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Southeast Asia Summer 2023

Vietnam, Cambodia, Siam Reap, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapur, Indonesia Läs mer
  • Angkor Thom

    18 juli 2023, Kambodja ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    It is hard to imagine a larger and more beautiful structure than Angkor Wat, but in Angkor Thom the individual parts add up to a greater whole. First, the gates catch the eye, lined with a monumental representation of 54 demons and 54 gods.
    As the last great capital of the Khmer Empire, Angkor Thom set new standards with a size of over 10km2.
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  • Ta Prohm

    19 juli 2023, Kambodja ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    Shadow-splattered Ta Prohm is the ultimate Indiana Jones backdrop. Widespread root systems hold the crumbling towers and walls in a tight stranglehold. If Angkor Wat is a testament to the genius of the ancient Khmer, this temple is a reminder of the equally impressive power and fertility of the jungle. There is something almost poetic about the life cycle of this time-honored ruin: first mankind subjugated nature to build the temple in a comparatively short time, now nature is reclaiming the man-made-slowly but steadily.
    Ta Prom was built 1186 and initially served as a Buddist temple.
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  • SPA

    19 juli 2023, Kambodja ⋅ 🌧 32 °C

    Tomorrow we will continue to Bangkok. Yesterday evening I planned the next stage of the tour. About it then later.

    In the next few days I will add to my past posts of this trip with all the links to restaurant and hotel recommendations, as well as excursions.

    But now to today.
    I had a 60 minute aromatherapy massage yesterday. It was incredibly relaxing and soothing. 1h massage in a luxurious SPA for eight dollars.
    It was so good that I booked myself a complete time out for today:

    90 min Aromatherapy Massage
    30 min Body Scrub
    30 min Body Wrap
    45 min Facial treatment
    30 min Foot massage
    This "me time" cost me 30 dollars.

    I really appreciate the massages in Asia and that you can have your laundry washed everywhere.

    Afterwards I want to go to the market and look for souvenirs.
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  • Review Siam Reap

    19 juli 2023, Kambodja ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    All pictures in this post are impressions of a city I can only recommend. Besides Angkor Wat, ma should definitely plan at least 2 days here.

    I like this city. It is relaxed, friendly and beautiful. The streets are safe and unlike Phnom Penh, you can move freely without fear. The city has a good vibe. Super nice little restaurants, good street food, the people are absolutely lovely.

    Also in this city it is worth to visit the local market.
    The market halls are located on the river, are dark, hot but totally fun. I laughed a lot. In the fish market, a fish jumped out of the tank and right at my feet. I was so scared and the whole hall laughed out loud.

    I did not trust the street food. The food in the restaurants was too good for that. And it is suuuper cheap. A good meal at a good restaurant costs between $1 to $5. My favorite food is Amok. I have tried different variations of it. Once with chicken, once with fish and will try to cook it at home.

    My beloved iced latte around 1.50.
    A beer around $0.75.
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  • Crossing the Border Cambodia / Thailand

    20 juli 2023, Kambodja ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    As I said, I don't like border crossings in the country. You leave in one country and then you are walking in this no man's land... Until you stand at the door of the next country and have to ask for entry. The uniforms and security checks make me uncomfortable. Arbitrariness is everywhere.... After 3.5 drive we reached the border. The place is terrible. It stinks, is dirty and the buildings on the Cambodia side look terrible.

    It took me just under half an hour to exit and enter the country. It has no tourists and the border controls are empty.

    So I arrived after 4 hours in Thailand!

    Info to exit Cambodia
    For the exit you need a 2nd copy of the e-visum. A printout at the border costs about 10 dollars. You should also have all the documents that you received from the immigration office with you. Especially if you entered the country with a visa. The time needed between exit and entry can take up to 3 hours.
    I tried again with my dollar in my passport.... But the official does not like it and gives me the money back.

    Info about entry Thailand
    When entering Thailand you have to fill out some documents. As a Swiss tourist I can get my visa on arrival for 29 nights free of charge. In winter when I will stay for 5weeks, I will need a "real" visa and apply for it at the Thai embassy in Bern
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  • Bangkok#1

    20 juli 2023, Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    Vietnam is about 10 years behind Thailand in development. Cambodia about 20 years. Laos about 30 years. Thailand is, next to Singapore and Malaysia, an economic dragon, i.e. an economic engine, in Asia.
    I have arrived in the land of smiles. Once more and I just feel at home.

