For being on vacation, our October was sorta hectic. India is incredible, but it is not relaxing. We vowed to make November relaxing. The month of beaches.

We left India feeling full - full of happiness, gratitude, inspiration and exhaustion. Riding on the ferry to Ko Phi Phi, an archipelago off the coast of Thailand, inhaling the salty air and relishing the warm tropical breeze, felt like heaven.

For a few days, all we wanted to do was be beach bums in paradise. And we were. But as always, there is the itch to explore, to see the beauty that each area we visit has to offer. So we signed up for a laid back beach tour and snorkeling trip to Phi Phi Leh, one of the uninhabited islands in Phi Phi (also where the movie The Beach was filmed). As a bonus, we also met up with one of my camp friends who was coincidentally visiting Thailand.

November is the start of high season in Thailand, so we left early one morning to beat the crowds. Below are the photos from our amazing day!

Getting an early start at low tide from our resort on Phi Phi Don, the main island in Phi Phi and the only one with places to stay.

Saying goodbye to our resort for the day.  The view never ceases to amaze me. — Saying goodbye to our resort for the day. The view never ceases to amaze me.

First stop, Maya Beach. This is where The Beach movie was filmed, and unless you get here early or sleep on a boat in the bay overnight, you have no chance of enjoying this place in solitude.

So happy to see it in person.  #bucketlist — So happy to see it in person. #bucketlist

We did a short hike behind the beach, and when we came back, we found this!  Throngs of larger boats carrying 15-20 people each!  And this was only the 8am crowd... — We did a short hike behind the beach, and when we came back, we found this! Throngs of larger boats carrying 15-20 people each! And this was only the 8am crowd...

Time to hop back on our longtail boat.

Another cave called Viking Cave - this one used by hunters of swiftlet (a type of bird) nests, which are then sold to the Chinese who believe eating them boosts virility.  Ick. — Another cave called Viking Cave - this one used by hunters of swiftlet (a type of bird) nests, which are then sold to the Chinese who believe eating them boosts virility. Ick.

Our next stop was to a lagoon where we dove into the water for the first time that day. It was pure paradise!

Really loving Thailand.  That's us in the back. — Really loving Thailand. That's us in the back.

A snorkel trip wouldn't be complete without, well, snorkeling!

A little break to visit a secluded beach.  From here to eternity... — A little break to visit a secluded beach. From here to eternity...

Back underwater.  Starfish! — Back underwater. Starfish!

For about 10 minutes, we were completely encircled by thousands of little fish.  It was such a cool experience! — For about 10 minutes, we were completely encircled by thousands of little fish. It was such a cool experience!

We luckily saw about 15 reef sharks near our lunch spot.  At this point, we felt like old pros after being up close and personal with The Great White. — We luckily saw about 15 reef sharks near our lunch spot. At this point, we felt like old pros after being up close and personal with The Great White.

Our guide Mr. Chet, who runs a local place called Knock Out Bar, brought us a delicious lunch made by his wife. — Our guide Mr. Chet, who runs a local place called Knock Out Bar, brought us a delicious lunch made by his wife.

After a satisfying lunch and even more satisfying underwater expedition, we stopped at the main Phi Phi pier called Tonsai. This area is full of bars, restaurants, hostels, tour operators, etc. This is where people come to party, not to relax.

My long lost friend - Matt Wasserman!  21 years and counting... — My long lost friend - Matt Wasserman! 21 years and counting...

After catching up with Matt and a strenuous hike to a beautiful lookout point, we jumped on a boat back to our resort. Such a good day!

Views of the main island in Phi Phi called Phi Phi Don.

Life's a beach.  Please don't hate us. — Life's a beach. Please don't hate us.

-Michelle