Travel, Holiday and Vacation Reviews and Photos from Bars, Restaurants, Hotels, Resorts and Destinations around the World.
On the travel tour in 2006 i was staying in Ayuthaya to visit the Historical Park of Thailands old capital. We paid 170 Thai Baht for one double room with fan in the old BJ guesthouse in central Ayuthaya near Tony´s place which offer good meals, drinks and a pool table. We arrived by train from Bangkok. The travel turn took us 2.5 hours and it was 15 Baht per person. The City was from 1350 till 1767 the capital of this country in southeast Asia. After two years war with the burmanese the Royal family fled to Thonburi. The old historical temples and building of the national park are the tourist monopole at Ayuthaya.
Ayuthaya Historical Park
After we checked in we go to the old temples who are surrounded of three rivers. The Mea Nam Lopburi, Mae Nam Pasak and the Mae Nam Chao Phraya formed a natural barrier around the beautiful old buildings. The sunset at the national park of Ayuthaya is beautiful! The temple ruins shine in the red sun of Thailand. The park is easy to reach by foot or taxi. On this evening we was visiting the Wat Suwannawat, Wat Ratburana, Wat Thammikarat and the Wat Mahathat which is close to the Beung Phra Ram lake. The temples are connected by beauties walking streets.
Walking Street in Ayuthaya
When we come back we took a shower at old BJ and than we was going in the city in a pub to drink some Chang beers. Opposite of the Moon Cafe we meet some Australian and Japanese backpacker. We took a taxi to a disco where we made party till the early morning. On the next day we woke up at 2pm at our home stay hotel. On the way to the Ayuthaya historical Park we saw some elephants who share the streets with many cars and scooters. A nice view for two guys on the first big travel tour far away from home.
Elephants in Ayuthaya
Our point of interested was on this day the Wat Mongkhon, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Lokaya Sutha and the old Royal Palace. After this station we had enough of culture an we gone back to the city for yummie food at Tony’s place.
Historical National Park
The old ruins of Ayuthaya was a highlight of our travel tour at Thailand. I can recommend Thailand’s old capital for all travelers and backpackers in southeast Asia. Ayuthaya isn´t far from BKK. You have many options like train, bus and minibus to reach this amazing city in Thailand. From here we travel by bus to the Kanchanaburi province.
Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia. I visited this Metropolis in the middle of 2007 on my Malaysia travel tour. I fly from Bangkok with AirAsia Airline to the biggest city in Peninsular. Nearly everyone know the Petronas Twin Towers which are the landmark of Kuala Lumpur. The towers of KL are with about 500 m the highest twin towers in world. When I arrived on the International Airport of Kuala Lumpur i took a taxi to Chinatown. I choose the Le Village Guesthouse from my Lonely Planet southeast Asia travel guide. This easy going establishment is in the hart of Chinatown and close to a KL Metro station. Yust 100 meters away is the Reggae Bar witch is a nice meeting point for backpackers and travelers from around the world. At this time I paid 10 Malaysian Ringit for a single room with fan. The Le Village have as well a small kitchen and a TV room to share. Another good address for staying in Chinatown is the Red Dragon Backpacker´s Hostel. Read your travel guide for more possibilities to stay in KL.
Petronas Twin Towers
Near my guesthouse was the Central Market where you can find souvenirs, food and wooden sculptures. If you looking for aa shopping mall you will find the KLCC Shopping Complex of the foot of the KL Twin Towers. Here you can find boutiques, gold and jewels, western restaurants and of course souvenirs. In the capital of Malaysia is everything easy to reach by Metro, Bus or Taxi. The cheapest are the bus but the Metro in the capital woks good. The Sri Mahamariamman Temple was another point of interest for me. This Hindu temple is build in Chinatown. Like at every temple in southeast Asia you have to take out your shoes to visit KL´s principal´s Hinduism temple. The entry to this colorful house of god is free.
Hindu Temple
In Kuala Lumpur are many more sights like the National Museum, Islamic Arts Museum, the Bird Park or the National Art Gallery. If you want to see everything you need at least one week. The best Indian curry’s are to find in Little India. I paid about 2 Ringit for a delicious meal. The traveling from KL is easy. You have many travel options to many destinations. I was leaving Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia to Cameron Highlands in the middle of Peninsular.
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Wat Pho
My first time in Bangkok was in 2006 when I did my Thailand travel-tour. Since then I spent allot time in this southeast Asian metropolis. Actually I don’t like the capital of Thailand because of the fumes and the mass of peoples who walk around. But when you live there is no way around to avoid BKK. For nearly every destination where I want to travel I have to go first to Ekkamai (the eastern bus terminal of Bangkok) to get a connection. It’s totally different than Koh Chang, the island of the Trad province where i’m living in the moment. In the biggest Thai city it’s hard to find a lonely place to relax, one option is the Lumpini Park in the center near to the Lumphini metro station on the Th Rama IV road. Since 06 Bkk have a new airport. The Suvarnabhumi Airport Bangkok is the new hub of southeast Asia.
Suvarnabhumi Airport
If you want to traveling Bangkok I can recommend the Lonely Planet Thailand for this trip. Here you find many Hotels, Resorts and guest houses for backpacker. I always go to the Sri Ayuttaya Guest House in the Thewet district. When this guest house is fully booked behind the Sri Ayuttaya is the Tavee Guesthouse Thewet which is ass well a good address to stay in Bangkok. Thewet is about 1km north of the traveler street Khao Sarn Road and offer nice and quiet Restaurants like the Khao Tha on the river. Here are many more options to stay. Many Bars, Massage studios and street shops dominate this street at Bangkoks Banglamphu quarter. The rooms at Sri Ayuttaya Guesthouse are clean and the staff helps for bookings and visas. From here it’s just a five minutes walk to the river express. This boots are the most comfortable way to travel in Bangkok. From the Central pier you have connections to the skytrain. The public transport in Bangkok have ass well a Metro with some stations in the center. From the sky train stations Sala Daeng, Mo Chit and Asoke you can switch to the metro.
