Koh Phi Phi islands are located in the Andaman sea, on the west coast of Thailand, about a 10 hour bus ride and 1 ½ hour boat trip from Bangkok. They are an extremely popular tourist destination, home of long beaches flanked by limestone cliffs rising from teal water rich in marine life. Koh Phi Phi was hit hard by the tsunami of 2004. It decimated the one town on the island, which sits on a narrow plot of sandy lowland between two arching bays. On just about any other occasion it’s a perfect location. In December 2004 a 15 foot & a 10 foot wave of water from the Tsunami met in the middle of the town.
Hearing recounts from a few of the locals it is difficult picture the scene when it is so idyllic today. Debris filled the streets for months, without the means or desire to rebuild some shops were left abandon, certain unfortunate families had to focus on loss far greater than any business.
Along the main street a bookstore owner placed his hand just above his head drawing a line to indicate the water level. He was one of the many who remained and in the aftermath was the 3rd shop on the street to open. Five or so months after the tsunami the island had reestablished its tourist infrastructure, by far its primary source of income.
Today on the surface, besides a few tattered sections and excess amount of empty concrete bags, you can visit without appreciating there was natural catastrophe 3 years ago. Yet you only need to look to the faces of the inviting, resilient locals to recognize the main reason this place can welcome the rest of us again.
Hearing recounts from a few of the locals it is difficult picture the scene when it is so idyllic today. Debris filled the streets for months, without the means or desire to rebuild some shops were left abandon, certain unfortunate families had to focus on loss far greater than any business.
Along the main street a bookstore owner placed his hand just above his head drawing a line to indicate the water level. He was one of the many who remained and in the aftermath was the 3rd shop on the street to open. Five or so months after the tsunami the island had reestablished its tourist infrastructure, by far its primary source of income.
Today on the surface, besides a few tattered sections and excess amount of empty concrete bags, you can visit without appreciating there was natural catastrophe 3 years ago. Yet you only need to look to the faces of the inviting, resilient locals to recognize the main reason this place can welcome the rest of us again.
And for the rest of us, time can breeze by on Thai islands. Drink fruit shakes, watch sunsets, get certified in diving (Christy), take snorkeling boat tours; listen to lounge music while resting on foldable beach cushions; we never claimed to be living the tough life.
A picture from the viewpoint, looking down at Ton Sai town on Phi Phi Don. You can see here how exposed the town is the water.
Christy enjoying her scuba diving course 
Beach fire twirler shows
Picture inland a block or two from the heavy traffic streets, where the impact of the tsunami is still evident.
Christy beach reading on a wood platform just before sunset.
Taking every opportunity available to learn cooking skills; this time helping prepare our orders in our bungalows kitchen
Snack choices: fruit shakes and pancakes are delicious morning, noon or night. Money conversion: 33 Baht = 1 dollar
Feeding a banana to the tourist tamed "wild monkeys" of monkey beach
The beautiful waters around Phi Phi Leh
Our longtail anchored in Ao Phi Leh Bay, an almost enclosed lagoon which served as a filming location of the movie "The Beach"
1 comment:
this trip just gets more and more fascinating. i love the monkey on the beach!
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