Beach Briefs - Day 5 - Enroute to Phi Phi

I was awake for breakfast at 8 am and had the usual fried egg, sausage, juice, toast and coffee. I showered and awaited the transportation to the pier where the boat departs at 10:30 for Phi Phi. I arrived about 9:30 and had about an hour wait and found a nearby restaurant that had decent coffee. The boat finally showed up and I discovered that not all ferries are the same. This boat was filthy and the seats in disrepair. Unfortunately I was still a little sunburned and had to make use of the seats. Oh well, the ride was only 90 minutes so it was not too bad.

I eventually arrived at Phi Phi island and finally remembered that I had been there previously. Phi Phi is very clean and beautiful. The island officials collect 20 Bhat from everyone entering the island and use those funds for maintenance and keeping the island clean. It works, more islands should adopt this pracice.

I still do not have a place to stay so I decide to look around and have some lunch. I find a harbour restaurant and order some spaghetti and a beer for lunch. The restaurant overlooks the harbour and the view is spectacular. When I pay for the bill I ask the cashier if she had a place to store my rollie for a couple of hours and she said yes.

Devoid of my rollie, I wind my way through the throngs of tourists looking for hotels in town. I don't have much luck as most of the accommodation is of the resort type and is located outside of town accessible by long boat. I decide at that time that I will continue on to Phuket later in the day by ferry and spend my remaining time there. Lesson learned ... if you want to stay in Phi Phi during Chinese New Year, book ahead and book early.


I decide my best plan is to purchase my ferry ticket and find an internet cafe and start surfing for inexpensive hotels in Phuket. I get a wifi connection and search for hotels in Phuket for tonight.


I have purchased a ticket to Phuket on the 2:30 ferry and board at 2:15. I soon discover where all the Chinese families went on Chinese New Year. They all went to Phi Phi Island and are returning home via Phuket airport on the same ferry I am on. I scramble for a seat and sit back and have a nap for the next 2 hours. On arrival, the company running the ferry annouces they a bus that I can take for 150 Bhat that will drop me in the middle of the Patong area. I purchase a ticket as a taxis is 500 Bhat.


I have found that hotels in Patong were also in short supply and I had to spend $75 a night to get a room. I booked for 2 nights and that still leaves me within my budget because of the 2 nights I did not use a hotel in Krabi. The bus drops me off and I ask directions to the hotel and it turns out to be a 10 minute walk. I check in and I am pleasantly surprised with a bright airy modern room with free internet and a sports bar with a large video displays for ESPN sports channels and even get to watch some NBA basketball although most folks are watching the Steelers and Packers in football.


I think I will now go for a walk in the infamous night district of Patong :-)

TTYL,

Jim