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After all these years of dreaming about the movie "The Beach" and wishing to break free of the chains which University life restricted me by, I have finally made it to the place that saved me from going insane. The place of my dreams, that images decorated my uni wall digs, is in the south of Thailand and can be explored from an island called Koh Phi Phi.
I made it here after a brash decision whilst swimming in a beautiful bay on the island of Koh Chang where I left you in my last blog. I risked spending a lot of money traveling and living down in the south as it is a well oiled tourist trap where prices soar! I also risked bad weather as many rumors made it north with the backpackers that the weather was rubbish. I ignored these warnings in order to follow my dream and achieve what I would have missed on reflection of my trip if I hadn't taken the chance.
My journey here was interesting to say the least. Another last minute decision saw me book an expensive flight to Phuket the following morning, after arriving into Bangkok late at night. I decided to save some money a take hand luggage only for the two weeks but forgot about my liquids. They took all my sun cream, tooth paste and shower gel which combined cost twice the cost of hold luggage. I also didn't bother bringing a mosquito net or repellant, walking shoes or a whole bunch of stuff I didn't think I would need as I have never needed it previously on the trip! This was soon to be a big mistake but I stayed positive about my predicament and indented to learn from it. As I landed into Phuket I met some others who were heading for the paradise that was supposed to be Phi Phi and I joined them on a boat trip the same day.
However the reality doesn't quite fit the pictures. Since the Tusnami, the island has become over developed and is full of tourists and holiday makers. I did not feel at home or even as though I fitted in. It was tricky to even spot a backpacker as most people were in groups of either girls or boys who I imagine would enjoy places like Ibiza and such like. I was fortunate enough to bump into some old traveling buddies from Vietnam however, and I was really happy to catch up with them as I had not previously thought our paths would have crossed again! We enjoyed an evening together and they talked me into joining them the following day for scuba diving. It has always been something I would like to try but had hoped and worried that I would not have liked it. I have enough hobbies already but by the end of the day I was even considering continuing for two more days and getting a diving license.
My bank balance wouldn't allow it and I decided another three nights on Phi Phi would kill me as my friends were leaving and it is a very expensive place to stay. The following day I went on a snorkeling tour of the surrounding area and managed to check out "The Beach" for myself which was just a joke! As you can see by the pictures, there were at least a thousand tourists but we did manage to find an empty beach in the bay for 2 minutes before everyone saw us and followed. Still, I lived my dream and can tick it off my list. The whole day was great fun, friendly staff who played some great music and we partied and played the day away.
That evening I booked my boat trip off the island and onto Koh Lanta. A nearby island that is supposed to be much cheaper!
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