Thailand Winter 2022 | FindPenguins

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Thailand Winter 2022 Traveler
Pan yee village (floating village)
December 25, 2022 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
Do you know the feeling: you are sure you have never been to this place before. And yet it seems familiar to you.
And all because of a soccer field!
Ok, the soccer field is really special. Only recently I saw a documentary about it, without knowing that I will actually see it!
When the ball leaves the field, it gets wet. And whoever kicked the ball, has to fetch it.

Kho Panyee is a special Muslim village floating by the sea in Phang Nga Bay. It is part pf the Ao Phang Nga National Park. The floating island lies in the shadows of a high limestock rock formation in a sheltered bay at sea. Koh Panyee is about half an houer by boat from the Phang Nga Pier in Phang Nga Bay.
The origin of Kho Panly or Panyee Muslim village. The floating Muslim village was created about two hundert years ago by 3 seafaring fishing families from Java in Indonesia. They were lppking for a good location with lots of fish. If they would find this place they would let them know by hosting a flag on top of a mountain top so others could found them.
They found the sheltered spot by the high rock and hoisted the flag. Slowly more people joined them, and the meantime 400 families are living here.
Nowadays only older generation in the village still speaks Bahasa Indonesia, the younger generation mainly speaks Thai.
By living on the water they cleverly circumvented Thai law. The law states that foreigners are not allowed to own land uon Thailand. Wenn later on more ans more tourists came to Thailand and therefore also to Koh Panyee, they got ownership. The first thing the inhabitants of Koh Panyee built at the time was a freshwater well and a mosque.

Thanks to the three fishing families who found this place and decided to settle here, a complete village has been created with everything you can expect from a village. There is a school, hospital, cemetery, market, stores, smal museum and of course a fish farm.Read more
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Thailand Winter 2022 Traveler
Snorkeling Stop Nr. 1
December 25, 2022 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Debo meets the blue jellyfish… it hurts… the most dangerous animal of Thailand…
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Thailand Winter 2022 Traveler
2. Sleeping and anchorage
December 25, 2022 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Railay Beach is one of the biggest misunderstanding pf this world-class Beach destination is that it is an island -which is not. The area of Railay is actually a large peninsula jutting out into the Andaman, but what makes this place truly place special is that it’s cut off from the rest of the mainland by a row of steep hills, witch means you can only get there by boat.
After we had dinner some of us went to the other place called Skunk Bar for enjoy the night life and few drinks.Read more
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Thailand Winter 2022 Traveler
best x-mas in a longe time: viva!
December 25, 2022 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
Railay Beach and Christmas. Man, that was fun. First we were on land n Mom's kitchen eat. Afterwards in a bar. The night is getting long! After some drinks and games like 4 wins, Jengo or Pool the live band simply knocks us off our chairs.
One song is better than the other and dancing is a must.
When we arrived hardly anyone was there, but hey we party! And because of us the bar filled up more and more with other people. The bar owners bought us some drinks as a thank you. In the end it was for me the best Christmas in years!Read more
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Thailand Winter 2022 Traveler
Koh Khai, Koh Mas, Koh Hay, Boris and me
December 26, 2022, Strait of Malacca ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
https://youtube.com/watch?v=oWOtDDudU9s&fea…

Our boat moved at 7.00 am from Railay Bey to Kho Khai (Chicken Island) which is not fare from Railay about 45 minutes.
We had one more snorkeling in this morning before breakfast. After breakfast we headed to Koh Maa (Dog Island) it took about 3.5 hours from Koh Khai to Koh Maa. Then we has second snorkeling today at Koh Maa for 2.5 hours.
After that we sailed to the next island for 2 houers to Koh Ha Yai (Five big Island) and had one more snorkeling at this beautiful island while all tourists have been gone.
After dinner we fishing at the back of the boat till late and we had fresh fish for the next day.Read more
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Thailand Winter 2022 Traveler
Koh Lanta: snorkeling with black sharks
December 26, 2022 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
Koh Lanta is special because it combines the Muslim hospitality and the Thai kindness with the paradisiacal atmosphere typical of South East Asia. Lanta also has a lively culture as a result of receiving many immigrants, such as the Chinese and even sea gypsies
Today we left the boat only for snorkeling. At 3 different places we could find black sharks.❤️Read more
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Thailand Winter 2022 Traveler
Koh PhiPhi
December 27, 2022 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
After 3 hours sailing we reach Koh Phi Phi .

