Travel, Holiday and Vacation Reviews and Photos from Bars, Restaurants, Hotels, Resorts and Destinations around the World.
Clouds in the Mountains
On our Thailand travel tour 2006 we visited Ranong to see the mineral hot springs. This city is the home of about 30000 Thai people. We was coming by bus from Phang Nga.The turn with a public bus 3th class took us about five hours. I our Thailand Lonely Planet we found the “Spa Inn” hotel direct on the highway. This hotel took the water direct from the Ranong mineral hot springs in the bathtub of our hotel room. It was nice to have a hot bath after about one month low budget traveling.
Mineral Hot Springs
For eating we was mostly in the Springs Guest House. The owner from Australia offer good breakfast. The first evening we was searching for the Chuan Aksam Bookshop in the city, we walked and walked threw the center of Ranong but we don’t found. This evening we was eating a great sandwich near the Th Phoem Phon road. On the next day we walked along hills with tight jungle on. The big trees cached the clouds. A beautiful view! On the way from our guesthouse to the springs we pass a big Buddha statue in the mountains.
Buddha at Ranong
The 65C degrees hot water from the springs come out of earth near the Khlong Hat Sompaen river. The locals believe that the water from the mineral springs is holy and care many sicknesses. Here we was the only farang tourists who are traveling through Asia. Many Thais from all provinces come in usual on weekend here to clean them self with the holy water. Near the springs are many restaurants guesthouses and hostels. For more information about possibilities to stay in Ranong look in the Lonely Planet travel book or ask at any booking office in Ranong. If you are a scuba diver than don’t miss a diving trip to the Burma banks. You can book small liveabord tours from two days in nearly every guest house. The price was in 2006 for two days on a diving boat with full scuba equipment and divemaster or Padi instructor about 200 USD. From here we traveled after two nights at the “Spa Inn” to Chumpon in north direction. This spot in southeast Asia is good for every Backpacker or travelers who want to do a short break on the way up the north. Ranong is nothing special but still it’s a nice city in Thailand with flair.
Thailand Hotel Reservations.
Oodie’s Place is a restaurant in the north end of White Sand Beach on Koh Chang. This Restaurant offer a good offer on French, Italian and Thai dishes. My favorite at Oodies is Pasta. But many people don´t come for dinner, the most people come for the music! Every evening you can listen to live music. The live band at Oodies Place in Had Sai Kao play the best of Reggae, Rock and love songs. Here you can enjoy good music by a cold beer or a bottle of Sangsom. When the owner Oodies is on stage of this nice restaurant and bar you will hear world class Blues and Rock n´Roll. In the back of Oodies Bar there is a pool table where you can play for free. For me it is the best address at White Sands Beach on Ko Chang in Thailand. I was here many times with friends to drink Chang Beers, Sangsom and of course for listen to the guitar of Oodie. Try it out, this place is uniqe in Thailand and on Koh Chang!
Oodie's Place
Travel from Surat Thani to Samui
The island Koh Samui belongs to the Kingdom of Thailand in southeast Asia. Many tourists, backpacker and travelers come here every year for holiday. I was here with a friend from Germany on our Thailand travel tour in 2006. We was staying at the “New Hut” guest house on Hat Lamai Beach in the south of the island. The hostel is direct on the beach with view over the Gulf of Thailand. The main Beach on Ko Samui is the Hat Chaweng Beach in the north east. Here are many guesthouses, hotels and resorts. The island is busy compared to other islands like Koh Chang. But still many people enjoy here the tropical Asian sun. Hat Chaweng have many possibilities to go out, eat or relax on a hotel pool.
New Hut Guest house
At New Hut we meet some travelers from Australia and Europe. One evening we took a taxi to a Reggae Pub in the north at the main beach. It was nice but we was happy that we don’t stay at the Chaweng holiday village with many Bars, Restaurants and Souvenir shops. We took a ferry from Surat Thani to the Na Thon Pier. There waiting many taxis who bring you to every place on the island, like everywhere in Thailand is is easy here to find transport. Once we was visiting the Nam Tok Na Muang Waterfall. This Waterfall is easy to reach by taxi. The taxi driver took you out about 500 meter away from the fall.
