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Monday, May 27, 2013
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Phuket - Phi Phi Island Tour
Island tour is one of the things from the must-do list in
Phuket. Previously there was a Groupon deal for Phuket tour but we didn’t want
to go through the hassle of contacting and locating the tour agency so decided
to book a tour impromptu when we were there. Before I start the post, read my
review on Sea Sun Sand Resort & Spa and my bikini self-portrait loaded post
at Patong beach if you haven’t! XD
Walking along the streets at Patong, we came across so many
stalls with island tour brochures on display. So many types of tours offered by
different agencies, most advertising at super overpriced rates. The boy
suggested that we book a tour from the hotel desk saying that it’s safer and
more reliable when I saw the price I freaked out and insisted NO! 3600 baht per
person for a normal island tour in a speed boat?! Such a rip off!!! No Asian in
the right head would pay for that! Stingy and calculative Asian like me.
True there are so many agencies selling their tours for
prices above 3000 baht, but it’s not exactly impossible to find an ideal-priced
one. From the past reviews and experiences I read, I decided that the maximum
price I would pay is 1800 baht. Anything below 1500 baht should be considered a
bargain. If I’m not mistaken the deal at Groupon was RM150 although it didn’t
include snorkeling equipment rental.
After going through a few brochures here and there, I
decided to go for a Phi Phi Island speed boat tour by Sea Angel Cruise which was priced at 1500
baht (surprisingly cheap!). Was quite worried cause they didn’t exactly have a
shop but just a small shabby stall. What if it’s a scam? What if she cheats our
money and disappears?? But these are the risks I was ready to take for a
bargained price like this. Besides if we get cheated it would be RM300 only
anyway. Zui duo forget about the island tour lo. LOL.
The lady offered us 1300 baht each which was 200 baht
cheaper than the price stated! I was thinking wow this business must be real
competitive else she wouldn’t reduce the price for us. But at the same time I
thought, so cheap already still got discount? Fishy fishy. But anyhow in the
end the tour van really showed up at our resort so we didn’t get cheated! Hiak
hiak.
Trust me, there’s really no difference between a 1500 baht
tour and a 3500 baht one. Same itenary, same location, same treatment. In fact
I think everyone on our boat paid different prices because I saw the same tour
company – Sea Angel having a few differently-priced brochures advertising the
same thing. The price you pay really depends on how much research you’re
willing to do and how capable you are to bargain.
Woke up at 6.30am to dress up, do my make up and went for
breakfast before the van picked us up at 7.45am. Make up for picture purpose,
don’t judge! Reached the pier, gathered for instructions and all then off we
go! There were 4 speed boats in total departing from Sea Angel Pier that
morning. Our tour includes 3 islands which are Phi Phi Lay, Phi Phi Don and
Khai Island.
First stop was Maya Beach. The beach was so crowded with
tourists and there was nothing better to do besides sun tanning. No snorkeling
or fish feeding as there wasn’t any fish and corals there.
Despite the lack of activity, the beautiful view was exactly
like what you would see in post cards and advertisements though.
Half of the
time I was just dipping my feet into the cold water while admiring the
beautiful scenery.
Left the beach after a brief moment and was brought to see
Viking Cave. Just a ruin, nothing much to see and we didn’t enter the cave.
Just passed by and checked out the place from quite a distance away.
Somewhere near Viking Cave was James Bond Bay (not James
Bond Island) with extremely beautiful blue lagoon! See how blue the water
was!!! No filter. Amazing!
According to the tour guide, Leonardo Dicaprio dived into
the blue lagoon in one of his movies.
Next stop was Monkey Beach. The ang mohs were quite
fascinated with the monkeys but for me it was just meh. I grew up seeing
monkeys at the Tanjung in Muar and they look exactly like these monkeys so
there was nothing special.
After that we were finally brought to the snorkeling site! I
can’t swim and I didn’t want to scare myself entering the deep water so I
decided to stay onboard. Effing dizzy staying on the boat, had to stand up,
inhaled some fresh air and and looked afar to avoid puking.
Snorkeling equipment was included in the tour but we had the
option to rent the flipper for 100 Baht per pair.
If you don’t rent the flipper, you might risk hurting
yourself stepping on sea urchin.
Black nasty thorny creatures! Expensive cuisine though.
Teehee.
Plenty of fishes (albeit only 1 species -.-) there so I
entertained myself throwing breads into the sea and watching them fight over it
XD The boy took some photos and videos underwater for me since I couldn’t see
them for myself.
Oh hello strangers.
Our buffet lunch was served at a small island.
Not impressive but edible. Couldn’t really complain after my
long battle with that puking sensation T_T
Our final stop was Khai Island where we were given a long
time to relax.
1500 Baht for a pair of beach chair. The island was really
small so the shore was filled with speedboats that caused such an eyesore.
Free fruits and soft
drinks as they were included in our package. They went around serving us some
more! Teehee.
Chang beer was 30 Baht at the local marts but 80 Baht at the
beach. Still cheap after all!
Some stalls selling barbequed seafood and corns.
I can haz Pina Colada! ^^
Got into the water and cooled our body before leaving. Fed
the fishes again!
Beware, the fishes bite! Hiak hiak.
Over all Phi Phi Island was good but not awesome. The view
was impressive but I dislike the vast number of tourists. Not the perfect place
for snorkeling either as there wasn’t any corals. Go for the experience if you
haven’t been. But if you’re tight on schedule, I would recommend you to skip
the tour and relax at Patong beach instead :)
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Afternoon Tea at L. Table by Lavender
When was the last time since I last got my hair braided?
High school maybe?
No, I never knew how to braid it myself. Figured I needed a
different HOTD instead of the usual thick and messy mane so I managed to get
the maid to do it yesterday XD
Love my new tribal print blouse from dad’s boutique! One of
the many pretty stuff I got when I went back fro the election last weekend ^^
Was at 1 Utama yesterday and needed a place for afternoon
tea. Always wanted to try the 3-tier tea set at Delicious but I was too full
after lunch to go for that. Went to L. Table at Lavender instead. There isn’t
many choice for tea at 1U after all.
There’s a RM28 tea-set available at L. Table but we ordered
ala carte instead.
Belgium waffle topped with ice-cream. And the waffles come
in heart shapes! So pretty and yummy!
Messy Napoleon. There’s a reason behind this name. Try
cutting into the crunchy pieces and you’ll get it. There are pieces of peach
and just the right amount of cream in between the layers. Simply delicious!
On a random note, I bought a necklace with my initial
engraved on the heart-shaped pendant. Lovely, isn’t it?
The necklace wasn't for me though. LOL.
OOTD:
Tribal print blouse – Attack
Scallop shorts – Bangkok
Belt - Attack
Shoes – Mixit
Neverfull – Louis Vuitton
Clic Clac Bracelet - Hermes
L. Table by Lavender
Address: G213, Ground Floor,
1 Utama Shopping Centre.
Tel: 03- 7728 6933
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