The Skyline from Bangkok
On the river there breeze a “fresh” wind compared to the busy streets and you have a nice view to the temples in the capital of Thailand. There are three “must see” wat’s: the Wat Pho or Wat Po (contains the relying Buddha), Wat Arun and the Wat Phra Kaew witch homes the Emerald Buddha. This statue is the most important of the Kingdom of Thailand. The admission fee of about 2 USD for the Royal Grand Palace include the fee for the Wat Phra Kaew. Inside Wat Pho is a really famous university for Thai massage courses. All these temples are easy to reach by the river express boats, by a typical Tuk Tuk or by air condition Taxi, they are all perfect to do some nice temple pictures. If you choose the Taxi option ask before for a price or take care that the taxi driver took on the taximeter.
A Buddha Statue at Wat Po
The boats drive till around seven pm on the “Mae nahm Chao Phraya” river. If you are on Wat Po it’s not far to the for me most interesting district of Bangkok. From here it’s not far to Chinatown witch invite for shopping and catch some yummy street Thai food. A bit north from Chinatown near the Tha Saphan boat station you will see a beautiful bridge. The Rama 8th bridge you can watch from a riverside restaurant.
Sunset at the Rama bridge
The biggest shopping malls in Bkk you find at Siam station. Here you will find everything what you need for holiday or traveling. The shopping in Bangkok can be expansive at the biggest malls like: MBK, Siam square, Siam center, Siam discovery center, Emporium Shopping Center or the Pantip Plaza. If you looking for a cheap alternative you will be right at the Chatuchak Weekend market which open on Saturday and Sunday. On Khao San Road you find as well alot of shops with t-shirts, souvenirs and used Lonely Planet travel books for every countries in southeast Asia and nearly every Lonely Planet destination worldwide.
A flower in Bangkok
If you stay in Bangkok don’t miss a Ping Pong show at Patpong! It’s a funny but actually not sexy pussy show and couples are welcome. We paid 200 Thai Baht admission include one drink. If you don’t like entertainment like this there are many clubs, bars and good pubs in central bangkok and around Khao San. More sights of Bangkok are the Dusit Zoo, Lumphini Park, many cinemas, the aquarium where you can scuba diving with sharks, and and and… For more information contact your guesthouse, hotel or resort or just take a look into the travelbook. the Bangkok is a extreme city and i can recoment to stay here to all people who want to see something new, for shure the capital of Thailand offer something intersting for you. I don’t like but i don’t want to miss the visits in this city of extremes!
Temple on Bali
Middle 2007 i was in for two weeks on Bali in Indonesia for travel. I arrived at Denpasar near Kuta beach where i was staying 2 nights at the Poppies Gang 2 in a guest house. Kuta Beach is a party village. Nearly everywhere are bars, hotels, surfboard rental, restaurants, “massage” shops, disco´s and scuba dive schools. The most of the young travelers are Australians who come here to south Bali for holidays. A lot of them are here for surfing because the Indian Ocean have nice waves to surf and the bars give good options for party. My next destination was Sanur Beach witch is much more relax than Kuta. The most tourists here at the Badung strait are Families and Couples.
Beach on Nusa Penida
From here i did a day trip to Padangbai where i did with “Absolute Scuba Bali” two dives at Nusa Penida and one dive at the”Blue Lagoon” dive site near Padangbai. The first dive was on the “Manta Point” at Penida Island. It was amazing! We was just 12 meters deep when we saw six big Manta Rays. The biggest was about 4 meters long and 6 meters wide. Four of this huge fishes was in a group and circle around us during the 5 meters safety stop.
Scuba Diving on Bali
On the second dive at “Chrystal Bay” I saw many colorful fishes and nice marine life. The water temperature of the sea was 26 degrees, a bit colder than on my home Koh Chang, but still perfect for tropical scuba diving. At this time i was an Padi Advanced Open Water Diver but its not necessary. It´s enough if you have your Padi Open Water Diver certification. The Padi 5 star center “Absolute Scuba” was the right choice. Friendly staff and good maintained scuba equipment are normal at this base.
Beautiful Mantis Crab
At next i was going with a minibus to Ubud. Public transport are rare here on Bali in Indonesia but there are some TAT offices who offer some good but expansive possibilities for traveling. In Ubud are tight jungle with some beautiful dragon temples and many monkeys. In the south of the city is the “Monkey Forest Sanctuary”. Here you have to be careful of your snacks and bags because the wild animals are pathological kleptomaniacs. Ubud in southeast Asia is famous for all kind of courses, for more information ask the local tourist office or look in your Lonely Planet southeast Asia travel guide.
Jungle Sedimentary near Ubud
The next destination on the dragon island Bali was the Gunung Batur Area. The view from the Batur temple here, on the volcano Batur and the Danau Batur (Batur lake), is spectacular. From the viewpoint i took some nice pictures of the volcanic Gunung Batur. This trip i can recommend to all backpackers in Indonesia on Bali! The highest mountain here at Batur area is the G Abang with 2152 meters. The mother temple of Batur is build in classical Bali temple architecture.
