Travel, Holiday and Vacation Reviews and Photos from Bars, Restaurants, Hotels, Resorts and Destinations around the World.
Penang Georgetown
On my Southeast Asia and Peninsular Travel Tour 2007 I spent some days in Georgetown on Pulau Penang. I was coming from Cameron Highlands by Bus to this big City in Malaysias Peninsular. I don’t saw so much from Pulau Penang Island, actually I spent my time just in Georgetown to explore the City. My Guest House was the Swiss Hotel wich offer simple rooms with a Bed, Fan and shared Bathrooms for 17 Ringit. Two times I come here for a Visa Run from Thailand, than I was Staying at the Malibu Cafe Hostel in the Lebuh Chulia Road in the Heart of Georgetown. The Oasis Hotel, 75 Travllers Lodge and the Cathay Hotel are as well good addresses for Backpackers and Travelers from around the World.
Mosque in Georgetown
Coco Island Travellers Corner is a good address to share some experiences with other Travelers in Malaysia. The main Sights in Georgetown are the Fort Cornwallis, the Penang Museum and the Kapitan Keling Mosque. Georgetown is as well famous for the big Shopping Center direct in the Centre. From here you have many option to Travel, the buses from the Bus Terminal go to many places in Malaysia and from the International Airport a bit out of the Center fly many Air Asia Planes to many Destinations in Southeast Asia. On my Peninsular Backpack Tour I took a Ferry to Pulau Langkawi. For more Info about the Island Penang and Georgetown read the Lonely Planet for Malaysia or South-East Asia.
Travel in Bangkok
I started on Koh Chang Island in the Gulf of Thailand. From there i took a public Bus to Bangkok. From Thailands Capital I was flying with Air Asia Airline to Kuala Lumpur. Malaysias Capital was as well my first point on my Travel Tour in the midle of 2007. After Some days I left to Cameron Highlands by V.I.P. Bus. From Peninsular’s Highlands I traveled by Mini Van to Ipoh where I had a Bus connection to Georgetown on Pulau Penang. On this Island in the Strait of Melakka i stayed some days before I took a ferry to Pulau Langkawi a bit south from the Thai Boarder. From Lankawi I Traveled over Kuala Perlis to Perhentian Islands which was one of my highlights on this Tour threw Peninsular (West Malaysia). From the beautiful Perhentian Archipelago I took a ferry back to Malaysia’s mainland. Kota Baru was my next destination on this Southeast Asia Travel Tour. From Kota Baru in North Malaysia I traveled by Train to Singapore. The turn took my about 30 hours threw Peninsulars Jungle. A nice trip by open doors of the diesel train. Late at night I arrived Singapore. From this Southeast Asian City-State I took a Bus back to Malaysia, over Johor Bahru I arrived Melaka. From there I go back to Kuala Lumpur to get my Air Asia flight AK904 to Bali in Indonesia.
Air Asia Flight
On Bali I spent round about two weeks. I arrived at Denpasar Ngurah Rai and Traveled from there 15 days around on Bali. My highlights on this Indonesian Island was Nusa Penida, Ubud, Tulamben and Lovina Beach. For more Information you can read the backpacker Report about Bali or buy a Lonely Planet South-East Asia Travel Guide. From the Dragon Island Bali I took a Plane back to KL. After one night in Malaysia’s Capital Kuala Lumpur my Flight leaving back to Bangkok Suvanaphumi Airport in Thailand from where I took a Taxi to the Sri Ayuttaya Guest House. After round about 80 days I arrived tired but happy at my home Thale Bungalows on Koh Chang Island. On this Southeast Asian Travel Tour I get a lot Inspirations and saw many sights, landscapes and meet many nice Tourists, Backpacker and Traveler from around the world.
Kota Baru
On my Peninsular and Southeast Asia Travel Tour 2007 I spent some days in Kota Baru in the Zeck Travelers Inn. Zeck, the owner of this Guest House bring me and to other guests to a Monkey Contest. On this contest many people from everywhere in Malaysia come with them Monkeys to catch Coconuts from palm trees. The winner was the Monkey who took the most Coconuts in one minute. It was a big spectacle in Kota Baru near the Boarder to Thailand. I arrived by Bus from Pulau Perhentian in the South Chinese Sea. In this State Capital you will find many small Restaurants who offer good Indian and other Asia Food. My favorits are Meena Curry House, Restoran Sri Devi and Hayaki.
