Travel, Holiday and Vacation Reviews and Photos from Bars, Restaurants, Hotels, Resorts and Destinations around the World.
Our Backpacks
After we finish our high school a friend and I had two month for Traveling somewhere in World. We choose Thailand as our destination because the Land of many Smiles are cheap and easy to Travel. This was my second time in Thailand, some month before I was for holidays two weeks at Patong Beach on Phuket Island. On the 5th of July we had a direct flight with the Thai Airways from Frankfurt to Bangkok. Special thanks to Lonely Planet, the Travel Guide was a big help to find Timetables, Hotels, Guest Houses and Restaurant in this Southeast Asian Country.
We arrived tired at the International Airport in Bangkok. A taxi bring us to “Sri Ayuttaya Guest House” in Thewet. We don’t spent long time in Bangkok, after one night we Travel by Tuk Tuk to Khao Sarn Backpacker Road where we changed in a VIP Travel Bus which go to Surat Thani. In Surat Thani we had a Ferry connection to Koh Samui. The turn from Bangkok to the Island in the Gulf of Thailand took us all in all 19 hours. 15 hours by bus, two hours waiting and two hours from Surat Thani Pier to Na Thon on Ko Samui.
Tuk Tuk in Bangkok
From Na Thon we took a share Taxi to our backpacker Destination New Hut Guest House at Hat Lamai Beach. All timetables at the Lonely Planet Thailand was up to date. Here on Koh Samui we spent nearly one week than we Travel by Ferry to Koh Tao. The Boat arrived the Island at Ban Mae Hat Pier, we took a taxi to Ban Hat Sai Ri, from here Marius and I walked to Laem Nam Tok to the “Here and Now” Guest House where we spent one Night. On the next Morning we Travel to the south of this small Island in the Gulf. Here we checked in the Sunset Hotel, after two days Koh Tao we Travel back by Night Ferry to Surat Thani.
From here we had a Public Bus Travel connection to the small village Sichon in south Thailand. At Sichon we spent just one Night, on the next morning we was leaving to Nakon Si Thammarat. After two nights at the Thai Hotel we go by Minivan from Nakhon to Krabi Town. We was two days at the Cha Hostel in Krabi Town before we took a Ferry to Koh Phi Phi Don. We spent three days on our Thailand Travel Tour on the beautiful Island.
Public Bus in Thailand
Our next Destination was Phuket Town where we check in for two nights at the On On Hotel in the center of the Town on Thailands biggest Island. We go by Bus to Patong Beach where I meet some friends from my holidays in April. We was about one week in the “Touch Villa” Guest House before we leaved by public Bus to Phang Nga. After one night and two Days in Phang Nga. From this Southeast Asian City we took a Bus to the Bus Terminal in Ranong. After two nights at the Spa Inn in Ranong in South Thailand we Travel to Chumphon where we did a Travel Stop of two Nights on the way up to Phetchaburi. In Phetburi we sleep two Nights in a old Chinese Hotel before we go by Bus back to Thailand’s Capital Bangkok. This trip was about 3.5 hours.
After about one week at the Sri Ayuttaya Guest House we was leaving Bangkok from the Hualamphong Train Station to Ayuthaya. The Royal Thai Railway needed 2.5 hours to the Train station in Ayuthaya.
Hualamphong Train Station
From the Railway Station we took a River Ferry over the Chao Phrom River and walked to our Guest House in Central Ayuthaya. After two nights in this historical city in Southeast Asia we Traveled by public Bus to Suphanburi. From Suphanburi we had a nearly non stop connection to Kanchanaburi. The Bus took us out somewhere in Town, we walked to the Pong Phen Guest House wich we found in our Lonely Planet Travel Book.
From Kanchanaburi we took the Train to Bangkok. We took one Night rest at the Sri Ayuttaya Guest House. On the next morning we Traveled from Ekamai (eastern Bus Terminal at BKK) to Trat. In Trad we spend one Night at “Pop Guest House” in Trat’s Th Thana Charoen Road. A Taxi bring us to the pier in Laem Nop. It’s about 30 km out of Trat in Southeast Thailand. From there we go by “Center Point” Ferry to Koh Chang. Marius and I was going by Taxi to the Klong Prao Beach on the Island at the Gulf of Thailand in Southeast Asia.
With this Landrover we travel from Koh Chang to BKK
Here we stopped our Thailand Travel Tour for three weeks because we found that what we looked for, a nice Tropical Island to relax. And with Thale Bungalows we had a great Guest House to Chill Out and rest after five weeks traveling in South and Central Thailand. Our Plane back to Germany was leaving from Phuket. A friend bring us from the Island to BKK, from there we took a Bus to Phuket Town. This trip was about 17 hours in a VIP Bus from a Travel Agency. We sleeps one more night at the On On Hotel in Phuket Town before we Travel by Bus to the International Airport on Phuket. The Thai Airways Boeing 747 was landing in Frankfurt, from there we took a train back to our Hometown.
