Koh Phi Phi

Yesterday we took a tour to the Phi Phi Islands (pronounced "pee-pee").  We rode for an hour on a speed boat to get to Phi Phi Ley, the smaller of the two main islands in the group.  We docked at Maya Beach to swim in the crystal waters and take photos of the landscape of limestone islands that just pop up out of the water.  The place really was stunning.  Actually, the 1997 movie "The Beach" was filmed here.  

We then went to Pileh Cove which was an absolutely beautiful laguna.  

We snorkled nearby and breezed by Monkey Island before heading to Phi Phi Don, the largest island of the group.  We had lunch on the beach there (a buffet of typical Thai food and spaghetti).  

We then went to Khai Island which was a really pretty little island with soft white sand and beautiful clear water, but it had become kind of a tourist trap where local people charged 150 Baht to sit in a chair under an umbrella.  We had too much of the sun by that point, so of course we were eager to pay the money for the relief of some much needed shade.  

Overall, it was a good trip and we were glad to see more of southern Thailand and the islands.  I swear that I know now where Crayola got the ideas for some of its colors: agua-blue from the deeper parts of the Andaman Sea, burnt-sienna (you know you remember that one) from the weathered limestone of the island walls, and spring green from the new growth on trees that grew out of the rock.  It really was an amazing place of staggering natural beauty.