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Nairo2Rio - Around The World
  • Martin Hammerschmidt
Oct 2023 – Mar 2025

Nairo2Rio - Around The World

Solo backpacking the world, visiting 6 continents and 20+ countries over the next 16 months Read more
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  • Martin HammerschmidtNairo2Rio - Around The WorldTraveler
    1

    Kampot - World‘s Best Pepper

    Dec 16–17, 2023 in Cambodia ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    The last stop on my journey through Cambodia was Kampot. It is famous for its pepper, which is voted #1 in the world. So the obvious activity I did on my first day was to visit a pepper plantation.

    We headed to the pepper farm, 'La Plantation', where we got a free tour around the farm with all sorts of information on the different colours of the pepper (green, black, red and white), its characteristics in terms of taste and growth, the harvest process, etc. Last but not least, we had the opportunity for some pepper tasting - I have to admit, there is indeed quite a surprising difference between the peppers (colours) - from smoke-y to lemon-y. With this much pepper tasting, my whole mouth was filled with a spicy pepper taste for at least 1h. I definitely had to drink quite a bit of water.

    The half-day tour also included stops in a pitch-black cave that involved some scrambling and climbing, a short visit to the salt fields and ended with a stop at the crab market in nearby Kep. To finish off the day, we headed back to our hostel for an afternoon of tanning, relaxing and reading by the pool.

    On the second day, I hopped on another tour to visit Bokor Hill, which is the second biggest mountain in Cambodia and c. 1.5h away from Kampot. The main purpose of the half-day trip was to visit an abandoned French village and hilltop station at the top. It was quite a fun day exploring an abandoned church, temple and hotel. For a late lunch, we also stopped at a waterfall, before heading back and doing the same as the day before - tanning, relaxing and reading by the pool. In the evening, some of the people I met on the two tours (mostly French) and I headed to the night market for dinner.

    That day concluded my trip through Cambodia and I can honestly say that the country has positively surprised me - not just the people (next post), but also the diversity of things to do and see (i.e. Angkor Wat, bats in Battambang, floating villages, gem mine area, jungle trekking, its dark history, beautiful islands and world’s best pepper).

    Next stop: Vietnam    Read more

  • Martin HammerschmidtNairo2Rio - Around The WorldTraveler

    Byebye Cambodia - People’s Way Of Life

    December 18, 2023 in Cambodia ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    Having spent 1 month in Cambodia, it was time to say goodbye to the country and its people. It was especially the people that made my time here incredible. I did not have many expectations coming here apart from wanting to see the highlights, in particular Angkor Wat, and learn about its dark history.

    Instead, the people blew me away - from the super friendly TukTuk driver in Battambang, the guys who took me fishing in Siem Reap with their family and friends, the woman who owns a bar (and multiple other businesses) and showed me the hard-working nature of Cambodias, the street food vendors who told me about their revenue and costs, the TukTuk driver/guide who led us around Angkor War all the way to the guide with whom we went trekking in jungle in east Cambodia and who was forced to serve as a child soldier (8-11 years old) during the Khmer Rouge regime.

    So, this is what I have learned about Cambodian's and their way of life during my time here:
    - A street food vendor in Siem Reap earns c.$30 per day on average, of which $1 goes to the police as a 'location fee'
    - If a TukTuk driver has no clients in a day, he literally earns nothing that day. Nada.
    - There is no weekend or days off for the great majority of the people esp street vendors and TukTuk drivers
    - Rent in Siem Reap for a probably okay-ish 1-bed flat is like $200 per month
    - Paying taxes for services paid in cash is basically non-existent
    - There is no pension. People rely on kids to help them out when they grow old. Shows the much more important role of kids vs western society.
    - Kids start driving scooters from as young as 7 or 8 years old. No helmet.
    - Gem miners earn on average $1.25-$2.50 per day, depending on the size of the stones/gems they find
    - There is not really any awareness of the damage plastic causes the environment (most of the time it is burned)
    - In rural Cambodia, collecting 1kg of cans is compensated with $1.25, while 10kg of plastic only with $0.25
    - You can pay in USD and Cambodian Riel - or a combination of the two. You might also get back a combination of the two.
    - I have not seen or used a knife for 1 month since everything is eaten with a fork, spoon or chopsticks.    Read more

  • Martin HammerschmidtNairo2Rio - Around The WorldTraveler

    Hello Vietnam - First stop: Saigon

    Dec 19–20, 2023 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 33 °C

    After Cambodia, the next stop on my travels was Vietnam - or more specifically, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), formerly known as Saigon. I stayed three full days there: one day to go to the Cu Chi Tunnels, one day to explore the city/war museum and one day to see the Mekong Delta.

    The first thing to note is that HCMC is organised chaos. 13m people, but 9m scooter made almost every street crossing an adventure and near-death experience. The trick was to literally not stop walking, as the scooters navigated around me. Difficult to explain, but it worked!

    Anyway, back to the things I did. I started with the historical part - i.e. a visit to the war museum and the Cu Chi tunnels to learn about the Vietnam War, its timeline, the atrocities committed and how the less well-equipped North Vietnam (i.e. Viet Cong) managed to win the war against the much better equipped US and the South.

    The museum and the Cu Chi tunnels are super interesting and informative and bring alive some of the conditions that the Viet Cong had to endure in their attempt to win against the US/South. In particular the museum and the section on the effects of gas such as Napalm and Agent Orange on civilians is shocking and it features prominently in the museum (as it should, in my opinion, as to avoid such things in the future... in theory).

    The Cu Chi Tunnels were a half-day trip from HCMC. While the premise of the visit is terrible, it was fascinating to see with what simple methods the Viet Cong fought the US/South and what conditions they had to endure to not be detected in the tiny tunnels.
    When we had the chance to crawl through some sections of the tunnels (dark, hot, humid), we could experience those conditions first hand. We were only there for a few minutes and it was exhausting, while the Viet Cong spend weeks down there - incredible.

    With that, I hope that this will be the last time I am confronted with unbelievably inhuman, and horrific atrocities against humanity - after all, on this trip I have already visited the Genocide museum in Rwanda, the S-21 prison and Killing Fields in Phonm Penh and now the War Museum and Cu Chi Tunnels in Vietnam. It is enough now!

