Christmas in Koh Phi Phi {December 23rd- December 26th)

{Before arriving in China John had booked three nights in Koh Phi Phi so that we knew we had somewhere to stay for Christmas, from there our schedule was wide open so that we could move between islands as we pleased.}

On Sunday morning John and I got up early, shared a small breaky then took our taxi to the pier to hop on the boat to Phi Phi. When we arrived we were a little concerned with the weather, it was raining. We found seats on the bottom deck of the boat (away from the rain) where we read and slept and drank horrible cups of coffee while we journeyed to The Party Island of Koh Phi Phi.

We spent 3 wonderful days in Koh Phi Phi and were very sad when we had to leave: my word we had a fun Christmas! John found us a beautiful spot on Nice Beach; it was the perfect location with a lovely beach and stunning cliff faces surrounding it. We spent our days on the beach, eating yummy food (Koh Phi Phi also has the most delicious slices of pizzas that we enjoyed both day and night), drinking beer and puttering around the shops (there were all over the place).

The first day that we arrived we dropped our things and went out on tour. Lucky that we did because we came across the Captain Bob’s Booze Cruise shop; friends that had been on the island before said that this Cruise was well worth the money and that if we did nothing else but spend a day with Captain Bob, it would be worth it. The weather wasn’t fantastic but after some deliberating we decided to do it (it was the only day open, so it was then or never). We had a half hour to shove a piece of pizza into us, change and get to the boat – this day quickly turned into one of our top days! We got on the sailboat with a bunch of strangers (including a group of hilarious Mexicans) at 12:00 and set off on our adventure. The first stop was Monkey Island. We stripped down, jumped off of the boat and swam to shore to meet the monkeys that we were warned ‘might rip off a piece of flesh for now reason so be ready to run to the water’. After some time spent with the energetic monkeys we swam back to the boat (some kayaked) and heading to our next stop. Cliff Jumping. I had already wrecked my big toe on coral swimming to see the monkeys so I decided against jumping but John and some of the boys did!! It was hilarious watching them. We then sailed to Maya Bay where The Beach (movie) was filmed. We cracked the beers on the way and when we arrived we put lifejackets on like diapers and swam to a beach in a cave where we snorkeled, swam, drank and played Frisbee (it was directly across from Maya Bay and it was stunning). After some time spent there we headed to the other side. I swam the whole way with a few of the Mexicans while others were dragged half way (John) and others kayaked. We ventured into the middle of the island where we found a lagoon and then strolled back. What a beautiful place. From there we swam back to the boat (a good distance) and then got some fresh cold ones. We went to another island where we were able to go into a swim-up cave and receive massages from the waves, it was amazing and a little nerve wracking when it came to getting out against the waves. After snorkeling around we hopped back on the boat and left the island to watch the sunset, that’s when Ryan from Washington whipped out a beautiful engagement ring (I asked “what is that?” and John responded “Kate, shut uppp” and Ryan smiled) and proposed to Ashley, also from Washington. After the celebration we enjoyed some beer funnels then sailed back to the pier. After showering John realized he Really didn’t feel well so I went out to meet everyone for a quick drink and let them know that we wouldn’t be going out. I then walked all over the island trying to find John water and pizza then made it home. This was definitely one of the Best Christmas presents that we have ever received from my parents and John’s!

Christmas Eve Day was spent on the beach recovering and Christmas Eve was spent on the other side of the island. We had a beautiful dinner at Ciao Bella on the beach and then proceeded to have a wild night that included fire dancers, music, dancing, and buckets. The tide also went out and we were able to walk out and         see the beach from another stunning angle. What A Night!!!

Christmas Day was also spent on the beach recovering:) We went on an adventure, found our own private beach and then went out for round 2. This evening was a little more relaxed (minus doing the limbo that was on fire – it seemed like a good idea at the time) but it was terrific! The perfect way to end our time in Koh Phi Phi, the island full of beautiful people and sun burns. 

To have spent our first christmas together, without our family was strange but we did have a truly phenomenal time in Koh Phi Phi :)