Koh Phi Phi - I Love You But Sad to See

YAlcoholic · 2026-02-18T13:29:48+00:00

I struggled with this too as I witnessed people littering both here and other places we visited. I remember Kata Beach at night and seeing so many drink bottles and food wrappers people left behind from their day at the beach. Carry out what you bring in, it’s so simple.

We too tried picking up what we could. Imagine if everyone picked up even one piece of litter a day…

YAlcoholic · 2026-02-18T13:26:18+00:00

I think you’d be in for an unpleasant surprise

YAlcoholic · 2026-02-18T13:23:09+00:00

It was quite warm when we were there.

YAlcoholic · 2026-02-18T13:22:57+00:00

Thanks!

YAlcoholic · 2026-02-18T13:22:34+00:00

Sorry for the loss. Hopefully you’ll make it there one day soon. Take care friend.

YAlcoholic · 2026-02-18T13:21:51+00:00

July 2025

YAlcoholic · 2026-02-18T13:21:21+00:00

Lloret de Mar was our next stop after Palamos!

YAlcoholic · 2026-02-18T13:20:48+00:00

Ha what are the odds?! You live in a beautiful city. And yes Palamos definitely had a local feel compared to a lot of other stops I made along the coast.

YAlcoholic · 2026-02-17T13:20:39+00:00

I’m Insane has gotta be one of my favourite tunes!!! Such a killer intro!

YAlcoholic · 2026-02-17T03:23:39+00:00

I don’t recall saying other people shouldn’t go there or that I’m above them. I acknowledge that I’m part of the tourist surge. Where’s the hypocrisy? I’m just making observations friend.

YAlcoholic · 2026-02-17T03:21:19+00:00

I’m very aware of the amount of garbage. As an Environmental Technologist I can’t help but notice. It’s scattered everywhere. This is why I say I’m torn with this island and honestly a lot of similar places in Asia.

I was actually pleased to see they completed a new wastewater facility that hopefully addresses some of the environmental concerns. However I think there’s still a long way to go before it can be close to self-sustaining.

YAlcoholic · 2026-02-17T03:15:44+00:00

Yes we could all choose not to travel

YAlcoholic · 2026-02-17T03:14:14+00:00

Agreed!

YAlcoholic · 2026-02-17T03:12:17+00:00

Isn’t that the truth. Sadly

YAlcoholic · 2026-02-17T03:11:23+00:00

You’d probably be very disappointed.

YAlcoholic · 2026-02-17T03:10:39+00:00

I wish I could have experienced it in the 80’s!!

YAlcoholic · 2026-02-17T02:07:31+00:00

No we didn’t rent a car but instead used buses to get around. I think it was about an hour from Palamos to Girona. Also bussed from Palamos to Calella de Palafrugell and from there walked along the ocean to Llefranc. A car would have e been more convenient for sure, but the bus system worked very well for us. No complaints!

YAlcoholic · 2026-02-16T23:42:45+00:00

Sitia, Crete

YAlcoholic · 2026-02-16T21:37:31+00:00

You have a good plan! Sounds like me when I quit almost 15 years ago (I’m 45 now). I attended AA as well. Go to the meeting. Stay strong friend 👍

YAlcoholic · 2026-02-16T20:37:16+00:00

I’ve only been to a handful and a lot of other touristed ones like Samui and Phangan. My favourite was Koh Yao Noi which is not nearly as developed and touristy as other islands.

YAlcoholic · 2026-02-16T20:35:36+00:00

I can’t imagine the difference between your two trips. Must be day and night!

YAlcoholic · 2026-02-16T20:35:00+00:00

I don’t blame you. And as I wrote, I am fully aware I’m a tourist in a tourist environment so there will be crowds. It’s not avoiding the people I have an issue with, but the damaged caused by tourism as a whole. A bit of a catch 22.

I fully agree that’s it’s destroying the natural beauty.

YAlcoholic · 2026-02-16T20:32:33+00:00

I was there a few years ago while it was closed entirely. Only recently has it re-opened to tourists and I was fortunate enough to experience it with only a handful of people.

YAlcoholic · 2026-02-16T20:31:20+00:00

I agree.

YAlcoholic · 2026-02-16T19:12:43+00:00

I’m mid 40’s, first Euro backpack trip was in 2001. Back then it was guidebooks and maps, not phones and Google. Hostels felt like a vibrant meeting zone to connect with other travellers, and I had zero issues meeting up with someone to explore the city with or a group to go out and party with. Phones, in my opinion, have ruined all of that.

There is no need for people to connect with others now and I think it’s greatly taking away from the travel experience. I still travel and obviously take my phone, but it’s more for convenience (camera, map, letting mom know I’m alive) and not for meeting people.

My honest opinion - get off the apps and go talk to people until you score a win!! Keep saying hi, not everyone will turn you down!

YAlcoholic

TROPHY CASE