My web research before my trip had uncovered a Thailand beach
destination which was
rated as "one of the best beaches in the world". I didn't know if this
could be true, but since
I was in the "neighborhood", I thought I would drop in and see for
myself. I
wasn't
disappointed - this island had some terrific
scenery.
The map below shows the shape of Phi Phi Island. The
west part of the island
is extremely rugged. Too much for even hiking
trails. The east side of the
island
is a "regular" tropical island paradise. The two sides are
connected by a
thin strip of
land where most of the island development is located. This
means there are two great
beaches in close proximity.
The other island to the south, Phi Phi Le (small), is totally
rugged, uninhabited and
undeveloped.
You can rent a small boat and driver to take you over there for a day
trip.
This photo below is approaching the big island and looking at the southern beach.
This photo is the northern beach, looking west towards the rugged side of the island.
Below shows some of the many accomodations on the island.
These small bungalows rent for around $20 per night.
Photo below is the southern beach, looking towards the west. This is how I remember the island.
I climbed a steep
trail to get to the only viewpoint on the island one morning.
This shows the beach areas on the thin strip of land with the rugged
part of the island
behind it.
Boat are moored on the bay to the left..
Below is a photo
from National Geographic showing an arial view of Phi Phi Le
(the smaller island to the south). This was the island made famous in
the
DeCaprio film
"The Beach". In the distance is the same same white sand
beach
of my island shown in the
above pictures.
You can see the island's
interior lagoon with boats inside.
The limestone cliffs are hundreds of feet in height. (please
excuse the vertical
line in the center - this photo spanned both pages of National
Geographic).
