Hong, Samui, Phi Phi: Koh hopping in Thailand

Thailand has hundreds of islands, it’s hard deciding which ones to visit.

During our month in Thailand, we managed to visit a handful of big and little islands while in the south: Hong, Samui, Phi Phi and Pha Ngan which you already know, that’s where we had an epic night at the full moon party. Now find out what we did on the other islands.

Koh Hong

Koh Hong was not on the original plans but when our Ao Nang hotel suggested we’d enjoy the small and picturesque island minus the Railey crowd, we jumped on the idea. Plus, we ended up paying nothing to share a taxi boat with other hotel guests!

I love Koh Hong for the peace and seclusion. We fed fishes, relaxed on the beach and took silly honeymoon-y photos without the hoards of tourists in the way.

 IMG_8551-001  DSC_0171

DSC_0104

Koh Samui

We took a ferry boat from Koh Pha Ngan to Koh Samui, our last island stop before leaving the south of Thailand. From there, a short shared song teow taxi ride brought us to our hotel in Chaweng, a popular strip to stay on Koh Samui.

IMG_9420

You can see national parks and waterfalls and catch a Muay Thai fight here on the island, it’s the popular thing to do. To be honest, we were still recuperating from the full moon party and did absolutely nothing – we were beach bums. We also had arguably the best Thai massages ever on the strip!

IMG_9414-002

Gerard and I shared a memorable lunch at Ninja Crepes Restaurant where we enjoyed some classics: papaya salad, shrimp pad thai, mango stick rice and pineapple shake!

Koh Phi Phi

Phi Phi island is where we got our activities on: we kayaked to monkey island which has stunning beaches but the monkeys scare the crap out of me. They’ll chase you into the waters if you tease then with bananas.

IMG_8764

IMG_8813  IMG_8825

We snorkeled around Phi Phi island and visited the popular Maya Bay. It’s also a great place to go diving though we chickened out last minute. We eventually build up the courage to do it in Indonesia but regret not having done it here in the first place.

IMG_8964

You may not find decent Thai food on the island, but you sure can get cheap pizza by the slice, decent Italian cuisine and delicious German bakeries. Weird, right?

The island is pedestrian friendly, no cars allowed. I love weaving through the narrow streets by day and enjoy the party beach scene by night. Next to Pha Ngan, it’s the party island most tourists flock to for buckets, beach and a good time.

DSC_0129  IMG_8701

On our last day on Phi Phi island, we hiked a popular trail to the top for this view! We also came down with a bajillion mosquito bites.. :T

IMG_9071

Unfortunately, we did not have enough time in the south to visit Koh Tao, I hear it’s the best place for diving. We had to make our way up north to ring in Songkran in Chiang Mai. But that only means we have new Kohs to visit for when we return, and you can bet, we will return. Thailand is one of my favorite of countries. It’s tourist friendly and easy to get around not to mention a lot of fun and really, really cheap.

What’s your favorite Koh in Thailand?

You might like:

Share and Enjoy

Pinterest

, , , , , , , , , ,

50 Responses to Hong, Samui, Phi Phi: Koh hopping in Thailand

  1. Christina April 23, 2013 at 9:40 am #

    There’s nothing wrong with being beach bums! 🙂 That food looks delish, would love some mango sticky rice and shrimp pad thai right now

    • Kieu - GQ trippin April 25, 2013 at 10:46 pm #

      I’m craving Thai food too! Must find me some papaya salad.

  2. Christina April 23, 2013 at 9:40 am #

    There’s nothing wrong with being beach bums! 🙂 That food looks delish, would love some mango sticky rice and shrimp pad thai right now

    • Kieu - GQ trippin April 25, 2013 at 10:46 pm #

      I’m craving Thai food too! Must find me some papaya salad.

  3. Andi Perullo de Ledesma April 23, 2013 at 1:39 pm #

    What a gorgeous location!!!!!

  4. Andi Perullo de Ledesma April 23, 2013 at 1:39 pm #

    What a gorgeous location!!!!!

  5. The World of Deej April 24, 2013 at 5:28 am #

    I’m hoping to go Koh hopping. Say that 10 times fast…

  6. The World of Deej April 24, 2013 at 5:28 am #

    I’m hoping to go Koh hopping. Say that 10 times fast…

  7. Tony K + Steph H April 24, 2013 at 7:04 am #

    I think you made the right move, checking out just 3 islands instead of madly dashing about trying to cram more in! I’m not saying that each place doesn’t have its own vibe, but if you visit a ton of places in quick succession, you don’t really give yourself the chance to really enjoy where you are, and I think it makes it harder to appreciate each place as they all start to blend together. In the end, if you find a place with a bech and a vibe you love, we figure there is no need to go rushing about trying to top that!

  8. Steph (@ 20 Years Hence) April 24, 2013 at 7:04 am #

    I think you made the right move, checking out just 3 islands instead of madly dashing about trying to cram more in! I’m not saying that each place doesn’t have its own vibe, but if you visit a ton of places in quick succession, you don’t really give yourself the chance to really enjoy where you are, and I think it makes it harder to appreciate each place as they all start to blend together. In the end, if you find a place with a bech and a vibe you love, we figure there is no need to go rushing about trying to top that!

  9. Raul (@ilivetotravel) April 24, 2013 at 6:03 pm #

    Wow, that all looks like paradise, guys!! Rough life! 🙂 Now I really want to go!