    On happier news: the food here is amazing. Banh Mi Bay, Pho, Bun thit nuang, and many more.    Read more

  • Martin HammerschmidtNairo2Rio - Around The WorldTraveler
    11

    A Daytrip To The Mekong Delta

    December 21, 2023 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    On my last day in HCMC, I booked a day tour to explore and see what life is like on the Mekong Delta. As it turned out, I had the exact same amazing tour guide that I did for the Cu Chi Tunnels - her name is My but her English name is Karl (people in Asia often have their real name and then an English version).

    Anyway, we set off at 8am in the morning for a 1.5h drive into the delta. The delta is of course huge and the section we went to, called My Tho, had four islands, of which we visited a few, starting with Unicorn Island.

    The highlights of the tour for me were sitting low in a small boat while paddling through small waterways and after lunch taking some bikes and cycling around another island for a little bit.

    Next to a few other 'activities', we had a little fun and impromptu Karaoke session on the boat back to the mainland before finishing the tour with a visit to the impressive Vinh Trang pagoda in Mekong City.

    It was a fun little trip out of Ho Chi Minh City and I really enjoyed the day. However, I did not really experience or get an idea of what life in the Mekong Delta looks like. The tour felt pretty 'off-the-shelf' and had quite a few stops with the main aim of selling things to us (i.e. various honey-based products, coconut candy, rice wine, etc). The products may all be organically made in the Mekong Delta, but it felt a bit strange and not like the Mekong Delta tour that I imagined.

    So would I do the tour again or recommend it? Not really. While I had a great time with the group and especially My was awesome, it felt very touristy and I am none the wiser of what life on the Mekong looks like. It is probably much better to do an overnight homestay in the Mekong to really get a good and valuable insight.    Read more

  • Martin HammerschmidtNairo2Rio - Around The WorldTraveler
    1

    Mui Ne - A Merry Beachy Christmas

    Dec 22–26, 2023 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌬 28 °C

    After the bustling megacity of Saigon, it was time to hit Mui Ne on the coast and make a strange dream come true: spending a Christmas on a beach. While Mui Ne does not have the nicest beaches in the world (in fact, they are quite average), it still counts in my view.

    In Mui Ne, I also met up with Amy, who I met in Antigua (Guatemala) last year and with whom I will be traveling through Vietnam for the next 5 weeks.

    On our first day, we did what everyone comes to Mui Ne to do: visiting the big sand dunes by jeep and ATV - yes, Vietnam has big sand dunes. We were picked up in a light blue jeep, but first driven to a little stream that we walked in followed by a little photo session on the jeep - literally.

    Afterwards, it was time to see the dunes and, oh my, they did not disappoint. We hopped on an ATV and raced through the sand dunes up to the highest point for a stunning view. We spent a bit of time there to soak up the atmosphere and views, before hopping back on the ATV and racing down the sand dunes - and jeeeeez... it felt like a rollercoaster as one sand dune almost felt like a vertical drop. It was pure fun!

    The next day it was Christmas Eve. We spent most of our day lazing on the beach, before heading back, getting ready and driving to a beach club. Once arrived, we stumbled into an open birthday party, with free food, free cake, free shots and a big party. Maybe not the calm Christmas atmosphere we were expecting, but we had a great time partying on Christmas Eve - it is Jesus' birthday after all, so might as well celebrate with a bang.

    On Christmas Day, we went back to the same beach club and enjoyed the day in 34 degrees sun with blue skies, warm waters and a beautiful sunset.

    We spent a total of three days in Mui Ne, which might be 1-2 day too long, as there is not a lot to do (apart from the dunes), but Christmas on a beach was definitely an experience I will never forget.    Read more

  • Martin HammerschmidtNairo2Rio - Around The WorldTraveler
    11

    Hoi An - A Magical Place (Part 1)

    December 27, 2023 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 24 °C

    After a few days on the beach it was time to head north and to one of the destinations I was looking most forward to on this trip - Hoi An, the city of lanterns. Due to its rich history of being an important harbour for Japanese and Chinese traders and subsequently being taken over by the French, the city is covered in colourful lanterns and yellow buildings. It’s a UNESCO heritage site since 1999.

    We had a total of six days to explore the old town and the surroundings and we took things slow in order to soak it all in. The pictures do not do the magic and beauty of the place justice, but give at least a flavour of how wholesome the old town is. It is dotted with beautiful little cafes and shops, a small river that sees lantern boats and candles floating on it every evening, a super yummy Banh Mi place and behind literally every corner is a new photo opportunity.

    The first day after our overnight train journey, we simply wandered around the old town and explored its magic - first during the day and then during the night. And both times, we were in awe. It simply is a place that is impossible not to fall in love with at first sight - especially in the evenings. Even if it is a bit touristy, it has not lost its charm at all.

    It is a place that I 100% want to come back to and highly recommend everyone to visit. It is, hands-down, the most beautiful town I have seen in my life.

    In the next post, I will detail some of the cool things we did in Hoi An and its surroundings.    Read more

  • Martin HammerschmidtNairo2Rio - Around The WorldTraveler
    1

    Hoi An - A Magical Place (Part 2)

    Dec 28–Jan 2, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    Next to exploring the ins and outs of the old town, there are tons of other things to do in and around Hoi An.

    On the second day, it was Amy's birthday, so we first got a massage in town before visiting My Son, which is an interesting ancient temple complex of the Champa Kingdom that is nestled deep inside the woods.

    The following day, we took a free walking tour to learn more about the rich history of Hoi An, before taking it slow and heading to a few cafes and simply relax and watch life go by.

    The third day started slow as well (we had a bit of rain most of the days), but in the afternoon, we went to experience the traditional basket boats. I opted to go for a wild spin in one, which was quite fun - luckily, I did not fall out, as I have seen some others do while researching the experience. On the way back, each of us floated a candle on the river, while making a secret wish.

    For the next day, Amy and I decided to head to town early to do a little photo shoot of the most beautiful place, while it is quiet. Afterwards, we opted to go on a street food tour arganised by the hostel to taste some of the odd street food dishes that we otherwise would have probably never tried. Some were definitely a hit and some were okayish (no insects, luckily!). In the evening, it was time to party into and welcome the new year (one woman with a mic started the countdown from 10 seconds a whole 4 minutes too early, so we had to do the countdown twice).

