Koh Phanang to Krabi

For 700 THB ($25) through our hotel in Koh Phanang, we booked a:
Taxi 11:00
Ferry 12:30
Bus 14:00
Arriving Krabi 18:30

The actual trip involved 4 taxi's, 2 buses, 1 ferry, and arrived in Krabi at 21:00, with numerous stops along the way to change modes of transport at various noodle shops (none of which were very good) and also so we could swap our ticket for a coloured sticker that lets the operators know where you are going, once we even swapped red stickers for white ones with Krabi written on them, and others swapped blue for white with BKK written on them.

I am hoping there was some method to the madness, but despite the absurdity of the whole affair we managed to get a good laugh out of it, and woke up to this view from the restaurant making it worth the trip:

Pine Bungalow for 600 THB a night between 2, is 30 minutes from Krabi and is the ultimate relax on the beach in a hammock location to wind down after Koh Phanang.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong for Chinese new year is an experience that I had too see.

With a spectacular footwork's display that lasts 26 minutes to a parade through the city with the most bizarre assortment of floats. Estonian roller skaters, people in Australian grasshopper outfits and of course 1 or two Chinese dragons. If you do not like crowds you should definitely look for somewhere else, this photo is taken at the fireworks display:

But I think the view is worth the crowd:

No Chinese New Year is complete without an Estonian rollerskating team:

An incredible floating dragon display during the CNY Parade:

  The bar district of Lang Kwai Fong parties every night with the hottest bar being outside the seven eleven drinking $15 HKD ($1.7 US) on the street.

 Accommodation is around $200 HKD ($22) staying in a "hotel" that is inside a residential apartment building that has been converted into as maze of hotels shops and some residences. The infamous Chungking mansions (see the Wikipedia article Here) is worthwhile staying here for a day just to explore the bizzare maze and continuous offers of "copy Rolex, copy handbag, hashish, marijuana, cocaine"  Food is cheap if you look for it for a meat dish with rice expect to pay $30, however there are a multitude of more expensive and sometimes (sometimes not) nicer options.

Langkawi

Langkawi is an island off the west coast of Malaysia, it was granted duty free status to promote tourism so cheap alcohol, gadgets, tobacco, etc are plentiful.

A 1L bottle of absolute vodka is around 40RM ($13). However the price in some bars is still expensive. Partying starts at Babylon, a reggae bar then moves south down to SunBar which party's all night. While this is nothing on some party spots in Thailand it's still sports nice beaches (not amazing) and a laid back vibe, it's also dry season when the east coast of Malaysia is typhoon season. Meeting people at Babylon:

  Gecko Guesthouse is my recommendation for a chilled out vibe and dorm from 18 RM, private room with own toilet 40RM or 30RM without, an excellent place to meet other travellers. Langkawi is also the fastest way to get to Koh Lipe in Thailand 50 min ferry if you want the amazing beach chilled out vibe and clear water. Note that crossing into Thailand via sea/land you only get a 15 day visa instead of the 30 at airports. 30-60 day visas can be obtained in Georgetown, Penang in 12 hours.

Full moon party Koh Phanang

To get to Koh Phanang, you can arrive in any of Thailands airports and a willing travel agent will be to organise the best route, the fastest would be fly to Koh Samui, get the fast boat. However people starting in Bangkok can get 12 hour trains, bus transfers and any number of ferry options.

 

I arrived in Surat Thani as this was the cheapest option, then paid 600THB ($20) for a maniac shuttle bus driver to get us to the roll on roll off ferry in record time for the 2.5 hour crossing.

 

Here is the view of Koh Phanang from the ferry. A taxi at the other end can be arranged for 100THB due to price fixing.

 

The full moon party on Koh Phanang, Thailand is world famous for possibly the wildest party's I've been too. This does however means the price is much higher than the rest of Thailand even if only for the week surrounding the actual full moon party, most hotels triple the price of accommodation.

 

Most hotels near the action fill up 3-4 days before the party but I would recommend arriving 5 days earlier as the lead up party's are often just as much fun. Jungle Experience is a trippy party held in the jungle, there is a wild Pool Party at Coral Bungalows, and of course Mellow Mountain for your mushrooms (highly recommended) and weed.

 

I paid 500 thb for a two bed air con room at Coral bungalows a week before the full moon but this goes to 1500thb from 5 days before and two days after the party, it's a 7 min walk from the beach and very convenient for the pool party's with a great view of the sunset.

 

All your local Thai food is from 50thb a dish, or triple if your near the beach, and beers are from 30-90 THB

 

No trip is complete with out drinking spirits from a bucket these start at 200-400 depending on location and quality of spirit.

 

 

 

Full Moon parties are dangerous, women shouldn't be left alone, belongings shouldn't be taken out you only need 2000THB for the night (2500 for the Jungle Party), jumping through a fire skipping rope may look fun, but I saw so many people with scars the next day from this. Be sensible and have a good night.

Boracay

Boracay is the most well known beach destination in the Philippines, the white sand beach is one of the best I've seen and the scuba diving is also incredible.

Most of the lower end hotels and hostels don't have websites and quite a few of the people I've met here booked through an agents website and ended up paying triple the walk in rate. I wouldn't recommend this during Chinese new year or Christmas and new year but I had no issue finding accommodation.

Penang to Langkawi

The ferry from Georgetown to Langkawi leaves at 8:15 (with stop Enroute) or 8:30 (direct). Cost is 60RM and takes around 2.5 hours.

 

The ferry is insanely cold so bring warm clothes or move to the upper deck outside which is very noisy.

 

Freezing on the ferry:

 

Upon arrival in Palau Langkawi you will likely want to move to Pantai Cenang (Cenang beach). The only option is taxi or hire car (light travelers can opt for a motorbike) taxi stand is outside and costs 26RM fixed price so find some fellow travelers to reduce the cost. Trip is only 20-30 minutes.

 

View of Langkawi from the ferry:

 

 

I can highly recommend Gecko Guesthouse for accommodation, dorm from 18RM, private room with ensuite and two beds for 60 RM.

Pre-drinking is technically not allowed, but is obviously much cheaper, when you head to Babylon the staff from Sub Bar often hand out free drink vouchers to girls, so stock up on these.

Kuala Lumpur to Penang via Rail

KL to Penang can be done via train, bus or plane.

I decided on rail as the six hour journey would be scenic (it was) airports are stressful (can't have that on my holiday) and the time from leaving the hotel to getting to Penang is only two hours more once check in, transit to the airport etc is factored in.

The train leaves KL Sentral, three times daily, morning, afternoon and a night sleeper train.

The six hour journey was brilliant and first class tickets for 59 RM ($20 US). Is incredible value. Second class was 30RM.

Upon arrival at Penang station a 2 minute walk to the ferry and 1.40 RM we were in Georgetown.

Unfortunately the taxi drivers in Georgetown have inflated prices. The backpacker district is less than 1km from the taxi's. Walk to the main road, turn left then take the second right, 200m and you will start to find an assortment of budget accommodation or you could pay the inflated 20RM fee, however I refuse on principal not cost.

Dorm rooms here are cheap, I found 18RM and 80 for a hotel room, this was art the end of Chinese new year however so might get cheaper.