DAY 28 - Friday 24th July 2009 - Temporarily Leaving Thailand

Phi Phi had caused us immense anxiety, tension and stress. The majority of our time spent in Phi Phi Island Village was fraught with fretful challenges, including the heartbreaking choice between fried or scrambled eggs at the buffet breakfast, being banished to wander the island’s beaches while a maid meticulously cleaned our room, and having to unwillingly spend hours on end at the side of the swimming pool, resisting the roasting sun. It had been hell.

The tide when out

The beach

Nick enjoys the pool

In order to cut costs, namely the cost of the hotel restaurant, we explored and discovered a tiny village, which seemed to be entirely made up of mini restaurants. One night we ate here; I dined on a plate of skeletal chips, beaten into submission by my skyrocketing budgetary deficit, while Nick chomped an enormous bowl of curry (or at least it seemed enormous to my hungry, bloodshot eyes).

Phi Phi palms

Nick with the mountains of Phi Phi

The 'fountains' - with an Edward

On a dull, grey Thursday, the 23^rd, we went scuba diving. The first dive, after plunging from the speedboat into the sea, passed without incredible incidence, spotting just a solitary moray eel. However, the second dive would come to be my most memorable yet.

Just another dive! ...Or is it?

Towards the end of the dive, as I drifted over and through the swaying reefs, while Nick snapped photos of the many clown fish, lion fish and other interesting aquatic beasts, my head snapped around on cue, the frantic clinking of metal against metal immediately grabbing my attention; our guide, a Thai Dive Master, was banging his air tank with his steel rod, gesturing wildly into the murky distance. I almost held my breath with anticipation, before remembering that I would probably die if I did so. Instead, I let out an ecstatic explosion of air bubbles as I looked at Nick and pointed – it mattered not, his eyes were wide as he had already seen – at the hawksbill sea turtle nestled on a patch of coral. I couldn’t believe it. Phi Phi is known for its turtle population, but sightings are never guaranteed. Dizzy with our luck, I looked on as the turtle gently ate coral, surrounded by darting fish. After what must have been five minutes of gazing adoringly at the beautiful creature, we ascended, and reviewed the video footage and photos during the windy, wet journey back to the Village.

Clown fish - this stunning photo was actually taken by Nick.

The hawksbill

Eating coral

Sadly, all good things come to an end. This rang true while Nick and I once again packed our bags and bade farewell to Phi Phi. Another boat trip to the port, another ferry journey to Phuket and another taxi ride to the airport, we awaited the flight which would take us from Phuket, and Thailand, once and for all – albeit temporarily. Kuala Lumpur was calling, and it was time to go.