Travel, Holiday and Vacation Reviews and Photos from Bars, Restaurants, Hotels, Resorts and Destinations 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!
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
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
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
