Phi Phi is an inhabitable island surrounded by tons of tiny, uninhabited islands. These islands are known for their spectacular beauty and cleanliness because they have not been tainted by humankind. We decided to do a full day guided boat tour so that we could see a few of these famous islands. Little did we know, this would be one of our scariest, most physically challenging Thailand adventures. We set sail around 10am. Our group was on a tiny boat with one other couple. Our first stop was Monkey Island. Because of the tides, it was almost impossible to find enough beach to stand on there. Jenna managed to though, and in a few seconds time she was inundated with monkey buddies.
After Monkey Island, we sailed in and out of a few beautifully blue coves.
No one wanted to stop to swim because we were all excited to make it to the main island and visit the National Park. What we didn't realize however, was that because it was rainy season, getting to this island was going to be almost impossible. The water was incredibly choppy. Each time we slammed against a large wave, our boat would rock and tons of water would pour in. There seemed to be no end in sight and the waves seemed to be getting bigger and bigger. Our tour guide pushed on and eventually, after a few close calls, we made it to the island. However, rainy season came back to bite us once again when we arrived. Normally, boats could dock at the island entrance, however because the tide was incredibly low, our boat had to anchor about a half mile from shore. When we hopped out into the shallow water to start our swim to the island, we realized that we would be swimming over a coral reef. This wouldn't have been a big deal except for the fact that the water was so choppy that each time a wave came in we were being slammed into the sharp, rocky coral below. We tried our best to cover as much ground as we could in between waves, but by the time we got to the island entrance Jason and I both had bloody knees. Never fear though, because another challenge awaited us. Jason and I looked up to find that the island entrance was looming not next to us, but above us. How would we get up there you ask? A net made of ropes connected the rock wall in front of us to the coral reef below us. We watched in horror as swimmers hoisted themselves up into the net and disappeared on the other side. I climbed up into the net, only to realize that each time a wave hit, the net slammed against the rock wall. I had to be careful where I put my hands and bare feet as I climbed, otherwise they would be scraped on the rock. Somehow I managed to get up and over the net. I fell, exhausted and bloody, onto the other side. This National Park had better be worth it.
We were all a bit disgruntled as we walked down onto the island but after hiking for about twenty minutes we came to one of the most beautiful beach clearings I'd seen yet. The beach was pristine. The sand was rich and warm and the water was amazingly blue. We immediately headed into the water and let our tired bodies float.
When it was time for us to leave, we followed a group who had decided that they weren't going to go over the net wall but instead climb through a cave and come out on the other side. It was incredibly slippery so I took to crawling on my knees instead of risking a fall. We were able to get out to the reef, however, the tide had lowered even more and now we had to walk along the reef before the water dropped off. This was incredibly painful. Jason and I spent quite awhile watching others drop off into the water. We tried to plan the best route, but at the end of the day, we ended up just falling in and trying to stick together as we swam. I thought the way in was bad, but at least the waves were with us. On our way back out, the waves were crashing in against us, so we were being pushed backwards against the coral. There were times we had to grab the coral below us to keep from losing ground, so by the time we got to the boat we were all cut and bleeding. But we weren't in the clear yet. The waves were getting worse and we still had to make it all the way back to Phi Phi. Our guide hadn't said much during our trip, so I tried speaking with him in Thai. Bam! That was the key to his heart. He opened up immediately, speaking to me in Thai and in English. He said that they usually don't do these boat tours at this time of year because of the low tides and the choppy water but that if tourists are willing to go, the boat companies host the excursions. Well shit. We were just dumb tourists. How we were supposed to know we were going to encounter what we did? I was definitely not wearing the "incredibly talented, knowledgeable tour guide hat" for this one. Our real Thai guide said that normally the reef is miles below the boats. He also told us that the current water conditions were quite dangerous for his small boat and that we had better get back quickly before we capsized from a wave. Woof. Talk about nerves. This time Jason and I were both sweating it out the whole way to shore. And it definitely wasn't because we were hot.
#wesurvivedbutbarely
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