Exploring Koh Lipe, Thailand - Phototour Part 3

During our holiday on Koh Lipe, we stayed at a beautiful place called Lipe Beach Resort. This was our little home on the island. We decided to treat ourselves and booked a private bungalow with air conditioning, which was very comfortable and relaxing. We made the first booking through Booking.com for 5 nights.

But once we arrived and experienced how peaceful and beautiful the island was, we quickly realized that five days were not enough. So we asked directly at the reception, and they kindly offered us a better price for 5 more nights if we booked with them in person. Of course, we said yes. That gave us 10 full days on Koh Lipe, and we enjoyed every minute of it.

One of the best parts of our stay was the view from the bungalow. We could see the sea directly from our porch. The sound of the waves and the fresh breeze made every morning feel calm and special. When you walked just a few steps from the resort to the beach and looked to the left, you could see another nearby island rising out of the sea. The highest point of that island is around 700 meters, and it looked impressive from the beach.

What made it even more magical was that we could often see clouds moving slowly across the top of the island, passing through the trees at the peak. It was like watching a painting come to life. These low clouds are a common sight in tropical areas where warm, humid air meets the cooler mountain tops. It was a beautiful natural show that we never got tired of.

And there is even more nature to come – at the end of this post, I will show you something really special we witnessed during our stay. So if you are planning to visit Koh Lipe and want a place that is peaceful, right by the beach, and still close to everything – Lipe Beach Resort is a place I can highly recommend. It became our little island home, and I would go back anytime.

The Locals – Working and Getting Around During Rain Time

Of course, during my photo walk on Koh Lipe, it had to rain – that is just part of the experience in this part of Thailand, especially during the monsoon season. Rain comes fast and strong, and it often floods parts of the streets for a while. Some areas collect water quickly, and because the island has no real drainage system, it takes time for the water to go away.

But even with the rain and puddles everywhere, the locals do not stop working. Life on the island keeps moving no matter what the weather is like. What I found especially interesting was how creative and practical the locals are when it comes to transporting goods.

The most common vehicle on the island is a scooter with a sidecar. These sidecars are not all the same – some are designed to carry three or four tourists, while others are built for tools, boxes, or deliveries. The island does not have that many cars or trucks, so these scooters are essential for getting things done.

On this rainy day, I saw one local man who was delivering large gas bottles with his scooter. He drove slowly through the wet road, carefully balancing the heavy bottles in the sidecar. It looked like hard work, but he was smiling and focused, just doing his daily job. I thought it was a beautiful moment and a great photo subject. It shows how people adapt to island life and keep going, no matter the conditions.

It also reminded me of how important small actions are on an island like this. Every delivery, every ride, every helping hand makes a difference. Without cars, without big machines, the whole island runs thanks to the hard work and clever solutions of the local people.

So while most tourists try to hide from the rain under roofs or umbrellas, the locals just carry on. And that, in a way, shows the real spirit of Koh Lipe – simple, strong, and always moving forward, even if the road is wet.

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Sunset Time!

Around twenty minutes before six in the evening, we decided to take a taxi to reach the Sunset Beach viewpoint on Koh Lipe. We did not want to walk through the large puddles that had formed after the rain, so a taxi was the better choice. Like always, we paid 50 Thai Baht per person, which is the standard price for short rides on the island. Taxis on Koh Lipe are actually scooters with sidecars, and even though the ride is a bit bumpy, it is always fun and feels like part of the adventure.

While riding toward the viewpoint, I suddenly noticed someone familiar following us on foot. It turned out to be a German guy who had moved to Thailand and whom we had met earlier at Cafe Lipe. We had already talked with him a few times and started to become friends. It was such a funny coincidence to see him again – just like that, walking behind our taxi.

Of course, I had my Sony A7 III camera with the 70-200mm lens ready in my hands. I quickly turned around and took a few shots of the moment. I captured a perfect picture showing the smiling taxi driver and our friend behind us, both enjoying the slow and relaxed island life ride in the taxi. This is something I love about Koh Lipe – everything feels friendly, open, and full of good energy. The vibe on the island really is "Good Vibes Only" – you can feel it everywhere.

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After the sun went down, we walked back to the hotel on the beachside. There we took a shower, changed into fresh clothes, and packed away the camera. But of course, the evening was not over yet. We headed back into Walking Street to enjoy the rest of the night – with more good food, more laughs, and yes, more cold beer.

In my next and final post from this photo walk series, I will share a few more beautiful pictures that capture the spirit of Koh Lipe. So stay tuned – and thanks for being part of the journey!

Cheers!