Chapter 3 : Christmas on the Thai Islands – From Phuket to Koh Lanta via Koh Phi Phi

After my time in Bangkok, I took an overnight bus to Phuket. Once again, an ultra-comfortable journey, as is often the case in Thailand. I arrived in the morning in Phuket Town, where I spent the day exploring before heading to Patong, a city very similar to Pattaya with its lively and touristy atmosphere. There, I met a really friendly Russian guy, and we spent the evening talking about politics and travel an absolutely fascinating conversation.

The next day, I had planned to meet up with my Irish friends, Siobhan and Triona, but they were still on Phi Phi Island. So, I decided to stay one more day in Phuket before finally seeing them briefly. Triona had to return to Ireland, and Siobhan wanted to spend time with her before their separation after five years of traveling together in Australia. Their farewell was important, so we only had a quick meetup.

With no fixed plans, I decided to take a ferry to Phi Phi Island instead of heading straight to Krabi. The seascapes were breathtaking, and I spent the entire day on the island, soaking in its unique atmosphere.

An Unexpected Encounter with Inspiring Travelers

For some time, I had been following two French guys on Instagram, Les Frères vers l’Est, who were hitchhiking all the way from Paris to Japan. At that point, they had just arrived in Malaysia after flying from Nepal, as crossing Myanmar was too dangerous due to the civil war. Seeing that they were getting closer to Thailand, I sent them a message: "If you pass through Phuket, we could meet up!"

They told me they were planning to spend Christmas on Koh Lanta, and after I suggested it, they put out an invitation on Instagram to gather other French-speaking travelers. It was December 23, Christmas was approaching, and the idea of sharing this moment with them really appealed to me. So, I decided to stay one more day on Phi Phi Island before joining them on the 24th.

Christmas Between Travelers on Koh Lanta

In Koh Lanta, I met up with Les Frères vers l’Est and a group of French travelers brought together through Instagram. The atmosphere was amazing, we shared stories about our journeys, experiences, and future plans. They told me about Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, their two favorite countries from their trip. According to them, these places are completely underrated and largely unknown to the general public, offering breathtaking landscapes and incredible hiking opportunities. I made a mental note to visit them someday.

Spending Christmas with this small group of travelers on such a beautiful island was an unforgettable experience. We enjoyed the beach, admired stunning sunsets, and simply lived in the moment.

Back to Phi Phi and a Muay Thai Fight

After Christmas, the brothers and a few other friends and I decided to head back to Phi Phi Island to soak in the atmosphere a little longer. One unforgettable evening took place in a rather unique Muay Thai bar, a bar with a ring in the center where patrons could engage in amateur fights. We decided to join in, and each of us had a fun match. It was a totally wild experience, filled with adrenaline and laughter!

On Phi Phi Island, I also met a really friendly Scotsman named Kelvin, with whom I went on a hike. He lives on Shetland Island, off the northern coast of Scotland, and shared a lot about his region. As fellow Celts, we instantly got along and understood each other. He invited me to visit if I ever found myself in Scotland. That country was already on my bucket list, but after meeting him, it’s climbed even higher!

Back to Phuket, Off to Bangkok for New Year's

After these intense days, I headed back to Phuket to catch an overnight bus to Bangkok, where I planned to celebrate New Year's before setting off to explore Cambodia. The adventure continues!

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