

Hermy the hermit crab cruising around on Bamboo Island.

My favorite spot of the day on Bamboo Island...

I'm never coming home to either California or China! Going to rent a shack on this beach and live happily ever after.

Beautiful coral and shells on the beach.

Rooster on the beach??

Mosquito Island...this is where we had the most incredible snorkeling experience. At one point I was a member of a school of dozens of fish. I could reach right out and pet the little guys! I wish I had an underwater camera to show you the most amazingly vivid pictures that will be etched in my mind for a lifetime! It even made me consider learning how to dive while I'm here in Asia.

Incredible cliffs

Phi Phi Don Island, where we stopped for lunch.

Restaurant where we had lunch on Phi Phi Don.

Happy Thai frog

Beautiful orchids

Very serious bird

Thai Spirit House

Another Thai Spirit House

Courtyard at restaurant

Tropical fruit

Phi Phi Don Harbor

More amazing beauty

Hmmmm... Tractor ride or Thai massage? Decisions, decisions.

Coconuts

Brandi, Matthew and Isaac

This whole area was wiped by the Tsunami in 2004. There was a memorial on the beach with picture and the story of what happened that day. As we were reading, our guide, Bao, told us his heart wrenching story. He was to go out on his boat on December 26, 2010 early in the day, but he was detained and couldn't go out until later. This probably saved his life. While he was out at sea fishing, he saw a very large swell, but seeing such a swell was not unusual, so he didn't think anything of it and went about his business. After an afternoon at sea, he was coming back into harbor as his friend was coming out. His friend came up along side his boat and sadly told him, "Don't go in. There is nothing left." As Bao was telling this story, he laid a hand on a picture of a mass grave and with great sadness in his eyes he said, "I still have family members that were never found and I do not know where they are." My heart when out to him.

Throughout Thailand you see fresh flower garlands (called phuang malai or พวงมาลัย

in Thai) everywhere, especially on rear view mirrors in cars or adorning spirit houses. They are used to wish people good luck or to pay respect. This beautiful garland of carnations and jasmine was on the windshield of our boat.

Monkey hanging out on Monkey Island

Grandfather Monkey

Sweet little guy hanging out in a tree on Monkey Island.

Way too many people trying to feed the monkeys on Monkey Island.

The monkeys must of thought be humans were pretty crazy!

Monkey Island

Phi Phi Island Hospital

Hard to see, but there are many, many fish in the water.

The deck hands did a little fishing on the way. Here's dinner.

Incredible peaks above and crystal clear waters below.

Entering Pileh Lagoon...

We swam in the crystal clear emerald waters of Pileh Lagoon

while surrounded by these impressive cliffs.

Going for a dip.

Matthew ready to snorkel again!

Maya Bay

Loved swimming in these waters!

Footprints in the sand...

Matthew and Isaac in Maya Bay

I took a walk through the jungle on Maya Island. This island should have been called Mosquito Island. Once I made it back onto the beach I was covered in bites! They got me good!