How I Ended Up in Penang with 10 Tall Danish Backpackers

I wasn’t planning to backpack through Southeast Asia with ten Vikings.

But as all great stories begin, I met a bunch of Danish guys in Medan, and joined them on a trip to Penang and Koh Lipe.

What could possibly go wrong?

Travel Tip #1: Penang Is NOT Pyongyang

You’d think pronouncing “Penang” would be easy.

But one of the guys kept calling it Pyongyang, like, North Korea.

Imagine the look on the Air Asia’s flight attendant’s face when he cheerfully declared, “We’re going to Pyongyang!”

Safe to say we got some very weird stares by the people around us.

It didn’t help that we looked like a bizarre backpacker football team, with me, 5'2", flanked by a wall of Scandinavian giants.

Georgetown, Penang: Burgers, Booze, and My First Tattoo

After arriving in Penang, Malaysia’s George Town welcomed us with its signature blend of culture, street food, and questionable decisions.

Cue: my first tattoo. I lost a bet (don’t ask) and got inked on impulse. Only later did I remember, we were heading to Koh Lipe to dive. Which meant I had to keep it dry. Ever tried diving with cling wrap and duct tape on your arm? Highly not recommended.

Our nights in Penang were a blur of cheap cocktails, chaotic laughter, and one unforgettable burger stall run by an Indian uncle who had decorated his entire cart with Manchester United memorabilia.

There we were, slightly tipsy, scarfing down greasy burgers under the red glow of a Glory Glory Man United sign, while arguing whether fries count as a vegetable.

“Røvlort” and Other Danish Words I Shouldn't Repeat

Spending 24/7 with Danes has its perks, especially when they start teaching you Danish curse words.

“Røvlort” became my new nickname. I’ll let you Google the translation. Let’s just say… it’s not very flattering.

But I loved it.

These guys made every day ridiculous and hilarious.

They’d scream “SKÅL!” at random, Jonathan once shouted “HERROOOO!” in the middle of the night and a poor old lady who then yelled “SHUT THE F UP” with a voice that could crack coconuts.

Mikkel, bless him, bolted and left me to handle the situation. Thanks, buddy.

Travel Penang to Koh Lipe: The Logistics

For anyone sane and sober (not us), the journey from Penang to Koh Lipe usually goes something like this:

Ferry from Penang to Langkawi
Speedboat from Langkawi to Koh Lipe

But if you're with a squad of confused Danes, expect delays, missed boats, and heated discussions over which convenience store snack qualifies as breakfast.

Still, the moment we arrived in Koh Lipe, it was like being dropped into a screensaver.

Diving in Koh Lipe and the Joy of Clean Living (Kind Of)

Unlike our Penang madness, Koh Lipe was mildly more wholesome.

Mostly because we had to dive early. The Thai King had recently passed away, and the entire country was in mourning. Bars closed early. The island vibe was quieter than usual.

But oh, the diving. Coral gardens, seahorses, schools of barracuda.

Koh Lipe might be tiny, but it’s one of Thailand’s underrated dive spots.

I may have had a plastic-wrapped tattoo, but I still had the time of my life underwater.

I became fast friends with a Thai lady who owned a tiny restaurant right on the beach.

She quickly learned that I had a French fry addiction. Every time I ordered food, she’d sneak in extra fries, no questions asked.

One morning, I was running late for a dive, jumped straight to the long wooden Thai traditional boat. I hadn’t eaten.

Suddenly, I heard someone shout my name. There she was, sprinting down the beach with a small takeaway box and coffee. She handed it to me, scrambled eggs and fries, saying, “You dive, but first, eat!”

I could’ve cried. I probably did.

The Immigration Officer Who Adopted Me

One of the most unexpected moments?

Meeting an immigration officer who, after stamping my passport, paused and said:

“You’re my first Indonesian passport!”

Apparently, most Indonesian travelers don’t make their way to Koh Lipe.

We ended up chatting, and he invited me to lunch with his wife and kids. That lunch turned into a friendship that lasted my whole stay. He even showed me his favorite local seafood shack.

Travel Is for the People You Meet

When people ask me about backpacking through Southeast Asia, I rarely talk about temples or itineraries. I talk about:

Learning to curse in Danish.
Being nicknamed røvlort by people I now love.
Running barefoot on the beach with a box of fries in hand.
Laughing so hard my stomach hurt because someone confused Penang with Pyongyang.

That’s the magic of travel. Especially when you throw yourself into it with wide eyes, an open heart, and questionable decision-making skills.

Should You Travel from Penang to Koh Lipe?

Absolutely.

Whether you're looking to dive, eat everything in sight, or just make weirdly tall friends, this route is a gem. Penang is a cultural delight, and Koh Lipe is an island paradise, perfect for both chaos and calm.

Pro Tip: Maybe don’t get a tattoo right before a dive trip.

Or do. It makes for a great story.

Quick Guide: How to Travel from Penang to Koh Lipe

Because someone here needs actual travel tips.

Step-by-Step Itinerary:

Fly into Penang International Airport (PEN)
Explore George Town – Street art, food, colonial vibes.
Ferry from Penang to Langkawi – Usually departs from Swettenham Pier.
Speedboat from Langkawi to Koh Lipe – Book in advance, especially during high season.
Arrive at Pattaya Beach in Koh Lipe – You’ll go through immigration right on the beach!

Thank you for reading and now back to happily roaming!

Backpacking with 10 Tall Danish and a Tattoo I (Don’t) Regret