Thailand 2006
Our first long trip we made in September 2006 to Thailand. We had 2 days in Bangkok and exploring the city on your own. With the Tuk Tuk, public transport, by boat taxis and walking we went to the different places of interest. A must do is the visit of the temple Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho. Further stations were the Golden Mount, Wat Suthat, Khaosan Road and a klong ride. Bankgkok is a really lovely city with beautiful temples and the use of public transport is really quite an experience.
Then we did an organized, five-day tour. From Bangkok we took the bus to Ayutthaya, there we visited the facilities Wat Phra Si San Phet and Wat Chai Wattanaram and then drove to Tak. The next day we went to Lampang to Wat Phra That Lampang Luang and then on to Chiang Mai. In Chaing Mai we were in an umbrella factory, at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and on the night bazaar. Then we did an elephant ride through the jungle and a bamboo raft ride in Meataman Elephant Camp. Sukhothai was the next destination, where we have seen, the former royal palace Wat Sra Sri before we went to Phitsanulok. After another temple tours we went on the last day again to Ayutthaya. During the tour, we've seen a lot, especially many temples and even more Buddhas. Interesting (and disgusting) was also visiting a local market with delicacies such as grasshoppers, meal worms and cockroaches. The lunch buffets were always beautifully located, small restaurants with a good selection of thai specialties. The local tour guide told us a lot and you always had at any place time for yourself.
From Bangkok, we then flew for 9 days to Koh Samui, a beautiful island with gorgeous, soft beaches. Our hotel was situated in the north of the island, from there we explored the island by scooter. Although I 've never driven scooter before and left-handed traffic, it was no problem at all. We were, in Chaweng and Lamai and at the Big Buddha. The food vendors on the beach were great, there were fresh pineapple, chicken skewers and much more for very little money. We have then made two unforgettable trips. For snorkeling we went to Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan. The second trip was to the Angthong Marine National Park. There we did a kayak tour, were at Emerald Lake and made a climb to a viewpoint. The sandy beach and the view there were just indescribably beautiful!
It was a great trip with lots of impressions about the country and especially the kind of the people was remarkable.
