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 Lying
off the coast of Krabi, the twin Phi Phi islands, made famous as
the location for the movie “The Beach”, more than match
the scenic wonder of the mainland.
The larger, Phi Phi Don, is shaped like a lopsided butterfl y with
a thin strand joining the two ‘wings’, the left side is
a sheer scrub-covered cliff soaring hundreds offeet above the sea,
while the right-hand span is formed by a jungle-clad spine fl anked
on either side by palm-fringed beaches. The centre of the island
and main access point, Tonsai Bay, has been considerably developed
in recent years, sprouting a cluster of bungalow accommodation,
restaurants and souvenir shops.
The smaller Phi Phi Le island, however, is different in every way,
uninhabited and more rugged. Aside from its exceptional beauty,
the attraction lies in its ability to surprise. A survey by boat
leads to serendipitous discoveries of picturesque coves, secret
little spots that widen out from half-hidden openings into sizable
bays, indescribably beautiful expanses of shallow, placid turquoise
water walled in by high cliffs.
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