Koh Phi Phi, Thailand: 11/13-11/16/15

So getting from Singapore to Koh Phi Phi - wild. We didn't have a ton of information as far as how long the various parts of transport would take, and no one really to ask, so we just went with it all. Ultimately it took hours longer than expected, so we definitely got a bit cranky. First, our airport pickup from Singapore had us there 3 hours early, which I get is precautionary but a little excessive. However, the silver lining there is that Changi Airport in Singapore is the COOLEST airport we have ever experienced. There are so many high end stores, it's promoted as a mall for the area. Additionally, there are attractions such as gardens and sundecks, and an entertainment deck with TVs, movie theater, computers, wifi, a lounge, cafe, etc. we have never seen anything like it. So, we easily killed the time, and then had a 2 hour flight to Phuket. 

Upon arriving in Phuket, we were picked up and driven 1 hour to the Rassada Pier to catch the ferry to the Koh Phi Phi islands. We apparently just missed it, so we had to wait 2.5 hours for the next one. The pier was sparse and started to fill up with mostly Australian party-goers. We finally boarded what turned out to be a 3.5 hour ferry ride. Not the most organized, with luggage in a giant heap on the outer deck and stickers denoting your destination, but not too bad. The biggest issue was when we made our first stop, which is the popular party side of the island and where most people got off, and probably 400 people trying to locate their luggage. Once that was sorted, the ferry went around to the other side of the island - the quiet side, with the older people. We got close to land in the big ferry, but saw that there were multiple long tail boats waiting to pick people up by hotel. 

We boarded one just as it was starting to rain and thought we would be going a few hundred feet to the beach we saw in front of us. But instead we went another 15 minutes back around the island and the water was getting very choppy in the storm. I was pretty much freaking out and picturing us capsizing in the middle of an ocean that I couldn't even tell you the name of, but alas we arrived about 100 feet from the shore of our hotel. It was low tide, so we couldn't get closer, and so a tractor came out to get us and the luggage and pull us onto the sand where we were greeted with lemongrass water and a cool towel. 

We clearly did not initially understand the vibe of our hotel, Zeavola, because I was very confused why all of the walkways were sand and really just about that fact that we pretty much washed ashore for our arrival. Anyway, everyone was very welcoming and nice, and we were escorted down a sandy path to our villa. The room had glass doors with mostly just a bed surrounded by a mosquito net (!), some dressers and a TV. You had to walk across the porch to reach the bathroom area which had the shower and toilet inside and sink and vanity outside. There was also an outdoor shower which was cool. Upon first impression, I was a little shocked and worried about the bugs and sand and having half of our room outside, but by the end of the stay I really appreciated the beauty of it.

For the next 2 days we relaxed in paradise switching between the beach and the pool, and eating the wonderful food they offered at the restaurant. The resort was so easy breezy, we didn't wear shoes once the entire time. We even treated ourselves to a spa experience - Jeremy's first. We got a couple's massage and coconut body scrub and the whole thing was delightful. Service at the resort was impeccable and I would highly recommend it to anyone willing to take the adventure to get there and who appreciates the truly natural environment you are immersed in.