Birthday Holiday (Part 1): Koh Lipe, a hidden treasure of Andaman Sea

Alhamdulillah on the 20th December this year, hubby and I had celebrated our 33rd birthday. It was our 11th birthday celebrated together as we got married when we were 22. 

From last year, we kinda made a pack that instead on spending money on gifts, we would go on a vacation instead. Last year we celebrated our big 20.12.2012 in Krabi, this year we chose to go to Koh Lipe. 

We left home on the 19th, took the AirAsia flight to Langkawi and stayed overnight at the One Helang Hotel Langkawi, which is literally 6 minutes walk from Langkawi International Airport. The hotel was nice, clean and the room was spacious! Not too bad for a transit and it only costed us around RM150 per night. We were too tired to go out for dinner so we ordered room service, and it was worth the money. The fish and chip was good.

Arrived at Langkawi International Airport

One Helang Hotel

Me & my marine essence shampoo! 

Fish & Chip

We woke up, checked out early and had a stroll around Padang Matsirat, enjoying the beautiful sunrise. As we can't find a restaurant that was open, we had a light breakfast in Marrybrown at the airport.

The journey to Telaga Harbour took us 20 minutes by taxi, and it costed RM26. Telaga Harbour is a little jetty where ferry commutes tourist from Langkawi to Koh Lipe.

There were more foreigners than locals and the immigration process took almost an hour. But we didnt really mind as we busied ourselves taking photos around the jetty. The water was so clear we could see fish eating off molds from the boats.

Telaga Harbour

The Immigration Office in Telaga Harbour

We booked our ferry tickets and hotel in Koh Lipe online via www.thaibeachtravellers.com and the overall 3 days 2 nights stay with return airflight & ferry tickets for two people costed RM1500. 

The ferry ride was bumpy, but the seasickness was dampen by our sky-soaring enthusiasm. We reached Koh Lipe at 9.30 am after an hour ride. Our first impression of Koh Lipe was SUPER DUPER AWESOME! The sky was the bluest sky, the sea water was crystal clear and the wind was just right.

The scenic Langkawi as we left

The gorgeous Koh Lipe greeting us hello!

The immigration in Koh Lipe took about half an hour and we were then taken to our Harmony Bed & Bakery Hotel by taxi. But the taxi here is a motorbike with an attached carrier by the side! Intereting eh?

The hotel should be renamed as motel, but nonetheless it was cute! And the best thing is it is extremely close to the Walking Street which is the heart of the island. 

Koh Lipe is a small island where everything is within walking distance. There are plenty choices for halal food, eventhough the price can be a bit high (RM 12 for a plate of Fried Rice, RM100 for seafood barbeque dinner for 2).

Our simple birthday lunch

Window shopping

Love this shot, can see hubby through the mirror hehe

We rested the whole afternoon, and started to walk to the famous Sunset Beach. It took us about 20 minutes walk, uphill and downhill but the view of sunset was priceless! 

Our afternoon tea at another Halal Restaurant

Ayam Percik

Each hotdog cost 20 Baht = RM2

Pure mango juice

The natural sand as the floor added to the natural look of the hut

The keuy tiaw was awesome, with fresh prawns

The stroll at the beach

The uphill slope to the Sunset Beach via Pattaya Beach. We took the path beside Sita Resort

The Sunset Beach

Love love love this pic. Just the perfect pic for our birthday!

The gorgeous sunset became the witness of my undying love to this man (please don't throw up hahah)

Dinner was again at the Roti Mina Halal Restaurant and we booked our Island Hopping trip for the next day. No cake on this birthday but hey, halal delicious seafood in Koh Lipe isn't so shabby either :) 

To be continued.