Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Going Solo
16:46Phi Phi Island has to be one of the best places to go it solo on holiday. Its a small island so you bump into the same people quickly. Locals and businesses are friendly, so all you have to do is go back to the same place twice, pass the time of day and 'presto' you have new friends.
Even people holidaying in groups will often break away int he night times - its small and you'll generally bump into your group again later. The atmosphere in bars is social, people are up for meeting new people, so its easy to strike up a conversation with a stranger. The bar staff are paid to be welcoming, be sociable, stir up the fun, so quite different from the European bar.
If your penchant is for activity then there's kayaking, boat trips, rock climbing and diving, all of which you'll end up meeting other people.
Eating out can be one of the worst things for the lone traveller, but on Phi Phi there are lots of options many of which are not formal restaurants where you would need to have a book open to feel comfy.
Here everything is reached on foot so you'll never have that awkward experience of having gone to the wrong place.
Pick a resort with bar, gym & pool like Phi Phi Villa Resort - these slightly larger but informal resorts have staff who'll give you the low down on where to go or if its relaxation you want then you just won't have to go out at all!
10 tips about staying on Phi Phi
12:34
1. Even if you have pre-booked, Check-in/Check-out times will not necessarily match with your ferry arrival/departure times - usually hotels/resorts will look after your bags in the gaps so that you can get on and enjoy your stay.
2. A lot of rebuilding post tsunami has taken place, but in high season its still advisable to book before you come, you might be left with less choice
3. Rooms on Phi Phi are more expensive than the mainland but still pretty cheap for a world famous tropical paradise island! Expect to pay around double what you pay for similar on the mainland - it just costs more to provide the same services on an island 50km from the nearest mainland.
4.There are 4/5 star luxury resorts on the island but most of these are not in the main town area and require you to take a taxi boat to another part of the island - so it's not easy to come and look around for the more expensive/luxury resorts without prebooking.
5. At certain times of the year water supply, quality and pressure can be a challenge on Phi Phi, so unless you are going 5 star don't expect power showers or lashings of hot water.
6. Electricity is around 5 times more expensive on Phi Phi than the mainland, so many rooms will not have electrical items like hairdryers & kettles in the rooms. It's also nice to be aware of this if you ask a local to charge your telephone or plug your computer in - to them it might be a significant expense.
7.There are no cars on Phi Phi - so transfer from the pier to your resort is by foot. Many hotels, guest houses or resorts will meet you at the pier and help with your bags if you prebook - but the cheaper you go with your room the less likely this is to happen. If you book a room at the pier or on the ferry you should be able to negotiate your bags being carried for a small fee.
8. If you book & pay for a room with an agent at the pier or on the ferry - it's like any booking anywhere else in the world and you essentially lose your right to look around and change your mind when you get there (unless you forfeit your cash!). If you are fussy and want to see the room first - then don't book before you look! If you don't want to traipse around looking for rooms in the heat book ahead using websites or agents on the mainland with photos and just book for the one night - just in case you don't like what you get.
9. If you are prepared to do the leg work, you can generally negotiate small reductions on room prices during the evenings - but the risk is that everywhere is full or receptions are closed already. If you are staying for a few days - book the first night and then look around for bargains or something you like better - minus the bags and at your own pace.
10. Agents at the pier and on the ferries are not necessarily more expensive than walking around by yourself - mostly they work with a small number of hotels/guest houses or resorts and have arranged a special rate which includes their small commission.
2. A lot of rebuilding post tsunami has taken place, but in high season its still advisable to book before you come, you might be left with less choice
3. Rooms on Phi Phi are more expensive than the mainland but still pretty cheap for a world famous tropical paradise island! Expect to pay around double what you pay for similar on the mainland - it just costs more to provide the same services on an island 50km from the nearest mainland.
4.There are 4/5 star luxury resorts on the island but most of these are not in the main town area and require you to take a taxi boat to another part of the island - so it's not easy to come and look around for the more expensive/luxury resorts without prebooking.
5. At certain times of the year water supply, quality and pressure can be a challenge on Phi Phi, so unless you are going 5 star don't expect power showers or lashings of hot water.
6. Electricity is around 5 times more expensive on Phi Phi than the mainland, so many rooms will not have electrical items like hairdryers & kettles in the rooms. It's also nice to be aware of this if you ask a local to charge your telephone or plug your computer in - to them it might be a significant expense.
7.There are no cars on Phi Phi - so transfer from the pier to your resort is by foot. Many hotels, guest houses or resorts will meet you at the pier and help with your bags if you prebook - but the cheaper you go with your room the less likely this is to happen. If you book a room at the pier or on the ferry you should be able to negotiate your bags being carried for a small fee.
8. If you book & pay for a room with an agent at the pier or on the ferry - it's like any booking anywhere else in the world and you essentially lose your right to look around and change your mind when you get there (unless you forfeit your cash!). If you are fussy and want to see the room first - then don't book before you look! If you don't want to traipse around looking for rooms in the heat book ahead using websites or agents on the mainland with photos and just book for the one night - just in case you don't like what you get.
9. If you are prepared to do the leg work, you can generally negotiate small reductions on room prices during the evenings - but the risk is that everywhere is full or receptions are closed already. If you are staying for a few days - book the first night and then look around for bargains or something you like better - minus the bags and at your own pace.
10. Agents at the pier and on the ferries are not necessarily more expensive than walking around by yourself - mostly they work with a small number of hotels/guest houses or resorts and have arranged a special rate which includes their small commission.
Easter on Phi Phi
14:15
Hot n sunny but there's still plenty of room here and space to relax on the white sandy beaches and catch some rays. Over the full moon period Phi Phi is less busy with backpackers - so the restaurants and bars are more chilled and relaxed - no queues or waiting for a table in your favourite restaurant.
The bars are still closing the music everywhere on the island at 1am - although they do stay open for drinks - so good for everyone! Time for more chilled conversation, meeting new people and listening to the sounds of the Andaman sea.
Coming up soon - Songkran on Phi Phi - 13th April - more soon on this here...
The bars are still closing the music everywhere on the island at 1am - although they do stay open for drinks - so good for everyone! Time for more chilled conversation, meeting new people and listening to the sounds of the Andaman sea.
Coming up soon - Songkran on Phi Phi - 13th April - more soon on this here...
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