Tom and Rach arrive to surprise me as I'm checking and we head out to the bar next door for some holiday cocktails! The first of many more to come. Phuket is literally a stop off for the night before we get the ferry over to Phi Phi at 8.30am. I'm dreading it. After many boat trips of feeling extremely sick in Australia I fear I might be really ill. But surprisingly not. I even make it up onto the top deck just as we are approaching the islands. The view is breathtaking.
We've got a short wait for the boat to pick us up from the port and take us to the resort. From what I can see Phi Phi Don is stunning. Our resort, Villa' 360, is at Ao Lo Bakao, a fine stretch of palm-backed sand, ringed by dramatic hills and offshore views of Bamboo and Mosquito Island (ironically as you will read later on!) Our Villa' 360 long boat collects us and we are soon on our way heading north around the island. I can not wait to see the place that we will be staying.
Welcome to Villa' 360. Wow. Despite all the pictures on the website I can safely say that what we had just arrived at was breathtkaing. I haven't had a "do I need to pinch myself" moment for a while now. Until now. Tom did good picking this place. I think I'm going to enjoy my stay here.
Villa' 360 is tucked into a leafy green hillside and each of the 33 villas has a total living space of 59 sqm with a private balcony and a spectacular view of the Krabi mainland and the Andaman Sea. I have a villa to myself and I feel like I am in paradise. Even the bathtub has a view! As the villas are all located on the hillside you get around on motorised golf buggies. Quite a novelty, but scary when on such a steep incline.
It's time to explore...well the pool anyways! I'm still amazed and after a quick dip in the pool I spend the rest of the afternoon on a sunlounger taking in the view (and having a cheeky nap).I am so lucky. The last six months since learning that I go the job in Singapore and actually making the move have been a whirlwind. So much has happened and I've had so much to think about. It's now December 2010 and this time last year I had no idea that I would be spending Christmas on an island in the middle of the Andaman Sea. My life is completely different now to this time last year and I am loving every minute of it.
It's happy hour. My favourite hour! A few free Phi Phi Paradise and Lady Boys later and dinner is an all you can eat buffet of local and western cuisine at neighbouring resort Phi Phi Island Village, which is a short walk along the beach. Despite not really doing a lot, apart from travelling, we are all exhausted! I can not wait to get into bed! The following morning the view from breakfast is unreal. I never want to leave this island. Imagine waking up to this view every morning?
So, it's Christmas Eve. What should we do? Hire a private long boat and explore the island? Yes please!
By lunchtime, the three of us are cruising around the island taking in even more breathtaking views and spending most of the day snorkelling. This brings back so many memories of Australia and New Zealand. Except I'm now in Thailand swimming amongst hundreds of fish and having the time of my life. I'm not that confident in the water, I don't really think I have ever been to be honest, but I have to embrace every minute! There's no stopping Rachel. She basically is the little mermaid!
Our Christmas Eve adventure takes us around the islands. Phi Phi Leh is the smaller of the two islands and is protected on all sides by roaring cliffs. The water is crystal clear. There are two gorgeous lagoons one of which is Ao Maya on the western coast. In 1999 this lagoon was controversially used as the setting for the filming of The Beach. I've not read the book, or seen the film, but am inspired. So inspired in fact I bought the book today. We also visit Monkey Beach. A 220 metre stretch of sand where monkeys head to the beach for tourists to feed them. As you all know, my love animals isn't great. I leave Tom to get involved! Four hours later and we are heading back to the villas. All looking slightly pinker than we were when we set off. It's extremely hot and whilst out at sea there is no way of getting away from the sun.
The resort host a Christmas Eve Gala. None of us really know what to expect. Free cocktails on arrival. I am in my element. Whilst sat at the bar a gentleman comes up to order a soft drink. Tom recognises the accent from up North. We all get introduced and it turns out that Ant is a musician. Not just any musician. He's the front man of the band, The Hours, and was previously part of Pulp. Amazing. Ant joins us for dinner and the four of us indulge in amazing food and very interesting conversations. It turns out not only has Ant written songs for Robbie Williams, he also shared a flat with him back when he was in Take That. Small world and all that. We're the last group of people left at the end of the evening, Rachel's been singing with the guy who's been providing music throughout the evening, we've had fireworks (a little too close for comfort), we've laughed watching tiny Thai girls dancing, we've eaten turkey but sadly no trimmings, we've had pressies from the resort and I've had far too many Phi Phi Paradise (Karen coloured) cocktails!
So, my second Christmas away from home has arrived. The three of us sit out on the balcony of Tom and Rachel's villa to open our pressies. I receive a gorgeous Pandora charm for my bracelet, to remind me of my time in Singapore, a Merlion. Perfect. Thank you Tom and Rach. I've been secretly planning with Tom's mum to get the guys a massage on behalf of Tom's little brother so after breakfast the guys head off to relax and I do the same, but by the pool with my book! Certainly not how I'd be spending Christmas if I was at home. I'm thinking of everyone as I lie in the sun, half of me wishes I was there with everyone on Christmas morning, especially as Chris and Terresa will be there this year, but the other half of me wouldn't swap this for anything! Sorry mum. Sorry dad.
Christmas lunch this year consists of spring rolls and Phad Thai. It totally doesn't taste like Mum's roast dinner, but she has assured me that I will get the full monty when I get home in January. I'm so looking forward to that. A few cheeky Karen coloured cocktails later and Christmas night is spent raiding the mini bar and watching Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. A great phone call home to the Cole household and wonderful news from Jennie on her engagement and Christmas day is over. I think you can see from the smiles on our faces, that this Christmas is certainly going to be one that we won't forget.
Tom and Rach do a Boxing Day fishing trip and I meet them at the same place we had our Christmas lunch for an amazing lunch of freshly caught fish, cooked up by a local who lives on the island. Sweet and sour fish and Fish Thai Green Curry. It doesn't get fresher than this. And it tastes incredible.
My time on Phi Phi is nearly over, and my last day is spent lying by the pool finishing off my second book. I am 100% relaxed and I feel so chilled out. Apart from the mosquito bites! My legs are so itchy! Mum...I'm taking you with me next time. Whenever I'm with you I don't get bitten!
I leave the island at 1.30pm and a long boat takes me back to the port where I jump onto the ferry and get comfortable to watch Avatar. When I reach Phuket it's easy to get a mini bus to the airport and I figured that it was going far too smoothly for my liking. An hour later as I wait for the check in desk to open I receive a text off Jetstar to let me know that my flight has been delayed until midnight! I'm annoyed for all of about 30 minutes until I clear passport control and head straight for a 60 minute Thai massage. God I love living in Asia. You won't get this at Cardiff International Airport that's for sure.
I arrived home at 4am this morning and have spent the day continuing my holiday. Victoria and I catch up over a Japenese lunch and head to Orchard Road for a manicure and pedicure. It's 10.30pm now and I'm shattered. Back to work tomorrow for 2 and a half days before the New Years celebrations with Mikey begin. Ten of us have tickets to party at New Asia Bar, a bar on the 71st floor of the Swissotel in the centre of the city. I can not wait to see in 2011 here. I have a feeling it is going to be a great year!
I hope you all had a great Christmas and enjoy your new year celebrations!
Sounds amazing Karen, I wish I was there with you soooo much! The three of you all look very healthy and happy. Looking forward to hearing all of your stories when I see you in Feb xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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