Vulcano lake at Batur.
From Batur I took a taxi to Lovina at the Bali Sea cost. The sand here is black because of the Vulcan stone. On the next morning i did a Dolphin Sunrise tour. We start early in the morning with small boats at the beach. The heaven was colorful and when the sun comes up we saw many dolphins around our boat, a unforgettable moment. At Lovina I stayed in a small guesthouse direct on the black beach. A little bit out of town is a nice Reggae Pub which i can recommend for good food and live music till late in night.
Sunrise Dolphin Tour
One of the highlights for every scuba diver should be Tulamben Amed. Here at northeast Bali sunk a big U.S. cargo in the second world war by a Japanese submarine. The dive at “U.S.A.T. Liberty” wreck start from the beach. Visibilities are not that perfect here than in other regions of southeast Asia but still 10 meters are ok to see this historical sunken cargo who start at 5m dept and reach till 35 meters in the Bali Sea. We saw some Hump-head Parrot fishes and colorful Lion fishes but the wreck of Tulamben was of course the main attraction on this scuba dive. It was a bit scary to see the big weapons decorated with corals, surrounded of the quiet sea. This dive i did with a local dive center at Lovina Beach. I paid about 70 USD for two dives on the tulamben wreck and we don´t even had enough weights with us. My Padi Divemaster guide took some stones inside his bcd to sink. The wetsuit which i had was old and a lot water comes threw, by nearly 2 hours diving and 25C water temperature not really funny.
Ricefield on the way to south Bali.
On my last day on Bali I traveled back to Denpasar to get my Air Asia flight to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. From here I had conection to Bangkok in Thailand to come back to my home Koh Chang in the Gulf of Thailand. Bali was a nice trip, i meet many backpackers from around the world. The most buildings on this Indonesian Island are dominated of the dragon cult. Bali is a bit busy but still nice to travel.
Pulau Langkawi has everything you need on vacation: crystal clear water, blonde sand, tight jungle and tropical weather! The Malaysian archipelago of Langkawi comprises 99 tropical islands.
Pulau Langkawi
In the middle of 2007 I was staying at the Gecko guesthouse at the Pantai Cenang Beach. At Pantai Cenang are many options to stay, I get on Penang a recommendation for this hotel with easy rooms for 15 Ringit per night including a fan and shared bathroom.
Gecko Guesthouse
Many Asians of Japan and South Korea spent their holidays here in the straits of melaka. Langkawi Island is easy to reach by ferry from Kuala Perlis and from Pulau Penang where I was coming from. The ferry stop on a pier with many duty free stores and a big eagle statue who invite you to this tropical Paradise Island. ATM´s are widespread and for dinner you can find many traditional Asian restaurants. My highlight on this island in Southeast Asia was the Pulau Payar Marine Park of Malaysia. Here the black tip reef sharks come till the beach and I feed them with fish.
Black Tip Shark on the beach
The scuba diving over here is expansive; i paid about 80 USD for two dives at the National park included the admission fee. The East Marine Scuba Dive School gave me a lunch packed with some food and one bottle with one pint of drinking water. To less for a long diving day. We had 8liter tanks and my buddy used allot of air, so we come up every dive after about 40 minutes. But the conditions for scuba diving was perfect. We had about 20 meters visibility at 28 degrees water temperature. The first dive I did on the “Shark Point” which isn’t just a name. We saw many reef sharks and a nice reef dominated of hard corals with colorful marine life. The second dive spot was “Coral Garden”. Here at this shallow area of six meters are allot of beautiful soft corals protected of the National park.
Bat Fish on Langkawi
Here on Pulau Langkawi it isn’t a problem at all to travel with English. Nearly every Malaysian local speak the European language perfect what isn’t normal here in Southeast Asia. This Island is perfect for holidays but a bit to busy for backpacker and travelers. After 3 nights I was leaving by ferry and bus to the other side of Peninsular (west Malaysia). Kota Baru was my destination for one night. On the next morning I was traveling from this north Malaysian town to Pulau Perhentian in the South China Sea.
In the beginning of February 2009, my wife and I was travel with a boat from Siem Reap to the capital Phnom Penh. The ride over the Tonle Sap River took us six hours and coasted 24USD. A bit more than with the bus, but the view was amazing to the small fisherman’s village on the river. In the early afternoon we arrived at the Royal Highness Hotel in Phnom Penh. We paid 20 USD per night for two person include TV, air-condition, fridge and a warm water shower.
Monkeys in Phnom Penh
Our first “sight” was the Tuol Sleng Museum“. In 1975 the Tuol Svay Prey High School was taken by the clique of Pol Pot. The Khmer Rouges turned this school into the S-21 prison. Between 75 and 78 seventeentousend people are hold and lost they life by barbarism torture acts. When 1979 the Vietnamese army comes into Phnom Penh they found 21 prisoners, 14 dead and just 7 alive. We felt really bad after the visit of the security prison 21. We were driving back by a tuk tuk to the Royal Highness Hotel to relax and take a nap. In the evening we eat some Khmer food in a riverside restaurant and took a massage opposite our guesthouse. On the next day we had full program of sights, first we visit the National Museum of Cambodia.
National Museum of Cambodia
The Museum is home of many old Khmer sculpture. The building is built in 1920 in terracotta structure of traditional Asian temple design. One of the highlights is the eight armed Vishnu statue of the 6th century. In the middle of the national museum of Cambodia is a nice Asian garden with four lotus pools and a Buddha statue in the middle. The admission fee was 2 US or 8000 riel per person. After we visit the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda of Cambodia. All maps we used are from the Lonely Planet travel guide Cambodia. The picture shows the Chan Chaya Pavilion which build for classical Cambodian dance.
