In English: On our way south among the Thai islands we have visited Koh Phi Phi Don and Koh Lanta so far, and we are somewhat fascinated about the great differences we have seen between these islands. Despite the relatively short distance (approximately 30 minutes with speed boat) between them they are like night and day, both regards to topography and the range of restaurants, shops etc. Thereof the heading.
Koh Phi Phi Don is the largest island among the Phi Phi Islands, and it is the only one of the four Phi Phi Islands that are inhabited. The island is insanely beautiful with tall limestone cliffs surrounding the chalky, pale-like sandy beaches. It is inviting and dramatic at the same time. In Ton Sai, where the ferries come and go, a nice seafront promenade goes along the water with plenty of restaurants, shops and dive centers. Along the main street, that is crossing the island, there are bars, tattoo studios and more shops. Although here are lots of tourists, the island breathes a calm and you do not experience the stress you could have expected.
Koh Lanta on the other hand, actually comprises of as many as 52 islands. The largest one of them, which most people (us as well) refer to as Koh Lanta, is actually called Koh Lanta Yai. Here the environment is quite different from Phi Phi. There are no limestone cliffs rising out of the water but more ”common” mountains on the island itself, and the beaches are not really as fine and ”dreamy”. However, the conditions for bathing at our beach Khlong Khong was much better than it was at Ton Sai Beach on Phi Phi, with amazing sandy bottom as far as the eye could see (you just had to pass the corals right by the shore first) and with clear water. As the beach is not surrounded by rocks like Ton Sai on Phi Phi, it is perceived more infinite on Koh Lanta but, as already said, it is not quite as ”dreamy”.
What primarily distinguishes the two islands, however, is the supply of restaurants and shops, and the atmosphere in general. While Phi Phi had its cozy promenade and main street, there is no such thing on Koh Lanta. A wide and really ugly street is what is available, or if you want to walk straight onto the beach. There are no stores to stroll around and peek in to, barely any food stores. We would not name Koh Lanta as cozy, at least not the part where we