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Southeast Asia Summer 2023
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  • Lani

Southeast Asia Summer 2023

Vietnam, Cambodia, Siam Reap, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapur, Indonesia Read more
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  • LaniSoutheast Asia Summer 2023Traveler

    Hua Hin New Home

    August 1, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    In real life, I deal with real estate development. How do people live together? What do community spaces, common areas, outdoor spaces mean?
    How are resources like water, plants, wind and sun optimally used. As a community developer I am interested in the question of what kind of rules and regulations are needed to make life work.

    This development is a good example of densification. Pool, outdoor spaces, common spaces like living hall or gym are shared. The common areas have a high quality of stay. And they are used. Dear Switzerland: Why complicated when it's simple?
    The apartment is ok. I like the balcony, as a private outdoor space. This apartment can be rented for about 200.- per month. Incl, wifi, aircon and utilities. What I totally miss is the washing machine.    Read more

  • LaniSoutheast Asia Summer 2023Traveler

    Hua Hin

    August 2, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    Hua Hin offers a refreshing combination of city life and sea with an almost cosmopolitan flair.
    Hua Hin's aristocratic roots date back to 1911, when the railroad arrived from Bangkok and members of the royal family had vacation homes built here.

    The train station is cute, no question.
    The beach is wonderful.

    You'll find lively markets, international cuisine, lots of secluded beach cfes, and excellent accommodations. Medical care doesn't seem to be bad either. In fact, you will meet many European retirees throughout Hua Hin. Public transport is good and life is affordable.    Read more

  • LaniSoutheast Asia Summer 2023Traveler

    Hua Hin Night Market

    August 2, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    Shopping. The market is mini and easy to reach by motorcycle cab.

    Almost all my favorite foods are found at the night market.
    Today for dinner: coconut omelets and taccos.

    For breakfast: sticky rice with fresh mango and coconut sauce. And a fruit similar to an apple. This one dipped in a sugar chillie powder.
    Yummie.    Read more

  • LaniSoutheast Asia Summer 2023Traveler

    Phraya-Nakhon-Cave

    August 3, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 30 °C

    This cave I wanted to visit today. Open from 10.00 to 15.00 in the Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park in the province of Prachuap Khiri Khan.
    This national park is about 40 minutes south of Hua Hin.

    Through a hole in the ceiling, the interior of the cave is bathed in an incredibly beautiful and romantic light. Inside the cave, trees and plants stretch out towards the sun's rays. Besides the impressive play of light, you will be fascinated by the pavilion built in the middle of the cave. Especially when the light that comes through the ceiling opening of the cave, bathes the temple in brilliant light. This is really an incredibly beautiful sight.

    The following ascent of 430 meters in altitude is over uneven steps and has it in itself. Since the steps can become very slippery when wet and it is raining today, I unfortunately can not go up.
    Nevertheless, I would like to list this excursion as a travel tip here and on my to do list    Read more

  • LaniSoutheast Asia Summer 2023Traveler

    Mission Hua Hin completed

    August 3, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    Hua Hin is really beautiful. There are countless nice cafes, restaurants and even a super nice food market. At home, I would be thrilled. And would not be surprised as of all these light-skinned people.
    Especially in combination with the golf course or sheer endless beach Hua Hin it is the pensioner's paradise. But unfortunately nothing for my life plan. Or not yet. The spark does not jump over.

    So it goes further in the direction of the south. Tomorrow at 07.00 it goes by bus and ferry to Koh Tao.

    Koh Tao is located on the east side of the Surat Thani coastline in Thailand, with two neighbouring islands, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. It is officially a subdistrict of Surat Thani province, and the name in English means “Turtle Island” for the island’s connection with its being inhabited by sea turtles.    Read more

  • LaniSoutheast Asia Summer 2023Traveler

    Koh Tao #1

    August 5, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Good morning!
    The journey yesterday was long . First bus and then ferry. In total I was on the road for 9 hours. But it was worth it. The island is beautiful. The 2 km I have seen as well as the bay Ao Chalok Ban Kao, where my accommodation is located. Because I went to sleep early.

    So I am also already awake since 05.00 and enjoy the awakening of the day on the beach.

    Almost everything on this island revolves around diving. The water is turquoise, the beach wonderful. So I am right here!

