Wonder Why They Call It 'Monkey Beach' — Oh Hai!

Thailand's Phi Phi Islands

Thailand's Phi Phi Islands — Ko Phi Phi Don and Ko Phi Phi Leh — sit off the Andaman Coast, offshore from the town of Krabi. This area was hit hard by the devastating 2004 tsunami, but tourists have returned to this breath-taking mix of jungle and translucent water. L.A. Times staff photographer Wally Skalij captured the spirit of island life while vacationing there last year. For more photo galleries, visit our photography page.


Water: Ko Phi Phi Don


Earth: Maya Bay on Ko Phi Phi Leh


Water: Low tide on Ko Phi Phi Don


Earth: Deep jungle on Ko Phi Phi Don


Water and earth: Small islands surround the Phi Phi Islands


Water: A water taxi on Laem Ton Beach, Ko Phi Phi Don


Earth: Monkey Beach on Ko Phi Phi Don


Water: Flowers on water on Phi Phi Don


Earth: Sunset on Ko Phi Phi Don


Water: A beach view from Ko Phi Phi Don

READ ABOUT THAILAND:

• Dazzling, dizzying Chiang Mai, Thailand
• Unique hotels in Chiang Mai
• Bangkok hotels: As luxe would have it
• Skytrain rises above Bangkok, traffic snarls