The view of Koh Phi Phi as you approach on the ferry is just as spectacular as it has ever been with the imposing limestone cliffs eventually giving way to the flat area in the middle where the shops, restaurants and bars are concentrated.

What was definitely not there in 1994 was the McDonald’s, Burger King, Taco Bell and Subway.

Pip and I don’t have children, which is why this trip was so easy to undertake without any planning, and I understand that kids often dictate meal choices, but I have never got my head around adults who travel to other countries and cultures but then do not want to experience them or try the food. Is the end game a Thai version of Benidorm? (nothing against the place as we have visited regularly and love the old town).

Allowing these chains to build on Koh Phi Phi, when there are lots of local restaurants that offer Western dishes in addition to local cuisine just seems wrong but unfortunately money talks and they are only there because they are profitable.

When I first went to Phi Phi in 94 it took us 3 extra days to leave as the bottle deals in the bars (a bottle of Mekhong Thai whisky and a coke) were so cheap and the place was so much fun that we ended up partying too hard and sleeping well past the ferry time. I think the first day we tried to leave we woke up at 1pm when the ferry left at 9am.

The number of long-tail boats moored up now is immense. Because we arrived during the low season most of them never moved during our stay but given how loud those engines are I guess that peace and tranquility is a pipedream in high season.