    I will leave here around the 10th. And then head straight for Penang / George Town in Malaysia.
    There is a "direct" ferry bus connection from Koh Tao. But it takes 24h    Read more

  • LaniSoutheast Asia Summer 2023Traveler

    #3 Nang Yuan Island

    August 7, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    The viewpoint on Koh Nang Yuan offers one of the most famous and photographed panoramas in Thailand.

    Featured on postcards all over the world, it’s well worth taking the time to pay a visit and to try snorkeling and hike up to the viewpoint.

    Koh Nang Yuan is a small island connected by a sandbar situated around 800metres off the north west coast of Koh Tao. It is said to be the only place in the world that has this unusual feature.

    Although classified as an island, Koh Nang Yuan consists of 3 small islands. This topography provides a unique beach during low tide and becomes completely submerged at high tide.

    The viewpoint is located on the peak of the highest of the three islands.
    It is an easy hike to the top, but you may need to stop and catch your breath, due to the number of steps and the humidity in Thailand. You will certainly be sweating by the time you reach the top. The trek to the top itself takes around 20 minutes. There is nowhere to buy water, except the restaurant in the resort, so make sure you are carrying enough water with you.    Read more

  • LaniSoutheast Asia Summer 2023Traveler

    #3 Lighthouse Bay

    August 7, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    Repeat: One of the most beautiful snorkeling and diving sites in a long time. Just incredibly beautiful.

    Lighthouse bay is brimming full of coral formations providing an ideal home for many of the common reef fish we see on Koh Tao.

    You can expect to see Weibels Butterfly fish, Lined-Butterflyfish, Beaked Coral fish, a variety of colorful Parrotfish, Red Breasted Wrasse and the One Spotted Snapper with a variety of Groupers including the Hexagon Grouper.

    Lighthouse bay is packed with Toadstool soft corals, Barrel Sponges and Christmas Tree Worm, massive Mottled corals and hundreds of Damsel fish and Sergeant Majors hiding out in the large patches of staghorn corals.

    Lighthouse bay offers an abundance of Sea Anemones attached to the big boulders, which are home to Pink Anemone fish.

    You will see large schools of Yellow Tail Barracuda swimming off around massive corals and if you look closely, you may see a Scorpion fish camouflaged into their background.

    Swim out north of Lighthouse bay and you will find a large pinnacle covered in marine life and it is only a 5-minute swim from the bay and you will see lots of Nudibranch and Wart Slugs on the way.    Read more

  • LaniSoutheast Asia Summer 2023Traveler

    #3 Aow Leuk Bay

    August 7, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    Blacktip Shark

    Crystal clear water, the most coral reef and parrot fish

    The landscape at Aow Leuk is amazingly beautiful. It has a white sandy beach and turquoise coloured sea with Shark Island featured in the distance.

    The bay itself has a large sandy seabed with living coral reefs on two sides of the coastline and it starts from the shallow water on the beach.

    You can enter the water from the beach and swim or snorkel for hundreds of metres along the coastline and follow the coral reef to see an abundance of marine life.

    You can expect to see different types or corals from Staghorn to Boulder coral and Table corals with fish darting in between in search of food or protecting their territory.

    Long fin banner fish, Trigger fish, Damsel fish, Anemone fish, Parrot fish, Wrasse and various types of Grouper are all visible.

    There are Giant Clams, Barrel Sponges, Barracuda, Stingrays and a couple of times a year, the shallows are used as a nursery by baby Black Tip Reef Sharks.    Read more

  • LaniSoutheast Asia Summer 2023Traveler

    #3 Shark Bay

    August 7, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    Turtels
    Sharks

    Shark bay (Tien Og bay) is situated in the south eastern corner of Koh Tao and is one of the most popular locations to go snorkeling.

    Shark bay is one of the few places on Koh Tao that you can almost certainly get to see green sea turtles on a daily basis.

    While you are exploring and looking out for the reef sharks and sea turtles, you can also see an abundance of other marine life pass you by as you head along the western coastline.

    You can expect to see Pink Skunk Clownfish, Cleaner Wrasse, Sargeant-Major’s, various Groupers, Damsel fish, Needlefish, Triggerfish, Parrot fish, various Anemones, Butterfly fish, Angel fish and an assortment of corals.    Read more

  • LaniSoutheast Asia Summer 2023Traveler

    Thailand virus

    August 10, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    I definitely have it. The virus. Thailand was always low on my travel wish list. When I ended up here last December/January, it was due to the corona virus. I never had Corona. But just then the Thailand virus. So I have now stayed on this trip almost 3 weeks in Thailand.

