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Phi Phi islands, Phi Phi
Le and Phi Phi Don, can be reached by a pleasant 1 hour and 15 minute
to 3 hour boat ride, depending on the size of vessel, from the
provincial capital’s estuarine pier (Krabi) or from Phuket. Merely
some six square kilometres in area, the rugged Phi Phi Le is
characterised by steep, lightly vegetated cliffs rising from the
seabed, hidden bays concealing petite, pristine beaches and calm clear
waters, and a spacious, airy cave known as Viking Cave by virtue of
purportedly ancient cave murals depicting Viking like sailing vessels.
The cave houses sea swallows whose gelatinous nests are prized by
Chinese gourmets. Two kilometres north, the larger (28 square
kilometres)
Phi Phi Don has a cuving white and palm-fringed beach extending
between mountain masses sheltering calm waters. This, and other minor
beaches, offers beachside bungalows and chalet accommodations. The
area immediately adjacent to a Muslim fishing village contains bars
offering living music; restaurants specialising in popular European
cuisines and Thai food; cabarets; souvenir shops; dive shops and
charter boat operations offering game fishing excursions and day
trips, including several opportunities for snorkelling, around the
major islands, including Ko Pai (Bamboo island), half an hour from Phi
Phi Don and touted by locals as one of the most beautiful and
unspoiled, uninhabited islands in the area. |