Destination: Thailand
Places you visited: Phi Phi island, Krabi and Phuket
Best cuisine: Pad Thai noodles and pancakes. Seafood. Spring rolls.
Breathtaking moments: Swimming and snorkelling in the blue green sea at Phi Phi, The Big Buddha, Island hopping in Krabi: the Chicken Island and Tup island (multiple islands connected together at low tide)
One local word that you learnt: Khob khun Kha/Khrap (Thank you) , Swadikha/ Swadikhrap (Hello)
Few Lines about the people there: There are two kinds of people. The locals and the tourists. Thai people are very polite and hospitable. The tourists are highly carefree. And there are plenty of Indians everywhere
One Must Try / Best Things to Do there: Don’t just do tourist spots. Do something that matters to you. Do drive across cities from Phuket to Krabi. The roads are beautiful, bendy and scenic. A drive across cities shows some awesome views. An island hopping tour in Krabi is a must for a lifetime worth of experiences. Watch the sea merge from blue to green. Yes, the water looks exactly as green as in photos. Snorkel at exotic points. Watch as the sands separate multiple islands at low tide. Stay a while at Phi Phi. It has some amazing resorts and a chance to just experience the beauty of the sea and sands at a relaxed pace. Just walk across the sea and swim with the fishes. Watch the beach expand at low tides and fill up again almost magically the next day. Do take a long tail boat tour acros some of the islands, maybe even at sunset. Try the Phuket city tour. Don't miss the big Buddha, Chalong temple or Karon viewpoint. Do go to the old market place. Do watch a Thai show and visit a theme park.
Your advice for ‘Essentials to carry’: Lightweight swim suits, coverups, sarong, colorful dresses, sunglasses, sunscreen, slipppers and you are done!
And books and card games for travel.
A good internet connection to navigate. And a portable charger. Carry cash and cards. Carry only a little cash a day to avoid stress in touristy places. Where possible, try to prebook and prepay so that there is less to carry or worry about
Details:
Plan your travel across cities taking into account the distance across cities, keeping less activity on the first and the last day if you have some days of travelling. We started with Krabi, then moved on to Phi Phi and culminated it at Phuket.
The best part was the clear, green water merging into blue at places. Krabi offers a mix of quaint city life and beaches. It's good for trying street food, getting your hair braided, going shopping and getting a thai massage. Of course keep some time for island hopping. The drive from the airport to Krabi gives you a glimpse of many cities along the mendering scenic roads. Soak in the culture.
Phi phi is about relaxation and sea life. If you stay in Phi phi, it's worth having less activities planned there and taking things as you go in the flow. Whether it is walking across the lowtides, snorkelling or seeking a sunset spot. The resorts are fabulous. Try a high end one and bask in the luxury and thai hospitality with a sea view everywhere. Lie on a hammok and feel the waves gently brush you by. Eat a pizza at the beach! Eat seafood. Swim with a view of the sea. Click pics worth a lifetime of memories.
While in Phi Phi is travellers can rest their weary souls, Phuket is for explorers. The best way to get to know thai culture in a short time in to plan a city tour. Visit temples, the factories, the outworldly experience of Big Buddha and of course sop by many scenic viewpoints in between. Go to old city for shopping and bargaining. Do book a show experience Thailand's mini fantasy world at Fantasea or similar other enteryainment units. For the more adventurous there are also many waterparks. I loved Phuket's old market's structure and Big Buddha. It was special to hear the history of the monks of Chalong temple. We had our first honey ice cream and loved it at the bee keeping place. Having twisted my foot at Phi Phi, I could only hobble along in Phuket but it didn't frop me from the Big Buddha climb. At the rest of the places, I enjoyed the serenity of the environment.
When you are travelling alone or in a small group, it's completely ok to custom-plan based on the experiences you want to take back rather than standard tours. But it may just make sense to stretch a little more and see a little more. Generally 1-2 landmark points a day is good, keeping a buffer day in each city.
Lastly, it's not only about the sea but the water does leave one spellbound and it calls back to the soul to come back to it just as we did, after 12 years. The second trip left us just as in awe as the first one. While the first was a getting to know, the second built deeper into the connections without a hint of disappointment.