Ko Phi Phi is a group of islands in the Andaman Sea off the west coast of southern Thailand - consisting of the main island of Phi Phi Don and the smaller sub-island of Phi Phi Le
In the north are the smaller Ko Mai Phai (Bamboo Island) and Ko Yung (Mosquito Island), which are inhabited only by some fishermen. In the south are the inaccessible rocky Ko Bida Nai and Ko Bida Nok . They are very popular with divers because of the biodiversity of the surrounding coral reefs and steep walls - which reach up to 24 meters in depth.

Together they form the 390 km² Hat Noppharat Thara Marine National Park in Amphoe Mueang, Krabi Province, and provide an ideal environment for water and diving activities

Tonight we anchor in the bay of Koh Phi Phi. eighteen years ago the tsunami swept over this island... when I entered the island I had a strange feeling... today it is hard to comprehend what happened here. The island is very touristy and I was glad to be able to go back on the boat.Read more
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Thailand Winter 2022 Traveler
Maya Bay or THE Beach
December 27, 2022 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C
Almost unexpectedly, between rock formations, you can find THE beach. Everyone knows the movie with Leonardo di Caprio. It is unimaginable that before the pandemic, this small spot was visited by more than 4000 people a day. Only a few ships are here. The bay is closed to visitors. Hopefully it will stay that way.Read more
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Koh Racha Noi/ Koh Racha Yay
December 28, 2022 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
Early in the morning at 7.am we leave the bay. We have a 5 hour ( Ko Racha Noi) and 2 hour ( Ko Racha Yai ) sailing trip ahead of us.

Ko Racha Yai and Ko Racha Noi also known as Ko Raya Yai and Ko Raya Noi, are twin islands off the southeastern coast of Phuket, is located on Phuket’s southeast coast with its gleaming beaches..

Known for their crystal clear blue waters these islands have been an almost exclusive paradise for divers for years

A hilltop viewpoint on the bay’s south offers a magnificent view of the whole island.Read more
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Thailand Winter 2022 Traveler
To Cry
December 28, 2022 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Once again, far and wide only dead corals. The water is wonderfully warm and clear. But except for a few seahorses, a sea cucumber and very few fish, not really much to see.
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Thailand Winter 2022 Traveler
Kho Racha Yai
December 29, 2022 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
The island is mostly inhabited by muslim farmers and fishermen.

The sand here is snow withe and has the consistency of talcum powder.

The main activities here are scuba diving and snorkelling. Racha Yai’s east coast has a bay that is fine for diving even during the rainy-season. Visibility can be as as good as 30m.Read more
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Thailand Winter 2022 Traveler
Koh Mai Thon
December 29, 2022 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
Located southeast of Phuket, Koh Mai Thon is like a dream island famous for its beautiful coral reefs, crystal clear water, powdery beach and laid-back ambience as great as the Maldives. The island is ideal for diving, swimming and sunbathing.Read more
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Yao Yai: Last dinner with a great group
December 29, 2022 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
Being on a ship for 7 days with strangers can be tricky. You can't just run away or retreat. The youngest person was 21 the oldest over 60.
Americans, Canadians, Chinese, Koreans, Serbs, Vietnamese, Australians, English, Irish, Dutch and with me a Swiss we were really a multicultural group.
For me personally it was a very good experience. We laughed a lot, talked, drank, danced, played and grew together in a short time.
In short: I would repeat this at any time.Read more
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Naka Yai: last snorkeling spot
December 30, 2022 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
Our boat starts early at 6.30 am and already before breakfast we enjoy the last snorkel spot…
At noon we will be back in the marina of phuket, where the sailing trip will end.

This lovely little place is also known as Koh Naka Noi or Pearl Island. The Naka Noi Island in Phuket is a small island off the north east of Phuket known for its popularity in pearl farming.
The island is only 800 meters long and only 200 meters wide.

The coasts are generally rocky, but the west and northwest coasts have a marvelous white sand beach. It is a beautiful, pristine, unspoiled stretch of sand with overhanging coconut palms.

On the northwest side, there is a lovely beach. This is wonderful retreat where you can find really satisfying snorkeling

The Naka Noi island doesn’t have any accommodation or proper places to have yourself a meal but you can have a picnic in tow with your snorkel gear. It is an ideal place to go and relax for a few hours on the lovely beach.

;Read more
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Thailand Winter 2022 Traveler
Heavy update
December 30, 2022 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
yesterday while snorkeling we saw something floating on the water. A. our guide then changed direction and said that is probably a doll... we did not question it. Then this morning the shock:

Two bodies of male foreigners were found floating in the sea near the Racha Island, South of Phuket.

