🧳 Travel enthusiast 💭 Twitter – @lanky_04
Hi people, do you already know that I like to travel? The pictures below show the incredible nature, views, sunsets and more of the beatiful island of Koh Chang, Thailand.
Koh Chang is definitely one of my favourite islands I have ever visited. Do you want to know why? Just check the pictures below! ✌
Thanks for stopping by! 🙏✌
Thailand / 3 Weeks Backpacking Trip / #6
Yet another day, the start of a journey to a new destination. A destination with a travel distance of no less than 781 km (485 miles). Now I hear you asking: What's the final destination he's talking about? I will tell you, it's the beautiful island of Ko Samui, Thailand’s second largest island.
The Island of Ko Samui, Thailand
The train would not leave until 2:48 PM. To arrive at the train on time, the hostel owner advised me to take a taxi to the train station at around 1:00 PM. I still had plenty of time to pack my bag and sit at the water by the lake.
The view was so great that I could watch it for hours. So that's exactly what I did! Unfortunately, time passed quickly, and I was called by the taxi driver. It was time to leave kanchanaburi behind.
Lake at the hostel
After a quick stop at the 7-eleven to stock up on some more supplies for the day, like drinks and some snacks, it was time to buy my train ticket. The first train journey excisted of the same one I had to make two days ago.
Since I was on the early side, I had to wait a while for the train to arrive. While waiting, a conductor suddenly waved and laughed at me when walking by. I did not understand why. So I just waved and laughed back. Than he walked over to me and asked if I still recognized him. I really had no idea who he could be. Until he said I played the footvolley game with him and his friends yesterday. Because he was dressed as a conductor in a completely different outfit and wore a hat, I had not recognized him. We had a nice chat till he eventually pointed me to the right train.
Ride to the train station
The Tranlife
During the train journey I enjoyed the beautiful views and the life of the Thai people that took place on the train. 10 different Thai food vendors walked through the train, and the local people from my train wagon made several purchases from these vendors. It was great to see how the local people enjoyed the train journey themselves. I'm always questioning myself what the final destination of these people would be, and what they do in their daily lives to earn a living. Unfortunately, the language barrier was too big, and they didn't understand my questions.
Kanchanaburi to Bangkok
Once I arrived in Bangkok, I had 1.5 hours to pick up my ticket from the booking office for the train to Surat Thani. I booked this ticket the day before, and it did cost me 1,565 Baht (€43 – $48). The booking agency was located next to Hua Lamphong station, the main train station of Bangkok. Next to this booking office I quickly sat down on to eat something and then enter the train station.
Booking Office ticket
The night train left at 7:30 PM and was due to arrive at 6:00 AM the next day in Surat Thani. A big advantage of Thai night trains is that the seats are converted into beds in the evening. This was already the case around 9 p.m., Unfortunately the upper berth, which is a lot narrower and shorter than the bottom berth, was assigned to me. I fell asleep almost immediately. The fact that I fell asleep, also means the end of this blog. As my train would end the next day. It was a long day with many different impressions, but especially many kilometers by train. Altough the journey was exhausting, it was one I will always remember.
Pictures of the night train
Please remember:
**It's not about the destination, its all about the journey!
For Coil subscribers there's a cinnamon video and 5 exclusive pictures!**
Wordless Wednesday – Cambodia (part 3)
📌Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Thailand / 3 Weeks Backpacking Trip / #5
The alarm went off at 7:45 am. Yet another exciting day! After traveling almost all day to arrive in Kanchanaburi yesterday , it was finally time to to discover this place full of history and cool places.
The hostel had a shared kitchen, where you could prepare your own breakfast. This was the only hostel during my trip that offered this option. So, I started the day by making me a fried egg. The very first destination of the day was Erawan Waterfall. A two-hour drive on the highway and through the beautiful secluded roads in the middle of the barren nature.
Erawan National Park
The destination, Erawan National Park, was worth the drive. The location is visited because of the famous Erawan Falls! The waterfall is located in the middle of the jungle and is broken up into 7 sections. To get to the top you have to hike on small paths and hike through water and over rocks.