    On New Year's Day, we started with a traditional Hoi An-specific noodle dish (Cao Lau) prepared by our host for lunch. We then hired some bikes and cycled through the nearby rice fields and observed life in the Vietnamese countryside. It was our last full day, so we saved the best for last - a lantern boat right in the evening on the river. Seeing the countless lanterns and beauty of Hoi A from the river was really the perfect end to our time in this magical town.    Read more

  • Martin HammerschmidtNairo2Rio - Around The WorldTraveler

    Hue - Vietnam‘s Royal History

    Jan 3–4, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    After the magic of Hoi An, we headed 3-4h north to the city of Hue. Hue used to be Vietnam's old capital between 1802-1945, when it was the seat of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors - this is also the reason why many Vietnamese people have Nguyen as their last name. The food scene here is also unique and nicely presented, due to its royal history.

    Anyway, we had 2 days here and on the first day, we dug right into the royal history with a tour through the city. We had a total of 7x stops and the royal stops were the most impressive.

    We started off by visiting the residency and working place of the emperors at the stunning Citadel that also includes the beautiful Imperial and Forbidden City. After getting some interesting info from our tour guide about Vietnam's royal past, we wandered around the Citadel and basically got lost among its old buildings that were decorated with quite some detailed ornaments.

    The other two royal stops that we both liked were the royal tombs of the 2nd and 12th emperor. Sometimes it is hard to believe that they build these massive structures and complexes just for one dead guy. But well, that's life for some apparently.

    The other stops included a beautiful pagoda overlooking the river, taking a leisurely dragon boat ride on the river that runs through the city, visiting an old garden house, and finishing off the day on a little mountain that offers nice, but not spectacular views. We also did one more stop at a village that makes incense sticks and I had a go at trying to make one - failed miserably to be honest, so definitely not a career option for me.

    On our second day (½ day), we opted to visit an abandoned waterpark at a nearby lake. It was build in 2004, but closed a couple of years later. Since then, nature has taken over. A scary-looking dragon sits in the middle of the lake and is truly impressive. We walked up and visited its mouth, before taking a few pictures in and around it (there is an old car and some abandoned waterslides, too).

    After that, it was time to say goodbye to Hue and just like that, we were on our way to Phong Nha, the caving capital of Vietnam.    Read more

  • Martin HammerschmidtNairo2Rio - Around The WorldTraveler
    1

    Phong Nha - Caves and Ducks

    Jan 5–6, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    The next stop going north was Phong Nha, Vietnam's adventure capital. The activity to do here is exploring the countless and stunning caves in the area.

    So that is what I did the next day. While Amy took a day to rest and recharge, I joined a full day tour to first go see the Paradise Cave followed by the Dark Cave.

    Although I am not the biggest fan of caves, the Paradise Cave was truly spectacular. The sheer size of it, plus the massive stalagmites and stalactites were breathtaking. It was a massive cave - 31km long. We only explored 1km, but that already gave me a good little insight into what the rest of the cave could look like. That first kilometer had a proper infrastructure set up to walk through the cave with lights everywhere - there is also an option to go 6-7km deep into the cave with only a head torch and no infrastructure.

    It is difficult to put into words, but Paradise Cave was really amazing. I can only recommend! Never been in a cave like this before.

    After the cave and a quick lunch, I headed to the Dark Cave, which is more of an action-packed place. This time, there was no infrastructure and the only light came from the head torches on our helmets. Bare feet, we walked on the muddy floor, through cold-ish water that reached our shoulders and made our way through some dark alleys in the cave. All for this: a mud bath.

    Once there, we covered ourselves in the mineral-rich mud. We also turned our lamps off and remained quiet for a minute to just take in the sounds and smell of the cave! It was a great experience.

    Once out of the cave, we kayaked back and finished off with grabbing a handle, ziplining over the water and then just let go and falling into the water.

    The next day, Amy and I hired some bikes to go explore a local village and feed some ducks, which we have heard is a surreal but cool experience. The cycle ride through the local village was wholesome and some kids stopped us and wanted to practice their English - we happily complied. Then came the ducks. I have to say, one of the strangest, but funniest experiences I have had. We were a bit nervous to feed hundreds of ducks straight out of our hand and from between our feet and legs, but it turned out to be super fun. Amy could not stop laughing (watch the video!). So much fun!
    田    Read more

  • Martin HammerschmidtNairo2Rio - Around The WorldTraveler
    12

    Ninh Binh - Serenity With Stunning Views

    Jan 7–9, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    The next stop on our Vietnam adventures brought us to Ninh Binh/Tam Coc. The surrounding area is known for its breathtaking landscape, also referred to as 'Ha Long Bay on land'.

    With the overnight bus, we arrived at 4.30am and got a few more hours of sleep on a sunlounger before our room was ready. Once settled in, we hired some bikes and explored the surroundings and got a first glimpse at the massive limestone mountains that the area is famous for. We also paid a visit to a pagoda that was nestled into a mountainside and stretched over multiple levels. To finish the day off, we went to a cat cafe as Amy is obsessed with cats (I am rather indifferent, so I mainly enjoyed the views - not of the cats).

    Day 2 was the big one and included activities that I was most looking forward to. We hired a scooter, met up with a few fellow travellers we met in Hoi An and headed to Trang An National Park. There, we hopped on a boat with which we rode along the waterways and among the limestones for the next 2.5h.

    The scenery was simply breathtaking, as on the way we paddled through caves (one was 1km long), visited a few temples/pagodas by the water and simply enjoyed awe-inspiring views. It was quiet and peaceful and the only sound came from the paddles and the nature surrounding us. Behind every corner was a new photo opportunity, but sometimes it was best to just put the phone away and enjoy the beauty of the moment.

    After the boat ride, the next highlight was already waiting for us - a climb up the Mua Cave mountain for some incredible sunset views. The 500 steps up were certainly worth the effort.

    The Mua Cave mountain actually has two viewpoints and we went up the lower one first. After taking in the views, we went to the second viewpoint and stayed there for a fair bit to watch a colourful sun setting between the omnipresent limestones. It really was a perfect end to the day that I was looking very much forward to. The scenery and views certainly fulfilled all expectations and then some.

    On the third day, Amy and I hopped back on the scooters and explored Vietnam's ancient capital Hoa Lu (from 968-1010) and a nearby lake that we almost had to ourselves.
    Afterwards, we ate some Banh Mi Chao (a baguette with the ingredients not stuffed inside, but sizzling on a pan) before getting ready to say goodbye to Ninh Binh the following day.    Read more

  • Martin HammerschmidtNairo2Rio - Around The WorldTraveler
    2

    Hanoi - Buzzing With Amazing Street Food

    Jan 10–13, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    After spending the past few weeks in nature or only smaller towns, it was time to hit Hanoi, Vietnam's vibrant capital. We stayed in a small Airbnb right in the middle of the buzzing and historic Old Quarter, which is the beating heart of the city.

