Yesterday we went on a boat tour to Phi Phi island. Us along with about a thousand other people. Awesome tho. First we went to Maya Bay. This is where they set the movie "The Beach". Unbelievable landscapes. The island just shoots up straight out of the sea in vertical cliffs. 
We landed at the beach and walked through to the other side. On the way (about 200m) you could see the areas they had used for the film setting. The kids just wanted to go swimming all the time. I can't blame them tho as it was so hot. Sophs, Julia and I were in the water about 15m off shore watching Holly playing in the sand. Sue was off for a walk. People kept coming up to Holly and bending down and taking photos. You would think that the Island would be a bigger attraction but everywhere we go Holly is waved at, touched and photographed. She just seems to take it in her stride and ignores most people.
Next we were off to visit the moneys. We stayed on the boat and the monkeys come jumping out of the trees on board. We were given bananas to feed them. They politely take them out of your hand and eat them. Apparently it is only an issue if there are two next to each other.
Along the way in the boat the guide entertained the kids by making cup straw flowers and gold fish. He was great and took great amusement when Holly was singing during the rough seas.
The next stop was the main attraction, snorkeling. They put bread into the water to attract fish and in we went. Luckily the Masks fitted.
Julia and Sophia and Holly seemed 
happy to get a ride with me. Its quite surreal swimming around coral reefs mixing it with heaps of different fish. At our second snorkeling swim I found a fish about 15cm long who kept swimming at me just darting away before reaching me, as I waved a hand in front of him. I called Sophia over. We were both watching, it swam away about three meters turned, appearing to look at the two of us and then darted straight at Sophia (kind of like they do in the Parana movies). Sophia screamed and at the last second it darted away again. I was just cracking up.
happy to get a ride with me. Its quite surreal swimming around coral reefs mixing it with heaps of different fish. At our second snorkeling swim I found a fish about 15cm long who kept swimming at me just darting away before reaching me, as I waved a hand in front of him. I called Sophia over. We were both watching, it swam away about three meters turned, appearing to look at the two of us and then darted straight at Sophia (kind of like they do in the Parana movies). Sophia screamed and at the last second it darted away again. I was just cracking up.
The lunch we received was amazing. Basically a smorgasbord Korean style. Move the inner platter around to select what you wanted to eat. The main Island has a myriad of shops and markets. There is even backpacker accommodation. I would recommend this as a destination to anyone.
The voyage back wasn't without incident. A storm had been brewing and it had begun to rain, quite hard at times. The speed boat bounced along to the amusement of the kids. We were getting really wet and the towel we were hiding behind was getting saturated. Forty minutes later we arrived at our last stop, an island about 60m in diameter with a couple of restaurants. There was a couple of questions, like, "can't we skip this part" which everyone agreed with but to no avail. I presume the company owns the restaurants or at least takes a cut. We just hit the water and soon were warm enough again.
The tour was run by Siam Seacanoe Ltd. I would recommend it to anyone. I was really impressed at the level of organisation and care. It is the first time I have been involved in mass tourism and it was quite good. Again I put this down to the care and genuine attitude of the Thai people.
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