Monkey Contest
My highlight at Kota Baru in Peninsular (West Malaysia) was the Central Market. Many locals offer in a modern Markt building fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, all kind of meat and clothes. On the way to the market you will pass some supermarkets and other shops where you can watch the all day life of the habitats of Kota Baru. Many people come here to visit the Thai Consulate to get a Visa for Travel Thailand. A lot Traverllers, Tourists and Backpackers arrive at Malaysia’s Kota Baru Airport from Kuala Lumpur to travel Perhentian Islands which is easy to reach from here by Public Bus Taxi or Minivan. Kota Baru have good structures for Backpackers, ATM’s, Guest Houses, Restaurants, Hostels and Hotels are widespread. The Travel options are nearly endless, here are a Airport, Bus Terminal and a Train Station for connections in Peninsular, Thailand and Singapore.
Central Market
From the Railway Station I took a Train to Singapore, I recommend to book the tickets in advanced because it’s happen many times that the Train is fully booked. For more Informations about this Town in Malaysia read your Lonely Planet Travel Book or ask in the Tourist Information Center in the City of Kota Bara in Asia.
Floating Village on Tonle Sap Lake
In the end of January till the beginning of February 2009 I was traveling with my Girlfriend Moun at Central Cambodia. We start at Koh Chang in the morning at 8:00 AM. We book a Minivan to Siem Reap. We was lucky, on this day we was the onliest one who go by this Travel Agency to Siem Reap. So we don’t go by Minibus, a private Car pick us up from our Bungalow at Big Elk Steak House. The Car bring us to Aranya Prathet the border city between Thailand and Cambodia on Thai side. The stop at the boarder took us three hours to get a Visa for the Kingdom in Southeast Asia. The boarder was busy, we wait and wait till we arrived Poipet in Cambodia. From here we had two options, go by bus or by Taxi. The Taxi was 400 Thai Baht for each and took us 2.5 hours to Siem Reap. The Bus Turn should be around 6 hours.
Tuk Tuk
After two days at the City of Angkor Wat we book a boat to Phnom Penh. The Boat trip was 26 USD and six hours on the Tonle Sap. A Mini Van picked us up at 07:00 AM and brang us to the Tonlé Sap Lake where the famous floating village are. The Boat start in the north of the big Lake in Central Cambodia. After 2 hours traveling by bus we arrived the Tonlé Sap River which runs direct to the Capital of this Kingdom in Asia. We Travel atlong nice landscapes and small fisherman villages, a nice Trip on the top of the Boat. The Ferry stop at a pier in Cambodias Capital, from there we took a Tuk Tuk to our Hotel which we found in the Lonely Planet Travel Book. Here we was staying here as well two nights.
Fisherman's on the Tonle Sap River
We Travel back to the Island in the Gulf of Thailand by bus. The turn was all in all 7 hours on less developed streets. The Bus drive true green landscapes to Koh Kong, the boarder town to Thailand in south Cambodia. At the had Lek Boarder we was waiting about a half hour to get my Thailand Visa. From Had Lek we need one hour to the Center Point Ferry Pier were the Ferry leaves to Koh Chang Island. From the Center Point Ferry we had a nice view to the Sunset. From the pier a friend picked us up and brang us back to our Bungalow at Klong Prao Beach. This Central Cambodia Travel Trip was nice, we saw alot in short time.I think this was not my last trip to Cambodia, the people are friendly and Traveling with English is mostly no problem. Especialy not in the Tourist areas. This Country in South-East Asia is less developed but still it’s nice for Backpackers and Travelers to see how simple the life can be.
Cameron Highlands
I Traveled from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands by public Bus. It was a nice Trip trew evergreen Rainforest and Mountains who catch the clouds. The Price for this Travel Trip was 17 Malaysian Ringit.At Cameron I was staying at Fathers Guest House in Tanah Rata. The Guest House is a five minutes walk from Tanah Rata Town where you find Restaurants, Supermarkets and ATM’s. A single Room with shared Bathroom and a Fan was 20 Ringit. For more Hotels and Hostels at Tanah Rata look at the Lonely Planet Travel Guide for Malaysia or Southeast Asia. This idyllyc City is surrounded by Mountains, Tea and Strawberry plantages. Because of the low temperatures on the 1536 meter high Bukit Mentigi Mountain are the conditions good for Tea. All over year here at Cameron Highlands are temperatures like in Europe at Summer. Perfect as well for the Strawberry Plants!
