20-24 April 2017: A Spontaneous Trip to Maya Bay, Phi Phi Islands

My trip to Phuket in April 2017 was initially intended as a relaxing getaway, with plans to simply lounge at the hotel and enjoy the amenities. However, upon arrival, the urge to explore took over, and I found myself searching for exciting excursions online. That's when I stumbled upon the opportunity to visit Maya Bay on Phi Phi Islands.

Without hesitation, I booked a one-day trip to Maya Bay, Phi Phi Islands, which included roundtrip transportation from my hotel (Woraburi Hotel, Karon Beach) via speedboat, lunch, drinks, and fruits. The convenience of having everything arranged allowed me to simply show up and enjoy the adventure.

Unfortunately, during the trip, my phone met an untimely demise by falling into the water, significantly limiting my ability to capture the beauty of the experience. However, the memories of the stunning scenery and the exhilarating boat ride remain vivid.

On the morning of April 21, 2017, at 6:30 am, the sky was dark and gloomy with flashes of lightning and thunder. It seemed like the day's plans might be ruined. After a while, it started to drizzle, and I hoped it wouldn't rain heavily. But my hopes were soon dashed as the rain poured down heavily. It seemed like it wouldn't be suitable for a trip to the island. Should I cancel it? But then again, I thought it would be good if it rained heavily now so that the sky would be clear by 9 am. Why would it rain all day? Is there that much water in the sky?

At approximately 7:45 AM, the van arrived at the hotel lobby. We were informed that all the foreigners had canceled their trip, except for the Thai people. No one had canceled. I don't know whether to call it brave or reckless. The van driver said, "If it were me, I would have canceled the trip in this weather." "Oh, brother, why are you saying that?"

The journey from the hotel to the pier was short. Picking up passengers from nearby hotels took about half an hour. During the drive, I chatted with the driver about the weather and whether it would be safe to go out. As a local, the driver was a good source of advice. He expressed concern, saying it was not safe to go due to the rain. I mentioned that I had checked the weather forecast and that the sky would be clear and sunny by 9 am. Without hesitation, the driver picked up the phone and called the office, saying, "Boss, we can go out at 9 am. The sky is clear and sunny all day. We can go out without any problems." I was surprised by the sudden change of plans.

We arrived at the pier and boarded the speedboat. The tour leader briefed us on the itinerary, details, and safety precautions. We then boarded the boat in groups. The speedboat I was on could hold about 30 people, and it was full for this trip. I sat at the front of the boat because I boarded later than the others.

Today is the first day of the wind change, making the waves stronger than the previous days. This is a sign that the low season for tourism on the Andaman coast islands is approaching. Sitting on the bow of the boat, coupled with the strong waves, the boat was running at high speed, causing the bow to bounce violently, causing my buttocks to hit the edge of the seat, resulting in moderate gluteal inflammation. I suffered a minor injury, but I was able to continue my trip as usual. It was just uncomfortable to sit. Throughout the trip, I had to sit without putting too much weight on my buttocks, as it would cause a lot of pain.

After about an hour's boat ride, we reached our first stop, Maya Bay. Everyone knows how beautiful it is, so much so that it was even used as a filming location for a Hollywood movie. I would call it a "heavenly paradise."

Maya Bay is a small bay located in the Phi Phi Islands, Krabi Province. It was created by nature through the collapse of the surrounding cliffs, forming a small crescent-shaped bay surrounded by limestone mountains. It has a fine white sand beach that stretches in a semicircle, with clear emerald green seawater. The atmosphere in the morning is shady, as the shadow of the cliffs falls on the beach, combined with the cool sea breeze and the beauty of nature, making you feel incredibly happy, refreshed, relaxed, and comfortable. Here are some pictures.

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We spent about an hour at Maya Bay before heading to Pi Leh Bay, which was equally stunning. Unfortunately, all the photos from this point are on my broken phone, so I can't share the breathtaking views with you. However, we did manage to capture some images from other locations, including Viking Cave. This cave is home to a large colony of swiftlets and is a concession for the collection of their nests, which generates a significant income.

Viking Cave is a popular tourist destination in the emerald waters of the Andaman Sea in Krabi Province. It is a cave located on the southern tip of Pi Pi Lay Island, opposite the famous Maya Bay, which was featured in the movie The Beach.

Five minutes after passing Viking Cave, we head straight to Monkey Island, also known as Monkey Beach. The white sand beach contrasts beautifully with the clear turquoise water, making it an idyllic spot for relaxation. Visitors can observe the numerous monkeys that inhabit the island, some of which may even come down to play with tourists and forage for food on the beach. However, it is strictly forbidden to feed the monkeys or tease them, as they may become aggressive. It is important to note that these monkeys have a tendency to attack children, so parents should be vigilant and prevent their children from approaching them.

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After leaving Monkey Beach, we stopped for lunch at Phi Phi Don Island, where the tour company provided a buffet. After lunch, we had about 50 minutes to explore the island. In my opinion, Phi Phi Don is not very interesting, as it is full of buildings and crowded with tourists. This is because all tour groups stop for lunch on this island, as it is the only one with restaurants for tourists. This makes it a bit too busy for my taste.

Photos from Phi Phi Don Island

Leaving Phi Phi Island, we continue our journey to Koh Khai Nok to observe the vibrant marine life. The crystal-clear waters offer a breathtaking view of the fish swimming freely, unafraid of human presence. It's important to remember that feeding the fish is strictly prohibited.

Upon arrival at Koh Khai Nok, tourists eagerly jump into the water, eager to immerse themselves in the pristine waters and encounter the beautiful tiger fish. The clear water, illuminated by the sun's rays, creates a mesmerizing spectacle, reflecting the vibrant colors of the fish as they gracefully glide through the water. It's a moment of reunion, as if the fish and the tourists were long-lost friends, reconnecting in this idyllic setting.

Images from Koh Khai Nok:

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After leaving Koh Kai, we returned to the mainland. The trip from Koh Kai Nok to the pier took about 20 minutes. Overall, the trip was a success.

Here are some additional photos.

See you on the next trip!

From Roti, a runaway tourist.