The Man with the Golden Gun in Phi Phi and Phuket

Ko Phi Phi is according to many one of the most beautiful islands on this planet. No wonder it also features in a few big blockbusters like The Beach and James Bond’s The Man with the Golden Gun.
A slight downside of all this is that the secret is obviously out, so that all idyllic beaches, limestone skyscrapers and other gorgeous sights are under constant admiration of large herds of fellow tourists.
Our 3 day program is comprised of boat rides, visiting our underwater friends again, a cliff climb/jump and exploring the vibrant night life.

Magical Ko Phi Phi Leh

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Human world integrates with nature on Monkey Beach. Here the monkeys know at what time the boats arrive so they can hustle their lunch from the tourists. With tens of tourists we arrive here simultaneously on different boats and we all shoot pictures of these spoiled apes…. Sad really.

A refreshing coke to wash away that Big Mac (and don’t blame the messenger pls)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Immy is by now a full pro snorkeler. On this day trip she is guiding two other girls and explaining how the snorkling is done properly.

Snorkeling in the turquoise waters around Ko Phi Phi.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A postcard view over Ko Phi Phi Don after a steep climb

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Evidence of my 17 meter cliff jump.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Phuket is the next island. It is a big island of around 100km long and is more or less what Costa Brava is in Spain: a big big tourist holiday destination. We only stay here for one day in which I basically have 2 missions:
A-- Rent a motorbike and prepare for a road trip into the mainland.
B-- Buy a new Lumix DMC TZ7. I owned this beloved camera for two months before it got eaten by a wave from hell in Ko Lanta. I got so attached to it that I accept no other model.

Mission A is fairly easy arranged, except that on our first test ride we are caught by a tropical downpour. In the restaurant we shelter we order a coffee to sit out the storm. But this storm is not easily defeated, and we end up having several coffees, tea, starters, mains and desserts. Three hours later, thousands of Baht lighter and many kilograms heavier we continue our test ride in the dark by now.

'Yes it’s still raining, dear'

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mission B proves impossible, no new TZ7 available in Phuket and believe me I have turned the island inside out. So far on this trip I am down 1 camera (murdered), 2 mobile phones (stolen/lost) and 3 pair of sunglasses (quashed/crushed/pulverized).  

Now it's time to get ready to leave safe tourist grounds and go for a 5 days motorbike tour to find hidden gems in the south of Thailand.