Hippies Bar was a popular beachfront meeting point
Hippies Bar – In the early twilight hours (and after much needed naps and showers following our work on Ko Phi Phi’s Chilli House), several of us reconvened at Hippie’s, a quaint little bar on the shores of Phi Phi island. There, we spent many hours watching the moon dance across the sky while listening to jazzy music and the many poi fire dancers showing off by the shore. These incredibly skilled men and women could twirl their flames so quickly, they were but a mere silhouette against the black sky. Beer was cheap, the sea breezes were a welcome refreshment from the humidity of the day, and the camaraderie was infectious.
Ko Phi Phi Leh – One afternoon, after our work gloves were put away, we hired a local fisherman to take us to Ko Phi Phi Leh, a smaller island to the south. This gorgeous marine park, called Maya Bay, was popularized when parts of the movie “The Beach” were filmed there several years ago. We swam in the turquoise waters and had fun snorkeling by the rocky outcrops. Such exquisite scenery!
Ko Phi Phi Leh
Traveling to Ko Phi Phi Le
Beautiful Maya Bay
Not ready to leave – At first, we only intended to stay on Ko Phi Phi for a few days, but we all fell in love with the island and the charming people. Everyone was extremely friendly, especially to the volunteers. It was very sad to leave since there is so much work to still be done throughout the island. However, it was encouraging to see so many new people arrive each day, eager to lift a hammer or wheel some rubble to and fro. Though our experience on the island was rewarding and humbling, our Thai visas were expiring soon and it was off to Malaysia.
