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Published: April 13th 2008
From Luang Prabang (Laos) we flew to Bangkok (Thailand). We’d heard that the journey to northern Thailand via the river was a long, uncomfortable and hard journey, so we thought we’d miss that experience! We’ve already endured long slow boat journeys, sitting on hard wooden bench seats for hours on end.
If you are a traveller in search of beauty and tranquility; don’t go to Ko Phi Phi, head for Ko Lipe!! Read below.
Bangkok We did the usual in Bangkok, stayed in Rambuttri Village Hotel and spent time wondering the air-con shopping centres, absorbed the backpackers atmosphere on Khao San Road and relaxed by the hotel pool. From Bangkok we headed south to Krabi on an over night bus. This was fine, but we were dropped off at the ferry port, which we hadn’t anticipated. As we were there, with little itinerary, we decided to continue our travels to an island. Koh Phi Phi was next departing, so off we went.
Koh Phi Phi - too busy, too ruined. Ok, well, we didn’t read the guide book until after we’d been. Mistake. It was overrun with tourists, and more expensive than other Thai areas. The beach
had umbrellas continuing into the distance, each with deck chairs. Just too many people here. The islands town had many bars and restaurants, some classer than others. We came across a bar with a boxing ring, and also another had numerous TV sets wired up to the xbox game, Fifa, why, oh why, oh why?? The island has some lovely scenery which has been spoilt but the mass blot of tourism concentrated in the middle. We booked a room for 2 nights, but stupidly fell into a trap of paying a tourist tout before seeing it. The room was absolutely tiny, and wasn’t a bungalow as we’d wanted. The walls were made of plywood, so we heard everything around us, including some English yobs trying to break into their room because they’d lost their key. There was a swimming pool that we made good use of though!
We’re 30 something gapers, looking for an edge of sophistication, slight tranquillity and away from the package holiday makers. Ko Phi Phi would be enjoyed by many 20 something’s who like a touch of paradise and a night life.
So we stayed our 2 nights and left for Ko Lanta, now that’s different
story!
Ko Lanta, quiet enough, great beaches to be found Hotel touts were on the boat to Koh Lanta, so we read their info and agreed to have a look at Riveria Hotel. Well it did have a pool and direct access onto the beach for a bargain price, we couldn’t resist. It turned out to be an amazing place to stay. The room was clean, the pool was big enough to do a few laps in and it was really quiet. It didn’t take much for us to say “yes we’ll have a room”, which was a mini bungalow style room, not far from the pool. The hotel had a beach front casual bar to chill out in during the evening too.
During our stay on Ko Lanta, we hired a motorbike (scooter type), and drove around the whole of the island. Not much to see, a quiet island with a hint of tourism on the beach areas. It was like being on holiday (again!).
After a few days we knew we should continue with our travels, but didn’t want another Koh Phi Phi experience, so we decided to go to Ko Lipe.
Ko Lipe - oh yes this is the island above the rest!!!! Fantastic!!
Now this island was well worth the nearly 7 hours on a boat!! It was exactly what we’d been looking for. Despite it being a Thai holiday and accommodation booked up, there still were quiet beachy areas to be found. It was in Ko Lipe where the water was most beautiful glassy turquoise colour. The sand was powdery white, and the sea was really warm. A completely breathtaking island. During the evening we had a choice of restaurants, all pretty cheap, and my favourites are on the beach overlooking the sea and gazing up at the stars. It was so relaxing and romantic, eating by candle light with sand between my toes.
The island itself has no roads, only locals have scooters riding along the sandy tracks.
We were lucky enough to stay for 12 nights, and in 3 different resorts.
Koh Lipe in Thailand, is one of our top destinations so far, and we've seen a few places now! The sea so beautiful and the island developed in an understated way. I want to go back!!!
From Koh Lipe we travelled by boat to Langkawi
Koh Lipe So fabulous!!
Never have i ever experienced sea like this!!in Malaysia.
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paradise
I want to go there and take an oap gap year but I will have to have a case with wheels!