The Royal Thai Navy told the Phuket Express that at 12:35 P.M. today (December 29th) they were notified from a tour boat captain ( Ours!!!) that two bodies were found floating near the Rang Gai Beach, East of the Racha Noi Island off the Chalong area.Read more
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Thailand Winter 2022 Traveler
Start Glamping
December 30, 2022 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
2 days off!🤷🏽‍♀️😉😉😉😎 The glamping is really nice.

... and when you have time off, the household is on the agenda.... something i totally love in asia is: you bring your laundry to the laundry and get washed and ironed back after 24h... paid by the kilo... i have around 3.5kg of dirty guard and the service costs around 150.-bath, which is around 4.- swiss francs....

The place is very touristy and has nothing to do with the Thailand I love.
Paul comes from Rotterdam and also sailed with us. We have spontaneously decided to spend two days together here in the south. So we will therefore just spend tomorrow at the pool. Afterwards it goes on for me to Khao Sok, in the floating Rainforest Camp. Paul will meet his partner in Bangkok and travel on to Laos.
The glamping reminds of Bali. The food, the drinks are excellent. Somehow an ideal break.Read more
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Thailand Winter 2022 Traveler
Review-Outlook: Happy New Year
December 31, 2022 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
It was right to travel the islands of the Andaman Sea by boat. And for me it is clear: I will not travel the south of Thailand again.

The southern mainland and Phuket but also the region of Krabi is for my taste much too touristy, partly sexist, too loud, too garish. It reminds of Mallorca and the Ballermann.
If south, then finally Indonesia /Malaysia next!

😉 New Year also means to take on things. to do:
1. I could give it a first try in Borneo in the summer, when I have 4 weeks of vacation. With a stopover in Singapore. Let's see how the prices of flights develop 😉

2. I have fallen in love with the north of Thailand. Especially in Chiang Mai.
I really want to travel 5 weeks North-Thailand- Laos- Vietnam-Cambodia in December 2023. I am very interested in "insider tips" and experiences!

❤️And by the way : happy new year❤️ 2023 will be great ❤️

Where and how we will celebrate the New Year's Eve is not yet clear. I would still like to watch a Muay-Tay. Let's see where it will take us.

I will complement the pool day with a Thai massage. Here is to say: In the north as well as in the south, every 5 meters you have the opportunity to enjoy incredibly good massages for little money. I have never paid more than CHF/EUR 10.- for a whole hour. I will absolutely miss it.

Tomorrow I start early in the morning towards the rainforest and inl the Khao Sok National Park. By the way, I will sleep there again in a tent, but on a raft! Thais love camping and I now also 😉.
In Khao Sok National Park live wild elephants... The anticipation is huge.Read more
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Thailand Winter 2022 Traveler
Khao Sok #1 Elephants
January 1, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Getting up at 6am on New Year's morning is tough! I'm not sure I'm still drunk or just have a hangover....

Transfer from the clamping in the south of Phuket to Khao Sok starts early.... Point 7.25 on the 1st of January 2023 we go on.
only three days left...but let's forget that..for a moment

A little more than 3 hours lasted the journey. So now I'm standing in the rainforest and I'm about to go hiking.

Khao Sok National Park is home to around 200 of these wild elephants which roam free in the rainforest…. Elephants grow old. Up to 80 years and more. And they eat a lot: about 300kg a day. Every few years the elephants teeth fall out and they get new ones. When they reach 70, their teeth fall out for the last time and they can't eat anymore and die.
In Thailand, elephants are no longer allowed to be used for work and the upkeep of the animals is no longer affordable for the Thais. Everywhere there are "retirement homes" for elephants. Some of them are blind or have no teeth anymore... and here they are well looked after

On the first kayak tour I already met green vipers, spiders, monkeys, elephants and small crocodiles... Tomorrow morning we will go further and deeper into the rainforest. AND for the first time we won't have wifi... so the last updates from this trip will be uploaded at the airport.Read more
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Thailand Winter 2022 Traveler
Khao Sok #2
January 2, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
The last section of this trip is once again totally different than the north or south. I would not repeat this trip again either. It is not touristy in the same way as the south. But doesn't have much to do with dm travel as I like it. Mostly families with kids travel this section and they keep to themselves. It is disconcerting that there is little mixing and sharing.
It's clean, every minute scheduled and the food bland and lacking in spiciness. I miss Thai cuisine already....

