Smultronställen: Asien

WANDERLUST: KO THAO

Our last stop during our adventures in Thailand was Ko Thao. I was most excited for this and it was actually my favourite. Ko Thao is the smallest of the Samui islands and mainly famous for it´s amazing diving locations and the cheap courses, as well as the nice beaches and beach bars.

Getting there

Just like we did for Ko Pha-Ngan you can take the train from Bangkok and the drive on by boat, but as we already were of one of the islands close to buy we just booked a boat drive over.
We walked around quite a lot and just asked for rooms as suprisingly even though we visited in low season the island was quite busy. We ended up staying in bungalows right at the beach, that smelled a little off, but were cosy nontheless.

Snorkeling

Sadly we did not have the time for a whole diving class, but we went on a wonderful snorkeling trip for only 15 Euros we were transported to 5 snorkeling spots, got a nice thai lunch and fresh fruit and drinks all day.

In my head I am a mermaid, so this was just wonderful for me. I have seen so many gorgeous fishes, beautiful corals and even a little shark. The locations were also breathtaking, especially a beautiful little island that we headed to after four diving spots. It had great beaches and an impressive lookout point.

Nightlife

On Ko Thao we had one of the most fun nights during our whole trip: we watched a free ladyboy show. You do have to take a drink, but for a four Euro beer you can see some of the most impressive dance moves I have ever seen, performed by incredible agile ladies in twelve centimeter heels.

I as an absolute idiot with make up was deeply impressed by their eyeshadow skills and as the lazy person that I am by their amazing bodies.

My favourite beach bar, was the lotus bar. It´s famous buckled palm tree and the comfortable seating cushions are amazing, especially at sunset.
As on every other thai island fire dancers perform at the beach after sunset.

Ko Thao was my last stop in Thailand and also the last one of my big trip this year. I have been travelling a third of it and I have loved every second. I have learned so much, seen so many great things and made so many wonderful new friends. I am never happier than when I am travelling and I truly hope I will be able to continue this great adventures in the future.

(I FUCKING love trainrides)

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, by Céline

Asia

WANDERLUST: KO PHA-NGAN

Our next stop in Thailand was Ko Pha-Ngan. The island is most famous for the huge full, half and new moon partys. Sadly we were only there for the new moon party, which compared to the huge full moon parties is tiny. We were also there during the low season in june, so the whole island seemed a little like a ghost town.

That actually was one of the main reasons I liked so much about Ko Pha-Ngan, especially after busy and crowded Bangkok the serenity was wonderful.

Getting there & Accommodation

We took the night train from Bangkok and honestly I think I have never had so much fun in my life on public transport. This old, rattly train was a little scary at first, but we ended up laughing our asses off in the stock beds and generally being very excited. The ride takes about 12 hours, we got picked up at the trainstation by a bus and then took a boat to the island. I would book the trip right at the train station in Bangkok, that is the cheapest way, we booked it in a travel agency and payed around 30 Euros.

From the pier you have to take a group taxi, which costs 100 Bhat per person. Tell the driver you would like to go to the sunrise part of the island or mention Had Rin beach. You can find any kind of acommodation there, ranging from hostels to luxury hotels.

One thing that is very practical about travelling during the low season is that you can negotioate the prices for your rooms. We ended up staying in a hotel right at the beach in a double room with aircondition and TV for 10 Euros a night. The Paradis Bungalows also had a pool, was very clean and the staff was nice. It might be more expensive when the full moon party takes place, but it is right at the beach were it takes place.

What to do and what to eat

The nicest beach of the island is the Had Rin beach, which is right were we stayed. Honestly next to being a beach bum and the parties on the island there is not much to do except for eating.

ince that is my favourite thing to do I was happy. My best friend and I loved the great deal they offered at Paprika, consisting of a fallafel roll and a delicious smoothie for a whooping 100 Bhat.

We also enjoyed delicious banana pancakes in a little shop that you come across, when walking from Paprika towards the Had Rin beach. The also offered great thai curries here and were the only place that had electricity during a blackout one night, so seems to be a great place!

Partytime!

If the big night is finally here, there are a few crucial steps to take: buy as much neon body colours as possible and paint yourself as much as you can. Maybe take this with you, as you know your true artist comes out when you are a little tipsy.
Make sure to eat a big dinner, because the favourite drink at this parties are huge buckets full of cocktails. Fine with me if you ask.
All parties have a different location, so you should check that before ending up at an empty beach. The entrances are quite expensive, usually they are around 600 Bhat (15 Euros). Definetely worth it for a full moon party, not so much for the new moon one.

