Thailand - Stop 7: Koh Phi Phi

The island of Koh Phi Phi was by far the most beautiful group of islands I have ever visited. It is located in the Andaman Sea off the west coast of southern Thailand. We saved this island for last. Understandably, it is very popular among tourists and unfortunately, even in the low season, it is crowded. There are a wide variety of hotels to choose from, some of which are only accessible by taxi boat. A speedboat took us from Koh Lanta to the island group, which was only 30 minutes away. The pier is a very busy hub in the center of the island. Adjacent to it are shops and restaurants for tourists. The view of the sea and the surrounding islands is breathtaking from every part of the island. Therefore, it was a no-brainer for us to stay in accommodation right on the beach. As this stop coincided with my birthday, I was allowed to book our accommodation on the island. I chose two accommodations where we spent 2 nights each. The first accommodation was a wooden hut with access to the beach and was located on the upper side (from the center) of the island. The atmosphere was very peaceful and secluded. One of those dream beaches where you've always wanted to vacation. The water is warm, crystal clear, and perfect for swimming. You are in the middle of nature surrounded by jungle. Since we didn't want to take a taxi boat (the only means of transportation to and from the center), we had someone explain a path that we could walk. You have to keep in mind that the island is mainly jungle. The center only covers a small area where there are sidewalks and buildings. To get there, we had to hike along a footpath over the mountain and through the jungle towards the center. We were accompanied by a dog who lived in the same hotel. On the halfway point, we encountered monkeys that live in the jungle and are not exactly harmless (which we only found out later). However, the monkeys didn't pay us any attention and after a few kilometers, we found ourselves at the most beautiful lookout point on the island with a view of the center and the surroundings. The owners had prepared this place particularly beautifully and understandably requested a fee. During my walks around the island, we encountered cats and their kittens, each one prettier than the other. In the center, you can easily pass the time in the shops, restaurants, and on the beach. For the last 2 of the total of 4 nights on the island, I booked a different accommodation that was a bit closer to the center. I chose this mainly because of the view. And I was not disappointed. This view was definitely part of my top 3 that I have seen so far. From this accommodation, there was also the option to walk to the center. The path was paved, shorter, and far less lonely than the other one. On my birthday, we took part in a longtail boat tour with snorkeling and island hopping. We visited various islands around Koh Phi Phi, the Viking Cave (a limestone cave with wall paintings, where bird's nests are collected for a traditional Chinese soup), and snorkeling at various reefs of the islands. We decided to extend our stay with an additional night at a hotel in the center. This allowed us to go out in the evenings. The city is also lively at night. So it doesn't take long until you stumble upon the next party or fire show. On the last morning, we took a ferry back to Phuket, where a taxi took us to the airport. From there, our journey took us back to Australia and to Perth.

During our stay on Koh Phi Phi, I had the privilege of admiring the most beautiful nature of my life. I will not forget this place and hope strongly that I can come back someday. Normally, I steer clear of anything that is overrun by tourists. But even this fact does not diminish the beauty of the island.