be my pp valentine

so it turns out there's a rule on phi phi when it comes to the holidays... go big, or go home. this counts for christmas (apparently) and new year (most definitely), but also, most recently, for valentine's day. (i know i'm about a month late with this post, but think of it more as me being 11 months early)..

we love fireworks on phi phi.. nye2013

so on v-day the island is literally covered in red and pink balloons and every shop sells roses and every boy you see seems to be carrying one. and of course there are fireworks. there are always fireworks.

our lovely bar didn't disappoint, either. lots of decorations (above left) and a heart-shaped ring of fire (below) for partygoers to jump through. pretty much everyone working here is coupled up so presents were getting exchanged all night, and we all wore rose transfer tattoos and took polaroids of each other like it was the summer of love all over again. which, on phi phi, it kind of is... every day.

the boy got me a single red rose and a big framed loveheart made out of roses, saying it can go above the bed in our new room when we finally find one. i got him a manchester united shirt and a couple of baseball caps (they're a big thing out here, the fireboys freakin' love them; see the boy playing with the heart-ring above).

   

i guess the moral of the story is that, this valentine's day on phi phi, love was most definitely in the air. (aww!)

lots of love,
c xx

c's guide to loving life

sometimes, when the view is so pretty, you forget you're supposed to be making a living, and making a life.

so, it doesn't take much to figure out how to be happy when you live in paradise. but like anywhere else, there are practicalities to deal with.

i guess anyone reading this blog might have an interest in doing something similar to what i'm doing right now, so i feel like i should offer up any pieces of wisdom i've collected so far.

so under the "word on the street" tab, you'll find practical bits of advice on starting a new life on phi phi, or even just visiting short-term.

i hope it's helpful!

lots of love,
c xx