The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh
The tower of the throne hall is 54 meter high. It replaces since 1919 a wooden building of 1869. The Royal Palace from the Kingdom of Cambodia is built in classical Southeast Asian architecture. The silver pagoda is covered by over fivetousend silver tiles. Every tile is about one kilo heavy. Inside are the Emerald Buddha and a golden statue of Buddha with nearly 10000 diamonds. The heaviest of this stones are 25 carats. In the late afternoon my wife and i went up to a hill in the Southeast Asian capital to visit Wat Phnom. The first pagoda here was erected in 1373 for four Buddha statues. The name of the woman who discover was Penh. The temple that stands here now is rebuilt in year 26 of the 20th century.
Temple Drum of wat Phnom
On this evening we were going in the “Chiang Mai Riverside” restaurant at the Tonlé Sap River for dinner. The Thai restaurant was about 15 minutes away of our hotel. We pass a Khmer food market. The Asian market was busy, everywhere was stands with fresh fruits, meat, dead or living fish and clothes. Many locals buyed food here for cocking. An interesting spectacle for a European guy like me.
Market in Phnom Penh
The next day we travel back to Koh Chang in Thailand, the tuk tuk who brang us to the travel bus picked us up at 7o´clock in the morning. We arrived the center point ferry pier at about five pm. From the ferry to Ko Chang we saw a beautiful sunset at the mountains of Klong Son.
Sunset on Koh Chang
Phnom Penh on the Mekong River is one of the dirtiest cities in Southeast Asia I ever saw! Many traffic islands of waste are in middle of the roads. The kids are peeing and do their big business on the walking line, many organic waste rott on the streets and smell. But still the capital of Cambodia has many fantastic sights and a long history. It was interesting to visit this Asian metropole with about 1.5 million habitats.
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Sunrise at Angkor Wat
In the end of january 2009 Moun and me was traveling from Koh Chang to Siem Reap for see Angkor Wat. The temples of Angkor are the biggest religious building in world and from Koh Chang easy to reach with the minibus. We was starting at 7 o´clock here on the Island. Our first station was Aranya Prathet in Thailand. Here we cross the border to Poipet in the Kingdom of Cambodia. The border was buisy and we need about 2 hour to come into Cambodia. Direct after the duane of Thailand are many casinos and big hotels, many people of Thailand make holiday over here for have moneyplay because on thai side it´s illegal.
Highway in Cambodia
From Poipet we took a taxi to Siem Reap. The turn needs 3 hours thrue Cambodia over sand streets. Compared to other countries in southeast Asia the Kingdom Cambodia is less develloped but everywhere they build, Many projects are supported by states like south Korea or Japan. Wat AngkorIn the late afternoon we arrived our hotel “Bequest Angkor Hotel”. The room had air-con, TV, fridge and hot water for 15 USD. Here in Cambodia rule the dollar, even if you go to a ATM you get the US notes. 1 dollar are around 4000 Cambodian riel. In the morning of the next day we was going with a Tuk Tuk to Angkor Wat for watch the sunrise behind this spectacular Buddhist temple. This Wat are built for King Suryavarman 2th in the 12th century. The entry fee is 20 USD so really expensive for Cambodia but ok for this amazing wat (wat = temple). When the sun was up we gone inside to view the spectacular architectural and the old Buddha statues in the floors of Angkor Wat.
Wat Angkor
After we took breakfast in a small Khmer restaurant near the temple. The next point on our day plan was Wat Byon which is a Buddhist and Hindu temple. The 54 Gothic towers of Bayon temple are decorate with 216 Avalokitesshvara faces. Bayon are planed from Cambodias legendary King Jayavarman 7th.
Wat Bayon
For me was the highlight the Ta Prohm temple. This atmospheric ruin at Angkor is famous from the movie Tomb Rider. At the temple of Ta Prohm you can see the might of the jungle. Big vast roots locked like tree muscles the walls of this beautiful monument of Siem Reap.
Wat Ta Prohm
Some years before it was danger to go around Angkor because of the landmines from the Khmer Rouge. But now it´s ok around Angkor, but still here in Cambodia many people lost a leg, a arm or the life from the weapons of Pol Pot´s clique.
Ta Prohm Temple
After 7 hours exploring the Angkor we drove back to the Bequest Angkor Hotel to taka a nap. In the afternoon we walk to a restaurant which we found in the Lonely Planet Cambodia travel guide. The “Butterfly Garden Bar” close to the “Stung Siem Reap” river are nice for a brake for a fresh fruit shake. In the tropical garden here are many butterfly’s under a net. We was sitting under a palmtree next to a pool with koi-fishes. A good place to take a deep breath in this busy city in Cambodia. A bit south of Siem Reap are the floating village of Chong Kneas on the Tonle Sap Lake. We was visit this fisherman village on the 3rd day of our travel tour through Cambodia we took a boot from Siem Reap to the capital Phnom Penh. The boot pass the Tonlé Sap Lake into the Tonle Sap river. After this six hour bootstour through Cambodia we arrived Phnom Penh.
Fisher on Tonle Sap River
The landscapes and the Khmers are nice. We was sitting on the boots roof and watch the people during they take in they nets. Every year the cambodian fishing about 430000 tonnes of freshwater fish out of the Mekong and the Tonle Sap.
