Part 5 Touristy Phuket

14 Mar 2012 - Island Tour of Khai, Maya and Phi Phi

Apparently, we were in Phuket during the high season. So, that explains the influx of tourists we saw at the southern beaches and pier.

At the entrance of Rassada Pier

It may take some time to figure out this...but you can try

Take bath 50 times to access Wi-Fi?

The island trip we booked was a 9am-5pm day trip. The boat was huge, had 3 floors, the lower deck, the middle deck and the upper deck. The middle deck was quick to fill up. The upper deck was also quick to fill up as this is the open deck where you get to sunbathe – and 95% were Caucasians. In fact, come to think of it, the boat’s passengers were comprised of mainly white foreigners. I saw a handful of Chinese and one Indian couple on honeymoon.

The boat

We took the lower deck as it was air-conditioned but I was the only one who stayed below as N and the boys quickly found a spot on the upper deck.

The upper deck

Imagine sitting up here for an hour ...you get baked

They were least bothered about the heat unlike me.

Khai Island

Approaching Khai

After about 20 mins, we reached Khai Island.

Nobody wastes time, straight to the waters

The waters were clear and greenish blue. As we neared the pier, two long-tailed boats came to pick us up and transfer us to the island. Many times the big-sized passengers almost toppled the boat with their weight. But the crew were quick to position passengers to keep balance.


We had earlier bought bread sold in the big boat to feed the fish.

Feeding the fish

Khai Island

It didn’t take long for everyone to hit the water. Snorkels, masks and life jackets were provided for. The boys had fun feeding the fish. So many came up to feed from their hands. You could just hold on to a small slice of bread under the water and a swarm of fish will just appear and start nibbling it right off your fingers.

The beach stretch with deck chairs for rent

We spent about 20-30 mins mins in Khai Island. It was scorching hot and I could feel the heat piercing my skin. We all climbed into the long-tail boat again which took us back to the big boat. The crew used a hose to wash the sand off our bodies before we returned to our seats. Every now and then the captain announced over the PA system of what’s ahead.


Maya Island

Next was Maya Island.

One of the many limestones we saw as we neared  Maya

As the boat approached Maya, those who wanted to snorkel were asked to stay while those who wanted to go to the beach were transported by long tail boats. N stayed on to snorkel while I took the boys to the beach. Getting off the long tail boat was actually jumping into the water and walking yourself to the beach. We had earlier been warned not to carry too many things with us, just essentials.

At Maya

The boys went swimming and they played with the white powdery sand awhile.

Look at the colour of the waters

I took a stroll through a path leading up to the tsunami evacuation centre. You can see tsunami boards at these islands informing people where to head in case of tsunami.

Toilets

Maya 

After about 30mins, we were hauled up into the long tail boat again to be transported back to the boat. N said the corals were dead and that the corals he saw in Mabul Island, Sabah was much more beautiful.

The lower deck

Lunch was served buffet style. You can select your food but the serving was done by the crew, to control the portions. There were rice, vegetables, chicken, fried potatoes, fruits, ice water and cold gassy drinks. There was a steady flow of Coke, 7-Up, Sprite, Fanta as we could help ourselves to the vending machine.



Phi Phi Island


From Maya, the ride to Phi Phi took about 1 hour and 20mins. 

Viking Cave ..see the ropes and ladders-bird nest collection going on

We passed the Viking Cave where locals collect bird-nests. 


Nearing Phi Phi, we were asked to return in an hour. Phi Phi is much bigger than Khai. It is an island by itself. 

phi phi

Approaching Phi Phi - the pier

Since it was high season, it was packed with tourists. I saw many young people, singles, couples, local beach boys all hanging out and either strolling at the beach or baking in the sun.

For me, the island was so hot, like being in an oven. We let the boys go for a short swim, then we checked out the many shops selling T-shirts, swimwears, handicrafts, Thai souvenirs, fruits, drinks, food, and surprisingly many Bangladeshis were running the shops. One Bangladeshi guy was selling chicken kebabs at 100baht each. And if you check the price and change your mind, they can get very angry.


I didn’t like it much here, the heat, the crowd and the shouting match with the Bangladeshi guy did it for me. I just wanted to return to the boat – too much of a party scene here.


We sat on the upper deck the whole journey from Phi Phi back to Rassada pier. It did get slightly cooler as time passed. We reached the pier at about 5.30pm.


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That night, we stopped by a Thai Bazaar cum Night Market on our way back to the hotel. The market is open only on Wednesdays. There were plenty of food stalls so we packed rice, steamed fish, grilled fish, mushroom soup, pan cake (coconut and peanut laced apam balik), home made pizza, chicken floss cake, fresh orange juice and some food for our driver.


One satisfying family dinner we shall never forget.

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Some tips :-



1. One would think that buying the tickets for the island tour at the pier would be cheaper. But this may not necessarily be the case. According to our driver/guide, the norm is to book it with the travel agents. I am still blur on how the system works.


2. If you are on an island tour, there is a time limit to how long you can linger at the island.


3. There are no seats allocated in the boat, the first in gets the best seats.


4. The heat is unlike any I have experienced in KL. It really is skin piercing and very hot.


5. The lady who asks to take your picture is actually a souvenir seller. Each framed photo is later sold at 100baht.

All pictures are copyrighted. I can be reached at sivakay2009@gmail.com.