In planning our trip, we decided the first thing we wanted to do was have some R&R time on the beaches of southern Thailand. Having heard that Phuket (where our flight landed) was really developed and overpriced, we got out of there as soon as we could and headed to Ko Phi Phi (pronounced pee pee) on the morning ferry.

Ko Phi Phi was used as a location for the movie “The Beach”. The area is full of natural beauty. I just wish we could have experienced it 10 years ago, before the influx of tourism and before the island was over-developed during reconstruction following the devastation of the 2004 tsunami.

For our first meal on Ko Phi Phi, we decided to order our favorite Thai dishes from back home (Pad Thai for me and Green Curry for Jay). We were so curious to see how they would taste compared to the Thai restaurants we go to in Colorado. Overall, pretty similar! Biggest difference was price (only about $2.50 per entree here). Biggest surprise was that our dishes were not spicy (much to Jay’s dismay). I’m guessing they assume white folks don’t like spicy, but they don’t know my husband! He goes through hot sauce like it’s ketchup.

Long tail boats line the beaches of Ko Phi Phi. We took a tour on one today, going to a bunch of places around Ko Phi Phi Leh – Viking Cave, Monkey Beach, Loh Samah Bay, Maya Bay. Although the snorkeling was subpar, the scenery and clear blue water were spectacular.

For our last night on Ko Phi Phi we hiked up to the View Point and watched the sunset over the island. It was a beautiful way to end our time here.

Tomorrow, we’re off to Ko Lanta…