MIRISSA – Beach Hopping

It wasn’t even on purpose that I neatly divided my trip into three parts: a culture tour during the first week, a nature trip during the second, and now it’s the final countdown on the coast.
Beach Hopping from Mirissa.

Mirissa's iconic Parrot Rock with an epic view of both sides of the beach and the wide ocean.
Mirissa’s iconic Parrot Rock with an epic view of both sides of the beach and the wide ocean.

But first I spent two thoughtful and memorable days in Tangalle.

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Guide to FIGUEIRA da FOZ – a Charmingly Old Fashioned Seaside Resort

Let me guide you to Figueira da Foz, a charmingly old fashioned seaside resort. It is the epitome of a South European vacation destination, indeed.

Beach Tents at Figueira da Foz Portugal
As if the beach wasn’t desert-like enough, they have these makeshift shelters that remind me of Beduin tents.

For about ten years, I hadn’t been to a European beach. I was thinking that Asia or Latin America were the places to be(ach). Arriving at Figueira da Foz, about two hours south of Porto and the second stop on my rail-trip along the Portuguese west coast, I stood so corrected.

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A Day in Sophisticated ESTORIL and CASCAIS

Another very popular day trip from Lisbon is a short train ride to the very popular beaches of Estoril and Cascais. Albeit not really dreamy, especially on hot summer days, a day in these sophisticated retreats on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean can be the perfect break from Lisbon’s big city life.

Wild waters on the shore of Estoril, in the community of Cascais.
Estoril is not only this sophisticated beach retreat. It’s also prone to the forces of nature.

If you spend more time in Estoril, you should stay away from the beach and go on a day trip to Sintra. Even by public transportation, this town of palaces is less than an hour away.

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Guide to GEORGE TOWN in PULAU PENANG

This is a guide to George Town on Pulau Penang, after all, one of my favorite cities in all of Asia.

What makes it so special?
I don’t even know where to start.
It was the first British settlement in Southeast Asia and became – together with Singapore and Malacca –  a British crown colony in 1867.

View of the modern part of the city of George town from the Kek Lok Si Temple on Pulau Penang.
View of the modern part of the city of Georgetown from the Kek Lok Si Temple.

George Town, counting about 710,000 inhabitants, is Malaysia’s second-largest city and the capital of Penang Island.

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Guide to PULAU LANGKAWI – More Than Just a Beach

Guide to Pulau Langkawi, Malaysia’s northernmost island and actually geographically closer to its neighbor Thailand. Hence, it’s the same turquoise waters, white sands, swaying palms, and enchanting long tail boats as in Krabi and on the Andaman islands.

Beach on Pulau Langkawi
Lots of space for anyone on Pulau Langkawi.

But there are so much fewer tourists that you can actually enjoy it.

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Guide to PULAU PANGKOR – a Place for Lazy Dayz

While the most popular islands like the Perhentians or Tioman are on the otherwise very conservative and religious east coast, Pangkor is in the west, three hours from Kuala Lumpur, and even less from Ipoh.

Secluded Coral Beach
Secluded Coral Beach.

So hop on the ferry in Lumut and half an hour later, you’ll find yourself in a tropical paradise.

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KRABI and AO NANG – the Gateway to Paradise

The city of Krabi and the Ao Nang beach town are good places to hang out, however, they are only the gateway to the true paradise of the Andaman Sea.

Iconic longtail boats on the shores of the Ao Nang in the Province of Krabi
Iconic longtail boats on the shores of the Andaman Sea.

So while I thought places like Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, and Chiang Mai were touristy, thus in an amene way, I didn’t know the half of it till I came to Ao Nang.

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Island Hopping in the Andaman Sea – Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Koh Jum

Reportedly, there are about 1,430 islands in Thailand – hence, there is a lot to visit during your Island Hopping in the Andaman Sea.

longtail boats in the andaman sea
The most idyllic way of island hopping is done by the traditional longtail boats.

Still, not all of them inhabited, but sadly, many of them crowded.

Charmingly, some of the Thai islands come in clusters and are therefore easily accessible when island hopping.

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