We enjoyed this Travel Tour, old Siam is easy to Travel for Backpackers and Travelers. With the public Bus you reach easy every Destination in this Asian Country. The transport, Guest Houses and Food is really cheap compared to country’s in Europe. Thailand is beautiful, we don’t was wrong with our adjudication to Travel the Kingdom! Try out this Country, it offer a lot for Backpackers Tourists and Traveler from around the World!
Hotels and Guest Houses in Thailand
Cha Guest House Krabi
We travel already six hours in a Minivan when we arrived at the Bus Terminal in Krabi Town. We come from Nakhon Si Thammarat. It was in the afternoon and the first what we did at Krabi was we eat a Pizza at Viva Restaurant. After we took our backpacks and walked up the Th Utarakit Road to the “Cha Guesthouse”. We paid here 200 Thai Baht for a Room with Fan and a bathroom with Toilet. After we took a shower we walked to the center to buy some Souvenirs. In the evening we had dinner on the Nightmarket at Krabi in south Thailand. The Night Market is next to the Mae Nam Krabi River. From the plastic chairs on the Market you have a good view to the Chalk Stone Mountains and the Mangrove Forrests on the other side of the Mae Nam (River).
The Krabi Province is famous for travel activities, wall climbing and of course for Koh Phi Phi Don. On the next morning we woke up early because we had ferry tickets the archipelago of Phi Phi. We took a breakfast at the Kwan Café in Krabi Town. After we walked to Krabi Pier to reach the Ferry to Thailands Islands in the Andaman Sea.
Krabi in Southeast Asia is a nice Travel Destination. The river net and the chalk rocks are uniqe in this Area. The shopping and food possibilities are nearly endless compared with other Travel Destinations in Asia. For more Travel tips, Hotels, Guest Houses and Informations about Krabi look inside your Lonely Planet Thailand.
Buddhist Temple in Sichon
Marius and I was coming from Koh Tao over Surat Thani to Sichon. We took a Public Bus 3th class to the small Village Sichon. Sichon is located between Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat. Here at Sichon are not so much posibilities to stay, we found just the “Sichon Hotel” in the middle of the small Town of Thailand. We paid 200 Thai Baht for a old Hotel Room with Fan and Toilet. Actually we had a shower as well, but ther was no water, just some drops came out of a hole in the wall. The furnitures must be from the 50′s or 60′s. We felt like in a Museum or sth. like this. But at Sichon in south Thailand we don’t had a choice.
Shaddow Puppet Maker
Here at Sichon in Southeast Asia we meet Ratanai the Shadow Puppet builder. This Puppet Theater is really famous here in south Thailand. Mr Ratanai invite us for dinner to his home. His wife cocked Rice and fried Egg. He had some whiskey left, proud he took out a nearly empty Whiskey Bottle and mixed it with water. We had some beers in our back. It was a nice but hard evening. Hard because nobody from this Thai family spoke English and the Communication was very difficult. Here at this small village nearly nobody speak English, the locals call direct the English Teacher from the public school. She come by Motorbike and help us as a interpreter. We was the only Ferangs (European or American Tourists) in Sichon, Nearly everyone was looking to us. Evan at the Asian Food Market, everybody stop to trade and everyone looked to us. I think some people here in Sichon know White people just from the TV.
Locals at Sichon
I mean the people was really friendly and nice here at Sichon but after two days we had enough from being the “Superstar”. Many locals try to speak with us and try to invite us for drinks, fruits, and beers but we can’t relax. After one night at the Sichon Hotel we traveled to Nakhon Si Thammarat by bus to be a bit more anonym. Sichon was one of our highlights on our Thailand Travel Tour 2006. The people are really friendly and try to help where they can. I can recomend this stop for every traveler in Thailand. Be surprised how untouristic Thailand can be in this nice Village names Sichon.
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Nakhon Si Thammarat
In 2006 Marius and I was at Nakhon Si Thammarat in Thailand. We traveled from Sichon to this City in Southeast Asia. We took the public Bus connection witch was about two hours. We was staying at the “Thai Hotel” at the north end of Nakhon. The price for this good managed Hotel was 270 Thai Baht for a double room with TV, Fan, Hot Shower and a Fridge. The first evening we was for dinner at “Rock 99 Bar and Grill”. This tip we found in our Lonely Planet for Thailand. We eat some Farang Food and after we drunk some Chang Beers and Long Island Ice Tea Cocktails till we was drunken. The next morning we don’t was good at all. But we stand up for a breakfast at the Restaurant from the Thai Hotel in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
After we walked a bit threw this Thai City to watch some sights like the “Bethlehem Church”, Wat Maheyong Temple and the Shiva Shrine. Our highlight in Nakhon Si Thammarat in Thailand was the Wat Sema Meuang and the landmark Lak Meuang.