What I like most about traveling is meeting people and sharing some time or a section of the itinerary with them.
It was on this section that I met Jenny and Joel. Jenny is from Uruguay, lived in Argentina for a few years before finding her home in Israel. Joel is American and met and fell in love with Jenny in Tel Aviv a long time ago. Both are much older than me and travel a lot. Both are incredibly nice and I enjoy the exchange. Jenny founded a startup in 2016 with the app Air Doctors and I am so impressed with her knowledge and dedication. To all the travelers out there: download the app! How can it be that you can order anything online, but can't find a doctor online in a foreign country? You can even book your doctor's appointment through this app, should you ever need one!

AND they invited me to visit Israel and of course them....
Actually I was planning to visit Morocco in April.... But who knows! As always, let me see how the airfares work out. I am the queen of cheap flights and in the end, the best and cheapest flight always decides where I will go next. And Israel is expensive... More expensive than Switzerland....
Both will be in Austria in February with their grandchildren to ski. Maybe we will meet in Europe before my trip to Yemen/Israel.

Shared my cabin on the catamaran with Lann. She is Vietnamese and lives in New York. A crazy person, totally her own, but heart on the right side. Together we slept on the deck every night. We are the same age, that connects. Lann will visit me in Bern and I look forward to meeting him again.

And then there is Zipora and her son Jacob! With them I was allowed to enjoy the tuktuktour. Both are incredibly sweet and somehow very close to me. Zipora's parents have a typical European history as Jews. From Austria, to Italy, to Zurich, to emigration to the USA. And as mothers of children on the spectrum, we share quite a bit. I wish I had had their mindset when my daughter was younger. She travels the world with Jacob and has probably found the right balance between rest and activity that is right and doable for Jacob. As an aside, Jacob is so lovable, open and playful. As perhaps only children on the spectrum are. How I would love to share my travels with my kids!
We plan to meet up again in Chiang Mai and then do the 11 day tour by tuktuk....

And then there were all the other encounters with lovely people.
Micky, Aifa, Suzie, Bruce, Boyz.... I am so rich and blessed!Read more
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Thailand Winter 2022 Traveler
Khao Sok #3
January 2, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
With the longtail boat we go out to the Khao Sok. A reservoir, which was built in 1982. Flooded were 5 villages that lie forever deep down in the water. Somewhere out there we will then spend the night tonight on the raft... the last night in Thailand....

What I didn't know is that there are Thailand bears! Unfortunately I was too slow. By the time I had my camera in my hands, the baby bear had already disappeared....

And what I also did not know is that here at Khao Sok lives the Indonesian tiger. About 200 tigers live freely in this national park. I have seen none. But you can hear him at night. Leopards, monkeys, Fishing Cats and the Asian Golden Cat are easier to find.
The Khao Sok is full of fish. Giant specimens that live up to 40 years....Read more
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Last Update
January 2, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
What do you do on an evening with nothing? Without internet, without a book? Everyone is asleep, it's dark, but not quiet. The crickets and frogs are incredibly loud and now and then you hear animals screaming. Even the fish in the lake make noises!

I use the time and fill in my travel diary.
In the first time I have night much written down. It is nice to look through all the photos (about 700!!!) and to keep the experiences. So if you feel like it, you can now find the texts at the respective footprint.
M
This trip could not have been better!
Everything worked out and I am still alive. I even still have my cell phone this time. Forgetting my PIN of my SIM was the worst thing that happened, but my provider was able to help me!
Oh yes... The platform through which I booked my return flights went bankrupt. I got an email. But according to my airline I am lucky and my flights are valid. This is because I already paid for them months ago. Whereby I was then disappointed about the validity. I would have had no problem to fly via Singapore and insert a stopover... In case of need, I would have also liked Doha or AbuDhabi....
The 3 weeks off seem like half a lifetime to me! Grateful, happy, fulfilled and rich in new experiences, I am now flying back to Zurich via Bangkok. And will do it again: Travel!

If you want details about the tours, costs or the providers, please feel free to contact me. As always -with the exception of the Tuktuk-Cub in Chiang Mai- I don't advertise for providers, but I'm happy to share experiences and contact data if you are interested!

See you on the next trip!Read more
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Thailand Winter 2022 Traveler
….
January 3, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
and you know
you can
you can think anything
what matters is which thoughts guide you
you can paint the world black
and see it completely colorful
you may go ahead and turn around at any time
you may fly and fall
you may stand up
and above all you may stay lying down,
if you long for it
you may insist
on yourself and your thoughts
and to tell everyone about them
no one has to understand them
you may count all the stars at night
and you can stop time before it passes by
you may search for what you are missing
and decide when you have found it
- your life
you know, you may
you are allowed to liveRead more
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Trip end
January 4, 2023