My logic when planning this trip went something like this: "I have booked NZ, and Australia is so close that of course I have to do that.. But who knows when I will be in this part of the world again, so I should probably go to Asia while I'm at it right!?" And that ladies and gentleman is how the plan for this trip around the world started. After some research I found out that Phuket was only 8 hours away from Melbourne, seemingly nothing after my 20 something hour journey to New Zealand. So, two days after my 29th birthday I set off for my 5th continent 😎
For close to 2 months I had relatively been in my comfort zone. Yes I am on the opposite side of the world, but I have had the luxury of visiting countries that not only speak my language, but are relatively similar in culture. I landed in Phuket with no idea how quickly that little bubble was going to be burst. Asia is an amazing place but It is blatantly obvious that you are in another country. It is chaotic, and messy and wonderful.
Upon arriving I was too nervous to hail a taxi so I walked to my hostel..at night..alone. Makes sense right?? Needless to say I somehow made it safely and after a good nights sleep I was ready to see what Thailand was all about. I went to breakfast with absolutely no plan, and no accommodation booked for the next day, but isn't that how all great adventures begin? In the communal kitchen I met another American solo traveler who raved about an island called Koh Phi Phi. He explained just how easy it was to get there and how it was one of the most beautiful places he had ever been. He did not mention how many modes of transport were necessary but that is part of the adventure of Asia, you just never know what is going to come next!
A bus, a tuk tuk, and a ferry later I was finally arriving in the Koh Phi Phi harbor. I have traveled quite a bit in my day but this moment took my breath away. The mountainous terrain jetting up from the crystal clear blue waters was a sight to behold. I had found paradise!
This place was even more beautiful than my new friend described. Upon checking in, I met another solo traveler who was in my dorm and she instantly became my Koh Phi Phi buddy. We checked out the adorable little town that was lined by shops and markets and restaurants offering the most incredible views. We stopped for food and I was so excited to find fried rice in a pineapple!
The next day we did a boat tour around the island. On the itinerary was Monkey Beach, Maya Bay, some snorkeling and evening swim featuring glowing plankton. We boarded the very rickety boat and set off on the adventure of a lifetime! Our first stop was Monkey Beach, which as the name suggests is an a part of the island where hundreds of wild monkeys live. I was absolutely thrilled to disembark and see all of these fur babies running around! Due to hundreds of tourists visiting a day the last thing these monkeys are is shy. I was so excited when one of the little babies started climbing up my arm onto my shoulder, that is, until he mistook my pearl earring for a treat! He pulled that sucker out, popped it in his mouth and ran away before I even had time to react. Luckily, they were fake but the funniest part is another tour guide ended up taking it out of his mouth! He returned the earring to me, bite marks and all. At the very least it's a story and a very unique souvenir!
After doing some snorkeling and having lunch we headed over to Maya Bay. For those of you who have seen The Beach, this is the beach made famous by that movie. It was absolutely one of the most beautiful places I have ever been! The area has since been closed in an effort of conservation. Hundreds of boats of tourists arrive every day and it eventually negatively affects the natural habitat so we were so lucky to spend the afternoon there!
The boat ride ended with the most stunning view of the sunset and some glow plankton snorkeling! Once there was no longer light, we could see the plankton glow as it came in contact with our arms. Overall, this was one one of the best excursions I did. If you are ever in Koh Phi Phi, I highly recommend this type of boat tour. There is so much to see around the island and it makes it easy to do it all in one day!
The next day the tourism continued. Since I only had a few days in Koh Phi Phi, I wanted to make the absolute most of it! Which is why despite the 95 degree heat, I decided to do a hike to the top of the island. It was a tough climb, but the 360 degree panorama of the island made it worth it! Here I am, sweaty and exhausted but loving the view!