Cambodia is beautiful for travellers who want to traveling a less develloped country. My Lonely Planet travelguide was a good choice for this trip. I will come again to Cambodia to visit the sea region and the islands like Koh Kong for scuba diving. The locals invite you, with a smile, to a great country in southeast Asia! Cambodia is easy to travel, many TAT´s offer bus and boot tours to many destinations in Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam. Angkor Wat is amaizing, i can recoment this old monument in Siem Reap to all people who are intresting in magic places and great cultures.
Middle 2008 i was with Moun in her hometown near Nong Han in Thailands Udon Thani province. We was starting on Koh Chang and going first to Korat to get the bus to Udon Thani in north east Thailand. The life here in this small farmer village is simple. Realy simple! The drinking water comes from the heaven and the water for shower and toilet out of a underground spring. Here you feel like back in the past. The most people eat the rice who grow up on the own field.
Ricefields near Udon Thani at Isaan
Every morning i woke up at about 6 o´clock of the chicken. Many people from Isaan (northeast Thailand) have chicken for eating or they have them for cock fighting. When the cocks fight to each other they have blades on they feeds. The fight is over when one animal are dead. Here in northeast Thailand the supermarkets are rare and unpopular anyways. Isaan people buy here thinks like meet, vegetables and clothes at the market. One time i needed a ATM, the next was around 40 minutes with the motorbike through rice fields in Nong Han. The life is on the street and everyone knows everyone. The people stand up in the morning and bring the kids to school, after they make thinks like washing clothes with the brush, cooking food or just sitting on the street and speak with the naibors or take a nap. The landscapes are mostly flat, just some mountains you can see on the horizon. Here at Isaan in the Udon Thani province the landscapes are dominated of ricefields with buffalows on. In the kitchen everythink work without electricity but not without cole or wood.
Kitchen in asia
The food is easy, some sticky rice with vegetables and meet, papaya salad or rice with egg on wood cooked over fire. I enjoyed the food, its tasty because everything is fresh and really healthy because everything is natural. For me it was the first time here at Isaan, so time for me to say hello to Mouns parents. They kill a chicken and maked “Nam Tok Kai” with is chicken with chilly and herbs. The sticky rice what you eat together with the chicken comes fresh from the fields. Everyone who say rice don´t have taste have to try fresh one! It´s delicious! To this event nearly the hole village comes and we was sitting on the ground, eat and drink together, and the people speak and laugh. We was like V.I.P. guests this evening and was sitting on the head of this round. All people witch i meet was friendly and always someone cheers with a beer. The habitats of this village in southeast Asia say like everywhere in Thailand Chock Dii what means good luck before drinking.
Cows at Isaan in Thailand
From while to while some cows pass the sandstreets folow by a thai farmer who bring his animals back to home. One time i was going with Moun to Udon Thani city to buy something. The province capital is not really different as all other cities in Thailand. Traffic, fumes, many people and one shopping center with a KFC. Udon Thani is near the border to Laos, so the Isan language is the same as in Laos. But everybody speak Thai aswell. With English to communicate is hard because nearly nobody speak it. Some people speak two or three words like hello or how are you, but if you answer they don´t understand. So i was really happy to have my girlfriend with me not just for translations. Everywhere i come everybody was looking to me because white people from the west are rare. Many Isaan people try to speak and help the travellers but it´s difficult because of the leanguage barrier.
Landscape near Udon Thani in northeast Thailand
This part of Isaan is beautiful and quiet nearly everyday i was sitting on the way and reading a book and nothing disturb me. Northeast Thailand especially this small village i will never forget because of the relaxed atmosphere and the nice people. The walking on the lonely path are nice and you can forget everything while watching some buffalo’s on the neon green rice fields. This part of southeast asia is special, don´t miss the Isaan on your Thailand traveling tour! The Lonely Planet travel book will help you to come here and find the right accommodation on this adventure trip.
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Longbeach Pulau Kecil
The Perhentian Islands, composed of Pulau Besar (besar = big) and Pulau Kecil (Pulau = Island, Kecil = small). I call it paradise Island because of the turquoise-blue water from the south china sea and the perfect white sand at longbeach on the small island. There are no streets, no high rises and no ATM´s on this beautiful Pulau at north Malaysia near Kota Baru. The tight jungle start direct where the beach ends and the coralreefs begin when you stay 5 meters in the warm clear sea. I was staying at Long Beach on Pulau Perhentian Kecil in the Lemon Grass Chalet. The beach is around 250 meter long and you can find some small guesthouses two small restaurants with local and western food. Spice Divers have a monopol here on this amazing beach in southeast Asia. The scuba diving is fantastic here! I saw nearly every dive sharks and turtles. The highlight was a Humphead Parrotfish school at “The Iron Cape”. About 50 colosses up to 2 meters around, under and over me, amaizing! One dive with a 12L aluminium tank and full equitment was 80 Malaysian Ringit. From the beach the small boat can reach nearly every divesite in about 10 minutes and you go out every time for one scuba dive. Maximum time here by Spice Divers is one hour or 50 bar.
Humphead Parrotfishs
On Pulau Perhentian Kecil there are more or less just easy backpacker chalets. If you want to have more comfort Pulau Besar will offer you some options with international standart. I recomment the Lemon Grass Chalets or the small huts of Spice Divers. For more options look inside your Lonely Planet travelbook. The “Padi Golden Palm Resort” Spice Divers have beautiful beach terass where you can chill, hang around, meet people and of course book scuba diving for small money. A Padi Open Water Diver for example was 800 Ringit. The exelent dive sites are widespread. The “Sugar Wreck” offer good scuba wreckdiving and with “The Temple of the Sea” Perhentian have a great and intact multilevel reef for beginners and advanced divers.