Erawan Waterfall
The first waterfall is a 10 minute walk from the entrance. You don't pay anything for this, and you can already take a refreshing dip in the first waterfall. I saw some big fishes and there where way to many tourists, so I just decided to start hiking right away.
Tier 1 Erawan Waterfall
From the second tier, entrance must be paid in the form of a deposit on plastic bottles. This was the first time I experienced this in Thailand. A very good initiative that ensures that tourists do not ruin nature.
After a hike of almost an hour I arrived at the fourth tier. This was, in my opinion the best waterfall so far. And the best thing, there wasn't a single tourist. So I jumped in the water! Although the water was very refreshing, it was not my best decision ever. Out of nowhere I felt something on my feet, I looked down and saw a large flock of fish enjoying my feet. It was something I had never experienced before, and to be honest, I didn't really like it. So I made my way out of the water to sit on a tree trunk and enjoy the view instead.
Tier 4 Erawan Waterfall
After what was like half an hour at tier 4, I decided it was time to move on and hike my way up to tier 7. The last two tiers where a bit hard to reach. The path had disappeared and to reach the top I had to hike through mud and over large rock formations. When I finally reached the top, I felt relieved and proud!
Top of the Erawan Waterfall
The summit was packed with tourists and wasn't the prettiest of them all, but I couldn't complain as I was just one of the tourists too.
So I enjoyed the view and rested for a long hike back!
After the hike back down, I showed my bottles and got my deposit back. It was now time to drive back to kanchanaburi city The next destination? The Bridge on the River Kwai.
Bridge on the Rive Kwai
The bridge on the river kwai is located in the city of Kanchanaburi. It's part of the Burma Railway, and is also know as the Death Railway. The railway was built during World War II (1940 – 1944) to support the Japanese Armed Forces during the Burma Campaign. More than 12.000 prisoners of war and even more forced labourers died during its construction. It's a place full of history where a lot of horrible things have happened.
Around 7 times a day the train crosses the bridge. I arrived just in time to admire this event. I was standing in a recess somewhere in the middle of the bridge. The train passed by slowly which gave me the time to film it (See exclusive video).
After the train came by, I decided to take some pictures and get something to eat. I knew that the train would come again, and this time during sunset. So I drove my scooter to a restaurant. I ate something delicious as the restaurant. But, the only problem is that I don't remember the name of the dish, but luckily I have this picture.
The food with no name 😅
When I went to check the time after dinner, I knew I had to hurry. The train was about to pass the bridge again, and I still had to drive there. After a nice ride through the city of Kanchanaburi, I arrived at the bridge!
https://www.cinnamon.video/watch?v=325742883262957465
Kanchanaburi sunset ride
I arrived just in time, as I could already see the train coming, but this time it came from the opposite direction. This time I had not the luck to have a good spot to make a good video. But at the end the pictures of the bridge at sunset where still worth the drive.
Bridge on the River Kwai at Sunset
Back at the hostel
After being on the road for at least 12 hours and a beautiful but exhausting hike, it was time to take a shower and relax a bit. I was still in the mood for a beer and decided to look for a shop nearby. Since it was a quiet neighborhood, out of town, there was not much to explore. At first, I did not come across a store where I could get a beer.
When I almost finished my walk back to the hostel, I came across a group of Thai locals playing a game I didn't recognize. The game is called Sepak takraw (kick volleyball), and is played with a really small ball and looks just like footvolley. They invited to play a game with them, which was an offer I couldn't refuse. It was fun but not a big success.
Fortunately the Thai people knew a place where I could buy a beer. After I had bought the beer, I walked back to the hostel and enjoyed the beer in my room. I went to go to sleep early, as the next day I had a long trip ahead.
Wordless Wednesday – Cambodia (part 2)
Thailand / 3 Weeks Backpacking Trip / #4
**
After two full days of exploring it was time to leave chaotic but interesting city of Bangkok behind. The plan was to go Kanchanaburi by train and stay there for at least two nights.
