Phi-Phi Islands: An escape to turquoise paradise

In the year 2000, when the stunning limestone cliffs and incredibly turquoise waters of Maya Bay, an idyllic spot in Phi Phi Islands in Thailand, first appeared in a Hollywood film, Danny Boyle’s The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, they proved to be a winner for Thailand as Maya Bay became a household name and began attracting thousands of tourists, from all over the world.

To reach Phi Phi island, take a speedboat from Chalong Pier in Phuket

So successful was the film in promoting tourism to Maya Bay that within a few years, the bay and eponymous beach became a victim of their own success and the crowds of tourists led to a dramatic degradation of the environment, forcing the Thai government to close the area to all tourists for almost three years, during which they restored the bay and its marine ecosystem back to its pristine state.

Arriving at Maya Bay almost three years after it reopened, I could immediately understand the reason behind the mad rush of tourists.

To reach this scenic destination, we took a speedboat from Chalong Pier in Phuket. Our journey to this cinematic paradise was part of a familiarisation trip organised by Thai Vietjet, a low-cost airline. The city disappeared behind us as the speedboat cut through the Andaman Sea and I got lost in the beautiful panoramic view. After covering about 10 nautical miles in about 80 minutes, we had arrived at Maya Bay.

As we watched the water colour change from deep blue to brilliant aquamarine, I sat on the deck with wind blowing through my hair. The rocky silhouettes of Phi Phi emerged from the ocean like emerald crowns as sunlight glinted off the waves. For all the Bollywood fans like me, one could practically hear the soundtrack Toh Zinda Ho Tum from the movie Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), playing in their head as the spirit of adventure permeated the air.

After covering about 10 nautical miles or about 19 km, in about 80 minutes, one reaches Maya Bay

Hugged by imposing cliffs that appear to protect it from the outside world, the bay is a crescent of fine white sand. As I walked through the tranquil forest lanes, wading in the pristine shallows, I could feel the enchantment of the shore. The view was so tempting that I could imagine myself diving into the pristine water, exploring the underwater life, but swimming is now prohibited to preserve the delicate ecosystem. The cliffs frame the sky in such a way that every picture looks like a postcard and the water is so clear that I could see tiny fish darting around my ankles.

Returning to the boat, on our way to the next destination, we passed Viking Cave, an enigmatic location on the northeastern shore of Phi Phi. Although you are not allowed inside, from the boat itself, one could see old paintings on the cave walls that are said to resemble Viking ships.

The bay is a crescent of fine white sand

Arriving at the main island of the island group, I found myself immersed in an ambience that had changed quickly from a serene paradise to a bustling island community. Meandering through the tiny lanes, one comes across beach bars, quaint cafés, dive shops and tattoo parlours. The main shopping lane here is a riot of colour and sound, with tiny stores brimming with elephant-print trousers, seashell jewellery and sarongs. I bought some souvenirs and after spending an hour on the island, we headed back and our speedboat took us close to Bamboo Island, which is best known for snorkelling.

While I opted out and stood on the deck, I could see my fellow passengers donning masks and fins, slipping into the sea, splashing and laughing merrily as they explored the kaleidoscope of marine life all around us, with colourful corals, clownfish and parrotfish swaying in the mild current. It is almost like being inside an aquarium.

As the sun began to dip over the horizon, I was back on the boat, stretched out on the deck. The sea was painted gold as the sun disappeared into the Andaman Sea, and all around me, people were talking about their favourite places to snorkel and sharing travel stories.

One can see old paintings on the cave walls that are said to resemble Viking ships

Looking back over the day, I said to myself that Phi Phi Islands are not really a destination, but it is the paradise where my Bollywood dream came true, leaving my heart, soul and mind enchanted for a long while afterwards.

Flying With Thai Vietjet

Thai VietJet, a subsidiary of Vietjet, has made it easier to travel from Bangkok to Mumbai with its daily direct flights between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai and Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. Besides Mumbai, the low-cost airline also connects Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad with Bangkok. Passengers can opt between Sky Boss and Economy classes, eat in-flight and sample an exotic Thai tea for a touch of the local culture.