Seaturtle at Pulau Perhentian
If you want to come to this beautiful part of southeast asia in Malaysia you can fly over Kuala Lumpur to Kota Baru. From the airport to the pier are driving minibuses. The ferry need about 1,5 hours till you arived in paradise. With small taxi boats you can visit other beaches for example to watch small seaturtles by the first challenge of their live. The run to the sea is dangerous for the baby turtles because the seabirds wait allready for this nature spectacle. On Perhentian Islands you can find what you eccept of total beach life, allday you will meet every traveler at least two times. You will meet people easy for play beach volleyball, go for dinner or dive with tham. This islands of Malaysia are a tropical dream, take some books and visit Pulau Kecil. The best way to enjoy this marine nationalpark: let your watch and mobile on the mainland and relax on this white beach in a heangmatte direct on the south china sea. The fee for the “Taman Laut Malaysia” (Marine Park) was 5 malay ringit witch is abaut 1,5 US.
Pulau Perhentian Kecil
My result for Perhentian Islands: A “must to go” for all travelers and backpackers in Malaysia and south Thailand. I never saw something like that before, just amaizing! I hope the goverment take care of this perl of Asia to keep the spirit on this beautie small island. This archipelo should be perfect for honeymoon, dive holidays or to come down while traveling. On this trip my Lonely Planet travelguide southeast Asia was my follower and give me good tips where to stay and what to watch in this great islam country.
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Koh Chang belongs to the Trad province and has about 5000 habitats. I´m one of tease lucky ones, since four years i living here on the island in the northern Gulf of Thailand. It´s the fastest growing tourist and backpacker area in Thailand. Every year from October to February the tourists and traveler come from all around the world here to our island. The most are Europeans like Swedish, dutch, France and Germans but the Russians coming more and more like everywhere in world. My First time on Ko Chang was in 2006 and it was love on the first view! I enjoy here the easy island life and while high season i work as a Divemaster. The area around Koh Chang belongs to the “Mu Koh Chang National park” and is perfect for scuba diving. That means the reefs and the jungle should be protected by law, should be… But still we have here one of the most intact jungle in southeast Asia. And compared to other regions the underwater world and the reefs are in a acceptable situation. Another nice destination is the Wat Klong Prao Temple on the west coast of Chan Island in Thailand.
Jungle "Pool" on Tham Mayom Waterfall
The options what to do on Koh Chang (elephant island) are nearly endless. I can give you just a cut of the attraction’s what we have here. The main attractions on Koh Chang are: scuba diving, round flights, tree top adventure (challenges in the jungle), jungle trekking, snorkeling and of course elephant riding. I recommend the “Ban Kwan Chang” elephant camp because the owner give the money to projects in north Thailand where they bring elephants back in the wild jungle.
Elefant at Ban Kwan Chang
Jet ski and stuff like this they don´t have and they don´t want to have! Here you can still relax on the beach. For the girls: nobody want to see you in a string or without a bikini top!!! It´s too bad that i have to write but allot people don´t respect that part of Thai culture. If you want to lie half nude on the sands, go to Pattaya or to Phuket and not to Ko Chang!! As swell we have some waterfalls but actually in high season they don´t have that much water, it´s better to visit them during the rain time from April to September. The most travelers going to the “Nam tok Klong Plu” or to the “Nam tok than mayom” witch is my favorite. If you go there don´t forget swimsuit if you want to swim in a natural pool in front of the waterfalls.
Every time when i come with the taxi from the ferry the half of the people even don´t know witch beach on Koh Chang they want to stay, so i hope i can give some options where to stay.
Fishermans house at Klong Son
Where to stay on Koh Chang is a difficult question, anytime people ask me this question. My answer is always: what do you accept from your holidays? The possibilities reach from 100 baht for a windy beach hut with atmosphere to 20000 Thai baht per night for a first class luxury apartment.
Chinese style temple at Klong Son
If you come from the ferry and catch a taxi the first village is Klong Son, here are some hotels, resorts and restaurants but Klong Son haven´t that much tourists than other beaches. The follow list shows just the most visited beaches of Koh Chang, for more information visit this homepage.
White Sand Beach (Had Sai Khao)
White Sand Beach is the most popular beach on the Island. The beach is nearly white and you can relax on the sands or cool down in the warm Gulf of Thailand. Here You can find everything what you need during your holidays. On the main road there are many luxury hotels, boutique resorts, restaurants, tour booking offices, bars and souvenir shops. The most hotels here at white sands are family resorts with air condition and swimming pool. My recommendations are KC Grande, Alina Resort and Tantawan Bungalows witch is direct on the beach next to Tapas Bar with a good atmosphere. The restaurants serve farang and Thai food, in the evening there is sometimes live music.
White Sand Beach
The best location for live music is Oodies place in the north of the beach near cookies resort. Another option is Sabay Bar Disco witch open at 9pm till late in the night. Here you can dancing, make party or meet people. You can sit on the beach and smoke a Indian shisha with fruit tobacco. In south of Had sai kao there is a bar complex with many “girlie bars”. The people from Chang island call it “little Pattaya”. You can flirt with Bar girls, play free pool or just drink some Chang beers. Couples are welcome. White sand beach is the right choice for young people who will go out in the evening. Many families prefer had sai khao because of the good offer on high class hotels and restaurants from all around the world. Here on white sands you can find the biggest steak of Koh Chang, with one point two kilos “buffalo bill steak house” offer the biggest meat loaf here on the island. If you eat everything you get a free t-shirt from the Swedish owned steak house. Many Scandinavian people go here to buy Swedish salted candies. The most travelers on white sands come from Scandinavian and west Europe. This is the busiest beach on the elephant island, but some people like to have entertainment at holidays, for this traveler is Had Sai Kao the right option.