**Kanchanaburi town
**
Kanchanaburi is a small town approximately 135 kilometers (84 miles) away from Bangkok. This place is famous for a lot of historical sights, suchs as the death railway and the Bridge on the River Kwai. I've heard some impressive stories about this place so couldn't skip this location during my trip. The area is a must visit if you are interested in WW2 sights, night markets, waterfalls and national parks.
But, before I would be able to explore the interesting place of Kanchanaburi, I had to travel some. So I booked a Grab Taxi from my hostel, and headed to Thonburi train station. The train journey from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi departs twice a day. Once at 07:45 am and once at 13:35 pm. I took the one at 13:35. , as I didn't felt in a rush.
Thonburi train station
**The train journey
**
The train journey was impressive and guided me through the suburbs and peaceful countryside of thailand. And the best thing about it, a one way ticket only costs 100 baht ($3) for a 3 hour train ride. For this bargain you will get a spot of your choice in the 3rd class only train! In Thailand this means, no airco and an awesome experience in a train full with locals.
$3 Train Ticket
Walk to the Hostel
Once arrived in kanchanaburi after a nice train journey, I planned to walk to my hostel (D hostel). On google maps I saw that it was only a half an hour walk away, so I ignored the annoying and intrusive taxi drivers. I put on my shoes and started walking with my 8 kilo backpack and a another small bag on my stomach.
Right next to the train station I saw what I supposed to be a night market and a 7-Eleven, so I quickly went in to get something to eat and started my walk.
Market at Kanchanaburi
The walk was not my best idea ever, as after a 20 minutes walk I found out I would not be able the cross the bridge without a car or motorcycle.
I walked back for a bit to find a taxi, but after a 10 minute walk, I still didn't find one. So I decided to sit down, and wait for a taxi to pass by. After at least 20 minutes passed by, I still didn’t saw a taxi. Although, that was what I thought so. It seemed like the taxis in town are a bit different, they are just little scooters with a sidecar. He was able to take me to my hostel for only 60 baht ($ 2). In the end, this was perhaps even cooler than the train journey, as we drove through beautiful scenery during the sunset, and I reached my hostel without any further efforts.
D Hostel Kanchanaburi
Once I arrived at the hostel, I was welcomed by a cute dog and one of the nicest hostel owners during my hole trip through Thailand. After a warm welcome I was led to my beautiful room with a view over the lake. A little later, I came back to ask her for advice about the things I wanted to visit the next day.
Hostel sunset view
Scooter, food and Night Market
After this advice, I immediately rented a scooter, as I had to cross the bridge again to go eat and stock up on some things for the day after. With advice of the hostel owner, I headed to the VN Guesthouse to grab some food. This was a good decision, as the food was delicious, and the location even better. FYI: the restaurant was located on the Kwai Yai River.
After dinner, I drove around the city, and ended up at the train station, where the night market is also located. An awesome place with a good vibe and the best street food. As I had already eaten, I decided it was time for something healthy, so I enjoyed a fresh fruit smoothie. After feeling satisfied, I returned to the hostel knowing I had to wake up early the next day.
Kanchanaburi Night Market
Of course this didn’t go as planned.Upon returning there was a Dutchman and a scottish guy sitting downstairs enjoying some beers. When they invited me to join, I couldn’t say no of course. It is always nice to meet new people while traveling and to exchange tips and experiences. After a few beers and many good conversations it was now time to go to sleep, because the alarm would wake me up at 7:45 am the next day.
Come back for part 5 of Thailand / 3 Weeks Backpacking Trip next week! ✌
Thuy Tien Lake, is an abandoned water park in the outskirts of the city of Hué, Vietnam. It once was a bustling place with entertaining areas including an aquarium, water park, yachting and a restaurant. Now completely left behind, and famous because of the huge dragon!
Based on what I've read online; Ho Thuy Tien opened in 2004 after almost $3 million being spent to build. Not long after it opened, the place was left in completely the same condition.
When I found out about the excistince of this place, I was left in a state of rush to find more information about this not so well know place..
