Phi Phi Islands

The alluring beauty of Koh Phi Phi (Koh means island) has been the popular topic of conversation for travelers all over Thailand. Whether your destination is in Phuket or Krabi, two of the most famous beach getaways in this country, the buzz about Koh Phi Phi is just all over these towns. Made famous by the Hollywood blockbuster movie The Beach starring Leonardo Di Caprio, which was filmed here in 1999 on the gorgeous location of Maya Bay, this island is now one of the most sought-after beaches in the world. With its stunning rock formations and vivid turquoise waters teeming with colorful marine life, it is definitely a piece of paradise you should not miss to visit and include in your travel list.



The fabulous islands are only about 45 minutes ride by speedboat from Krabi. Koh Phi Phi is actually located  between Phuket and Krabi but Phi Phi belongs to Krabi province. It is about 48km away from Phuket and 45km from Krabi. The area of Phi Phi Islands covers six islets altogether including Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Leh, Mai Phai (Bamboo Island) Yung, Bida Nok and Bida Nai. Phi Phi Don is the largest of the group and the only one that is inhabited and Phi Phi Leh comes in as the second largest. You can have your accommodations at Phi Phi Don which ranges from simple beachside bungalows to up-market resorts. The island also has a maze of bars, restaurants and trinket shops. Since the island has now become more accessible and slowly developing into an up-market destination, it starts to attract a young party crowd and you can see few beach parties in the evenings. There are no roads around Phi Phi Islands just to take note of that. The main forms of transport are by bike or longtail boats. There are trails through the forest so you can walk across from beach to beach.



You should really try taking a boat trip around Phi Phi Don and to the smaller islands. You will be greeted by an amazing sight of beautiful coves and bays and the scenery is simply breathtaking!

Phi Phi Leh on the other hand, the second largest among the group of islands in Koh Phi Phi, includes Maya Bay (the filming site of The Beach movie) and Pileh-Bay, which is a marvelous cove with excellent snorkeling spots, stunning limestone cliffs soaring from the turquoise sea and forest covering the rugged hills.

Other activities you can enjoy on Phi Phi Islands include diving, kayaking, rock climbing or just soaking up the sun on its sandy white beaches on a beautiful day.



One downside though when visiting Phi Phi Islands is that it has become so developed that squadrons of longtail boats and speedboats ferry in those seeking paradise along what were tranquil and near-deserted sands in those days and you can see that it will never provide the same remote escapism again.

Well, we can't totally blame ourselves though as our intentions are merely to marvel at these beautiful locations that are now thronged with boats and visitors to the islands and slowly perish the peace and tranquility that it has had in those days. Despite this, Koh Phi Phi remains a marvelous place that offers an awesome appeal to visitors.

Travelidiom Fun Saturday

Hi folks! It's Saturday once again  and you know I'm sharing idioms for fun on this day. Since today is Earth Hour Day and hope you do your part for Mother Earth, I decided to make it a little different for this week's idiom sharing. Please view the video below.

Thanks for viewing...:)

Moments in Time

{this moment} - A Friday ritual - a single photo - no words - capturing a moment from my travels. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to savor and remember. This moment is introduced to me by Sarah-Jane from Almost There....

Four - Island Hopping Tour in Krabi

Located 8km west of Ao Nang Island from where I stayed in Krabi were several islands famous for island hopping tour activity by speedboat or longtail boat. Usually when you visit Krabi, there are several packages in which you can book in order to explore the entire island including the Phi Phi Island which is  made famous by the Hollywood blockbuster movie, The Beach, that put this island on the tourist map and now squadrons of long-tail boats ferry in those seeking paradise. So on the second day of my stay there, I had the entire day to go for an island hopping tour which is one of the most popular activities in Krabi. Islands such as Tup Island, Chicken Island, Poda Island and Phranang Cave Island were included for this full-day-four-island hopping tour.



So here are my travel photos for Thursday....



First stop was at Tup Island. This is one of the most popular highlights of the local island tour. The wonderful seascape is highly loved by photographers and beach lovers who come to visit this island. Here you can soak up the sun, swim at its crystal clear waters and even walk along a connecting beach or sand bank from Tup Island to Chicken Island. Definitely one of the best island moments you will never forget in Krabi, Thailand.

Next stop was the Chicken Island. It is an island that takes the form a rock spire that looks like a chicken head. Here, snorkeling is at its best where water is jade green in color and corals and fish thrive.

Third stop was the Poda Island. It is a stunning sandy beach perfect for swimming, sunbathing and relaxing where in front of this island is the spectacular view of a lone huge rock formation which is mostly photographed and admired by island visitors.

Last stop was the Phranang Cave Island. Here people come to do several activities like rock climbing, exploring the cave, swimming, strolling along the beach and soaking up the sun. It's usually crowded on high season so tendency is you won't get a good chance to relax and enjoy the scenery as much as you wish to and even worse is the number of longtail boats that are parked along the sea coast. It's difficult to get a good picture of the entire beach because of this. But nevertheless, if you try out rock climbing which will cost you 200 baht for one climb by the way is worth spending your time whilst you burn out some fats.

This ends the four day island tour photo essay and I hope you had some of your favorites. The above pictures are my photos to feature in Nancie's Travel Photos Thursday at her Budget Travelers Sandbox which is introduced to me by Jim. 

