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On Saturday we travelled from our hotel in Khao Sok to Ao Nang in Krabi Province on the west of Thailand. Finally it was time for sun, sea and sand but I totally unprepared for how beautiful this place really is. Think of the image that you have in your mind when you think of an idyllic summer holiday and I guarantee that this will be it for the majority of people. You can walk out of our hotel (a bungalow complex) right onto a deserted beach and see for miles across to Kho Phi Phi and Chicken Island in the distance. Having got over the initial excitement of the natural beauty we went and sat on the beach and played in the water for a while. The tide here comes and goes within a blink of an eye and, having sat down in the water, we were within about 10 minutes lying on dry land. In the afternoon 4 of the other girls and I decided to do a spot of horse riding along the beach. My horse was called Ping Pong and was more than a little jumpy. She also seemed to do the opposite of whatever I wanted her to do but I eventually managed to get her cantering along the beach...absolutely amazing! In the evening, Johan took us to a fish restaurant in Ao Nang town, where the seafood was absolutely delicious. On Sunday we arose early in order to catch our speed boat that was going to take us around the Phi Phi Islands. The Phi Phi Islands are some of the most beautiful on earth but were the ones worst hit by the tsunami a few years back. Many have been taken over now as national parks but Kho Phi Phi is still a tourist centre. I got to sit at the front which was where the real speed was to be had...I loved it. Our 1st stop was at Maya Bay on Phi Phi Le. This little beach was the setting for the film The Beach starring Leonardo Di Caprio. It is set in a little bay, surrounded by high land on every side and the water is so clear and blue. We then had the chance to go snorkelling. It was amazing to look down at the reef and see all the wonderful multi colours that the ocean has to offer. I also swear that I saw Dory from Finding Nemo :-) We went to Kho Phi Phi for lunch and it really is as beautiful as I was told. I can understand why James told me to stay there for longer. This island was the worst hit by the tsunami with 1300 deaths, 900 of which were tourists. However now it has been totally rebuilt and there are no signs of the natural disaster that occurred. We had another snorkelling stop where Min, our Thai guide, showed me how to peel a pineapple (don't expect me to do it anytime soon!!!) and we got to feed the fish that were swimming around. This was more or less the end of the day out and we all arrived back at the hotel slightly pinker than when we left. In the evening Ronnie made a camp fire on the beach for some of us and we sat there drinking Singha and listening to music until the early hours. I managed to stay awake until dawn rose up which was an absolutely stunning view that I will never ever forget. Tomorrow morning we leave Thailand for Malaysia. I would definitely return to this beautiful country which has so much to offer. It really is not as scary as everyone makes out back at home...the people. food, weather and culture have all combined to make this stage of my trip completely unforgettable!!!
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