After doing some research, I found the exact location of the water park and the rumor that at least three alligators were left behind after the park closed. This even got me more excited to visit this place. I remember there was not much information to find on the internet back in 2017, as there is to find today.
**How to get in to the Abandoned Water park
**It was about a 20 minute drive through the chaotic city and the admirable nature of Hué, till we arived at our destination. We parked our motorbikes and walked our way to the main entrance. When we came closer, we noticed a guard standing at the gate to prevent any tourists to enter the water park. We asked if we could enter the park, and of course the guard said: “NO, not possible!”. After offering him some money to enter the park, which most of the time works in Asia, we we're still not allowed to enter.
We realised that it was not our lucky day, and decided to go back to the city to have some food and do some more research. Before heading for some food, we made the decision to stop at a small coffeeshop we saw at the corner of the street. Till this day, this is still one of the best coffees I've ever had!
After some food, we found our way back to the water park, still not 100% confident we could make it in. We had new “master plan” for probably the last attempt in our excistence to enter this water park. As we parked our bike at the same place, we followed a small path that would lead us along different houses where many locals lived. Not even 10 minutes later, we found ourselves in what looked like the abadoned water park.
Exploring the Thuy Tien lake Water park
We still didn't see the dragon, butt we were really sure we made it into the water park. With no idea where the dragon was located, we just began to explore the area.
We still didn't see the dragon, but we were sure we were in the right place. We started exploring the park, walking over small pits in the middle of what looked like a jungle. Out of nowhere we saw the dragon, and it was huge! with our eyes fixed on the dragon, we walked over to it. And all of a sudden, we heard a scooter coming closer, and we were shocked. The park seemed to be guarded by a Vietnamese who drove through the park with a scooter and a whistle. He got angry with us and asked us to leave the park. By this time, other tourists came to us and distracted the guard. We walked on quietly and made it to the dragon. I always like to see something you recognize from photos. It felt like such a good achievement!
We walked in the direction and saw that we could enter the place. The place was so cool, it already seemed like to be taken over by the jungle in no time.
We walked further to explore the park even more. We arrived at what looked like the swimming area. Completely taken over by the wildernesses with extremely dirty water. In my head the story about the crocodiles came up, would they still be there? And, because of the dirty water it all looked very spooky.
All in all it was a successful day and one great adventure. Something we would not have experienced without perseverance and a bit of cheekiness. An experience richer and a moment to remember.
Of course I cannot leave you to your imagination and thoughts. Hence I made a video for you to share my experience with you. All images that I made in 2017. spent a little too much time on it so hope you like it!
https://www.cinnamon.video/watch?v=340482160123184978
Until next time! ✌
Wordless Wednesday – Chiang Mai, Thailand
Thailand / 3 Weeks Backpacking Trip / #3
**
Today, I needed to wake up early. It was a special day for me, as I it was my birthday! Whoop whoop! For the reason of it being my birthday, I booked a bicycle tour I heard some great stories about. To be exact, it was the Co Van Kessel bicycle tour, a company ran by a dutch guy (of course 😋). I booked this trip, because it was recommended to me by friends and family.
I started my day early at around 6 am. I kinda hate to start my day with an alarm, especially in a dorm room.. But I had no other choice then to do it, because yet another exciting day was right around the corner. When I walk to the receptionist to book a taxi, I spotted this dutch guy who was also going on the same tour as I did. We chatted some, and we decided to share the taxi. It was only a 15 minute ride to the Co van Kessel headquarters. On the way to the tour, we chatted some about his plans during his trip in Thailand. It wasn’t his first time in Thailand either, so we shared our stories and recommended each other some great places to go to.
Breakfast
When we arrived at the bicycle tour, we had some time left to kill before the tour would start. We searched in Google Maps for the closest 7-Eleven, and as always in Thailand, it wasn’t more than a 3 minute walk away. We walked passed a small market and went into the 7-Eleven, of course me and my new friend got ourselves the delicious ham and cheese sandwich for breakfast.
