Phuket and Phi Phi Island

The night train from Bangkok took us to Surat Thani or to be padantic, a very small town approx 14km outside of Surat Thani, and there we boarded the bus to Phuket. I say boarded, it was more like packed in like Sardines for the first hour, Thai style travel, stood up until people got off and seats became available. It was very like the bus we took from Bangkok to Pattaya. Constantly beeping at people walking along the road to see if they want a ride to Phuket, for a fee of course. Still you can't get cross as you watch and listen to the driver and "conductor" laugh and joke with passengers, and it certainly gets interesting when we stop for a toilet break and the police come on and take off a passenger.

Phuket was nice. Our hotel was beautiful and the people there made us feel very welcome, it was quite posh compared to the places we have stayed in prior to this. We had welcome drinks and cold towels! Our room had a brilliant view, well worth the 100 steps you have to climb to get to it.

We spent the afternoon wandering along the beach. Patong beach, though very touristy, is lovely and clean. Barrie went para-sailing which he says was brilliant. I'm thinking of having a go myself when we get to Koh Samui, thats if I don't chicken out.

So today we arrived on Phi Phi Island. It's possibly the most beaauuuttiiiffullll place we've ever been. Though my experience has been somewhat soured .. I fell out a boat with my camera around my neck and now it is not working. Laugh you may .. I am distraught, and have had a good boo about it. Hoping the memory card hasn't been effected as I did take quite a few photos as we were approaching the island ferry point. Still, I must try not let this ruin my holiday. Barrie says it was very amusing. I still don't see the funny side. Not just has my beloved camera broken but I also turned up to the hotel looking like I'd swam to Phi Phi Island and the polite lady at reception asked "Is there something wrong?".

I don't have much else to say right now being as we have only been here half a day. The water is crystal clear in most places, looking forward to a swim tomorrow and have considered going on a snorkelling trip. Most places we passed getting to our resort show no signs there ever was a tsunami, although near to the ferry point there is a bit of washed up rubble and such. Clearly they have done very well in rebuilding their island and it hasn't lost its natural beauty.

For now no photos, I'm afraid.