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Published: February 8th 2024
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Everyone has heard about the devastating tsunami of 2004 in S.E.Asia.
Koh Phi Phi island was one of the most badly hit places with much loss of life. Due to the geography of the island the wave hit on two sides, many of the small bars and bungalow resorts were destroyed.
We visited the island in 2006 and saw how things were gradually returning to normal.
Recently we've heard from many tourists how busy Phi Phi island has become now and wanted to see for ourselves.
We did return last year for a day trip but due to the ferry breaking down, and us being stuck out at sea for almost two hours, we didn't have a lot of time to explore and one of the things I had really wanted to do was climb back up to the view point.
So this year we decided to repeat the day trip.
No mishaps out at sea this time, thankfully, as we arrived at the pier an hour after leaving Lanta, it seemed there were even more people here than a year ago.instesd of the one pier back in 2006 with about two ferries a day arriving, now
there were three piers with huge ferries parked up ready to shunt travellers from one ferry to another destined to other islands. Sadly it seems Phi Phi has become the travel hub for this atea.
Of course McDonald's and Burger King were practically the first things we saw as we walked off the pier.
This time we had a full six hours to explore. We made our way straight to the view point in an effort to beat the heat. It was 9.30am as we began the long climb up the steep steps.
We'd heard that two view points had now been set up instead of one, at different levels, finally we made it to the first one.
Oh my goodness! So much cheesy construction. Brightly coloured seats made to look like apples, supposedly for you to sit and admire the view. However the view was obliterated by a huge sign to tell you that you were at the view point!
After a few quick snaps we carried onto view point 2. This was the one and only view point when we visited in 2006. Back then it was some huge rocks you could stand on to
admire the view and a very small cafe that also sold books telling the story of the tsunami from various peoples experiences. Locals and tourist alike.
Now, a huge platform had been built out over a long drop which did give good views but I preferred it when it was just natural and you could imagine what it would have been like for survivors of the tsunami waiting there for help to arrive.
Instead of the small cafe, a huge restaurant had been built.
After some time wandering around taking in the views from all vantage points we decided to try and find the path that took you from the view point down to Rantee beach on the other side of the island.
We had taken this path several times back in 2006 and knew there had been good snorkelling straight from the beach.
However, despite direction signposts, we never did find the path. We went off in several directions but each time the path either became too overgrown or we were beaten back by aggressive looking barking dogs in what appeared to be a remote home owned by a local!
Instead, we made our way back
down to the town in search of lunch and then spent some time on the beaches there.
The beautiful Ao Dulam beach was lined with rows of deck chairs three deep and the sea was choked with boats and appeared very dirty. A huge contrast to the clear blue water we'd experienced before.
On Ton Sai beach we finally found a small shady spot and, once the speed boats that lined the shore had left, we were able to dip into the sea to cool down.
After a quick dash back to the ferry for 3.30pm we sat back to enjoy the passage back to Lanta.
Once again , as we arrived back to the tranquil gardens of our guest house, we felt glad to be " home" !
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