Hills at Nakhon Si Thammarat
From here Marius and I took a Bus to Krabi in Thailand, Southeast Asia. For More Backpacking Information read your Lonely Planet or ask at the Hotel or Guest House desk. We enjoyed the visit at this Thai Province. For sure it don’t was a highlight on our Thailand Travel Tour but Nakhon is a typical City here in this area and have a lot to explore. It’s perfect for Travelers and Backpacker who don’t like Touristic Destinations like Patong or Koh Phi Phi.
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Phetchaburi
In middle 2006 Marius and I was at Phetburi in Thailand. We was coming from Chumpon with the public bus the this city in Southeast Asia. This tip we found in our Lonely Planet for Thailand. Phetchaburi was one of our highlights on our travel trip threw Thailand. The main attraction here is the Khao Wang hill with the Historical Temple Phra Nakhon Khiri. This temple is just one of many in Phetchaburi. We was visiting about ten temples here in Phetburi. The most beautifulest was: Wat Potaram, Wat Phra Suang, Wat Tho, Wat Lat, Wat Chi Phra Keut and the Wat Ko Kaew Sutharam witch is direct on the Mae Nam Phetchaburi River.
Buddhist Temple in Phetburi
We was staying at the Jomklow Hotel which is an Old Hotel direct on the river of Phetburi. Actually we want to stay at the Rabieng Rim Nam Guest House, but it was fully boocked. We come here always for a good breakfast in the morning. The restaurant of the Rabieng Rim Nam traveling Hostel is direct on the river, a nice place. On the Khao Wang Hill are a lot monkeys. You climb the hill by foot or by a small train who bring you direct to the Phra Nakon Khiri Palace witch is since 1988 a National Museum of Thailand in Southeast Asia. From this mountain you have a nice view over the town of Phetchaburi. The Phra Nakhon Khiri was once the Royal Palace of Thailands King Mongkut. Now the monkeys, traveler and tourists dominate the image at this area.
The old Royal Palace on the hill
If you want to travel to Petchaburi you have many options from nearly every city in this area is a bus or minivan connection. This city have as well a train station near the center. For timetables ask at any desk of the Thai Royal Railway or look in your Lonely Planet Guide. We was leaving by Bus over Bangkok to Ayuthaya in central Thailand.
Sunset at Phetburi
Thailand Hotels and Accommodation
Bridge over the River Kwai
On our Thailand traveling tour 2006 we comes from Ayuthaya to Kanchanaburi by bus. The most tourists come here to see the famous Bridge over the Kwai River. The Thai locals call this river Mae Nam Khwae Yai. On the river Kwai are many nice Guest Houses and Hotels direct on the river. We was staying at the Pong Phen Guest House on the riverside. From our balcony we had a good view to the lotus blooms on the Kwai River. During the WW2 the Japanese build a railway connection from Burma to Thailand. Many war prisoners lost the life. The Thailand – Burma Railway Center Museum documentation the building of the railway and the bridge.
Lotus Bloom
Many backpacker and traveler visit the “Tiger Temple” her in the Kanchanaburi province. At this Buddhist Temple the monks take care Tigers and life with them together. Marius and I visited the Allied War Cemetery, the Chung Kai Allied War Cemetery and the Chinese Cemetery. On the Allied War Cemetery you can see the graves of the falled soldiers from the WW2. The Chinese Sanitary looks a bit more colorful and friendlier. The landscapes at this city in Southeast Asia are dominated by hills covert with tight evergreen jungle.
Chinese Cemetery
From here we traveled with our backpacks to Thailands Capital Bangkok by train. All in all the city of the river Kwai is a nice destination for backpackers, tourists and travelers in Thailand. Like nearly every city in the Kingdom have this town a own flair. On the main road are many restaurants, Guest Houses and Souvenir Shops. For more information about this beautiful province read your Lonely Planet or ask at any Booking office in this area.
Patong Beach Hotels
Sunset at Patong Beach
My first time in Patong Beach was in April 2006, I was here with a friend for holidays. We was staying in the first-class Hotel “Phuket Graceland”. On the two weeks vacation we made what the busiest city on Phuket offer: Party, Party and again Party. Nearly every day we had some Chang Beers at “Rock City” before we was going to the Bangla Road Walking Street in the Heart of Patong. My second time i stayed about one week on my Thailand travel tour with Marius at the “Touch Villa” guest house which we found in our Lonely Planet travel book. We comes from Phuket Town with a Bus, it took us about one hour. Touch Villa offer simple but good rooms with fridge, tv, air-con and hot water for backpacker prices. Many traveler make a stop in this hostel on their Southeast Asia travel tour.
