Travel, Holiday and Vacation Reviews and Photos from Bars, Restaurants, Hotels, Resorts and Destinations around the World.
Humphead Parrotfish Perhentian Island
My first step to a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) Professional was for sure my Snorkeling experience on the Caribbean Sea in the Years 2004 (Punta Cana Dom Rep) and 2005 (Mexico Yucatan). We rent us some Snorkel gear from our Hotel and explored the colorful marine underwater world. It was amazing! In this time I said: why scuba diving? During Snorkeling you can see a lot! But since my first Thailand Trip to Patong Beach on Phuket I know it better. At the Scuba Cat Scuba Diving school I did my first PADI license, the Open Water Diver. My first dive experience was theories in a classroom. After three of the five Open Water chapters my Scuba Instructor did some Dive Skills with me in the Swimming Pool. On the second day of this Dive Course I did the last two Scuba chapters and after I did my first Dive in the open Andaman Sea at the Dive site Crystal Bay next to Patong Bay. A incredible feeling to breeze the first time underwater. From the first breath it becomes a hobby. The 3th day of the Open Water Padi Diving Course I did three Open water dives at Bungalow Bay, Banana Bay and Home Run Bay at Racha Yai near Phuket. After the end exam I was ready for Fun Dives and a part of the PADI family. My first Fun Diving was on Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand on my Thailand Travel Tour 2006 with Marius. The Dive Boat bring us to follow Dive sites: Ao Ceuk and Rocky Bay. The Scuba Shack Dive team on Koh Tao was friendly and very helpful for a beginner like me.
Coral at Koh Chang
In April 2006 I did the next step on the Padi education system: the Advanced Open Water. The second license I did with a Diving Center on Koh Chang in the Gulf of Thailand. My first of the five Dives on my Advanced Open Water was the Peak Performance Buoyancy Dive at Koh Wai in the Marine National Park on Ko Chang. On this Dive I did some scuba skills to control my buoyancy under water with my BCD and my breath. The second dive during my Padi Advanced Open Water Diver I did with my Instructor at Koh Klum, here we train how to Navigate with a compass and on natural thinks like corals or rocks underwater. The thirst Dive was a Deep dive on Koh Chang Pinnacle on about 30 meters for 44 minutes. The visibility was very good and it was till now my nicest Dive on the Pinnacles on Koh Chang Island in Southeast Asia. Number four of the Advanced training Dives was at Koh Yak Lek where I learn how to make good Pictures with a underwater digital camera. On the same evening I did my first Night Dive at Hin Luk Bat. A nice experience on my way to a Padi Divemaster. The next Day I was helping by an Underwater Cleanup as a fresh Advanced Scuba Diver. We clean the region around Koh Wai in the Gulf of Thailand. After my Southeast Asia Travel tour true Peninsular (Malaysia), Singapore and Bali i did two more Fun Dives on Koh Chang at Hin Luk Bat and Hin Rap (names of the Dive Sites).
Manta Ray Bali
In Mai 2007 I did the first Fundives out of Thailand. At Langkawi in Malaysia I dove at the Shark Point and the Coral Garden Divesite witch is dominated by beautiful soft corals. Here on this beautiful tropical Island I choose the East Marine Scuba Center. The highlight was for sure the mass of Black Tip Reef Sharks in the National Park of Malaysia. The next Station on my Travel plan was Pulau Perhentian in the South China Sea. Here on this Paradise Archipelago I hit five times the water with Spice Divers. I like this Scuba school because of the great location direct on the beach. On Pehentian Island I had my first Diving experience I will never forget: round about 40 to 50 Humphead Parrotfishes was swimming around us and eat corals. As well I did here my first Wreck Dive on the Sugar Wreck. My favorite’s site here on Perhentian was the Temple of the Sea and the Iron Cape. From Malaysias Capital Kuala Lumpur i was flying with Air Asia to Bali in Indonesia. On Bali I was five times in the Water of the Indian Ocean and the Bali Sea. My first one was at the Manta Point Dive Site near Nusa Penida. Here we saw six Manta Rays, Amazing! Number two and three was at Chrystal Bay and Blue Lagoon where we saw a lot of colorful reef life. The last two dives in Indonesia on this Travel Tour I did on the Liberty Wreck next to Tulamben Beach.
Wreckdive @ Tulamben
Two month later in July 07 I traveled by bus from Koh Chang to Phi Phi Island. In Thailand‘s Marine National Park at Koh Pi Pi I did two Fun Dives with South Siam Divers Scuba Center. We was at the Bida Nok and Bida Nai Dive Sites near Phi Phi Leh. My highlights while scuba diving on this tropical Islands in Thailand was a leopard Shark, a Turtle and many schools of fishes. The water temperature here in the Andaman Sea was 28 C, perfect for tropical diving. After two more Fun Dives at Koh Chang in the Gulf of Thailand I Start my Rescue Diver and Padi Divemaster Training on Ko Chang Island with a Dive Center on Klong Prao Beach. On my Internship I did about 100 Dives in the 30 degrees warm water in southeast Thailand. The education was realy good. I learned many thinks about Scuba Diving, Equitment, Underwater Navigation, Marine Life, how to handle Divers in a leader position, how to help a Diver who had a accident and many many more thinks what I need in my job as a Divemaster. In December I get my certification as a Padi Rescue Diver, the Divemaster I finished at the 17th of January 2008. My last skill was the snorkel Test where I get a snorkel in my mouth and drank a bottle of SangSom Thai Rum out of the Snorkel. After we start in the front of the Padi Dive Center with Chang Beer Round’s till I and nearly every Diver was drunken like hell. A hard Scuba Skill on the way to my Divemaster Card! My favorite Dive Sites around Koh Chang in Thailand are Hin Luk Bat witch is a nice Reef, Hin Raap, Blueberry Hill, Koh Chang Pinnacles and Koh Yak a bit south of Ko Chang in Thailand’s Marine National Park of the Ko Chang Archipelago. Since I finish my Padi Divemaster I worked till December 08 on the beautiful tropical Island Koh Chang. In the beginning of December I had a Motorbike accident, so till right now I’m not allowed to go diving. So soon as possible I will be back in the tropical water of the Gulf of Thailand but now the high season on Ko Chang is finish already so i will wait to next season for leading divers in the warm waters of Thailand. The water around Chang Island are between 27 and 31 degrees, the best time for diving is from November till February where the visibilities can be up to 25 meters.