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, by Céline

Asien

WANDERLUST: BANGKOK

The "Village in the plumgrove" or the "City of Angels" is one of Asia´s biggest Metropoli and one of the main tourist destinations in Thailand. To be honest: Thailand was not my absolute favourite country. Maybe it was due to my incredible trip to Bali and the Gilis beforehand or maybe I just cannot really deal with the constant bargaining and the feeling of being ripped off, but when I arrived in the crowded capital Bangkok it just didn´t feel right. Sadly this feeling didn´t fade away even though I liked the islands in the South a lot more than Bangkok.

Thailand has been a very touristic country since the 70s and I can absolutely understand that a lot of people try to make as much money by ripping off tourists as possible. If we can afford a trip to Bangkok we are so much richer, than they may ever be and I can fully understand that this huge gap in wealth is responsible for most of the aggressive street sellers, the constant detours to jewelery stores and tailors when you take a tuk-tuk and the recommendation of tourist offices, that charge prices twice as high as necessary. However understanding does not mean liking it and not being able to talk to locals without doubting every word the said, really made me sad.
Afterall Bangkok was still an impressive town and an exciting experience.

Getting there & Accommodation

When you arrive at one of the two airports of Bangkok and basically anytime you take a taxi, make sure that the taximeter is running. Setting prices usually never goes your way, so the taximeter is always the better choice. Another great tip I got was to go to the arrival terminal and take a cab from there, that just dropped people off. They have to go back into town anyway and may be more likely to give you a good deal.

Also be sure to have the adress of your hotel or hostel in Thai and if the driver doesn´t know it, let him drop you off at a touristic hotspot like the Khao San Road. A lot of the taxi drivers are farmers, that work in Bangkok when there is no more work left on the fields and sometimes they know less about Bangkok´s map than you do.

The quarter around Khao San Road is ideal for backpackers, there are an abundance of hostels, bars and clubs and most sights are pretty close. Since this is the most famous tourist streets, there are also a lot of travel agencies to organize a mini bus to the aiport or further travels to the islands or up north.

We stayed at the Wild Orchid Villa and even though the receptionists are not necessarily the nicest you will ever meet, it is central, has a restaurant and the rooms are clean and cheap.

Sightseeing

Do not fall for TukTuk drivers offering tours for 10 Bhats, you will very likely stop at loads of jewelery shops and tailors instead of sight. Also do not fall for people telling you that the temples are closed due to buddhist holidays usually this is a scam. Do not follow recommendations for city tours, travel agencies and combined tickets unless they come from someone you honestly can trust.
The best technique is to plan your tour yourself and not to ask bypassers. If someone tries to bribe you just be polite smile, nodd and then follow the route you have planned. Sadly this prohibits nice talks to locals or insider tipps.
My favourite things to see where the Royal Palace and the temples there, a true dream out of glitter and gold. Other nice temples include the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho), the Temple of the big Buddha, the Temple of the Lucky Buddha... you see a pattern here. When visiting temples make sure to cover your shoulders and knees.
We also splurged on a boats tour through Bangkok´s canals, which was perfect for our first day, when we were still a little jetlagged. It is a very relaxing and easy going way of seeing big parts of the city and since a lot of families life right along the canals you also get to experience the daily life.
If you are an early bird you might want to go out to see the collection of donations by the monks at sunrise. You can also receive their blessing. If you are female you should watch out a little bit when dealing with monks, you should not sit in the same row as them on the bows, nor touch them or their belongings.

Food, Shopping and Nightlife

Even if you have the tightes budget, you do not have to starve in Bangkok, something that really made me happy. We almost exclusively ate at streetstands and I did not have any problems with my stomach.
My absolute favourite was Pad Thai, the national dish made up of noodles, eggs and vegetables sprinkled with peanuts sold on streetstands for less than a dollar. I also love Thaicurries with coconotmilk. You should generally make sure to tell them you do not want your dish spicy, even if you normally do here in Europe. Their standard really is different. Also delicious: green papaya salad (the non fried version) and all kinds of fresh fruit. Not for the faint hearted (and me): frogs and all kinds of bugs.
All of this can be found on Khao San Road, along with loads of bars and cheap clubs. If you want a rooftop terrace experience, head over to the more glamourus business district on the other side of the river.
Something I haven´t done enough: shopping! Once again Kao San Road is your choice here offering loads of beautiful jewelery, hippie pants and loads of nice T-Shirts. If you love books like I do step into one of the second hand book stores. The books are extremely cheap and if you bring them back after reading you get half of the price back.
The famous thai massages are very cheap, but in my opinion a little too harsh, so maybe opt for the oil massages instead.

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, by Céline

WANDERLUST: KO THAO

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