“洋”的心情日记及生活点滴 Raynard's diary .......: September 2009

Date: 26th-31st Aug 2009
Airlines: Firefly
Flying Hours: 1 hour 15mins
Trip Mates: Raynard, Kuang, Joel & Dillon

Phuket (Thai: ภูเก็ต, formerly known as Tha-Laang or Talang, or Junk Ceylon in Western sources, a distortion of the Malay Tanjung Salang, i.e. "Cape Salang") is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are (from north clockwise) Phang Nga and Krabi, but as Phuket is an island there are no land boundaries.
Phuket is Thailand’s largest island, approximately the size of Singapore. The island is connected to mainland Thailand by a bridge. It is situated off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea. The region has an area of approximately 570sq. km. and is made up of 1 large and 39 small islands. Phuket formerly derived its wealth from tin and rubber. The island was on one of the major trading routes between India and China, and was frequently mentioned in foreign trader’s ship logs. The region now derives much of its income from tourism.

At the boarding gate before we board the plane

My first time travelling with Firefly, the experience was not bad overall, the cabin is very clean and comfortable, had a good chat with the stewardess too

Arriving at Kata Beach, Phuket. We're staying at the newly-built 4-star hotel - Sugar Palm Grand Hillside Hotel

Beautiful Kata Beach

The Swimming Pool at our hotel, I love the design of the pool

Group photo

I like this shot ... cool

Sleeping on the water

I like the Thai Banana Chocolate Pancake, but it's a little too oily

In the cruise heading for Phiphi Island, Krabi

The Phi Phi Islands (Thai: หมู่เกาะพีพี) are located in Thailand, between the large island of Phuket and the western Andaman Sea coast of the mainland. Phi Phi Don, the larger and principal of the two Phi Phi island. Both Phi Phi Don, and Phi Phi Leh, the smaller, are administratively part of Krabi province, most of which is on the mainland. Ko Phi Phi Don is the largest island of the group, and is the only island with permanent inhabitants, although the beaches of the second largest island, Ko Phi Phi Lee (or "Ko Phi Phi Leh"), are visited by many people as well. There are no accommodation facilities on this island, but it is just a short boat ride from Ko Phi Phi Don. The rest of the islands in the group, including Bida Nok, Bida Noi, and Bamboo Island, are not much more than large limestone rocks jutting out of the sea.
Phi Phi Don was initially populated by Muslim fishermen during the late 1940s, and later became a coconut plantation. The Thai population of Phi Phi Don remains more than 80% Muslim. The actual population however, if counting laborers, especially from the north-east, from the mainland is much more Buddhist these days.
Ko Phi Phi Leh was the backdrop for the 2000 movie The Beach. Phi Phi Leh also houses the 'Viking Cave', from which there is a thriving bird's nest soup industry. There was criticism during filming of 'The Beach' that the permission granted to the film company to physically alter the environment inside Phi Phi Islands National Park was illegal. The controversy cooled down however, when it was discovered that the producers had done such a decent job of restoring the place that it finally looked better than it had done before. The Phi Phi Islands were also the setting for the hide-out of Scaramanga in the James Bond Film "The Man with the Golden Gun."
Following the release of The Beach, tourism on Phi Phi Don increased dramatically, and with it the population of the island. Many buildings were constructed without planning permission.
Ko Phi Phi was devastated by the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004, when nearly all of the island's infrastructure was wiped out. Redevelopment has, however, been swift, and services like electricity, water, Internet access and ATMs are up and running again, but waste handling has been slower to come back online.

The local houses in Phiphi Island

40mins hike to the top of the mountain, Viewpoint for this fantastic view

We went to the Reggae Disco Tech the first night on Phiphi Island, this place is very interesting as we are able to watch the Muay Thai live while drinking. They even offer their customers a bucket of FREE DRINKS whoever volunteer themselves on the stage to fight with another one, I was being asked but I firmly REJECTED!!!! Hahaha

Snorkelling day, we joined a full day tour at only THB450

On the Long Tail Boat

First stop to Monkey Beach

Wild and Dangerous monkeys

They're lining up to be fed

This was my first time getting my new Olympus camera into the water for underwater shoot ..... and it worked!!!! I am really happy

With fatty Joel

Tsunami Evacuation Route

2 lovely and innocent Thai children who live in Phiphi Island

I knew a new friend, Patricia from Spain, my first Spanish friend

good shot

Maya Bay, the place where THE BEACH was filmed, look at the greeny-blue sea, beautiful

With our German friends

looked like I am in the swimming pool

Famous Paed Thai in Phiphi Island, thanks to Patricia who brought us there

These are the compliments notes written by its customers and they're being sticked on the wall. This is such a great idea in promoting its Paed Thai, for the customers to read and know how everyone feel after tasting the Paed Thai

The Paed Thai Queen, she told us she just started the business there for about a year and it has already being well-recognised by its customers all over the world

it looks delicious, isn't it?

Beach Party at Phiphi Island, with Patricia

Loh Moo Dee Beach, another breathtakingly beautiful beach

Back to Phuket, Patong Beach

Brilliant Raynard ordered the set(Steak, Squid, Salad, Miso Soup, Rice, Kimchi Vege, Sauces and Coffee) below at only THB160 .... unbelievable cheap