For more informations about Scuba Diving in Thailand read the Lonely Planet Diving and Snorkeling witch you can order online here from this page. For more travel tips you can read the Reports of the destinations or read the Lonely Planet South East Asia. If you want to see some more Scuba Dive Pictures click here.
In 2008 my Wife and I was for a short Travel Tour in north Thailand to travel Chiang Mai and visit a friend at Pai in Thailand’s Mae Hong Son Province. We start on Koh Chang Tropical Island with a Taxi to the Pier at the north of the Island in the Gulf of Thailand. From Trat we took a Bus to Bangkok from were we took the Nighttrain to Chiang Mai. The Train Start at about 10 o´clock in the evening and arrived at Chiang Mai Railway Station at 12 o’clock noon on the next day. From the Train Station we took a Taxi to our Hotel “Winner Inn”. In Chiang Mai our highlight was the Doi Inthanon national park. After some Days at Thailand‘s 2nd biggest City in the North we Travel by Taxi to a TAT office to catch a Minivan to Pai in Southeast Asia. The turn from CM to Pai took us about three hours. We arrived at the Bus Terminal at Pai City and walked to the Guest House “breeze of Pai” which we found in the Lonely Planet Travel Book for Thailand.
A new bridge in Pai
After some days in the small village in the Mae Hong Son Province we Travel by Bus back to Chiang Mai. The Minibus bring us direct to the Airport from where we had a Air Asia flight to Thailands Capital Bangkok. From the new International Airport in BKK we took a Taxi to reach the last ferry back to Koh Chang Island. From the Ferry we enjoyed the nice view to the rising Sun behind the hills of Southeast Asia‘s Elephant Island. In the evening we arrived by taxi our Bungalow at Big Elk Steak House. This was my first Travel Trip to Thailand’s North, the landscapes at Pai and the Mountains at Chiang Mai with evergreen Jungle are incredible. It was for sure not my last trip to the north of the Kingdom of Thailand.
Sunset on Ko Chang
Find Hotels in Thailand
Melaka
About 150 kilo meter south of Kuala Lumpur is Malakka Town. The big city in Peninsular have round about 650.000 habitats and the Centre is dominated of buildings from the English colonists, Dutch Traders and Potuguese seafarers. I have bin in Melaka on my Southeast Asia Travel Tour in 2007. In Melaka are many Houses of God from many religious like the Church of St. Peter, Christ Church, Kampung Kling Mosque, Sri Poyatha Venayagar Moorthi Temple and many more. I spent two days at the Tony’s Guest House on my Travel way from Singapore to KL, the Capital of Malaysia. I Arrived over Johor Baru by Bus from South East Asia‘s city State between Peninsular Malaysia and Indonesia. For Travel Timetables look inside your Lonely Planet Travel Guide. My Highlight in Melaka was the historical Town Square and Bukit ST Paul which are the oldest Dutch buildings in far east. Now are the Historical, Ethnographic and Literature Museums inside.
A Local from Melakka
The locals are friendly and helpful like everywhere in Peninsular. Special thanks to the owners from Tony’s Guest House for good Travel Tips and insider information about Melaka. An other highlight is the huge Mahkota Parade Shopping Complex close to the Sungai Melaka. In the Northeast of Melakka is a colorful Chinese Cemetry on the Bukit China Hill. From this City in Malaysia’s Peninsular are a lot of International Travel options. From the Batu Berendam Airport for example you have many options to come into the Air Asia Net to explore Southeast Asia. If you are on Budget Tour you have the choice of Public Bus or Traveling by Train to many Destinations in Peninsular, Thailand and Singapore. From Melakka Hourbor two different kind of Jetty ferry’s leaving to Indonesia. But for this connection you need a Visa in Advanced. For more information and Travel options ask in the local TAT Travel Agencies or read your Lonely Planet for Southeast Asia or Malaysia.
A historical Ruin
I enjoyed my trip to this historical town in Malaysia. The people are very friendly and Melaka offer a lot sights for Tourists, Backpackers and Travelers. It’s perfect for a Travel stop up to Kuala Lumpur and the Shopping Center offer good possibilities to buy Souvenirs and other stuff like original Watches from high class brands much cheaper than in Europe. At the Center you can be shure that it isn’t a cheap copy how you will find on many places in Southeast Asia.
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.
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