    After my disappointment of last year in the Andaman Sea I may say, there are them, the
    Incredible diving and snorkeling sites in Thailand! In Koh Tao... the reefs are still alive. Where they are bleached out, they are regenerating. And the diving and snorkeling sites can almost compete with the Maldives in terms of wildlife diversity.

    On my long trip, this was the perfect vacation. Sun, sea, diving, snorkeling, good food. But I was 2 days too long here. Originally I wanted to leave on the 8th, but then extended 2 days. Bad idea. 1 day went by with research and booking in the hammock. Traveling means researching, organizing, making decisions. Tickets to buy, places to stay to book. Reading reviews. Comparing prices. Feeling 100Apps and Google always open.
    I'm not complaining, but the time commitment is not to be underestimated. But I could have done that in the bus on the way instead of in the hammock. Then I would have saved myself the spoiled food or the contaminated ice cubes. The 2nd day I spent in bed with vomiting and diarrhea. For the first time on this trip it was shitty to be alone. No one to go buy water.

    Now the vacation is over and the journey continues.

    Next destination is now George Town in Malaysia.
    At 21.00 tonight the ferry leaves Koh Tao and the bus arrives tomorrow around 17.00 in George Town.
    In Georgetown I stay 2 nights, so 1 day, before continuing to Kuala Lumpur. Maybe too fast?

    I still want to go to the Taman Negara National Park. This is easily accessible from Kuala Lumpur. Green, lush, humid jungle, the Malaysian tiger, orangutans.... Another bad idea was to throw away my sneakers in Hanoi. Because I could use them now in the jungle.....

    Then a next destination will be Johur Bahru before I arrive in Singapore. There I will meet Chun!!! He handled it brilliantly, never gave me any stress. He was always happy that I was doing well and provided me with wonderful tips in Thailand.
    Together we will make a side trip to Pulau Bitam in Indonesia, before it then also goes for me back home and work.    Read more

  • LaniSoutheast Asia Summer 2023Traveler

    Malaysia border Bukit Kayu Hitam

    August 11, 2023 in Malaysia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    I am once again surprised how well everything works.
    The ferry was really luxurious. Per deck there was a "dormitory" with about 79 beds. I was on deck 3 and had a real bed with A57. There were even charging spots for all my devices.
    I arrived in Surat Thani around 5am. .
    By TukTuk it went then further to the van.
    In the van I was the only tourist. My fellow drivers were Thais who are at home in the south. Fully packed with 1000 bags. One after the other got out on the way.
    In Hat Yai the van stopped. The door opened and a woman entered the van. In her hand her cell phone. Suddenly she points at me and tells me to follow her. On her cell phone is my photo. The photo of me was taken yesterday when I was checking in for the ferry. Ok.... I get out and change the van. A new van, luxurious and all to myself. Apparently this one is now taking me to George Town. And no one is as crazy as me to do this this way.
    I kindly ask the lady if I have weed with me and she tells me that it is not allowed in Malaysia. Of course I have nothing with me.

    This is also where I change my clothes now. No more shorts and tank tops.
    Malaysia is Muslim and I don't want to take any risks.

    At the border I am alone and it takes only 10 minutes to leave Thailand and enter Malaysia. Again a stamp richer in the passport.    Read more