    However, once we arrived in the late afternoon, we spent our first evening just outside the Old Quarter - on Train Street. Train Street is a narrow alley with train tracks running right through apartment blocks and countless cafes. A few times a day, an actual train is still driving through the street, literally centimeters away from people sitting at their cafe tables.

    We picked a spot on the 2nd floor with some smoothies and watched the train pass by - it was quite spectacular to see a train this up-close. Afterwards, we took the opportunity and walked on the tracks and took a few quite amazing pictures and videos.

    The next day, we took it rather easy as the weather was not ideal (drizzling for most of the day). Nonetheless, we strolled through and explored life in the Old Quarter. What striked us the most was the sheer amount of little street stalls selling all kinds of food that we had and still have no idea what they were. We also went to a little local cafe to try egg coffee that originated here in Hanoi - it’s actually quite nice! In the afternoon, we opted to take a Free Walking Tour through the Old Quarter to learn more about the history of this area and Vietnam customs and traditions. We also visited the wet and dry market (i.e. alive/dead animals), which made us realise that the standard of animal welfare in Europe is definitely higher.

    On our second and last full day in Hanoi, we visited the Government area, i.e. the mausoleum of Ho Chi Min (the guy who beat the Americans and reunited Vietnam), the parliament, etc. As the weather was again not quite on our side, we also made a stop at the well-known, even if quite touristy, NoteCafe, before opting to learn more about the various dishes we saw over the last two days by going on a Free Street Food Tour (we sampled own-rolled spring rolls, dry Pho, bamboo sticky rice, fermented pork, and some desert that I forgot).

    That wrapped up a good couple of days in Hanoi. The weather wasn't great (bit wet and cold) and we hope that our next stop, the Ha Giang Loop, will be a bit more pleasant    Read more

  • Martin HammerschmidtNairo2Rio - Around The WorldTraveler
    12

    The Ha Giang Loop - Day 1 (Great Intro)

    January 14, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    After a few days in Hanoi, Amy and I headed to the very north of Vietnam to do the Ha Giang Loop. Every traveler I met so far and who had done the Loop was raving about it, saying it was by far the best thing they did in Vietnam. Thus my expectations were sky-high.

    In the morning, we got all the logistics sorted and left on the bikes at 9.45am for a 3 days/2 nights adventure. The weather was cloudy, cold (it is Vietnam's winter after all) but dry, which was the most important.

    We opted to do the loop as Easy Riders, meaning we sat at the back of our bikes, while a driver (my driver's name was Vanjam) would navigate us around the loop. This way, we could fully take in the breathtaking views and not having to concentrate on what are considered to be Vietnam's most dangerous roads. Our group consisted of 8 people - all easy riders - plus our drivers.

    During our roughly 5h drive (105km from Ha Giang to Yen Minh), we stopped multiple times at some fantastic viewpoints and villages, had a great group lunch and generally took in the lush and green landscape.

    We were amazed by the scale of some of the rice terraces and how they were scattered all over the mountains. No pictures or videos do the vast valleys and mountains we drove through justice. The weather was also kind with only a brief spell of cold drizzle, but also a brief spell of warm sunshine.

    Once we arrived at our homestay in the afternoon, it was time to relax, stretch those butt muscles and get to know our fellow travelers and drivers a bit more. Then, at dinner, the drivers brought out Ha Giang's (in)famous drink: Happy Water. It is a type of rice wine and luckily not too strong in this part of the country (around 14-18% alcohol). However, the happy water kept on flowing the whole evening and with some music, stories and dancing, we were all a it tipsy. And with that, we concluded a brilliant first day on the loop.

    At this point, I was thinking to myself: maybe all those other travellers do indeed have a point and it is the best thing to do in Vietnam. Let's see if that opinion would be further underpinned by Day 2.    Read more

  • Martin HammerschmidtNairo2Rio - Around The WorldTraveler
    21

    The Ha Giang Loop - Day 2 (Views!!!)

    January 15, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    After a night of partying and lots of Happy Water shots, we set off at 9am for a 83km drive that would bring us up close to the Chinese border. It would turn out to probably be the best day on the loop as the views behind every corner just got better and better.

    But first things first. The forecast was for slight rain, so most of the group put on their ponchos, but Amy and I had hope and did not want to look too ridiculous. Anyway, after about 45 minutes, we drove up a series of curvy roads to our first viewpoint. Looking down on the roads that we had just driven a few minutes ago was spectacular - the misty clouds hanging in the mountains added to a mysterious backdrop.

    After the second viewpoint of the day, we unfortunately encountered some drizzle as we drove straight into the clouds. Putting on the poncho was a serious consideration.
    However, as we drove further north, the rain became less and less and once it stopped the sun even managed to peak out. So ponchos were fortunately not necessary.

    Just before lunch, we arrived in Lung Cu, Vietnam's most northern city/town and located close to the Chinese border. We hiked up the flagpole for great views over the surroundings and a peak into China. However, after lunch, we headed much closer to the border and with views that were simply stunning. Carved into a deep valley on the Chinese side was a huge zick-zack path surrounded by steep mountains. It was a truly spectacular sight.

    We thought this would have been the best view of the day, but as we drove closer to our overnight destination, we encountered some serious contenders. The mountains in northern Vietnam with its lush green and dramatic mountain sides flowing into large valleys are a sight to behold. And we were driving with quite some speed and no guardrails only a meter or so away from these abysses - it was so much fun!

    On the final stretch, we drove down the valley to Dong Van, our overnight accommodation.
    Once we arrived and had dinner, the Happy Water shots came out again in full force. What started civilised turned into a big party with almost everyone dancing on the table and cheering with Happy Water.

    In short, Day 2 was truly amazing - dramatic views, a spectacular drive and an unforgettable experience. At the end of the day I came to the conclusion that the hype was definitely justified - the Ha Giang Loop should most definitely be included on any Vietnam itinerary!    Read more

  • Martin HammerschmidtNairo2Rio - Around The WorldTraveler
    2

    The Ha Giang Loop - Day 3 (Perfect End)

    January 16, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Day 3 started a touch earlier than the other two days, as we had c.180km of distance to cover (from Dong Van all the way back to Ha Giang). That did not mean we would drive without multiple stops to take in some more fantastic views. The stops were also much needed as we would start to seriously feel our butts on these bikes and bumpy roads.

