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Seeing double

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It's not widely known that Lantau Island has a doppelganger.

In the southern Thai province of Krabi lies a similar-sized island that also has long sandy beaches, a mountainous spine and an 'away from it all' feel.

The sense of deja vu in this corner of the Andaman archipelago extends to a fishing village on stilts, herds of buffalo and hidden waterfalls - although here you need an elephant to reach them.

The islands even share the same name. Well, almost.

Unlike its Hong Kong twin, Koh Lanta - 'Lanta Island' - lacks an airport, so to get here, it's best to fly to Phuket and hop on the twice-daily ferry that zips across the electric blue ocean.

There is a brief stop en route, at Phi Phi Island, where limestone rock formations, translucent water and squeaky white sand tempt awestruck passengers to jump ship. Phi Phi's beauty comes at a price, however. Hordes of day trippers compete for postage stamp-sized patches of sand and rows of bungalows are squeezed in, cheek by jowl.

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