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Phi Phi Islands

The island paradise made famous by Leonardo de Caprio in "The Beach" is changing fast. Still recovering form the Asian tsunami, Phi Phi island is seeing a new wave of development. The island is one of the main bases for "Island hopping" and diving in the Andaman Sea, tourists are coming back and new upscale resorts are opening their doors.

L: Maya Bay seen form above. The Bay was used as the set for the movie "The Beach"

R: Some beaches on the other side of the island are still undeveloped, Dan lives on his own on this beach. rumor has it a bangkok developer has purchased the land to build a luxury resort.

The main Island, seen form its elevated viewpoint

Luciano Butti, an ex advertising executive from Florence is one of the Island's long term foreign residents; he runs an Italian restaurant and small resort. Luciano's restaurant, Ciao Bella was destroyed by the Dec 2004 tsunami. He barely escaped the wave and fled to high ground where be eventually managed to meet up with some of his staff and his chef, Umberto. They set up an information relay service through mobile phones to help Italians find their loved ones. Determined to not give up his dream, Luciano rebuilt the restaurant and was one o fthe first businesses to reopen after the tsunami. Luciano lost many friends in the disaster but he still decided to stay on and rebuild as well as help locals as much as he could. He wrote a book about his experiences, the proceeds of which go towards helping islanders. Ciao Bella was recently voted best restaurant on the island by Lonely Planet.

L: Sweet and sour fish at Ciao Bella

R: Chef Umberto with his son

L: A young local boy shows off his farther's catch

R: One of the new resorts on the island

L: Maya Bay seen form above

L: A new resort

R: Tsunami evacuation instructions

L: A young muslim girl at the island's tiny market

R: A Monken "sea gypsy" woman

L: Longtail boats seen form above

R: Mai Pai or Bamboo island

L: Ricardo, another Italian resident on Phi Phi takes a shower at a fresh water spring

R: Ricardo's boat

L: Dinner tables are set on the beach at a luxury resort on the far side of the Island

R: A local woman sorts roasted peanuts

L: Ricardo maneuvers his boat

R: Dusk on Phi Phi Island

Poda Island, seen form above

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