    Anyway, most of our drivers were on time. Amy's driver seemed to have had a tough night and showed up a bit later. Once the crew was assembled, we were hitting the road. The weather was again with us in the morning and the music and mood was joyous.

    Our second stop might have been among the most awe-inspiring viewpoints on the whole loop, even though yesterday was tough to beat. However, looking down from up top into a deep and narrow canyon that is divided by a long lake was incredible.

    Shortly afterwards, the paved road was not that paved anymore and we drove on more hard but sandy grounds through what looked like a big mining project. A few more stops later we had lunch, after which the weather situation slightly worsened and the much-hated, but very practical rain ponchos came out. To be fair, they are very useful and keep you dry and warm, but they look absolutely ridiculous.

    From that point on, most of the way was similar to the one we drove on the first day, so we quickly covered as much ground as possible and arrived back at Mama's Homestay at around 5pm. After a quick shower, we ordered some well-deserved pizza and reflected on the truly amazing last three days on the Ha Giang Loop.

    As I said earlier, my expectations were sky-high given everyone I had met and done the loop said it was the best thing. After having done it, I have to admit that it really is brilliant. Not just the views, which are otherworldly, but also the comradery in the group and with the drivers, the parties in the evening, the Happy Water, the driving, and so on... To everyone that goes to northern Vietnam, I can only wholeheartedly recommend doing the loop. It was freaking amazing.    Read more

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    121

    Cat Ba Island - Cruise, Spa And Hike

    Jan 17–21, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    After the amazing adventure of the Ha Giang Loop, we took a loooong 11.5h overnight sleeper bus journey to Cat Ba Islands, which is nestled in Lan Ha Bay (right next to the famous Ha Long Bay). As we arrived at 6.30am and still somewhat exhausted from the loop and the bus journey, we took it slow and planned our next 2 days on the island.

    The next day, we went to the Flamingo Hotel. For $12, we got an ice cream, 30 minutes of Kayak, access to an exclusive beach, a free beer and snacks at the rooftop terrace, tokens to play some arcade games, pool access and, most importantly, access to their Japanese Onsen Spa (few pools/jacuzzis heated up to 43 degrees, plus steam room and sauna).

    As it was a sunny day, we spend some time on the beach before going to their rooftop overlooking beautiful Lan Ha Bay. After playing some fun arcade games, we relaxed in the Onsen (men and women separated), which both of us had completely to ourselves.

    The next day, we made a few friends over breakfast, hired a scooter and hiked up to a viewpoint overlooking Cat Ba Island. It was a short but medium-though hike that got our blood pumping. In the afternoon, we went back to the Flamingo Hotel and did pretty much the same as the day before, although this time without the Onsen.

    For our last two days in the area (and time together), we booked an overnight cruise in Lan Ha Bay. Once we arrived in our private cabin, we quickly went to the upper deck, did a little photoshoot and enjoyed the views over this fantastic piece of earth. It was a perfect time, as the sun peaked out, inducing us to lounge on the deck.

    After an hour or so, it was time to take a small boat to a nearby beach to play some beach volleyball and just soak in the scenery. It was not the nicest beach, unfortunately, and the sun stopped shining. Thus, once back on the boat, we hopped into the jacuzzi to warm up. The rest of the evening involved a delicious dinner, lots of dancing, and long conversations about our 5 weeks in Vietnam, as this was our last stop in the country (more on that in the next post).

    On our last day, Amy took it easy in the morning, while I took the opportunity and kayaked a little bit in Lan Ha Bay. The peace and quiet in the morning, when the only thing you hear is nature was a perfect end to our cruise and Vietnam adventures.    Read more

  • Martin HammerschmidtNairo2Rio - Around The WorldTraveler

    Goodbye Vietnam - You Are Incredible

    January 23, 2024 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    After a bit more than 5 weeks, it was time to say goodbye to Vietnam. What will stay with me in particular is the exceptional natural beauty - especially in the north of the country (i.e. Ha Giang Loop, Ninh Binh, Phong Nha). The other magical place was incredible Hoi An with its thousands of colourful lanterns, cute coffee shops and warm atmosphere.

    The food is really worth the hype as I felt it was much more diverse than in Cambodia. The people are more direct/passive-aggressive, in my view. The interaction I will always remember is the following:
    On our street food tour in Hanoi, we went to a little restaurant. We were given the menu and our guide was recommending us some dishes to try. Once we decided, she basically shouted the order across the whole restaurant to the waitress. The waitress then shouted it across the street where it was prepared. No foot was moved in the entire process until we got our food.

    My fellow traveler, Amy, also made the journey through Vietnam memorable, as she was always in good spirits, ready to go on adventures and experience the country, its people and culture together. It was sad to have to say goodbye to her!

    So where does that leave Vietnam for me? It is a place I will definitely come back to, as over the last 5 weeks, I learned of lots more places that looked incredible and that I want to experience: The Ban Gioc Waterfall, do an overnight adventure in Phong Nha, live the magic of Hoi An again, bike the Hai Van pass, go trekking in Sapa, do an overnight homestay in the Mekong Delta to properly experience local life, etc.

    It has a plethora of things to do, but I will make sure I will go in Vietnam's summer - as it got quite cold and cloudy in the north. With that, I say “Cam On“ (thank you) Vietnam and see you next time 👋🇻🇳

    Let’s go to Laos 🇱🇦    Read more

  • Martin HammerschmidtNairo2Rio - Around The WorldTraveler

    Vang Vieng - Views, Lagoons, Action

    Jan 23–Feb 3, 2024 in Laos ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    After a short plane ride from Hanoi to Vientiane, I took a 50 minute train ride to Vang Vieng. The brand-new train, built by the Chinese is, in all honesty, more modern than anything I have seen in Germany or the UK - really does not fit into Laos. Big digital displays, very clean, security like at the airport, 150km/h fast and, most importantly, on time. In other words, I left Hanoi at 7am and arrived in Vang Vieng at around 3pm.

    The next few days, I decided to slow down after a quite fast-paced journey through Vietnam the last 5 weeks. The weather was also not forecast to be sunny. Regardless, I went to town (nothing special, really), did a little photoshoot in lush rice fields and explored a blue lagoon.

    After a few days, the sun showed up with blue skies and 30 degrees - exactly what l was waiting for. The first day of sunshine, a few friends I made in the hostel and I went to swim and jump in a blue lagoon before doing a short hike to a viewpoint that had a Pegasus and an airplane up there (don't ask me how they got them up there).

    The next day, a few people at the hostel and I went tubing down the river with drinks, stopping at a bar to have a little party and restock for the final part of tubing. That was fun.