Fathers Guest House
I spent here 4 days on my Southeast Asian Travel Tour 2007. My highlight at Cameron Highlands in Peninsular (West Malaysia) are the small Jungle Trails around Tanah Rata. It was a pleasant walk along a Jungle River to some nice Waterfalls like the Robbinson Falls or the Parit Waterfalls. An other sight at this high spot in Peninsular is the Sam Poh Chinese Temple. Here I meet many Backpackers and traveler from around the World. Every Evening we sit together at Fathers Guest House, talked about our last Travel Destinations and ask for Travel tips from the next Cities/Islands.
Jungle at Cameron
From the Cameron Highlands I took a Bus to Ipoh where I had a non stop Bus conection to Georgetown on Pulau Penang in Northwest Malaysia. Tanah Rata was one of my favorite places on this Traveling Trip. The sleepy Village is a good Travel Destination. The landscapes are totally different than at any other Destination in Malaysia where I have bin. But don’t forget a light Jacket because at Nighttime it can be 12-14 degrees Celsius. grrrrrr cold!
Katueng Beach
Koh Mak is a small tropical Island of the Koh Chang Archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand. Maak Island is 16 square kilometer in sice and have about 500 habitats. The locals living from Rubber / Coconut Plantation, Fishing and more and more from the Tourism on this cosy Island in Southeast Asia. Compared to other Islands in Asia and Thailand is Ko Mak really quiet. The less developed streets are widespread, it’s beautiful to drive threw tight Coconut and Rubber trees. I was here in the beginning of March 09. We stayed at the Ao Katueng Beach in the north-west of Koh Maak. Moun and I rent a Motorbike at the Monkey Island Resort to explore “the pearl of Thailand”.
South Koh Mak
First we went to Ao Tokai in the north of Koh Maak. On the way we visit the ruins of the “Love Temple”, the “local Handycraft sculpture” and Ao Suanyai Beach. Near the Pier at Suanyai Bay we drank a fresh Banana Shake at Coffee shop “Orchid” next to Koh Maak Resort. Than we drive to the Northeast and rest on the Lonely Ao Talong Beach. From there we go over Ao Taan to the East end and drank a cold Water at the “Little Moon Resort”. We drove thrue tight Rubber Plantages to the Temple of Koh Mak near Ao Nid Pier. Here we stopped to pray and enjoy the nice view over the warm water of the Gulf of Thailand. Direct on the pier you can visit the Ko Mak History Museum. Our next destination was the “Smile Cooking School” to visit a friend who live before at Klong Prao Beach on Koh Chang Island. On the way we saw a nice white Paragon direct on the sea. Here are the graves of the five brothers who owned before the hole Island.
Buddha at the Temple
We Travel atlong the Laem Chan Beach to “Cafe del Mak” for some refreshments. On this evening we eat some yummies Thai Food at Baan Sabaay Restaurant close to our Resort at Katueng Beach. We enjoyed Koh Mak, it’s a quiet Paradise Island with many flair. The Beaches are lonely and long. The Coconut Palms stop nearly where the warm water start, like in Paradiese! The Pearl of the Gulf of Thailand offer a great location for all who like to chill and relax at holidays. There are some options to go out in the evening, some bars on the beach have Life Music, fire shows or a nice view for the colorful Sunset behind the hills of Koh Mak Island in Thailand.
Sunset at Ko Mak
If you want to go diving there are three Scuba Schools on the tropical Island. Ploy Scuba, Koh Maak Divers and Paradise Divers offer Padi Courses and Fun Dive Day Trips around Ko Maak at the Mu Koh Chang National Park. This protected area are famous for many kind of colorful Marine Life and huge Fish Schools. Paradise Divers offer as well CMAS courses in the warm water of the Gulf.