Na Muang Waterfall
From here it’s a pleasant walk threw the jungle of Koh Samui. The water falls down from about 80 meter in a natural Pool where you can swimming. If you want you can climb up next to the fall to see nice jungle pools with many crabs and fishes on top from the Na Muang. Many butterfly’s let you feel like in paradise. Many people decide to make a Padi diving course. The most scuba schools here in the gulf of Thailand go to dive sites around Koh Tao and in the Ang Thong Marine National Park. In 2006 a Padi Open Water Diver Course cost about 10000 Thai Baht. For fun diving with a boat it was 3000 Baht per day (two dives). The diving in the Koh Samui area is famous for black tip reef sharks and whale sharks in the season. The prices are mostly including pick up from your hotel or guest house and full scuba dive equipment.
Buffalo on Ko Samui
We was leaving from Samui from the pier on the big Buddha beach to Koh Tao. We enjoyed Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand. It’s busy but still here are some nice areas to relax. Our highlight was for sure the huge Waterfall in the heart of the beautiful island under the sun of Siam.
Koh Samui Hotels and Accommodation
Bungalows at Big Elk
The Steak House Big Elk at Klong Prao Beach offer much more than just good food. Here you find a choice of possibilities for stay from a bamboo hut with fan till two floor houses with air-con, TV and a fridge. Between the bungalows and huts there is a swimming pool. The Big Elk Restaurant offer a good choice on Thai and Western food like Spaghetti, Hamburgers and of course Steaks for a good price. My favorite of the thai food is Kao Pat Sapparot Kai which is fried rice with pineapple and chicken. Big Elk Bungalows on the Mountain side of Ko Chang Island celebrate every first and 15th of a month the Chang Spirit Party. This party is organized from the Chang Spirit foundation. The Spirit foundation take care the nature on the Elephant Island in the Gulf of Thailand. On this dates you can listen hereat this accommodation to good live music. The bands play a best of Blues, Reggae, Rock and Pop. The wooden chill out area from the Bar is topped by a beautiful palmleave roof. Everywhere are shells, wooden statures and other natural things from the sea for decoration.
A Frog at Big Elk
The friendly managers help you as well with day trips like scuba diving, elephant trekking and transport to your next travel destination. I´m living here now since about six month in a cheap but nice hut. Big Elk Guest House have special prices for long stay tourists, just ask if you want to rent a bungalow weekly or monthly. Nearly every evening there is a nice round of people at the bar who playing pool, talking, laughing and listen together to good music. I enjoy Big Elk Accommodation at the Klong Prao Beach on Ko Chang because the atmosphere is relax and the people are nice and friendly. It´s the right choice for every Backpacker or traveler on the Island in Thailand. For more information just pass by and ask for accommodation. Good food, good price, good music, good friends = Big Elk Bungalows at the mountain side of Klong Prao Beach.
Chill Out Lounge of my Bungalow
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.
On the 11th of February 2009 Moun, a good friend and I was travel by car to the Nam Tok Phlio National Park. This National Park is in the Chanthaburi province of Thailand. The Phlio Waterfall is about 15 km out of town. If you travel with public transport it´s easy to take a sawngthaew (share taxi) from the market in Chanthaburi. The turn will take you about 30 minutes. The National Park fee was 200 Thai Baht for falangs and 40 Baht for locals. For the up to date price take a look inside the Lonely Planet Thailand. The Nam Tok Phlio is the most visited Waterfall in this Park. The Fall is beautiful but actual the carps are the attraction. Many huge black carps are in the natural pool on the foot from the fall. You can buy vegetables to feed this nice fishes. Swimming is allowed in the fresh, 10 meter deep water. From the parking place it´s about 400 meter walk on a good walking way to the waterfall. The Nam Tok Phlio Waterfall is one of the beauties i ever saw in Thailand. I can recommend this day trip to all travelers, tourists and backpacker who are in Thailands Canthaburi province in southeast Asia.