    The following day, it was time to go paragliding with a motor attached at the back. With blue skies, I was strapped into the seat and the 'pilot' took off at 5pm for what was a short but amazing 15 minute flight over Vang Vieng. It felt a bit wobbly up there, which definitely pumped some adrenaline through my veins. This paired with a beautiful view of the town, a sun that was starting to set and rising hot air balloons was simply an incredible experience.

    The day after, a friend that I met all the way back in Hoi An and I hired a scooter and drove out of town to Blue Lagoon 4. There, we lounged in the sun or in a floating tube and took advantage of the small zipline and swing with which we jumped into the water. In the afternoon, I went to do a sunset hike by myself to go see the viewpoint that had a Buggy on top of it. Up there, the views of the surrounding mountains/limestones were stunning and I had the entire viewpoint all to myself - the definition of a hidden gem.

    On the last day, the two of us rose up early in the morning to do Vang Vieng's most famous hike up the Nam Xay viewpoint, which has two motorcycles on top of it. Getting up there for sunrise was the right decision. Not many people up there, and the view might have been one of the most beautiful I have seen in my life. The sun peeking out behind the mountain, the colourful hot air balloons rising in the distance, the fog lingering on the ground - and me on the motorcycle. It was spectacular.

    Then it was time to leave Vang Vieng. What I will remember about this place - next to the amazing viewpoints and paramotor - was that I had time to reflect on my travel I had done so far and what is still to come. And l felt filled with a sense of adventure, of looking forward to what is next, the taste of freedom and the excitement to hit the open road again to explore more of this beautiful world. It very consciously felt like traveling, like going on that big adventure that i have dreamed about for years. Like happiness.    Read more

  • Martin HammerschmidtNairo2Rio - Around The WorldTraveler

    Luang Prabang - Happy And Sad

    Feb 8–16, 2024 in Laos ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    After slowing down and enjoying the stunning scenery around Vang Vieng, it was time to head further north to the town of Nong Khiaw. The plan was to spend roughly a week there, doing a couple of overnight treks and a few hikes.

    Unfortunately, on the first day, first hike and 10 minutes in, I injured my ankle by rolling it when stepping down. While I did make it up to the viewpoint (it was stunning with a sea of clouds underneath), it was probably not the smartest decision. Anyway, I was hoping that my foot would heal quickly, but it was not the case. So, after a few days of not being able to walk properly, with a heavy heart, I decided to leave Nong Khiaw without having done anything I wanted. That was the first time on this trip that my emotions were down - esp after the happy days in Vang Vieng. But, ah well, I guess I gotta come back here next time I come to Laos, as there is still a lot to see in the country.

    As a result of the injury, I went to Luang Prabang - Laos' second biggest city - a few days earlier than I originally intended. The first few days, I pretty much continued to recover, and my foot got a lot better quickly, so I was able to explore the town and surroundings. I went to the hospital, too, to get an X-Ray (nothing broken, luckily) that, incl the doctor's consultation and a bandage cost a grand total of $10.

    Anyway, Luang Prabang is known for its old town (UNESCO Heritage Site), its buzzing night and morning markets and, most importantly, for its vicinity to the amazing Kuang Si Waterfall.

    Once my foot felt a lot better, a few friends I made in the hostel and Brittney, whom I met all the way back in Hoi An, hired a scooter and drove to the waterfall. It lived up to the expectations - with its many many small and big levels and cascades, it was probably one of the most beautiful waterfalls that I have ever seen. We also jumped and swam in a natural pool (the water was freezing cold, though) at the bottom of the falls and did a little photo session. On the way back, we caught a beautiful sunset that has become a theme in Laos for me so far.

    The remaining couple of days, I explored the old town, went with a few fellow travels on a bike ride through local villages, caught a sunrise in town and many sunsets by river. I also visited the UXO museum (i.e. unexploded bombs) to learn about Laos' tragic history and present as it being a victim of a massive bombardment by American Forces during the Vietnam War.

    Then, after having spend a week in Luang Prabang, it was time to get to my last stop in Laos - the absolutely amazing Gibbon Experience in Huay Xay.    Read more

  • Martin HammerschmidtNairo2Rio - Around The WorldTraveler
    2

    Sleeping In World’s Highest Treehouse

    Feb 16–19, 2024 in Laos ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    My last stop in Laos brought me to Huay Xay, right at the Thai border (my next destination).

    To get there from Luang Prabang, I took a slow boat, which involved cruising down the Mekong River for 9-10h for two days each. It was a great opportunity to take in the scenery, catch up on some reading, listen to podcasts and simply contemplate the travel life.

    The following day after, it was time for some action. 2.5 weeks ago I booked the Gibbon Experience, which includes two days of ziplining through the jungle, but most importantly, SLEEPING IN THE WORLD'S HIGHEST TREEHOUSE at 38m-45m above ground.

    At the start of the first day, we hiked up for an hour until we reached the first proper zipline that was 300m+ long. Zipping over the canopy brought back memories of Costa Rica, where did it the very first time. It was less adrenaline, but just good and clean fun with nice views.

    The first day included a total of 11 ziplines (1 was for training). On some ziplines, I managed to get 100% across, on others I head to pull myself for a few meters towards the end ( Ilooked a bit like a monkey while doing so).

    Then it was time. We saw the house nestled high in the trees. We could only reach it by zipline, which is a nicely added feature. So we secured the harness to the zipline one last time that day and zipped across right into the tree house - such an awesome feeling.

    Once we arrived, we quickly explored its three(!) levels, set up camp for tonight (basically a mattress with a mosquito tent) and sat down with our amazing group for some snacks, chats and gorgeous sunset views. I also took a quick shower with an open view across the forest.

    After a delicious dinner, we played a few games and talked about how great it was to be here and slee right inside the world's highest treehouse.

    On the second day, we woke up early (6.30am) and the very first thing we did, was to strap on our harness and zipline out of the treehouse to visit the local camp where the food, snacks, etc. is prepared. We also played some footvolleyball, which turmed out better than we would’ve thought. Afterwards - and before breakfast - we had another five ziplines to go.

    Once back in the treehouse, we were all hungry and were treated to an amazing breakfast. Shortly after, we packed our bags and headed back towards the final village, but not without doing another seven ziplines to get there. A swim in the river and a quick lunch later, and the Gibbon Experience came to an end.

