So many of us are itching to travel, and the question most of us will have is ‘where’?
While we could introduce a list of Asia’s top 5 most luxurious cities or experiences, we decided to interview our APERTUS team members for their top destination to visit once they get the chance to, and inquired for the closest airports you could charter a private jet to. Victoria prefers to discover more obscure experiences, and her top travel destination is not as popular as the usual beach destinations, hopefully this interview just might spark your interest to discover this island in your upcoming travels.
Thailand, Bangkok & Koh Lipe
Q: Hey Victoria, let’s get the ball rolling, what is the very first destination in Asia you will visit once you get the chance to?
A: Without a doubt, it has to be Thailand. Firstly, because I miss Bangkok’s roadside street food a lot, and I long for the day I can have a fresh bottle of Singha beer to go along with all my roadside snacks.
Fun fact: Thailand is actually the birthplace of Redbull
Q: Some street food sounds really good right now especially for us who live in the city which doesn’t have street food. Any dishes or stalls in particular to recommend?
A: When in Thailand my philosophy is ‘Don’t question it, just eat it.’ I strongly believe that if you wish to truly immerse yourself in the experience that is ‘Thai street food’, you need to be unafraid and go for the most dingy looking food stalls by the roadsides or in alleyways in the day.
These semi-hidden food stalls are guaranteed to have some of the best tasting food, a personal favorite of mine has to be the barbecue skewers and boat noodles. I had the best boat noodles for lunch located in an alleyway near Bangkok’s Platinum mall, I can’t forget it even though it’s been over 4 years since I had that meal. But perhaps even more so than the food, I really hope to visit Thailand soon for a very special island, Koh Lipe.
Fun fact: It is illegal to step on any Thai currency.
Q: Koh Lipe? I’ve never heard of it, where and what makes this island so special?
A: That’s a common response because not as many people have heard of the ‘Maldives of Thailand’, and personally I hope it stays that way because I would love for the waters and corals to remain in pristine condition.
Koh Lipe is actually a really small island in the Andaman Sea, near Malaysia's border, which is why you can actually ferry a boat from Langkawi to Koh Lipe, instead of taking a ferry from Pak Bara (A Thai coastal village).
This beautiful island is only 2km long and 1km wide, making it almost impossible to get lost and you can take your time to explore this island on foot, there are no cars here, only motorbike taxis (with a sidecar).
Fun fact: There are over 1400 (1430 to be exact) islands in Thailand.
Q: Haha you got really enthusiastic with introducing Koh Lipe, it really sounds like a dream. So what are the ways to get to this island?
A: So getting to Koh Lipe is quite a special scenario, the closest airport would be Langkawi International airport (WMKL), it does not have a Fixed Based Operator (FBO) but its airport terminal does receive private jets. From Koh Lipe you will be able to catch a ferry to bring you to Koh Lipe.
Alternatively, you could land at Hat Yai international airport (VTSS), get a ride to Pak Bara, and take a ferry from there. Should you have any trouble with figuring out the best route to get to Koh Lipe, just reach out to any APERTUS team member, and we will help you plan your private charter and transportation to the island.
Q: Koh Lipe really sounds quite special, when do you hope to visit this island again?
A: I really hope to visit Bangkok this year, and hopefully Koh Lipe within the next 2 years. I can’t stop thinking about the time I spent on this island, it really brings back plenty of happy memories, and I hope that it will be the same for all travelers who visit this paradise.
WIth Victoria’s enthusiasm hopefully you have been enticed to visit Koh Lipe yourself, the APERTUS team is always ready to help you schedule a private charter to the most convenient airport, and plan your journey to visiting the ‘Maldives of Thailand’