Christchurch New Zealand

Today, I'm introducing Christchurch for a visit in New Zealand. I know - I know what you're thinking but don't be alarmed! This city is open for business and to help you out with the information please visit this website www.christchurchnz.com. This site will give you the latest info. update that relates to Christchurch earthquake and current access for visitors for the Canteburry region.



Christchurch is known for its ocean to alps backdrop - breathtaking Pacific coastline, snow-capped mountains to the west and the hidden bays of an ancient volcanic peninsula to the south. It is the second largest city in New Zealand where thriving, working, business and leisure offer you the best among the creme de la creme in the world.



Here you can ski at their world class alpine ski resort, go rafting, mountain biking, play golf, bungy jump, wind surfing, whale watching and visit world-class vineyards and gardens not far away from the Christchurch International airport. Oh, yes it is! Just within two hours from the international airport.

Mount Sefton, Mount Cook National Park New Zealand

Christchurch is famous for the highest peak in New Zealand - the Aoraki Mount Cook - named after the British explorer Captain James Cook. Imagine winter nature at its finest where the mountains are clad with nothing but snow and the sky and the sun are in icy stillness. What hits your thinking spot after imagining it? Skiing of course! So, at Mt. Cook, your skiing adventure will never be the same again and it will be an experience you will never forget (I'm just saying because I haven't been there though) but looking at the pictures and reading reviews of this attraction, I reckon it's something we all have to check out for when visiting Christchurch in New Zealand.



Some of the other things you can include in your itinerary are whale watching in Kaikoura, relax and de-stress in the hot pools of Hammer Springs, stroll at the picturesque bays and sea side villages of Banks Peninsula or perhaps a hike in Arthurs Pass National Park. All these attractions I discovered from my research on the internet. Maybe you can jot them down on your travel list to help you out with your itinerary.



So why not give Christchurch a second chance, worry aside and marvel at the beauty that it has to offer and conquer an excitement and fun that you will never forget.

Imagine Auckland

Wallpaper courtesy of wallpaper-s.org

Imagine a city where everyone lives just a stone-throw away from stunning beaches

Imagine hiking trails and numerous enchanted holiday islands that fetches

Imagine clear skies, a background rhythm of Polynesian culture, food, wine and peaches

Imagine no more and hit the web with Auckland searches.

Imagine sailing to an island....

Imagine taking a scenic walk on famous beaches with your partner, holding hands

Imagine hopping on a hot air balloon to see the stunning views of Auckland

Imagine you are at Kelly Tarton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World wonderland.

Imagine scaling the harbour bridge on a Sunday

Imagine you're up there and daring the dreaded bungy

Imagine abseiling down waterfalls or visit the whale and dolphin safari

Imagine no more and start packing for an Auckland getaway.

Will my imaginations be enough?

To mirror reflections of Auckland is tough

Go on just visit Auckland with your goofy fashion hat

I'm sure you won't be returning with that...

Four Seasons in New Zealand and the Adrenalin Rush in Queenstown

Four refreshingly seasons are all it takes to chill out in New Zealand. It is definitely an ideal year-round holiday destination for young and old alike. Whether you opt to marvel at its nature's lustrous autumn hues or try skiing and snowboarding on its spectacular glaciers or soak up the sun at its gorgeous sandy beaches and smell the freshness of spring, you name it you can enjoy it in this country.

IMAGE: www.photoeverywhere.co.uk

There are certainly a variety of things to explore in New Zealand. You can enjoy nature at its best exploring New Zealand's rugged mountains and snowy mountaintops, capacious plains, rolling hillsides, stupendous glaciers, subtropical forest, volcanic plateau and alluring coastline with brilliant sandy beaches. There's no doubt that this country is sure to enter into your travel bucket list. I, myself, haven't been there though but I have heard and read great reviews as well as see a lot of photos and fascinating stuff about this country where the emerald greens are vast and the flora and fauna are just remarkable. Despite the fact that Christchurch was hit by the recent quake, New Zealand still emerges strong from the devastation and have its door always opened for all visitors to flock and see the beauty this country has to offer.

IMAGE: www.photoeverywhere.co.uk

During the months of March to May are definitely the best time to visit New Zealand. It is one of the most picturesque season to visit especially one of my favorite places, Queenstown, and marvel at its beautiful lake and alpine scenery when the magical autumn colors come in full swing and transform every landscape into breathtaking palette of reds, oranges and golds. You can take a short drive to Arrowtown, a living historic settlement of restored buildings from the 19th century where you can stroll along its tree-lined streets and be captivated by its amazing autumn scenery. Autumn in Queenstown is a kaleidoscope of fall colors of trees juxtaposed against the splendid cerulean blue lake and the snow-capped mountain tops.

Certainly, steadfast and clear waters allow most outdoor pursuits including hiking, biking, jet boating, horse riding, skydiving, rafting, kayaking, sailing, scenic flight or the Nevis high-wire bungy.  All these and Queenstown being the "Adventure Capital of the World", home to the most unbelievable, adrenalin stirring, sanity-reducing adventures developed by locally residing thrill seekers like the dreaded bungy jump that would surely satisfy your whims for adrenalin rush. You should really see this video below to see what sort of adrenalin activities you can explore in Queenstown New Zealand.

This post is in support of tourism in New Zealand and I'm blogging for blog4NZ...