    While it is not cheap for 2D/1N (€205), it is such a unique and fun experience and definitely worth its money. The sheer fact to zipline above the forest to actually sleep in the world‘s highest treehouse is fantastic. I was also very lucky with the group and one girl, Manon, even recognised me from my Instagram Reels ✌️

    In short, it was a really great way to finish my travels in Laos. Regarding Laos itself, due to my foot injury I could not do a few things that I wanted to and thus it feels a bit like unfinished business. I also did/could not interact with the locals that much, so I am still a bit in the dark about Laotian culture. Long story short, I am not 'done' with Laos yet and need to retum in the near future - after all, it feels like what Thailand was maybe 15 years ago.    Read more

  • Martin HammerschmidtNairo2Rio - Around The WorldTraveler

    Chiang Rai - Temples & Bamboo Cooking

    Feb 19–22, 2024 in Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    I am back in Thailand. After a brief stint in Bangkok in mid-November, it was time to finally explore the country and its culture/food properly.

    The first stop on my Thailand adventure was Chiang Rai, which is renowned for its white and blue temple.

    So on the first day, a few fellow travelers and I got up early and headed to the famous White Temple. And I can confirm, it is very very white. In pictures it might look like photoshop, but the whiteness of the temple is real. It is decorated with little shiny ornaments that give the temple a sparkling look. A really impressive sight - unfortunately there is not really a meaningful history, as it was only built in 1997. Anyway, it was still a spectacular sight to see!

    Afterwards, we headed to an unreal cafe - LaLitta. It is any Instagrammer's dream. It has its own waterfall, its own little flower spots, a mystical forest and colourful plants as stairs. While it looks over the top, it is quite fun and stunning to walk through it - also helped by the fact that you can walk in the shade, which is nice when it’s 37 degrees outside.

    On the second day, I opted to go for a jungle trek, which turned out to be really cool. Especially our guide was fantastic, telling us about the history of his tribe, how - as a son of refugees - he only got a citizenship with 20 years, etc. The highlight, however, was cooking with bamboo - and with that I mean stuffing bamboo trees/sticks with chicken, rice, even an omelet, etc. and then putting them against the fire to cook. Never seen anything like this before. The food was really good and there was plenty!

    In the evening of both those days, we went to the night market to try some local dishes - night markets would become a recurring theme for me in the coming days/weeks.

    On my last day in Chiang Rai, I met up with Marco, who I met in the hostel and we went to the Blue Temple. While the complex is much smaller than the White Temple, I actually preferred it. Not just because it was a little bit less busy, but maybe also because blue is my favorite colour. We did a little photo shooting session there, before we headed back to the hostel and it was time for me to catch a bus to the cute northern town of Pai.    Read more

  • Martin HammerschmidtNairo2Rio - Around The WorldTraveler

    Pai - A Cute Little Town

    Feb 23–Mar 3, 2024 in Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    After Chiang Rai, I headed to Pai - a little town tucked away in the north of Thailand. The drive with the minivan from Chiang Mai to Pai was dreadful, as the driver thought he was a Formula 1 driver and the 3h drive had a whopping 762 curves. Def got car sick.

    Anyway, once I made it up there, I took it slow for a couple of days. The place I stayed at wasn't really my vibe, so I checked out after 2 nights and headed to Ban Jabo.

    Ban Jabo town is basically a collection of small houses 1.5h north of Pai all lined up on a single street, but with bungalows that offer absolutely incredible sunrise views. You cannot book anything online, so I just showed up and was quickly offered a bungalow. After a short stroll through town (there really is not much to see apart from village life), I called it a night. The next morning I woke up to an amazing sunrise on my own balcony. It truly felt like a little adventure away from the more touristy Pai. On my way back to Pai, I stopped by an interesting cave through which I took a bamboo raft.

    The next day, I went Jungle Tubing in Pai, which is genuinely the most touristy thing anyone can do - it was the second time I was doing it after having done it in Vang Vieng already. You float along the river on a tube with a drink in hand and stop on riverbars to get more drinks. It was good fun, but with >300 people doing it, it was definitely one of those things that attracts the rowdy crowd.

    The following few days, I met Yasmin and Isiah and we explored Pai's surroundings together. That is when I started to really like Pai. We hired some scooters and drove to a viewpoint, had an archery and babygun shooting competition in a Chinese village, went to see the bamboo bridge where Isiah took some amazing shots and enjoyed our evenings together - at the night market, a bar, and a small festival. I also did a sneaky sunrise photoshoot in the Pai Canyon - normally a very popular and crowded sunset spot, I had the whole Canyon entirely to myself during a beautiful sunrise.

    The best moment I had in Pai, however, was sitting with the Yasmine and Isiah and three other people we met along the way and watching the sunset together. Picture this: Live music playing in the background, beer in hand, sitting on makeshift benches, laughing about silly stories and sharing travel experiences all while watching the sun set in a golden light behind some hills in the distance. It was truly wholesome and a perfect end to my time in Pai.    Read more

  • Martin HammerschmidtNairo2Rio - Around The WorldTraveler

    Chiang Mai - A Short Stopover

    Mar 3–5, 2024 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 36 °C

    After driving back the infamous road with its 762 curves from Pai to Chiang Mai, I had 1.5 days to explore Chiang Mai, Thailand's 2nd biggest city.

    Once I arrived in 36 degrees heat, I met up with Yasmin who I met in Pai to explore a beautiful temple and the vibrant, but very busy, night market. Later, Isiah joined and we picked a nearby rooftop bar for some drinks, as I would part ways with the two the following day.

    The next day I signed up for a day trip to the 'sticky waterfalls'. The sticky waterfalls are essentially just normal waterfalls, but you can walk up the waterfall on 'sticky' stones, i.e. they are not slippery from all the water running down. It was quite a surreal experience and I never really trusted the 'stickiness' of the stones, but it actually worked very well.

    In the evening, I found a couple of fellow travelers that joined me to watch an official Muay Thai fight (or eight fights to be precise). Sitting ringside, we were offered the best seats for the spectacle. From a total of eight fights, six of them were decided by a knockout - it was a great evening!

    There is loads more to explore in Chiang Mai, but most of the activities were not appealing to me enough to stay longer (i.e. visiting an Elephant Sanctuary - seen them in Africa, a cooking class -> rather expensive and I prefer to actually eat, beautiful cafes -> went to one in Chiang Rai, but the ones here look amazing to be fair, trekking -> did it in Chiang Rai plus it was 36 degrees).

