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...and go to Phi Phi we did..

Sorry should have written this a month a go but there's been a lot going on to keep me away from the blog.

Alec and I had enquired at Chalong pier about getting the boat across. We had two options a slow boat or the fast boat..the former was to take 1hr, the latter 45mins..both lies!!! Let me tell you :o) The slow boat takes 3 hrs and the fast boat takes 1hr 30mins!!

There were 8 of us who got into the minibus that arrived to take us to the pier (only it was taking us to Phuket pier not Chalong as we'd thought (so add an extra 30-40mins onto the journey). The sun reappeared the morning we left so we had a gloriously sunny trip across.

On arrival there were dozens of people promoting various places to stay on the island. You do have the option to book a room from Phuket pier (and are assured it's much cheaper than turning up on the doorstep). Having all been in Thailand a while we all ignored the warning and decided to take our chances on the island. After walking away from everyone who was trying to drum up business we ended up outside the dive centre. One of the guys inside very helpfully came out and gave us a map and a very good description of where we could walk to and how much places would cost. After much wandering around we all found places to stay and met up for the evening activities.

As the guy in the dive centre had been so helpful 4 of us started off in the bar above the centre before meeting everyone else in the Apache bar. Happy hour lasts from 4-10pm so we settled in for the night.

I was feeling a little tired so June suggested a tequila shot to wake me up. I didn't think it would work but I wasn't saying no - service seemed to take a while so I ordered the tequila, a bottle of water (it had been around 39 degrees and HUMID!) and a cocktail. We started on the cocktails and did our shots together. I didn't think much more about it until I suddenly realised I was raring to go again..tequila works! Picture: June, Me and Sam (tequila already gone!)

While we were sat there I noticed the football on at the other side of the bar and managed to wonder over as the only goal of the match was scored (in the last 3 mins of overtime)..I wandered back to our table and not much longer later the fire show began.

I did manage to take a video of the full 25min show and have to admit I was completely mesmerised. The dark bar with flames spinning around to music was very entertaining.

Everybody who came to Phi Phi in Apache bar (left to right): Rodrigo, Alec, Kevin, June, Me, Sam, Shirley & Andi.

Sunset in Phi Phi and sunset on my time in Thailand..in a true 'it's Thailand!' kind of experience walking around the island the night after we'd all got drunk in Apache I realised the football finished on the 19, which meant it was the 20th..and oops I was on the wrong island to be leaving on the 21st! At some point I'd confused the 21st with Tuesday, but my flight left on Monday. I had to take the early boat home, get from the north of phuket to Rawai, pay up for my last week in the bungalow, pack everything, get the jeep returned, say goodbye to everyone and get back up to the north to the airport. A little more rushed than I would have liked but I made it...that was one looooong day! I finally left Bangkok for London at 20 to 1 on Tuesday morning.

Back to a very sunny England though much colder than what I grown used. There've been a few good suny days so I've probably done more sun bathing since I got back than I ever did intentionally in Thailand..but then there's an awful lot more to do there when the sun's out.

It was a great time away and I loved every minute - it went far too quickly but then things always do when you're having fun! I'd recommend it to anyone needing a break and a change of pace.

xxx