  • LaniSoutheast Asia Summer 2023Traveler

    Pulau Penang: George Town

    August 12, 2023 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    Me and George Town are not going to be friends. And I was so looking forward to this place.
    Maybe it's because my hostel is a disaster.
    The food, the life is super cheap here. The nights are extremely expensive. The hostel is cheap with CHF 11.- for 2 nights. The photos on the internet looked great, fresh, young and even a pool there. But those were photos and probably before Covid.
    The room is a dark, stinking of mold. The pool green and also smelly. Everything is falling apart and damp and moldy.
    I fell into bed after the long trip and got right back up. The bed is also moldy. Disgusting
    Around the corner I bought a banh mi from Vietnamese and immediately messed up my stomach again. In the end I decided to "hang in there" and look further today.
    Back to Thailand? Further to Bali? Another hotel?
    To pay 100.- for a hotel is hard for me. I am in Asia and in a country where a menu in the restaurant does not cost 2.-, 100.- seem to me simply too much.
    I don't dare to take the bus today because of the diarrhea....
    My bus ticket to Kuala Lumpur for tomorrow I already have, once again hold out?
    I walk through the neighborhood, think about whether fries from Burger King and a cafe from Starbucks would be a good choice? Because the first coffee I drank today was undrinkable. Hmmmm....
    The people, the culture have changed drastically. You will look in vain for the friendliness of the Vietnamese, the Cambodians and especially the Thais.
    It is a male dominated society. I don't feel comfortable walking through the streets and even less in a restaurant.
    Ok... I hang in there. Buy water, coffee and food at 7/11 and get on the bus tomorrow. Look for a GOOD hotel for 1-2 nights in Kuala Lumpur and go from there….    Read more

  • LaniSoutheast Asia Summer 2023Traveler

    Uncomfortable and then comfortable

    August 13, 2023 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    Last morning in George Town.
    If you do not shower despite the heat, because you would be dirtier afterwards... Unbelievable. I sit in a cafe, not far from the bus that leaves in 1.5h. Sweaty and without having brushed my teeth. I had no more water.... And here I trust the tap water 0.0.
    Still my stomach plays crazy and I am full of mosquito bites from top to bottom. Malaysia is the country where these beasts seem to like me. In the hourly rhythm I spray myself with Nobite and Antibrumm. In vain.
    I order 1.5 liters of water, an iced coffee and an orange juice in this cafe via a QR code. After a while I get what I ordered. Friendly as I am, I thank them. I could have saved myself the trouble. The guy puts everything down at the other end of the table. Does not greet me, does not dignify me with a glance. So I get up and get my things. Who cares? I don't get annoyed.
    The coffee is Nescafe, but ok. The orange juice is fresh. Everything costs around 2.-
    The looks I get are devastating. It is obvious that the neighboring tables are talking about me. Disdainfully. Looks and gestures say it all. At the few tables where women are sitting, they turn around, look at me and then shake their heads.
    Hmmmm. Maybe because I am alone? Why are male-dominated societies like this? I feel uncomfortable and not welcome. But some of the women smile back when HE is not looking. That's good!

    That said, I really need to use a restroom, but the coffee doesn't have.... Shit. In the sense of the word.

    There is a mall nearby and I try my luck there. The toilets are bad, but so am I. So what the hell?

    Something of the most important I learned in Asia: you must always have toilet paper with you when traveling. It is not common in public toilets to have paper!

    After I have eaten nothing yesterday, I buy a small portion of fries at Mac Donalds and give them right back, because totally cold. Next try and this time they are warm. After 2 fries I can't get anything down. But I tried and make my way to the bus.
    It's a bus with 24 seats. Exactly ONLY 24 seats. Each seat is a massage chair and can become a recliner! Everything is clean and it smells good! The bus driver even has a smile for me!
    So full of confidence on to Kuala Lumpur!

    For tonight I rented a service apartment in Kuala Lumpur again. Similar to Bangkok and Hua Hin. It looks really good and I'm looking forward like a little kid to the shower and brushing my teeth!!!! And the pool on the roof.    Read more

  • LaniSoutheast Asia Summer 2023Traveler

    Kuala Lumpur ❤️ Yeeeeaaaaaahhhhh

    August 13, 2023 in Malaysia ⋅ 🌧 27 °C

    6 hour bus ride, which was absolutely worth it.
    The apartment is suuuuper, the shower was heaven. And now a plate of spaghetti on the 37th floor and a drink with gin: I am happy!!!!
    I love Kuala Lumpur❤️

    P.s. George Town on Pulau Penang is absolutely overrated and in my opinion you can really travel past this city😉.    Read more

  • LaniSoutheast Asia Summer 2023Traveler

    The quality of the high-rise

    August 14, 2023 in Malaysia ⋅ 🌧 24 °C

    We can still learn a lot in the development of high-rise buildings. What does quality of life mean in a high-rise?
    Restaurant? Laundromat? Gym? Or is there more?
    In urban planning we talk about pocket gardens. But we always think of the first floor or roof areas. Yet there are so many ways to incorporate them on different levels.Read more

  • LaniSoutheast Asia Summer 2023Traveler

    Smoking is always good 😉

    August 15, 2023 in Malaysia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    It's early and I'm sitting on the terrace on the 37th floor smoking.
    Smoking places are a communicative place, smoking connects. It was already like that at university.

