I'm Anne-Cathrin, 21 years old, and this year I took my first backpacking trip.
Beforehand, I researched which countries would be the most suitable for beginners and that's how I came across Thailand.
I'm a dual student, so I have limited time and money to travel. Thailand is one of the best places to start as a backpacker.
2 months before departure, I booked a round-trip flight from Düsseldorf to Bangkok. The cost was about 560 euros.
We had a layover in Kuala Lumpur, but when the excitement is so huge, the extra hours don't matter ;).
Day 1-2 Bangkok
The roundabout at the famous Khan San Road
No visit to one of the coolest skybars in the world is complete without a cocktail! We did a lot of walking on the first day because we weren't sure how to use the Skytrain. But it's actually quite simple. Just click on the station you want to go to and the price will be displayed. Don't forget to take a ride on the public boat. It's a great way to get to the temples and the Grand Palace. The Grand Palace You should also definitely eat at one of the night markets. It's really an experience in itself ;). Day 3 - Ao Nang To be honest, I had enough of Bangkok quickly. The air is stuffy and dirty, and it's horribly noisy. So on the 3rd day, I decided to move on. I spontaneously booked a flight to Krabi. At the airport, I met other backpackers and we took a taxi together to Ao Nang because I had heard that Krabi itself is not very nice. The beach of Ao Nang When we arrived there, we unfortunately found that it was raining constantly, so I bought a ferry ticket to Ko Phi Phi for the next morning. This was very easy to do at the hostel where I spent the night (called 'Ao Nang Backpacker'). Day 4-6 - Koh Phi Phi When I arrived on Koh Phi Phi, I found a hostel called 'JT House'. The hostel wasn't anything special, but it was completely sufficient and above all clean. I stayed there for 2 nights. There is a sort of pool party on the beach on Wednesdays and Fridays. We partied there until the morning. There are also fire shows on the beach, as well as limbo and other party games. The beaches are beautiful and if you explore the island a bit, you can find quieter spots that are not so crowded. There is also a beautiful viewpoint. The port of Koh Phi Phi Sunset in the evening Beautiful sky! Day 7-9 - Koh Lanta The next day, I took the ferry to Koh Lanta. There is less partying and more relaxing there. Just what you need after the party nights on Koh Phi Phi. I stayed in a kind of bungalow for the next few days. The hostel was called 'Hey Beach Hostel'. As the name suggests, it was located right on the beach. It had a chill-out area and hammocks, and was perfect for relaxing. In the evening, I followed my map to a sort of viewpoint. It was actually a resort, but you could sit there, have a drink, and enjoy one of the best sunsets ever. The bar with a wonderful view Middle of the jungle & a beautiful deserted beach Day 10-11 - Tonsai Beach (Railey) Then we took the ferry to Tonsai. The place is known for climbing and relaxing. Mushroom shakes and other substances are sold there. As a result, everyone is very relaxed. The island has little electricity and there are no roads. The hostels are all hidden behind a forest. It's probably the coolest place I've ever been. The view of the sea in the morning Our hut without electricity (super cool experience) The labeled mushroom shakes Day 10-13 - Back to Ao Nang Since I had to start my journey back home soon, I decided to go back to Ao Nang. I did a day trip to a mountain, which took me 4 hours to climb, and had a day of relaxation. On my last evening before returning to Bangkok, I stayed at the Ao Nang Party Hostel and had the wildest night in a long time. Both the hostel and the tours and pub crawls are highly recommended! The climb was definitely worth it! By the way, I stayed at the Nara Hotel in Bangkok for all three nights. It was affordable and had a pool and a delicious breakfast buffet. Then, unfortunately, it was time to go back home.... I learned a lot from the trip, and it definitely won't be my last. In total, I spent 820 euros on the trip including the flight.
