Woke up at 6am (GMT +7) for breakfast as we have a long day at Phi Phi Island today. I bought our Phi Phi Island tour from Groupon. Heard it's much cheaper. There are many kiosks selling Island tours but they seem very expensive. 1500baht onwards (SGD$60). I bought mine from Groupon at SGD$47.
Anyway, breakfast was not that bad. Better than expected. Alfresco style but it's really really windy and cold. I had to wear my jacket.
The scrambled eggs corner is blocked off. Though not much choices, it is sufficient enough. They have Asian cuisine, Toast, fruits... the normal stuff.
We dallied quite a bit, so we almost forgot to bring our towels when the driver came to pick us up from our Hotel (FREE service that came with Groupon) to the jetty. The ride was an hour long and by the time we reached the jetty, i was a little car-sick. Good thing I bought some anti-nauseous pills (those ginger ones that can be found at Watsons).
I didn't manage to take pictures at the jetty as I was sitting at a corner trying to feel better. They offered free coffee, tea, bananas and SEA SICK PILLS!!! Amazing! Dad took a handful of pills. He has a tendency to get sea sick.
During the briefing by the Tour Guide (Jenny from Andavee? or something. I forgot to note down), she recommended we rent their flippers at 100baht each because there might be sea urchins when we snorkel and if we accidentally step on one, it'll be VERY VERY PAINFUL.
Once we got up the speedboat, our 1 hour journey to Phi Phi Island began. IT WAS PAINFUL! I hate the Sea Sick Pills too. Just for the record, it didn't work. I puked just when we reached the snorkeling area.
I didn't take much pictures as i was really feeling very very horrible. I felt bad to be puking at the area where people are snorkeling. So i held it in till before we left. I tried to go down for a swim too, but the current was too strong and i almost got swept under. I gave up after 5 mins. Apparently i wasn't the only one. Many peeps came up right after going in too. Even though i'm a swimmer, the current is just too strong.
After 30minutes, we left this snorkeling area and docked at Maya Bay. After puking another 2 times, i felt much better.
The water is so clear and cold and the sand so very soft. The only complain is that there were SO many people on this small island. We found a corner to sit under the shade but otherwise you can't do much. I guess this is just one of the islands for people to look see look see. In any case i'm grateful for it totally calmed by stomach. We left after 20minutes to go to another island for lunch.
I think we docked at another part of Phi Phi Island (i forgot it's Phi Phi Don or Phi Phi Leh). I just wanted to get on solid ground. The choppy waters were not doing me any great favour.
Anyway, lunch is a buffet spread. I didn't dare eat for fear that I would puke somemore. But instead i took more sea sick pills. Dad and mum ate quite a fair bit. There were lots of fruits. =)
During our journey to the final island - Khai Island for some snorkeling, we came across a Viking-later-turned-Bird's Nest cave.
Apparently there is a Viking ship drawing inside and according to Jenny, tourists were able to sail in and have a look. But when the government discovered that there were lots of Bird's nest in there, they restricted the area and began harvesting for Bird's nest (which is an Asian delicacy. Very good for the complexion). Though expensive, Jenny says you can buy it from 7-11 at 100baht a bottle.
We also visited the Monkey Cave. As usual no pictures as I was feeling shaky. But it's like a Sun WuKong (Monkey God) hill. TONS and TONS of monkeys. Jenny says that these monkeys only come down when they are hungry and we are lucky that they are now hungry. When they are hungry they will come down the hill in search for food. If not they will hibernate and we won't be able to see them. Jenny threw them bananas and one of the boat man threw a bottle of orange juice at one. This smart monkey opened up the bottle and drank the entire contents! I'm totally amazed!!!
Finally, we went to our final island - Khai Island to do snorkeling. It was low tide and i highly don't recommend you to snorkel as i stupidly did.
We rented 2 beach chairs with 2 umbrellas for 150baht. Me and dad went to snorkel (and to use our 100baht flippers) while mum decided against going into the water. It was scorching hot and she didn't want a tan.
I didn't really know how to snorkel and the water was so low. Me and dad both ended up with scratches on our legs. These beautiful corrals are nice to look at but very sharp. I didn't manage to see much fishes and i could just stand in the water and see the corrals. The water was that clear. I manage to see a few fishes but mostly black in colour. No colourful nemos. Sorry to burst your bubble.
CAUTION: Contrary to what Jenny says that they will look after your belongings to you. Mum witness one of the Ice Cream seller boys walk away with one of the tourists slippers. This Russian family decided to change places to the other side of the island to snorkel and left a pair of slippers behind. An ice cream seller boy happened to walk pass and slipped into the slippers and conveniently walk away. All these happened right in front of a group of the local people supposedly "guarding" the area for the tourists. When the Russian family came back looking for their slippers, the local guard dogs swore nobody came by. Mum kept quiet as she wasn't sure she can recognize the ice cream seller boy and also she didn't want to be attacked by these local guard dogs as they were obviously helping the thief.
Anyway minus that minor unhappiness, the tour was concluded and we took another 40minutes to head back to the main island.
Note: If you have weak knees like my mum (meaning you have difficulty squatting and getting up without help or climbing high steps), you might have some difficulty getting up and down the jetty. The steps are pretty high. Even the steps up the speedboat is also pretty high. We had to push mum from behind to help her get up the boat.
By the time we reached Phuket "motherland", it was already 5 - 6pm. We took a shower and headed out for dinner. As i didnt' eat for lunch, i was hungry.
Google sources states that Juncelyon's food court is a must go. With really cheap food. Hence we headed there.
Walking pass Bangla street is definitely an eye opener.
I didn't manage to see any lady boys, but there were lots of skimpily dressed girls doing pole dancing and what most sleazy clubs have. But contrary to sources that says that they harass you, they don't! IN fact, they politely ask you. If you politely refuse them, they generally just walk away. No pulling nor any sort of harassment. Generally safe. It's like the tourists are all held with the uttermost respect there.
Just walk through Bangla Street and Jungceylon can be found across the road on the right. The food court is at B1.
Don't waste your time coming here. Most of the shops are closed and selection is so limited.
Generally I feel that Phuket is much safer than Bangkok. No fear of people pickpocketing you (but of course exercise caution). Tourists here are respected. And dad likes it because it's a free-for-all smoking zone. WHICH I DO NOT CONDONE!!!!
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