    In Vietnam, I had the wonderful encounter with the old man because of this addiction....
    First I talk to an Indonesian from Jakarta. He is here on vacation and beams with joy. A short time later, a Dutch woman joins us.
    Usual conversation: Where are you from? Where did you go? How long have you been on the road? How long are you still on the road? Liseth is traveling with her friend and arrived in KL 2 days ago, just like me.
    We find out that we are both traveling on to Malacca today.
    I ask how they get there and she says by cab. Cab????
    I studied the bus schedules yesterday and found out, that the travel times vary between 1-6 hours. With Google Maps I found out that Malacca has several bus stations and since I want to go to the center, my trip should take a good 6h. I booked my bus ticket as usual via 12goasia.com for 2 euros.
    The Dutchwoman means the trip takes only 1.5 hours.... So I open the next app, Grab. In fact, this indicates that the approximately 130 km for about 400 MYR and just under 2h to have... Converted to about 75.-. Spontaneously I ask her, if we want to share the cab and she says sure!!!
    We change the PhoneNr. and arrange the meetingpoint for 11:00 am at the lobby.

    So I do not have to go now and drive across KL to the bus station. And not spend 6h in the bus.
    That's good, because my intestine does not want quite yet and I'm pretty listless.
    So off to my room, get bathing suits and back upstairs to the 37 floor. Unexpectedly, I now have 3 hours more time and the sun is shining today. So off to the Pool!    Read more

  • LaniSoutheast Asia Summer 2023Traveler

    On the Way to Melakka

    August 15, 2023 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    I am so glad I joined the two women and am now sitting comfortably in the car instead of the bus.

    I am thinking about whether I should also drive the remaining routes with Grab.... The thought is very tempting.
    In the end, we have now found a ride for 216 MYR. Divided by 3, that's just under 14.- that this ride is now costing me, and I think this luxury of going door to door is worth it to me. No changing, no cabs, no searching, no lugging.... How wonderful.
    The ride takes about 2.5h so also a relief in terms of time.
    And less quiet or silent than on the bus. Europeans among themselves! There is exchanged and laughed!

    We agree, the food tastes not really good. I am glad the two share this opinion.
    After I have eaten so well in Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand, this is a bitter setback.

    Malaysia is really totally different. In KL, unlike George Town, the people were very nice. Despite the impressive architecture, KL can't compete with Bangkok.
    The charm is missing. The Buddhism is missing, with the beautiful temples and the peace and joie de vivre of the people.

    I am now looking forward to my next service apartment in Melacca, right by the sea and look forward to the last week in Singapore.    Read more

  • LaniSoutheast Asia Summer 2023Traveler

    Melakka#1 Arriving

    August 15, 2023 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    Arrived!

    Wildseets, a restaurant on the 43rd floor, in a high-rise building that is otherwise completely empty, in a neighborhood that is just as deserted and empty. It feels like no man's land.
    All the windows on the first floor are taped shut. The street is deserted. By chance I discovered a sign. It's hot and I'm hungry and I think to myself, ok I'll go up there..... And it is a little pearl. I am so craving for salad, fresh vegetables and order a Superfood Salad with blueberries, strawberries and salmon. Delicious.Read more

  • LaniSoutheast Asia Summer 2023Traveler

    Melakka

    August 15, 2023 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    With its colorful color rickshaws, local galleries and purple colonial buildings, Malacca is the bird of paradise among Malaysian cities.
    The old town has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    Old store houses and mansions have been converted into galleries and hotels, preserving the colorful variety of architectural styles in the city - with influences from the Peranaks (Baba-Nyonya), Portuguese, Dutch and English.

    Melakka is small enough to explore on foot. If you are brave, you can rent a bicycle.
    Exploring Melakka's streets by bicycle rickshaw is a must. Although I know the prices and also haggled, the guy totally ripped me off. We had agreed 1 hour for about 50MYR.... After 17 minutes he was done and wanted his 50MYR. I huffed for the first time on my trip, but then paid... and still get annoyed. But still, the 17 minutes were fun. I have lost money more stupidly....    Read more

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