Friday, February 22, 2008
Thailand Trip - Day 10: Railay
For our final full day in Railay we booked a days speed boat trip around Ko Phi Phi. We got up early and headed down the beach. The boat picked us up at 9:15 and we headed out over the open ocean to our first stop, bamboo Island. We had a 30 minute stop here to do some snorkelling. There were many other speedboats already stopped on the beach and many people in the choppy water. Once in the water I found that, although many people were near the beach you had to swim quite far out to the coral to see the fish. With the choppy water and cheap snorkel I found that water continuously came down and I had to blow it out regularly.
On the way to the next stop, Tim and I sat up front. As the boat went over larger waves we got a bone jarring jolt as the boat hit the water. We went into a cove surrounded by massive cliffs, It would have been quite awe inspiring if it weren't for all the other boats and the need to move swiftly through to let other boats behind us have a go. Our next dive spot was round the corner in another cove. Here the coral was nicer and the water less choppy. It was fun jumping off the boat and floating around.
After a mediocre lunch on Ko Phi Phi we walked around the market. We saw a workshop where a group of guys were painting replica paintings on large canvases. We saw Ray Lichenstein, Kieth Harring and work from other artists. It is quite odd to see people openly forging artwork in the middle of a busy tourist market.
Onto the next stop, viking cave. This is a cave with a wooden jetty, wooden structures inside and a guy in a hamok, with a gun. Our guide said we could not stop and look around because we would be shot. I have no idea why we went there. Next up was, apparently, the location where the Leonardo Decaprio movie, "The Beach" was filmed. This was actually the most unpleasant spot. There were so many people all over the beach. We went for a walk further inland and clambered up the jagged rocks for a view of the cove over the other side of the island. It was nice to get away from all the people for a little bit.
Our last stop was the best. We went out into the open ocean between three islands. Here there was a large coral reef. It was great seeing all the different colours and shapes of the coral and the different colourful fish.
On the way to the next stop, Tim and I sat up front. As the boat went over larger waves we got a bone jarring jolt as the boat hit the water. We went into a cove surrounded by massive cliffs, It would have been quite awe inspiring if it weren't for all the other boats and the need to move swiftly through to let other boats behind us have a go. Our next dive spot was round the corner in another cove. Here the coral was nicer and the water less choppy. It was fun jumping off the boat and floating around.
After a mediocre lunch on Ko Phi Phi we walked around the market. We saw a workshop where a group of guys were painting replica paintings on large canvases. We saw Ray Lichenstein, Kieth Harring and work from other artists. It is quite odd to see people openly forging artwork in the middle of a busy tourist market.
Onto the next stop, viking cave. This is a cave with a wooden jetty, wooden structures inside and a guy in a hamok, with a gun. Our guide said we could not stop and look around because we would be shot. I have no idea why we went there. Next up was, apparently, the location where the Leonardo Decaprio movie, "The Beach" was filmed. This was actually the most unpleasant spot. There were so many people all over the beach. We went for a walk further inland and clambered up the jagged rocks for a view of the cove over the other side of the island. It was nice to get away from all the people for a little bit.
Our last stop was the best. We went out into the open ocean between three islands. Here there was a large coral reef. It was great seeing all the different colours and shapes of the coral and the different colourful fish.
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