    The bus left Siam Reap already at 7 o'clock. So again early to get up.
    It was the last long bus ride for a while: I need a vacation now!

    Being on the road in a group for 3 weeks is great, but also incredibly exhausting. We have experienced an incredible amount, seen, laughed, been silent.... A lot of impressions that there 3 weeks on me.
    Our hotel for this night is in Chinatown. And one has the feeling to be in China. Tonight the group met for the last time. We want to go out to eat.

    Starting tomorrow I have rented an apartment in Bangkok for a few days. I am just happy to have "my own place". I can do what I want, when I want.

    So around the 26.7. I would like to travel on to Kho Mu Chan. Kho Chat and Kho Kut are located in the east in the Gulf of Thailand and almost at Cambodia. I hope that the tourists are rather in Kho Samui or Phuket on the way.
    But these islands will be quieter than any other place.

    I hope for quiet beaches, will dive and snorkel, read, sleep, just let the soul dangle.
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  • Shit Shirts + Goodbye

    20 juli 2023, Thailand ⋅ 🌩️ 32 °C

    Let's talk about shit shirts🤣

    Everyone from the group drew a name. For that person you had to buy the shittiest tshirt you could find.
    I knew it, I drew Brandon.. we had an argument at S-21. He was making bad jokes🤣. And I found the shittiest TShirt ever!

    I got a pink Cambotscha football shirt and honestly I love it. It is not shit but rather pretty
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  • My sweet Home in Bangkok

    21 juli 2023, Thailand ⋅ 🌧 32 °C

    WYNDHAM GARDEN
    Bangkok Sukhumvit 42

    My new address in Bangkok. The apartment is ideally located: a few minutes to the BTS Ekkamai (Sky-Train-Station) and to Siam, the center.
    Also in the immediate vicinity is the east bus station. From here buses go to all parts of the country and further. The airport is easily accessible by sky train.

    In the house there are several gardens, pools, a gym and a very exclusive restaurant with very good coffee and cake.
    Also in the immediate vicinity my beloved 7/11, various street food stalls and the Getaway.

    The apartment is top, has aircon, a kitchen, a nice bathroom and is well furnished. Washing machine + WiFi included. I found the apartment via AirBnB and reserved immediately for December due to the location and price.

    I left shortly after noon the hotel in Chinatown and took the metro first and then the BTS to Ekkamai. There is a wonderful cafe right next to Ekkamai Exit 2 at the Getaway. Lavazza coffee!!!! So it doesn't get any better than this! I knew immediately, in this neighborhood I feel good!

    In the afternoon I explored the house and my neighborhood.
    The fridge is filled and my bag is unpacked. I am happy. Sitting in the roof garden on the 32 floor, with a 365 panoramic view of Bangkok and can hardly believe my luck. It is breathtakingly beautiful.

    To have my own space, to live my rhythm and to be able to freely dispose of my time again, I appreciate very much
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  • Dinner❤️

    22 juli 2023, Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    The restaurant is located at the river. The food is Thai for farangs. So not spicy. Not even the curry.
    That's why I prefer the street food or typical Thai restaurants in the countryside....
    Nevertheless it tastes very good. And I sit here because of the incredibly beautiful view of the river. And wril there is one of the best mango juices ever
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  • Chatuchak Market:

    23 juli 2023, Thailand ⋅ 🌧 32 °C

    The World's Largest Weekend market

    If you are looking for a market in Bangkok, this is the place to be. Countless halls and alleys full of market stalls.

    I took the BTS to Mutchi, then it is best to follow the flow of people. It seems like all of Bangkok is here.
    You would find everything you could want.
    I am hungry. Looking for the grandiose pastry with the green jam ...
    And that's exactly what I don't find. But my sticky rice with Mango.
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  • Iced Coffee with Oat + Matcha

    24 juli 2023, Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    5.30 o'clock and my cell phone plays crazy. I have ordered a cab at 5.45 via Grab. The cab is already there, 15 minutes early. I leave the house without coffee.

    Grab is the Asian Uber with the difference that it pays in cash.
    This time is the explanation why I took a cab. It is the only time when the road is free.
    The ride from Ekkamai to the river took about 30 minutes. It cost 170 Baht, about 4.20 CHF/Euro.
    Yesterday I discovered this little cafe here. All the way here I look forward to my favorite drink.
    To my surprise, they also have oat milk!!! And yes, I dare and try something new: with matcha! It tastes wonderful.
    This is a good way to get into the day.
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