We did an excursion to Phi Phi Islands from Vitamin Sea Tours that we booked thru the hotel. Another early day as we had to be downstairs at 730am to head over for a 30 minute drive to the pier to meet Big Balloon, our funny tour guide.

We hopped on a nice large speedboat that holds 38 people. Eddie wanted to sit inside the boat instead of the front where I could get some sun. The water was calm and beautiful and we barely felt many bumps. I’m loving this ride!!!

Our first stop was an hour boat ride to some snorkeling spot where everyone got out to snorkel. For those of you that don’t know, I’m not a strong floater (I can swim fine, just don’t float) so Eddie made me put a life jacket on…After he strapped me in my jacket, we had to make our way over to where we could snorkel, but with the water being so rough for some reason my feet wanted to float in front of me, making me struggle quite a bit. After a few minutes, I was over it and wanted to go back on the boat and enjoy the sun. I had a rough time making my way back, so Eddie had to pull me to the boat-good thing he works out cuz even he was fighting the choppiness. When I finally got to the boat, I was having trouble putting my feet on the short 2 step-ladder they had and Eddie couldn’t get my legs to go backwards so he had to push my butt up while the man on the boat pulled me up…ok well I guess if I’m going to die, my last place alive will be on Phi Phi lol…

While waiting for everyone to finish snorkeling, the boat was rocking back and forth so much I thought I wasn’t going to make it. Seemed like the longest 15 minutes of my life…a few others felt the same cuz they asked for “happy bags,” aka puke bags..

Finally we were off to a 5 minute ride to Maya Bay where we parked along side what seemed like 50 large speed boats. OMG this was a beautiful and breathtaking place to be, but sooooo many people-another clear fire hazard on the beach. We made our way to get some Magnum ice cream bars and embraced the scenery. We then walked back towards the beach where it cleared out significantly, like more than half the people were gone! Whew!! I am really glad we were able to make it before they closed the beach! A friend of mine shared an article from the Bangkok Post about the closing.

We then headed over about 5 minutes to Monkey Island, where we saw a cute little guy sipping on a Pepsi can!

Next stop was lunch on Phi Phi Island. They served buffet style Thai food, and found a bar to quench our thirsty palette!

We were supposed to be back on the boat at 150pm…210pm…we are still missing 3 people, an Italian couple that was sitting across from us that I couldn’t remember what they looked like, and a solo guy wearing a green Celtics jersey. The Italian guy had a red fisherman’s hat I think?? 225pm finally the Italian couple came strolling over, apparently they didn’t pay attention to what time Big Balloon told us to be back. Well Italian man had a tan Midori hat-oopps…235pm and we are still missing the Celtics guy who came alone and left his wife at the pier because she was pregnant. 240pm Big Balloon made the call, and we had to leave solo Celtics man on the island.

Next 40 minute stop was to Rang Yai Island, where we were able to walk around for only 15 minutes since we lost time on the previous stop. Just enough time to knock another Thai beer down and head back for a 10 minute ride back to the pier.

This excursion cost 3500 baht each, or $224 total, and was well worth it! We headed back to the resort and walked back into Patong Beach for more beers, street food, more street food, and more beers. I got some pot stickers, chicken skewers, and chicken pad thai.

We were party animals and headed our walk back about 8pm, yes, party animals we are, but we had to get up at 545am

to leave Phuket for the airport 645am.

xox~j