Paradise.

“If I'd learnt one thing from travelling, it was that the way to get things done was to go ahead and do them. Don't talk about going to Borneo. Book a ticket, get a visa, pack a bag, and it just happens.”
-Alex Garland, The Beach

Worried about keeping to our schedule, we found a travel shop in Ao Nang and made transportation arrangements to Koh Phi Phi and from in advance. However, it is best to wait until you get to Phi Phi so you can make arrangements as you go.  We took the ferry from Krabi at about 9:30am and arrived at the picturesque Koh Phi Phi Don at 11am.  On arrival, we paid a 20 baht fee (contribution to help clean the island) and made our way from Tonsai Bay to our hotel in the middle of the island.  Koh Phi Phi Don is the largest of the Phi Phi Islands and the only island with tourist resorts.  As many know, the Phi Phi Islands are famous for their beauty, beach parties and of course site for the film, "The Beach".  As the movie suggests, these islands are a paradise.  Despite their abuse from the hoards of travelers and backpackers, the islands were everything I'd envisioned Thailand's beaches to be--white sand, warm turquoise sea water, surrounded by limestone cliffs.  This is an ideal destination for snorkeling and scuba diving, as a matter of fact there are several reputable companies that do scuba certification classes (it's a fraction of the scuba certification class costs at home).  We spent the first day exploring the island, relaxing around Loh Dalum Bay, and ended the night at a beachfront bar watching a skilled fire show, drinking a bucket of rum and even partook and limboed with fire.  So fun!

Loh Dalum Bay

Delicious Thai lunch

Tonsai Bay

Fire Show

Buckets O' Rum

Fire Limbo

The next day we did a snorkel full day tour around the Phi Phi Islands by long tail boat (400 baht).  The tour was so much fun!  We spent the entire day, bay hopping starting with Shark Point for some snorkeling.  The water was clear enough to see the coral bed below and colorful sea life swimming about. The tour continued around Koh Phi Phi Don with stops at Rantee Bay, Bamboo Island (a white sand nature reserve where travelers can camp overnight), and Monkey Beach.  Next we worked our way to Koh Phi Phi Leh to spend time at Viking Cave, Pileh Bay (bay that runs like a giant canal between towering limestone cliffs), Loh Samah Bay, and finally the scenic Maya Bay (location site for the film "The Beach").  That night we took a peek in Reggae Bar to see their Muy Thai boxing ring, open for customers to participate in their own fight.

Bamboo Island

Sawatdee Ka

Pileh Bay

Maya Bay

Maya Bay

Reggae Bar's Muy Thai ring

We spent our last day in Phi Phi renting a kayak and exploring on our own.  It was a fantastic way to end our time on the beaches and soak up more sun. 
I wish we had more time on Phi Phi Don.  Although it's touristy, busy and relatively pricey, it's definitely worth a visit.

 

Phi Phi Islands Sunset