When i was preparing for Lipe trip, i surfed on net for information a lot, but seems like doesn't have too much information about this island.
I always wonder how big is the island, how many times do i need to explore the whole island, what is interesting on this island, F&B, transport etc.
And you cant get much information on those above questions.
My personal travel experience might can giving you answer if you feel the same as me.
Lipe is very small island, there are 3 main beaches which is sunset beach, sunrise beach and pattaya beach. Pattaya and sunrise beach are the main beach, which full of luxury resort, hotel, pub, restaurants, massages and dive centre and shops. 2 beaches are connected through the walking street (from the map, the lower yellow line connected 2 beaches is the street), which is full of shops and etc too.
It was like 15 to 30 minutes walking distance from Pattaya beach to sunrise beach through walking street. Walking street also the heart of the island.
While Sunset beach is an isolated beach, you can go by walking through the beach or track (from the map, upper yellow line that connect sunrise and sunset beach), but my advice is don't take the track, because is way too far and you might lost the direction, it is confusing.
But sunset beach do have a very nice sunset view, which i've seen it from the Mountain resort. Well if you spend long time in this island, you can just explore every inch of the island.
Lipe is a quiet island (don't take this judge seriously, i went in low season), the island itself have nothing much to see but only relax and chill, but the water is really good, you can go snorkeling right in front of the sea, the visibility is superb, almost be the best for me in Thai.
Other than that you can go for snorkeling trip, diving day trip or just take boat to go to other island nearby.
So in the day when John went to his diving tour for half day, i decided to walk to the street (i don't have a diving license!!!!!).
Before photos, John was saying one of the diving point is nice, full of purple carol and he saw baby shark, and squid make up wtf hahahahahhahaha. But too bad he didn't bring his camera, so no sexy photo of the sea creation. LOL.
Ok that was the first and only time i walk to the street (As i said, Mountain Resort provide buggy service), and i walk through the beach to sunrises beach, had lunch in beach side and walk through the walking street to Pattaya beach, and I only use less than 5 hours to explore the whole island.
Beach right front the resort
Long tail is the must in the album
How romantic!
The colorful clothes on the boat to pray for safe journey
Instead of tourist island, Lipe is actually a local township with school and origin residence.
Tsunami Hazard Zone
Weather turn bad in a second
I love this
This is not too bad too.
The expenses on the island is not too expensive, but don't compare with dining in resort restaurant, i mean those local restaurant that nearby the town, it was cheap and nice.
And i had my first famous Thai basil leave with mince chicken rice on this island, and this dishes is unbelievable hot that i couldn't finish even half, then i was thinking, why not feed the blacky which staring at me since i eating.
First i get him / her chicken mince, and accidentally i throw him / her chili! And guess what, he / she ate it all. Then i try to feed more chili and the end i feed him / her all my lunch.
And guess what! This dog doesn't feel hot at all, not even drink the water i feed him / her! Damn i wonder if all the dogs in Thai can take spicy food.
Oh, don't get me wrong that basil leave with mince chicken is really nice, but my advice to tell the chef for less spicy.
Crazy chili dog. If you see him/her on the island, feed chili.
That was lunch hour and the whole street is soooooooooo quiet, i though i was in some kind of horror movie that i'm the only surviver in the whole island.
Ok, some information that might help backpacker, if you admire the water of this island and you couldn't find cheap accommodation from the internet, don't worry and you can get cheap budget room on this street, there are lots of hotel and small budget guest house didn't go online, so the only way that you could reach them is search them when you're arrive.
The only disadvantage that living in this street is noisy, imaging when you're surrounding by pub and shop, but if you're party people then don't mind that.
Walking street entrance
The street.
Thanks for the beer, Ching.
Pray
Quiet street
Pee Pee Bakery :D
This is island life.
You can find western cafe and restaurant on the island too.
Fishes of the day
Something wrong in this photo ain't?
Books cafe, lovely shop
Lipe =)
And life suppose to be as beautiful as this.
Miao
I love travel alone because people tend to talk to you more, especially Thai, the friendliest people in this world (Rachel self ranking), they just cant leave you alone and not talk to you.
I meet few new friends when i was wondered around in the island, got free beer and nice talk with the local, listen to their story and this actually encourage me to walk the way i wanted in my life journey =).
And lastly, remember i mentioned Adang Sea Dive Center? Below are the photos of the center and eco lodge, which located in the sunrises beach, somewhere near the pier where the boat drop you off.
Very nice place that manage and run by Kristelle. Readers, if you're goin to Lipe and decided to go for Adang Sea Diver, send my regard to Kristelle please!
The dive center
The entrance.
K there end of Lipe post, and you might searching for diving photos but as i said John didn't bring his camera so no photos, and no post. :P
Next will be Phuket, Thailand.
No, i'm not travel Phuket and Lipe at the same time, in fact i traveled 3 different places of Thailand in 3 months.
I must be crazy.
Stay tuned.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
20111214, 1056am
Rach in wanna holiday again mood.