After such a rigorous morning, I decided to opt for a more relaxed afternoon. My friend Steph and I heard about a pool party in a nearby hotel so we decided to check it out. We were not disappointed! The hotel was right on the beach and had the most spectacular view, and the pool was complete with a swim up bar! We blissfully spent the afternoon swimming around in the pool, playing beach volleyball, then taking a dip in the ocean. Ohhhh that amazing travel life!
For close to 2 months I had relatively been in my comfort zone. Yes I am on the opposite side of the world, but I have had the luxury of visiting countries that not only speak my language, but are relatively similar in culture. I landed in Phuket with no idea how quickly that little bubble was going to be burst. Asia is an amazing place but It is blatantly obvious that you are in another country. It is chaotic, and messy and wonderful.
Upon arriving I was too nervous to hail a taxi so I walked to my hostel..at night..alone. Makes sense right?? Needless to say I somehow made it safely and after a good nights sleep I was ready to see what Thailand was all about. I went to breakfast with absolutely no plan, and no accommodation booked for the next day, but isn't that how all great adventures begin? In the communal kitchen I met another American solo traveler who raved about an island called Koh Phi Phi. He explained just how easy it was to get there and how it was one of the most beautiful places he had ever been. He did not mention how many modes of transport were necessary but that is part of the adventure of Asia, you just never know what is going to come next!
A bus, a tuk tuk, and a ferry later I was finally arriving in the Koh Phi Phi harbor. I have traveled quite a bit in my day but this moment took my breath away. The mountainous terrain jetting up from the crystal clear blue waters was a sight to behold. I had found paradise!
This place was even more beautiful than my new friend described. Upon checking in, I met another solo traveler who was in my dorm and she instantly became my Koh Phi Phi buddy. We checked out the adorable little town that was lined by shops and markets and restaurants offering the most incredible views. We stopped for food and I was so excited to find fried rice in a pineapple!
The next day we did a boat tour around the island. On the itinerary was Monkey Beach, Maya Bay, some snorkeling and evening swim featuring glowing plankton. We boarded the very rickety boat and set off on the adventure of a lifetime! Our first stop was Monkey Beach, which as the name suggests is an a part of the island where hundreds of wild monkeys live. I was absolutely thrilled to disembark and see all of these fur babies running around! Due to hundreds of tourists visiting a day the last thing these monkeys are is shy. I was so excited when one of the little babies started climbing up my arm onto my shoulder, that is, until he mistook my pearl earring for a treat! He pulled that sucker out, popped it in his mouth and ran away before I even had time to react. Luckily, they were fake but the funniest part is another tour guide ended up taking it out of his mouth! He returned the earring to me, bite marks and all. At the very least it's a story and a very unique souvenir!
After doing some snorkeling and having lunch we headed over to Maya Bay. For those of you who have seen The Beach, this is the beach made famous by that movie. It was absolutely one of the most beautiful places I have ever been! The area has since been closed in an effort of conservation. Hundreds of boats of tourists arrive every day and it eventually negatively affects the natural habitat so we were so lucky to spend the afternoon there!
The boat ride ended with the most stunning view of the sunset and some glow plankton snorkeling! Once there was no longer light, we could see the plankton glow as it came in contact with our arms. Overall, this was one one of the best excursions I did. If you are ever in Koh Phi Phi, I highly recommend this type of boat tour. There is so much to see around the island and it makes it easy to do it all in one day!The next day the tourism continued. Since I only had a few days in Koh Phi Phi, I wanted to make the absolute most of it! Which is why despite the 95 degree heat, I decided to do a hike to the top of the island. It was a tough climb, but the 360 degree panorama of the island made it worth it! Here I am, sweaty and exhausted but loving the view!
After such a rigorous morning, I decided to opt for a more relaxed afternoon. My friend Steph and I heard about a pool party in a nearby hotel so we decided to check it out. We were not disappointed! The hotel was right on the beach and had the most spectacular view, and the pool was complete with a swim up bar! We blissfully spent the afternoon swimming around in the pool, playing beach volleyball, then taking a dip in the ocean. Ohhhh that amazing travel life!
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