Glorious Thailand 25.11. - 14.12.2008

Phi Phi Islands & Koh Lanta

2 extremeley different but extremeley beautiful islands in the Indian Ocean easy to combine with each other. Phi Phi an island in a dream. Breathtaking rock formations rising from the vivid tuquoise waters that surround the islands will instantly confirm: you've arrived in paradise.

Ko Phi Phi is considered to be one of the most naturally beautiful islands in the world. Koh Phi Phi National Park which is home to an abundance of corals and amazing marine life. There are limestone mountains with cliffs, caves and long white sandy beaches. The beauty of the islands is instead of tourism breathtaking. Dont forget to go to "The Beach" Maya Beach. Amaze yourself with Thailand. Maya Beach must be the most beautiful beach in the whole of Thailand.

Similan Islands

Huge rock formations and islands lying in the warm waters of the Adaman Sea, a paradise for snorklers and scuba divers. My new passion for snorkeling was born there. Fishes in all colours, yellow, green, blue, even pink nosed fishes, trumpet fishes etc. and amazing marine life can be seen when snorkelling at the Similan Islands.

Koh Poda

Koh Poda is located offshore from Ao Nang. A small island no more than a kilometre in diameter, covered in palm trees and almost entirely encircled by a soft sugar white sandy beaches. There is only one resort on the island and the island is another true tropical paradise. Beautiful views to Koh Tub, wonderful snorkeling possibilities, once all the day trippers are gone possibly a truly wonderful place to stay.

A Thai will always be absoluteley delighted once the word "bungalow" and "how much" is used. During my frequent trips to Thailand I am by now completley amazed by Thailand and forever in love with Thailand. 

Cambodia 

Angkor Wat - the largest temple city of the world. A place for the romantic, the spiritualist, the tourist, the crowd, the photographer or for a person falling in love with different remains of a long gone culture. A culture of wealth, kings, Shiva, Brahma or Vishnu.

Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, Bantey Srei. Each temple tells a different tale. Wonderful secluded spots to meditate or meeting people to discuss the sights. A wonderful place to visit. Cambodia a real eye opener. Pol Pot, Comunism, poverty - an eye opener - reality hit hard at times. Begging children, or proud adults - the Khmer a nation which was not very likable at first. Angkor Wat - an incredible place - awesome memmories of deserted temples which lie forgotten in a humid tropical forrest.

Siem Reap itself - the heart of tourism for the Cambodians - everything will cost at least 1 Dollar. Cambodians will prefer USD to their own currency. The dirt, the poverty, begging children - a compelling place to have travelled to. Remains of Pol Pot & Communism are visible and often compelling to see. To shake of some guilt as a Westener is not easy. Cambodia is not an easy place to visit and see - but very worth it if you are visiting Angkor Wat.

The North of Thailand

A wonderful place to start a holdiay of a lifetime. Carefully chosen flights after a few month of planning - the rose of the North welcomed me with great sights, great food, buddist festivals and a lot of gey giants who are lovable and likable. Along the way I met Canadians - Greg and family -. Chiang Mai a wonderful destination.  

Elephants a favourite with every tourist. Doisuthep a fantastically glittering temple build on a hill side in the mountains. Beautiful to every visitor and sacred to every Buddist. Chiang Mai - the rose of the north, temples and beautiful sights to discover during day time and dazzlig by night with night markets.

The Islands

Koh Phangang - the perfect hideaway for a while. Hide on a remote beach and meet a crazy traveller crowd. Tong Nai Pan Beach in the north of the island - a jaw dropping beautiful beach - or Had Khom - a secluded and perfect spot. No roads as yet and no electricity - an opportunity to try a true Robinsonade. Perfect beach, wonderful corals to snorkel or just splash around in the water.

Thailand & Laos 12.09.-03.10.07

Thailand - always compelling  

                and

Laos - the cutest country I have ever seen.

2 wonderful countries not only to visit but to see and to experience. 

Bangkok - Wat Pho

Wat Pho - my favourite Wat (Temple) in Bangkok. The Wat is slightly dilapitated but has a wonderful lived-in feel to it. Buddhas everywhere, and home to the most stunning Buddha I have seen. The reclining Buddha - 46 m long and 12 m high, an astonishing sight located in a amazing decorated building. Wat Pho is the oldest Wat in Bangkok and houses the world famous school for Thai massage. Bangkok itself - the city of angels - in disarray and fascinatingly chaotic. 

Laos - the essence of Indochina

An ancient kingdom, Incense, tropical sunshine, mountains, jungle, an enigmatic plain of jars in Ponsavan, Mekong, Monks in boats, Monks in Tuk Tuks, parasols. Laos = the pure essence of Indochina. A fascinating country in South Eadt Asia. Laos is an explosion of colours and an overwhelming travel experience. A country where cleanliness is top priority. A beautiful country to explore. Sabaidee from Laos

Luang Prabang - the jewel of Indonchina is a world heritage sight. Luang Prabang is  situated in North East Laos on the Mekong. Luang Prabang is an outstanding example of the fusion between French colonial architecture and Lao urban structure. Luang Prabang - the ancient capital of the Laotian kingdom with enchantingly beautiful night markets and atmospheric places to eat on the river bank of the Mekong. People will speak french here and have a welcoming nature towards the foreigner who is a Farang in Laos.

The plain of jars is a fascinating sight. Not quite easy to get to. The jars are believed to have been used as funeral urns. The enigmatic plain of jars is one of the most dangerous archaelological sights in the world as the area is not cleared of unexploded bombs. Laos is the most bombed country ins the world as the US disposed bombs over Laos during the Vietnam war. Many UXO have not been removed and cause injuries each week. Aid cannot reach the locals and tourism cannot be developed before the area is cleared which might take a few decades.

Krabi

Krabi an enormous beautiful region of Southern Thailand. Thailand at her best. Sadly I was unable to tour Krabi due to the Monsoon. A reason to go back and explore the stunning Ao Phrangang headland and see Koh Phi Phi at last.