Chai Chet
Chai Chet is between white sands beach and Klong Prao. Here you find some hotels on a quiet beach and fire shows at the beach bars and restaurants in the evening. The small center have everything what you need, a good choice of Thai and international restaurants, Thai massage shops, Internet Cafes, supermarket and some cocktail bars at the Koh Chang Plaza. The beach look with the many coconut palms like what you expect from a tropical beach in Thailand. From Chai Chet cape you have a nice place to watch the colorful sunset on the horizon of the Gulf of Siam at the Cape. Chai Chet is a good option for people who like it quiet but don´t want to miss the luxury and food from home. Here are many families, couples and honeymoon tourists.
Klong Prao Beach
Here i´m living, for me the beautifulest village on Koh Chang because of the quiet tropical beach with coconut trees and the good choice of bungalows and hotels. On Klong Prao Beach you can find from windy beach huts till 5star resorts everything what you like. The only think is that there is not a real center but with a scooter witch you can rent nearly everywhere or with a taxi its 5 minutes to Kai Bae or 10 minutes to Chai Chet. Here i was living 1.5 years direct on the beach at Thale Bungalows.
Party at Thale Bungalow
This was really the paradise on earth. The small Beach Huts was handmade from bamboo and a good choice for backpackers and people who like adventure. At Thale Restaurant they served good Thai food for a good price. At least two time per week here you found live music on a perfect beach. The question where to stay on Koh Chang don´t was any question for me when i saw Thalé Bungalows! But now the contract of the rented land is expired and Siri the owner have now new bungalows named Stone Free Bungalows at Pai in north Thailand. But still you can find some nice and easy bungalows on the beach, Tiger Hut is one of these. My restaurant recommendation’s are Yummy Hut, Nids kitchen on the main road and Baracuda Restaurant direct on the beach with a good view for the sunset.
Sunset from Klong Prao Beach
Both serve Sea- and Thai food, the prices are cheap for that what you get and the Thai owners are friendly and will invite you with a smile. Big Elk steak house on the road offer a good mix of Thai and Farang food and nice cheap wood bungalows with a swimming pool for a fair price. Here you can come in the evening for good food, good friends and good atmosphere. Every 1st and 15st here at big elk you have the “Chang Spirit Party”, enjoy by a Chang beer the rhythms of reggae, blues and rock n roll. The Chang Spirit Foundation helps to protect the nature on Koh Chang and bring Thai locals and foreigners closer together. Join this party and support this foundation to keep the nature on Ko Chang. Klong Prao Beach is for everybody who like it quiet and relax in holidays. Here you can lie on the beach or inside a hang mock to read a book or watch the beautiful sunset of Thailand‘s third biggest island!
Colorful sunset at Klong Prao
Kai Bae Beach
The village Kai Bae is a good option for couples, families and people who stay longtime over winter. Scuba diving schools, Internet Cafes, restaurants, supermarkets and souvenir shops are just some of the bright offer that Kai Bae have. Don´t miss a Thai massage at north Kai Bae near the KB Clinic at “Smai Burapa Beauty and Massage”. The possibilities to stay are endless, It starts with small beach huts like “Siam Cottage” go over the Sea Breeze rooms with comfort and style and ends with first class hotels like “The Chill”. In a suit with sea view at The Chill you can spent comfortable Thailand honeymoons or deluxe beach holidays. Hotels and Resorts are widespread on this honeymoon and vacation village. There are some bungalows who offer special prices for long stay tourists like the “Kai Bae Beach Resort” direct on white sand for around 5000 Baht per month. Many good Restaurants like “Sawadee Seafood” offer Thai food. There are as well allot of international restaurants like “O2″, “Jungle View” or “Oodies brothers” witch offer meals in European and western style. Oodies is famous for live music, every evening you can listen to Rock, Blues and Love Songs. The street invite for walking or shopping in the evening. Kai Bae Beach is much more quiet than White Sands but here are nearly the same kind of shops instead of the discos and the Nightlife on Koh Chang in Thailand. “Kai Bae Hut Speedboats” bring tourists for small money to a lonely island named “Koh Yuak” for snorkeling and relaxing. Direct after the 7eleven at the south end you can walk up a way to the jungle and a small but nice waterfall. Drink the best fresh coffee on Koh Chang at “Mochacchino” with a crispy salami baguette from “Papa” bakery and see how easy the life can be in this sleepy and familiar tourist village.
Lonely Beach (Had Tha Nam)
This beach is´t lonely anymore but still it´s number one of many backpackers. Nearly all travelers come to Lonely Beach because of the cheap huts and the bucked party’s at “Treehouse“, Joy Cottage, Stone Free Bar or Ting Tong Bar. In the center are many options to go out and rest. To meet people from all over the world is easy. Compared to other villages the resorts are rare, there are some but the backpacker huts, bungalows and guest houses dominate the city. The atmosphere of this village remember a bit of the 60s.
Lonely Beach near Nature Beach Resort
The most visited Bars at nighttime are “Treehouse” and “Nature Beach Resort”. At Treehouse you can sit direct over the water and drink some beers, meet open minted people or just read a book in your hang mock. At Ting Tong Bar (crazy bar) playing some solo artists live music till late in night. But my absolute favorite for live music and go in the evening to meet open minded people is the Stone Free Bar. Here at lonely beach you will forget the time! Feel a touch of the late 60´s at the Woodstock of Koh Chang.