Hotel Phuket Graceland
At the “Bangla Road” there are many discos, pubs, massage shops, restaurants and Thai Girl Bars. Many male tourists from Europe and America come here for cheap sex with young Thai girls. Young means a bit over 18. It looks straight when the old sex-tourists walk at long the beach with the young bar girls. But if you stay longer here it becomes normal in this abnormal city in Thailand. At daytime the Th Bangla sleep, when the sun goes down the walking street wake up! The neon light is the sunrise of Patong on Phuket. Loud Music, thousands prostitutes and drunken tourists dominate the picture of Patong City at night.
Th Bangla Road
But Patong offer more than Sex, Drugs and Rock n Roll! I did my Padi Open Water Diver here. The Open Water is the first scuba diving license of the Padi education System. I did it in 3 days, the first day was just theory and swimming pool. In the pool we did some underwater diving skills. On the second day I did my first Open Water Dive in the Andaman Sea at Patong Bay. All in all i did four dives during my Padi Open Water. On day three we did three dives. The dive sites was: Banana Bay, Bungalow Bay and The Home Run Bay at Racha Yai. I did my Padi license whit the “Scuba Cat” Dive School at Patong Beach.
My first Beer Chang
This city is for shure not a typical backpacker or traveler destination. But if you decide to stay here plan a bit more money than on your other travel destinations because Patong is expansive compared to other regions of Thailand. From here we took a bus to Phang Nga.
"Papa 2000"
On the way from Ranong to Petchaburi we took a travel stop for two nights at Chumphon in Thailand. Our plan was to stay one night at the “Easy Divers” guest house. More guest houses in Chumphon you will find in your Lonely Planet Southeast Asia. At the first evening we go for dinner at the Kaew Sukiyaki Restaurant. After we look a bit around in the city. Than we found a Thai-Disco. The “Papa 2000″ had a life show so we was staying till the end and we was not able to wake up next morning to reach the bus to our next destination. The second evening we was on the Chumphon Night market to catch some Thai Food. Before we took the bus from the bus terminal we had a good backpacker Breakfast at the “Farang Bar”. Chumphon had not much to offer for us. We saw already many temple and cities in Thailand. After a while everything looks similar to other places when there is nothing really special.
Night Market
But still Chumpon is a good stop for traveler and backpackers on the way up to north or central Thailand.
Thailand Hotels booking system.
Chinese Temple
During our Thailand travel tour 2006 Marius and me was in Phang Nga in the south of the Kingdom. We stayed at the Thawisuk guest house. The price for a doble room with fan was 150 Thai Baht for two persons. At this Hostel is nothing special, a bed, a window and thats it. But for 150 Thai Baht the Thawisuk is one of the cheapest guest houses in Phang Nga Town and a good address for backpackers and travelers. More accommodations you can find in the Lonely Planet Guide for Thailand or Southeast Asia. We travel here from Phuket by public Bus. The Hostel is just a short walk from the Bus Terminal. The landscapes here in this city in Thailand are dominated by chalk rocks and tight forests. It’s a nice view when the mountains catch the clouds.
Phang Nga City
We come here to visit the Sa Nang Manora Forest Park a bit out of Phang Nga Town. Here you will find a small river who flow slowly thru the jungle. The water pass many small waterfalls and rattan palms. The way threw the Sa Manora Park is a normal jungle way how you can find in many National Parks in Southeast Asia. The entry to the Forest Park was free, we just had to pay for the taxi. The best way to travel here is with a Motorbike because in lowseason its difficult to get a taxi back to Phang Nga Town in Thailand.
Phang Nga Forest Park
From here we traveling to Ranong by public 3th class bus the travel turn took us about five hours. Phang Nga is a nice and quiet city with many untouched nature. I can recommend this town for one or two days stop for traveler and backpacker in Thailand. For more Informations about Hotels, guest houses and Restaurants read your Lonely Planet travel book.
Thailand Hotel booking here.
This photo Serial shows Pictures from colorful marine life in warm tropical sea water. All pictures i did with my Casio Digital Camera Ex-Z 1000 on Scuba Dives in Southeast Asia. If you have any questions about diving just sent a email to me.
Lionfish
Tulamben – Bali – Indonesia
Vase Coral
Marine National Park – Koh Chang – Thailand
Manta Ray
Nusa Penida – Bali – Indonesia
Humphead Parrotfish
Iron Cape – Pulau Perhentian – Malaysia
Anemonefish
Pulau Langkawi – Malaysia
A Fish School
Koh Phi Phi – Thailand
Mantis Shrimp
Nusa Penida – Bali – Indonesia
Sugar Wreck
Perhentian Islands – Malaysia
Leaf Scorpionfish
Chrystal Bay – Bali – Indonesia
For more Picture Serials click here.
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