    So after only a short period in Chiang Mai, it was time to head south. First Stop: Khao Sok National Park.    Read more

  • Martin HammerschmidtNairo2Rio - Around The WorldTraveler

    Khao Sok - Manmade Beauty

    Mar 5–7, 2024 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 33 °C

    My next stop in Thailand brought me to the Khao Sok National Park. It is a huge area and the key feature there is its massive lake, which is manmade and a direct result of a dam that was built a few decades ago. I opted to join an overnight tour because it allowed me to sleep in an overwater bungalow on the lake.

    The day started with a c. 1h bus ride from my accommodation to the lake's boat pier. From there we hopped on the boat and drove through the national park. I have to say, its massive limestones, the colour of the water and the tranquility of this place was much more than I imagined. It is a beautiful piece of nature - even if it is manmade.

    Once we arrived at our overwater bungalows, we quickly changed into our swimwear and jumped into the lake. Park regulations demand that we always wear a life jacket, but luckily they did not define 'wear' - so most of the group that I joined threw the life jacket into the water and then swam in its very close proximity.

    Anyway, after a couple of hours of swimming, lounging and exploring the bungalows, we hopped back on the boat for a short ride in order to see a small cave. To get there, we took a little 30 minute stroll and a bamboo raft. The cave was nice with its animal-looking stones, but not comparable to others I have already seen on this trip.

    Once out of the cave, we hopped back on the boat for a little night safari, but did not really see anything apart from a little eagle.
    In the evening, we had dinner at our bungalows, looked at the stars (no light pollution) and chatted about travel, life and many other things.

    The next morning, it was an early start at 6.30am for a morning boat safari. A couple of us woke up a bit earlier than that and went straight for a dip in the lake, before the safari. During the safari, we hoped to spot wild elephants, but were unlucky and 'only' managed to see monkeys playing up high in a tree.

    Then it was already time to say goodbye to the bungalows and we were heading back onshore. It was a very lovely two days in the park that I can only recommend.

    For me, it was now finally time to go to Thailand's famous islands in the south.    Read more

  • Martin HammerschmidtNairo2Rio - Around The WorldTraveler
    1

    Railay Beach - Rockclimbing and Beaches

    Mar 7–10, 2024 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    It was finally time to head to Thailand's famous beaches. My first stop was the cute little town of Railay Beach. Surrounded by huge limestone rocks, it is only accessible by boat, which adds to its charm.

    I arrived in the evening, and immediately booked a half-day tour to go rock climbing for the next day. Railay Beach is known for rock climbing and since I have never done it before, I thought what better place to do it - you literally go rock climbing on a beach. How cool is that?

    Anyway, before heading off to climb, I woke up early to catch the sunrise at one of Railay's two main beaches and enjoyed the tranquility, peace and early morning atmosphere. Since Railay is a very popular spot for day trips and gets very crowded during the day, the early mornings and late afternoons are the best times to enjoy the place.

    Anyway, shortly after, I got my climbing gear, listened to the instructions and did a little warm up. Then it was time and I have to say, it is not as easy as some people make it look, as I needed to get comfortable to step on tiny rocks for balance or grab them with my fingers to then push myself up with my legs. Once I got comfortable with it, I relatively quickly climbed up and finished the first two climbs without major difficulties (some help from the instructor on where to step helped massively of course).

    One climb was particularly tricky, though, as I had to climb over a little ledge - I didn't manage it in the first few tries, but then ultimately made it.

    After a few more climbs, I was exhausted and my forearms were burning. I didn't realise that rock climbing truly can be a proper workout. It was a lot of fun, though, and something that I definitely wanna do again.

    The rest of my two days on Railay beach I spent watching the sunsets with a few new people I met, going out and enjoy the relaxed nightlife, exploring the little town and yeah, catching another sunrise on the other beach. All in all, I had a really great time here and enjoyed the town and its beaches. It’s a place I would want to come back to.    Read more

  • Martin HammerschmidtNairo2Rio - Around The WorldTraveler

    Koh Phi Phi - Simply Stunning

    Mar 10–13, 2024 in Thailand ⋅ 🌩️ 31 °C

    After Railay Beach, I took a ferry to the (in)famous Phi Phi Islands. The main island has a reputation for being a party island and very touristy and upon leaving the ferry, it became blatantly obvious why. All major fast food chains were immediately visible and the town was buzzing with tourists.

    Anyway, on the first day, Yolanda, Naz (both whom I met in Railay) and I decided to take a hike to watch the sunset. While the view was nice, the sunset was unfortunately rather average, due to the presence of fog. But ah well, cannot have everything.

    The next moming, we woke up early, met at the pier and quickly stepped on a boat to explore the surroundings, with the most famous stop being Maya Bay - the island/beach from the movie 'The Beach' starring Leo DiCaprio. We were the second to fourth people on the beach, which was amazing, as the crowds started to become larger behind us.

    Maya Bay is indeed beautiful with its white sand and clear water. Parts of the beach are not visible from the ocean, as it is 'hidden' by huge limestones, which adds to its allure. I can now see why it is such a popular spot.

    Next, we stopped to go snorkeling and I saw two small, but harmless, sharks in the water.
    Afterwards, we drove to the Pileh Lagoon - and, oh my, was that water blue. Just wow, incredible! Pictures don't do it justice. Even took a little dive and swam in it.

    The following stop was at Monkey Bay, where we had the opportunity to feed and see some
    'wild' monkeys. I stayed away from that - don't want to catch rabies - and instead swam in another spot where the water was incredibly blue.

    The last noteworthy stop of the day was at Bamboo Island. We had a quick lunch and then explored the island. And, once again, we discovered amazing clear and blue waters. We couldn't help but take a million photos, so beautiful it was. I could have stayed here for hours on end and just looked at the water.

    Once back on the main island, we were all quite exhausted. We grabbed some dinner and then watched one of the famous fire shows - they are worth the hype! Last but not least, I met up with another traveler and we went to the Raggae Bar, which has a boxing ring in the middle for brave (or drunk) tourists to fight each other (mostly Brits). It's a brilliant idea and fun to watch, even if the quality of boxing is horrendous!

    On the last full day, we all took it easy. We went to a nearby hotel that has an infinity pool and pretty much stayed there the whole day to soak up the sun, do a little photoshoot and then watch the sunset once more.

    So, what to make of Koh Phi Phi? I actually enjoyed my time there, despite its 'mass tourism'. The island itself is nothing to write home about, but the surroundings are so stunning that I find it difficult for anyone not to be amazed by its beauty.    Read more

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