Bang Bao Fisherman village
Pier at Bang Bao
Bang Bao is a small fisherman village build on a pier over the Gulf of Thailand. From while to while we go here to relax and to run away from the all day turn. If we have a day off we stay many times over night at the “Bang Bao Sea Hut” Hotel which is in the end of the pier. The Nirvana Resort is another top accommodation in Bang Bao on Kochang. The pier at Bang Bao is the biggest on Koh Chang. Many tour operators like snorkeling boats, scuba diving schools and of course fisher boats go out every morning from here to the sea.
Fisherboats at Bang Bao harbor
Many locals earn they money with fishing but like everywhere here the tourist boom come more and more. There are many Guest Houses, Hotels, Restaurants and Souvenir Shops on the walking pier witch invite for a day trip to Bang Bao for shopping and sightseeing. I recommend the “Bang Bao Sea Hut” hotel witch is direct on the pier. They serve the breakfast direct on the balkony with view of the harbor. In the evening You have a nice view of the sunset between two hills, beautiful. The Sea Hut charge at this moment about 1500 Thai Baht for a bungalow with TV, hot shower, fridge and air condition direct on the sea. For budget travelers i can recommended the “Cliff cottage” huts because of the nice view and the warm atmosphere. This small bamboo huts are build on a hill with view over Bang Bao village. They have a sunset terass on the water where you can relax and drink some Chang Beers in the evening.
Sunset from Bang Bao pier
The beach of Bang Bao is one of the nicest of Koh Chang. After 5m walk in the warm Gulf its already deep enough for swimming. The beach is still quiet and you get that what you expect from a tropical beach: white sand, blue water, coconut palms and beverage like cocktails or fresh fruit shakes are served from the cosy The End Beach Restaurant.
We always enjoy to go to Bang Bao because the pier is always busy, but still you have options to relax in the resorts and hotels or take a brake in one of the widespread seafood restaurants on the pier. In the morning you can watch the wife’s of the fisherman’s how they clean and sell fish and all kind of fresh seafood from the Gulf of Thailand.
Koh Chang east coast
The east coast is quiet and possibilities to stay are rare. The most popular beach on this part of the Island is Long Beach, this beach isn´t actually long but very beautiful. Here located is the “Treehouse Longbeach” witch offer easy beach huts for backpackers and a small restaurant for day visitors. Everyday there is a taxi from “Treehouse Lonely Beach” to this beautiful spot and accommodation on Kao Chang.
Long Beach Koh Chang
The coast is better to explore with a scooter because public taxis are really rare and you must be lucky to catch one. If you do a day trip don´t miss the “nam tok than mayom” waterfall in the middle of Koh Chan Island. Near the center point ferry pier there is “Funky Hut” hotel witch is my favorite on the east side. The view over the sea to the mainland is fantastic, a perfect destination for honeymoon because of the distance to the civilization. At Funky Hut Restaurant they serve all kind of food and fresh fruit shakes.
Fell like in paradise and visit Koh Chang for a vacation you will never forget!
New posts of Travel Reports and Pictures.
Koh Chang Hotels Booking & Reviews:
Hotel Bookings and Reservations
Koh Chang Hotels – Koh Kood Hotels – Koh Mak Hotels
Trat province Destinations
Koh Kood – Koh Mak – Mairood – Trad
Koh Chang Topics
Nightlife – Scuba Diving
Koh Chang Accommodation and Hotel Reviews
Aana Resort- Amari Resort – Banpu Hotel – Big Elk – Blue Lagoon – Chai Chet Resort – Chang Buri Resort – Chang Park – Chok Dee Resort – Cliff Beach Resort – Coconut Beach Resort – Cookies Hotel – Coral Resort – Dusit Princess Resort – GajaPuri Resort – Garden Resort – Grand Cabana Resort – Grand Lagoona Resort – Grand View Resort – Joy Cottage – Kacha Resort – KB Resort – KC Grande Resort – Keeree Ele Hotel – Klong Prao Resort – Koh Chang Resort – Koh Chang Sea Hut – KP Huts – Lagoon Resort – Mac Resort – Magic Resort – Mai Pen Rai Guesthouse – New Treehouse – Nirvana Resort – Nisa Cabana Resort – Orchid Resort – Panviman Resort – Paradise Resort – Plaloma Cliff Resort – Remark Cottage – Sang Arun Bungalow – Sanook Sanang Resort – Sea Breeze Bungalows – Sea View Resort – Siam Cottage – Sofia Garden Resort – Tantawan Resort – Thale Bungalows – The Chill Resort – The Dewa Hotel – Tiger Hut – VJ Hotel
Attractions, Activities and Sights
Ban Kwan Chang – BB Divers – Chai Chet Cape – Keeri Phet Waterfall – Klong Plu Waterfall – Koh Yuak – Nang Yom Waterfall – Scenic Area Kai Bae – Smai Burapa Massage – Than Mayom Waterfall – Tree Top Adventure – Klong Prao Temple
Clubs, Bars and Restaurants
Bar del Mar – Buffalo Bill – Cafe de Koh Chang – Mochaccino – Nids Kitchen – Oodies Brothers – Oodies Place – Paddys Palms – Papa Bakery – Sabay Bar – Stone Free – Tapas Bar – The End Beach – Ting Tong Bar – Treehouse – Yes Bar – Yummy Hut
