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
We spent our last night watching the Fantasea show and having the grand international buffet, had a marvellous time, the show was spectacular
SawadeeKAP
I wanna have 6-packs like him too, gotta work extra hard
Elephant
A picture with the 4 months' tiger, it's very cute
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 planeMy 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 tooArriving at Kata Beach, Phuket. We're staying at the newly-built 4-star hotel - Sugar Palm Grand Hillside HotelBeautiful Kata BeachThe Swimming Pool at our hotel, I love the design of the poolGroup photoI like this shot ... coolSleeping on the waterI like the Thai Banana Chocolate Pancake, but it's a little too oilyIn the cruise heading for Phiphi Island, KrabiThe 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 Island40mins hike to the top of the mountain, Viewpoint for this fantastic viewWe 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!!!! HahahaSnorkelling day, we joined a full day tour at only THB450On the Long Tail BoatFirst stop to Monkey BeachWild and Dangerous monkeysThey're lining up to be fedThis was my first time getting my new Olympus camera into the water for underwater shoot ..... and it worked!!!! I am really happyWith fatty JoelTsunami Evacuation Route2 lovely and innocent Thai children who live in Phiphi IslandI knew a new friend, Patricia from Spain, my first Spanish friendgood shotMaya Bay, the place where THE BEACH was filmed, look at the greeny-blue sea, beautifulWith our German friendslooked like I am in the swimming poolFamous Paed Thai in Phiphi Island, thanks to Patricia who brought us thereThese 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 worldit looks delicious, isn't it?Beach Party at Phiphi Island, with PatriciaLoh Moo Dee Beach, another breathtakingly beautiful beachBack to Phuket, Patong BeachBrilliant Raynard ordered the set(Steak, Squid, Salad, Miso Soup, Rice, Kimchi Vege, Sauces and Coffee) below at only THB160 .... unbelievable cheapWe spent our last night watching the Fantasea show and having the grand international buffet, had a marvellous time, the show was spectacularSawadeeKAPI wanna have 6-packs like him too, gotta work extra hardElephantA picture with the 4 months' tiger, it's very cuteI have taken some clips during the trip, click PLAY to see some of our happy moments in Phuket & Phiphi Island
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