Monkey Island Bar
The Monkey Island Hotel offer cosy Beach front Bungalows at the Ao Katueng Beach on Ko Maak in the Gulf of Thailand. I was here in the beginning of March 2009 with Moun, my Sister and a Friend. We paid 1800 Thai Baht for a two person Hut with Air-Con and warm water shower. The Bungalows who are not direct on the Beach are cheaper, smaller and have shared Bathrooms and Toilets. Monkey Island Resort is located between “Island Hut Resort” and “Koh Mak Cottage”. The Hut price included as well American Breakfast at the “Monkey Shock” Restaurant and free Internet at the Reception of this accommodation on Koh Maak. For 300 Thai Baht per day they offer Motorbikes to Explore this Island of Thailand. The Beach Huts are beautiful, on the big Terrace are a sofa and a Hang mock for chill and watch the turquoise sea. At the Orang Utang Bar which belong to the Resort are every evening Life Music. In day time you can relax at the tropical beach or on the small pool next to the bar of this accommodation. The Money Island Guest House on Koh Mak are a good choice for Family’s, Backpacker, Traveler and Tourists who like holidays in cosy Beach front Bungalows.
Our Bungalow
Sunset at Kai Bae Beach
This Scenic Area is located on the south end from Kai Bae on the tropical Island Koh Chang in Thailand. From the View Point there is a beautiful view over the Sea. The sunsets are amazing from here. The sun goes down behind some small Island which belongs to the Mu Koh Chang National Park. The Islands like Koh Yuak which you will see from here are all uninhabited. On the Scenic Area in Kai Bae Beach are public Toilets and sometimes some Thai Food stands where you can buy some snacks. The easiest way to reach this View Point on Koh Chang is by Motorbike wich you can rent nearly everywhere at Kai Bae Beach in Thailand. The price for one day is about 200 Thai Baht excluded Gasoline. If you want to do some exercises, no problem! It’s just a 10 minutes walk from south Kai Bae Beach. Just follow the Mainroad and don’t forget the usual stuff which you need everywhere in Thailand: Suncreme, Drinking Water and Mosquito Spray. The fee for the view point is free. Enjoy the romantic Sunsets of Koh Chang from this view point, it’s one of the nicest places to do that on the Tropical Island in Thailand.
Nam Tok Na Muang Waterfall
The Nam Tok Na Muang is the highest Waterfall on the Island Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand. It’s about 80 meters high and 10 meters wide. This Waterfall is easy to reach from everywhere on Koh Samui by Taxi or Motorscooter. A sign on the Main road of Thailands second biggest Island will show you the way along nice landscapes and an Elephant Camp. About 600 meter away from the Na Muang Waterfall you can park your Motorbike and buy some Thai Food and cool drinks like water and Pepsi. The walk to the Namtok Na Muang is nice, you walk along a small River in the tight Jungle. If you wear the right shoes you can climb up to the top of this Fall. If you on the top you will find nice Nature Pools with cancers, fishes and turtles for swimming. Here it looks like Paradise, many colorful Butterfly’s fly around and the Insects, Monkeys and Birds sing the song of the Jungle.
Jungle Pool at the Waterfall
Thailands Nam Tok Na Muang Waterfall is a good day trip on the busy Island Koh Samui in Thailand. If you come here in the early morning it’s not that busy like in the afternoon when the tourist masses coming to see this huge Waterfall.
Koh Samui Hotels
Clouds
Air Asia is a Cheap Airline with headquarter on the International Airport in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Air Asia is famous here in Southeast Asia for good planes, good service and of course for the amazing Air Net here in Asia. The rules of Air Asia are: 15 kg luggage and no food or drinks are included of the flight price. Often the prices of Air Asia are cheaper than a Bus or Train conection. Food, Drinks and Souvenirs are available on Bord of the Airbus Planes. The prices are not much higher than anywhere else in South East Asia. This Airline is perfect for Traveler and Backpackers, to book a flight is easy as when you buy a bus ticket! All AirAsia Flights are bookable at the Internet via Credit Card on AirAsia.Com. On the check in counter you don’t need a ticket just your passport. The counter is open till half hour before the Airplane start, that allows much more freedom on your travel plan. I was already on six Air Asia flights and everyone was cheap, on time and had a perfect Board service.
Board Service
The Air Planes are provided with leather seats. The space for the legs is wide enough as well for a huge guy like me. But the best on Air Asia Airline is the price. It’s amazing cheap! The flightprice for my trip to Kuala Lumpur and Bali was together about 70 € excluded Airport Tax for four flights: from Bangkok Suvannabhumi to KL International, from KL to Depensar on Bali and both return. An other flight from Chiang Mai to Bkk in Thailand was 950 Thai Baht compared to the night train it was about 100 Baht more expansive but we save 13 hours. I can recommend Air Asia, it’s a good choose for business, holidays and traveling!
Wing
