An early departure from Bangkok. Our flight was scheduled to leave Bangkok at 7:40 for Koh Phi Phi. It took off 45 minutes late but must have picked up speed as it arrived only 15 minutes behind schedule. I had calculated this flight to Phuket to match up with the 11:00 ferry to Phi Phi.
The scams for taxis and ferry rates start as soon as you depart the plane. Yuck.
I was torn about returning to this island. I have fond memories of this tropical paradise from 20 years ago - pre tsunami. I thought I should leave this place alone and live with what I had stored in my brain as a utopia. I knew things would be different. First of all, no Karen and Kenny. Second, we were here prior to extreme development. Third, the time of year is different and I was not sure what that would mean for snorkeling. Giving the kids a chance to snorkel in tropical waters was the main goal of coming to any island. We were torn which island to choose and decided on this one after talking with people and reading online.
I spent the day in a sad state. Although I had tried to prepare myself by having low expectations, I felt so desperately home sick and wanted to leave. I had only booked one night at a hotel close to the pier. The room was fine. The kids and I were tired. The weather was beautiful. The island is beautiful. I wanted to go home. We explored town, which has grown tremendously and were amazed it was low season by the number of tourists.
One thing that got us focused was a dive shop that talked us into going diving and snorkeling. Nate was the most excited and wanted to start practicing with a snorkel immediately.
He had to wait to snorkel as now it was late in the day and we would walk to long beach on Friday and go out off the beach.
Friday we had to pack up the room and change to a more expensive set of rooms in the hotel. Not a bad move. The rooms are lovely; the view is terrible. Best to keep the curtains closed.
With snorkels and masks rented we walked along the beach and through the jungle to Long Beach. Twenty years ago, at a different time of year, go up to knee depth and fish were swimming all around. Not this time. The water was rough and stirred up so no fish to see. We were disappointed. Nate was nervous to go in as the undertow was strong.
The colour of the water is so beautiful and the temperature of it is warm. The sand is made from coral so it is cool on the feet and has many shells and pieces of coral in it.
Since the beach was too rough, the pool was where Nate spent 2.5 hours perfecting his ability to clear a snorkel. He is better than most adults.