  10. Raul (@ilivetotravel) April 24, 2013 at 6:03 pm #

    Wow, that all looks like paradise, guys!! Rough life! 🙂 Now I really want to go!

  11. Anglo Italian April 24, 2013 at 11:32 pm #

    We’ve been to Thailand twice now and the only island we’ve been to for a very short time is Phuket and we weren’t impressed. I guess we must come back a third time to see more Khos, it looks like we are missing out! 🙂

  12. Anglo Italian April 24, 2013 at 11:32 pm #

    We’ve been to Thailand twice now and the only island we’ve been to for a very short time is Phuket and we weren’t impressed. I guess we must come back a third time to see more Khos, it looks like we are missing out! 🙂

  13. Lauren DiMarco April 25, 2013 at 10:57 am #

    gah! i want to go. it looks so romantic. how would it be as a girls trip or solo traveler? gorgeous photos and YES weird about the Thai food

    • Kieu - GQ trippin April 25, 2013 at 10:49 pm #

      We actually didn’t see many couples or honeymooners. A lot of singles looking to have a good time so it’s perfect for girls trip or solo travelers! 😉

  14. lola April 25, 2013 at 10:57 am #

    gah! i want to go. it looks so romantic. how would it be as a girls trip or solo traveler? gorgeous photos and YES weird about the Thai food

    • Kieu - GQ trippin April 25, 2013 at 10:49 pm #

      We actually didn’t see many couples or honeymooners. A lot of singles looking to have a good time so it’s perfect for girls trip or solo travelers! 😉

  15. Lazy Travelers April 25, 2013 at 11:34 am #

    would not expect to find a good german bakery on a thai island. who knew! ps- love the picture of you two lovebirds under water. true romance.

  16. Lazy Travelers April 25, 2013 at 11:34 am #

    would not expect to find a good german bakery on a thai island. who knew! ps- love the picture of you two lovebirds under water. true romance.

  17. Anita Mac April 27, 2013 at 5:36 am #

    Love the pedestrian only islands…sounds like paradise. Have never visited any of the islands of Thailand….but something not crazy and full of drunken backpackers sounds right up my alley! Love your photos – the snorkelling one is so cute and love the romantic kiss on the beach! Nice.

    • Kieu - GQ trippin April 29, 2013 at 8:18 am #

      Oh Phi Phi definitely has the drunken backpackers, but they only surfaced at night. LOL.

  18. Anita Mac April 27, 2013 at 5:36 am #

    Love the pedestrian only islands…sounds like paradise. Have never visited any of the islands of Thailand….but something not crazy and full of drunken backpackers sounds right up my alley! Love your photos – the snorkelling one is so cute and love the romantic kiss on the beach! Nice.

    • Kieu - GQ trippin April 29, 2013 at 8:18 am #

      Oh Phi Phi definitely has the drunken backpackers, but they only surfaced at night. LOL.

  19. The World Wanderer April 27, 2013 at 9:51 am #

    I haven’t made it to the islands of Thailand yet, so this is a great guide for me. 🙂 Monkeys also scare the crap out of me…hate them!

  20. The World Wanderer April 27, 2013 at 9:51 am #

    I haven’t made it to the islands of Thailand yet, so this is a great guide for me. 🙂 Monkeys also scare the crap out of me…hate them!

  21. Maki | Moon River Travels April 29, 2013 at 7:42 am #

    I’ve never had mango sticky rice but looks delish! Thailand is beautiful, definitely on my MUST GO list.

  22. Maki | Moon River Travels April 29, 2013 at 7:42 am #

    I’ve never had mango sticky rice but looks delish! Thailand is beautiful, definitely on my MUST GO list.

  23. Athena April 30, 2013 at 6:38 am #

    How many nights did you guys stay on each of those islands? Really loving koh hong and koh phi phi..

    • Kieu - GQ trippin May 6, 2013 at 11:46 pm #

      Hrmm… at least two days on the islands. Phi Phi and Pha Ngan I think it was about 4. 🙂

  24. Athena April 30, 2013 at 6:38 am #

    How many nights did you guys stay on each of those islands? Really loving koh hong and koh phi phi..

    • Kieu - GQ trippin May 6, 2013 at 11:46 pm #

      Hrmm… at least two days on the islands. Phi Phi and Pha Ngan I think it was about 4. 🙂

  25. Pasture Braised May 1, 2013 at 4:48 am #

    Hong and Phi Phi sound like must-dos. Thanks guys.

    • Kieu - GQ trippin May 6, 2013 at 11:46 pm #

      Definitely do Hong! It’s so peaceful and Phi Phi is just a fun island to be on. 😀

  26. Pasture Braised May 1, 2013 at 4:48 am #

    Hong and Phi Phi sound like must-dos. Thanks guys.

    • Kieu - GQ trippin May 6, 2013 at 11:46 pm #

      Definitely do Hong! It’s so peaceful and Phi Phi is just a fun island to be on. 😀

  27. Hintok River Camp May 20, 2013 at 1:42 am #

    Both options are quite good though I like Phi Phi the most. Its beauty is something different. I used to go there but never gets bored of it.

  28. Hintok River Camp May 20, 2013 at 1:42 am #

    Both options are quite good though I like Phi Phi the most. Its beauty is something different. I used to go there but never gets bored of it.

Leave a Reply

Email
Pinterest