Nam Tok Phlio
Thailand Hotels
My Jeep
In the end of 2004 i was with my family in the Dominican Republic in Central America. We fly with a local Airline from Punta Cana to Samana. This flight took us about one hour. We arrived on the small jungle Airport on Samana. Here we did a round trip with a jeep to explore Samana on a jeep safari. The 4wd Jeep was in a good condition. Our first stop was at Samana Town where we was on a nice Caribbean market. If you want to stay read the Lonely Planet for hotels and guesthouses. Than we leave from the main road to explore the nature on Samana in the Caribbean sea. We drive on small sand roads inside the Caribbean jungle. This part of Central America is famous for whale watching in January till the beginning of February. Many whales comes here to born their babys in the bay of Samana. The quiet sea and the warm water are perfect conditions for this big animals. Try as well the Diving here, it’s amaizing!
Locals on Samana
The locals live a easy life in small villages at wooden self made huts. For Hotels, Resorts and guesthouses read your Lonely Planet Dominican Republic. Once we had a puncture on our safari. Some habitats of the DomRep, who pass by on a donkey, help me to repair the crossroad car. It´s amazing to see how happy people can be without anything. Many people have nothing instead of some clothes, food and a small chalet for sleep. We was invited by a family who produced their own coffee. The fresh coffee with sugar was strong but good.
Locals on a River.
Than we was travel to the island from the Bacardi commercial. The Bacardi island is one of the most visit sights on Samana. In the late afternoon we traveling back to our Hotel to relax. This trip was really nice. At most I enjoyed the beautiful tropical landscapes of the DomRep. Here you will find Banana- Cocos Palms and tight tropical Forrest everywhere. The tropical paradise in the Caribbean is a good alternative to the busy tourist city’s somewhere else. The most beaches here at the north of the Dominican Republic are not white like for example the beach at Punta Cana. But still Samana offer many more than just resort holidays on the beach. On Samana you will find many romantic lonely beaches to read a book or just enjoy yourself while traveling.
Bacardi Island
The Nam Tok Nang Yom is a small and actually a unspectacular waterfall on Koh Chang. Not many visitors travel here. But this is why this Nam Tok (Thai for waterfall) is special. Here you are most over the time lonely. In high season between November and March the small river don´t have water. The best time to travel here is the low season from April to October. The best way to come to Nang Yom is by motorbike. Just next to the 7eleven supermarket in Klong Son you will find the road to the waterfall in Thailand. From the parking area it´s about 20 minutes by foot on a small walking path. Sometimes if you are lucky you will see monkeys, hornbill birds and snakes on the walk thrue the jungle of the Ko Chang National Park. Enjoy your trip, but don´t forget to take sun creme and enough drinking water. The waterfall belongs to private land. The entry fee was in the middle of 2008 20 Thai Baht per person. I took this Picture in the green season in August 2008.
Nang Yom Waterfall
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.
The Nam Tok Than Mayom is in the jungle on the east coast of Koh Chang in Thailand. About two kilometer after Dan Mai village you will find the small road to the waterfall. The area were the Than Mayom waterfall is belong to the Mu Koh Chang National Park. The admission fee was 200 Thai Baht in October 2008. For the present fee please read the Lonely Planet Thailand or ask at your hotel or resort.
Nam Tok Than Mayom
The easiest way to get here is by motorbike. Taxis are rare on this side of Koh Chang in the Gulf of Thailand. Close to the Than Mayom is a private parking place. They charge small money for park. From here it’s a walk of about five minutes threw the tight jungle. If you are lucky you will see some wildlife like butterfly’s, spiders, monkeys, birds and snakes on the way to Nam Tok Than Mayom. This Waterfall is for me the most beauties on Ko Chang. Actually there are two, the water falls down first in a small pool before a second small but nice waterfall runs into a big natural pool where you can swimming. Don’t forget sun creme, towel and swimmwear if you want to shower under the tropical Mayom waterfall. Drinks and food you can bring or buy at Dan Mai village near the public hospital of Koh Chang.
