June, 2024
Thailand: vibrant, diverse, enchanting
During Eid Al Adha, we went to Thailand, renowned for its stunning landscapes, from pristine beaches to lush jungles and majestic mountains. We spent 6 days in Phuket and Phi Phi Islands.
It was great fun to show the kids this part of Thailand, where we have so many beautiful memories.
Travel itinerary
Day 1-4:
Arrival at Phuket International Airport; land and sea transfer to Phi Phi Islands; stay at SAii Phi Phi Island Village.
Day 5:
Back to Phuket (sea and land transfer); stay at SAii Laguna Phuket.
Day 6:
Back to Dubai
See below our day by day report.
Day 1: Arrival in Phuket & transfer to Phi Phi
After a smooth flight to Phuket, we directly got a transfer by taxi and boat to the stunning Phi Phi Islands. The boat ride took about one hour and 15 minutes through turquoise waters, we were greeted by the dramatic limestone cliffs and lush greenery of the islands. Upon arrival at the SAii resort, we were welcomed with live music, drinks and snacks, which promised to be a paradise oasis amidst the island’s natural beauty.
SAii Resort Phi Phi Islands
We had rented two beautiful cabins on stilts, in the middle of the jungle where the monkeys were swinging through the trees. We had to watch out, because we also saw a big snake lying on the ground.
The rest of our day was all about unwinding. Headed straight to the pool and beach for a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear water. Spend the afternoon basking in the sun, and as evening falls, we had dinner in the local village which was just a 2 minutes walk from the resort.
Day 2: Island Tour by Traditional Boat
We booked an island tour for our second day and hopped on board of a traditional long-tail boat and set out to explore the best of Phi Phi (we booked via a local lady with her company in the village behind the resort, whatsapp: +66925568104).
Our first stop was the famous Maya Beach, where the film "The Beach" was shot. And indeed, the pristine white sand and crystal-clear waters left us speechless.
But it also has a downside: the beach has become much more crowded and touristy; more than 20 years ago we were the only ones walking here, now we walk in lines and a visitors center has been built, together with restaurants and other facilities.
Maya beach has become much more crowded and touristy..
Next, we made our way to the serene Phi Phi Lagoon, where the calm, crystal-clear waters were ideal for a peaceful swim and soaking in the stunning scenery. Our adventure continued with some underwater exploration at Shark Point. Snorkeling there was a real delight—surrounded by vibrant schools of tropical fish, it felt like swimming through a living aquarium. Our final stop was Monkey Bay—a beautiful, secluded beach inhabited by a large number of monkeys. While they add to the charm, they can also be unpredictable, so a little caution goes a long way. The bay itself is lovely, but as more tourist boats arrived, we decided it was time to move on.
That evening, we enjoyed a delicious beachfront dinner while watching the sun set over the water—a perfect end to the day. We wrapped things up with a quiet, relaxing time by the pool.
Day 3: Jungle Hike to Phi Phi Viewpoint
Early this morning, we set off on a jungle trek to the Phi Phi Viewpoint. The trail began in the local village and quickly turned into a steady uphill climb. Thankfully, the path was well-marked, making it easy to follow. Along the way, we encountered several monkeys—some swinging through the trees, others casually walking along the trail. They’re clearly on the lookout for food, so it’s best not to eat anything while hiking.
At the top of Phi Phi Islands
The humidity was intense, and we were drenched in sweat by the time we reached the top—but the effort was more than worth it. We were rewarded with a stunning panoramic view of the islands, surrounded by vibrant turquoise waters stretching out in every direction. Unfortunately, we were there in the off-season, so the little café at the top was closed—no coffee break for us this time.
After descending, we took some time to explore the local village and decided to book a relaxing massage and beauty treatment for later on that day.
In the afternoon we snorkeled at the house reef of the resort. The water was a bit cloudy, but we still saw some beautiful fish.
Day 4: Diving Trip to Viking Cave
We booked a diving trip for today. The children first received a refresher lesson in the swimming pool, where they were reacquainted with breathing underwater with the diving equipment.
Then, we set of by boat into the deep blue. We went to two different diving spots. The first one was 'Viking Cave', renowned for its stunning underwater landscapes and diverse marine life. The cave itself is a fascinating site, with ancient paintings and swift currents that make the diving experience truly exhilarating.
The second dive site was a bit further offshore, around an underwater island, where we saw turtles and several reef sharks. The weather had changed a bit so we were glad to have solid ground under our feet again.
Day 5: Return to Phuket and Bang Tao Beach
We said goodbye to Phi Phi and returned to Phuket. Our next destination was Bang Tao Beach, one of the most beautiful and quiet beaches of Phuket. Here again we received a wonderful welcome at the SAii resort Phuket.
Bang Tao Beach Phuket
In the afternoon, we went on the lake (little lake) close to the resort for a catamaran sailing trip. Nice and very relaxing. Afterwards, we swam in the pool (the sea is tricky here, due to high waves), and in the evening we had a nice dinner at Bang Tao Beach, a very lively beach with high swings and lots of live entertainment.
Day 6: Departure from Phuket to Dubai
The Eid break was coming to an end so our last day, we headed early to Phuket Airport for our flight back to Dubai.
Although the Phi Phi Islands have changed over the last 20-25 years, it still has that 'backpacker vibe', with cozy bars and lively beaches. And of course, we have changed too, we used to stay somewhere low budget, now we stay in the beautiful resorts of SAII. It was great fun to show the kids this part of Thailand, where we have so many beautiful memories.
We had a safe journey and are already looking forward to our next adventure!
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