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Ko Phi Phi

The Phi Phi Islands are located in Thailand, between the large island of Phuket and the western Andaman Sea coast of the mainland.  Ko Phi Phi Don ("ko" (Thai: เกาะ) meaning "island" in the Thai language) is the largest island of the group, and is the only island with permanent inhabitants, although the beaches of the second largest island, Ko Phi Phi Lee (or "Ko Phi Phi Leh"), are visited by many people as well.
The islands came to worldwide prominence when Ko Phi Phi Leh was used as a location for the 2000 British-American film The Beach. This attracted criticism, with claims that the film company had damaged the island's environment. The film's release was attributed to an increase in tourism to the islands. Phi Phi Leh also houses the 'Viking Cave', from which there is a thriving bird's nest soup industry.
On 26 December 2004, much of the inhabited part of Phi Phi Don was devastated by the Indian Ocean Tsunami. At the time of the tsunami, the island had an estimated 10,000 occupants, including tourists. After the tsunami, approximately 70% of the buildings on the island had been destroyed. By the end of July 2005, an estimated 850 bodies had been recovered, and an estimated 1,200 people were still missing. The total number of fatalities is unlikely to be known however local tour guides cite the figure of 4,000. Of Phi Phi Don residents, 104 surviving children had lost one or both parents.


Note! Click on images to see slideshow and captions!
This was my beach, Hat Yao, Long Beach
Long Beach bungalows
This is Pan Gon, he would be my guide here out on the sea
This was my first bungalow. The next day I changed to a similar one, but with private bathroom.
Low tide
Longtail boats on the shore of Phi Phi Island
This day we were heading for Ko Phi Phi Leh
Pan Gon at the rudder cool as ever
Viking Cave, this Phi Phi Ley cave got it's name from the Viking ship cave drawings on the wall. Thousands of swallows live on top of the 15 meter high ledges. The collecting of the bird's nests is a regular demonstration on guided tours.
Ko Phi Phi Leh is the smaller one of the Phi Phi Islands
In 2000 a Hollywood film company spent about >
> two months shooting scenes for the motion picture >
> The Beach where Leonardo DiCaprio was >
> one of the main character.
Ko Phi Phi comprises 6 islands
Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le are the largest and most well-known islands.
Phi Phi Don is 28 sqkm: 8 km in length and 3.5 km wide. Phi Phi Le is 6.6 km
Now we are heading for the Maya bay
The islands feature beaches and clear water that have had their natural beauty protected by National Park status.
Pan Gon posing nicely for me
Since the Tsunami 2004 these signs were quite common
My first impression last, too many tourists
There are limestone mountains with cliffs, caves and long white sandy beaches.
Ton Sai, the main village of the island
Ton Sai was more or less totally wiped out >
> when the Tsunami hit the little village with full blast >
> in 2004. Many casualties and the memory of this >
> tragedy still lives on. But the restoration >
> of the village >
> is in full progress.
This is the way to the view point >
> and also for natural reasons >
> an evacuation route >
> in case of a new tsunami.
The way up to the view point was very steep >
> but the reward was breath taking.
Ko Phi Phi Leh in the background
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