Local 7-Eleven nearby Co van Kessel
Bicycle tour through Bankok
When we came back at the tour company, the tour was about to get started. We got some instructions on how to drive a bicycle in Bangkok. As you could guess, it’s pretty different to ride a bicycle compared to the Netherlands. The streets a chaotic and there a no bike lanes at all. After the instructions we started our 5-hour bicycle tour through Bangkok along beautiful sights.
Co van Kessel headquarters
I’ve been to many different cities, and I always tend to end up on a bicycle. I guess it’s a dutch thing, as of all the rest of the group where dutch as well. For me cycling is better than walking through the city, because it's faster than walking. Because of this you can see a lot more things during your day. And it’s also better than sitting in a car, for the reason being you can stop at any time and really see how the local people life.
Chinatown Bangkok
We did start the tour with a little ride through Chinatown, Bangkok. Bangkok Chinatown is the largest Chinatown in the world. Riding through little alleyways, markets and busy streets wasn’t even the best thing about this tour. Just after we had stopped at a temple and got a little explanation about it, we got a little surprise!
It's me! Damian!
Thai longtail boat
It wasn’t strictly a bicycle tour, we also ended up in what I think is called a Thai longtail-boat. A pretty normal boat, but powered by a truck engine! A truck engine? Yeah, just a truck engine hanging out in the back of a boat, haha. It’s a pretty fast boat, but due to the truck engine, also a very loud one. The longtail-boats brought us farther into rural Bangkok. We cruised through the charming canal lifestyle of Thai people. A lot of wooden framed homes on stilts and local people enjoying their daily life. At one time we just passed a giant buddha being build. The tour guide told us that it would be the biggest buddha in the world, once construction is finished.
Thai longtail-boat
Budha
Wilderniss in Bangkok
After a 20 minute ride we stopped what seemed like the wilderness, just outside Bangkok. We drove on little road on wooden sticks through the jungle. We then drove back on sideways next to the highways. This was fun, but also a little to dangerous for me, and if you know me, normally I am pretty comfortable on anything that you can drive with just 2 wheels or more.
Thai-style meal
Just before the end of the 5-hour tour, we stopped to enjoy a tasty Thai-style meal. The whole table was covered with tasty Thai curry soup, chicken, green salad, rice and many more delicious foods. We grabbed a boat back to the starting point of the tour, for me this was the best part of the tour. As the boat cruised past the amazing Wat Arun temple, which I visited the day before.
Chang Chui Bangkok Plane Market
After the tour, I grabbed a taxi back to my hostel with the other dutch guy. After a little nap in the hostel, I found my way to Khao San Road to grab some food. There I spotted this Chinese guy from my hostel. He asked me if I had got any plans for the night; and of course I had. I wanted to visit the Chang Chui Bangkok Plane Market. So that is exactly what we did. We grabbed a taxi and went to the market. Once arrived, it didn’t seem like there was much to do. I was wrong, it was a place with a great vibe and a huge airplane, and the biggest dog I had ever seen. After chilling and drinking a beer, we decided it was time for some food. We went back to our hostel and grabbed some food.
Plane at the Chang Chui Bangkok Plane Market
Padthai Restaurant
The Chinese guy knew a great place to grab some food. After a 5 minute walk we arrived at Thipsamai Restaurant, an authentic Padthai restaurant, that according to my Chinese friend simply had the best Thai food he ever experienced. There was a big line waiting to entrance the restaurant, which to me was very promising for the food. After a half an hour wait, we were waved into the restaurant. I ordered a Padthai with shrimp and Icy coconut Juice. And I have to say, this was by far the best Padthai I had ever eaten. And also the icy coconut juice was something I had never experienced before. All by all; a great move and meal that was birthday worthy!
Padthai shrimp
Back at the hostel, I had some phone calls with friends and family to celebrate my birthday. I remember this was something I really appreciated. No matter how far away, and no matter the time difference (+7 hours), they still found the time during their lunch break and other activities to call and wish me a happy birthday!
Come back for part 4 of Thailand / 3 Weeks Backpacking Trip next week! ✌