Xmas in Thailand
Spending Christmas in Thailand was a blast. I really recommend it to anyone who can afford it. A flight from Paris will cost you around 600 Euros if you are flying on a Gulf airline (Emirates, Gulf Air, Etihad, Qatar Airways) with a stop in the Gulf and 800 Euros if you fly direct with Thai Airways. Direct flight lasts around 11 hours, twice 6 hours with a stop.Accommodation in Thailand ranges from very cheap (10 Euros for a double room) to very expensive (any 5 stars hotel you can find in Europe). Food is excellent and you can find a wide range of different cuisines (which was not the case in India for instance). That is I ate in an Israeli restaurant, in an Italian one and of course visited many times Burger King and Mc Donald's (don't comment on that, I know I am a bad tourist on that respect; and I also know it is not healthy, but he what can I do?).
I did not find Bangkok being a breathtaking city. I do think (my opinion) 3 days in Bangkok is already long. I spent 2 (full) days there and I think I saw most of the key spots the city offers. The Grand Palace is full of tourists (even though we went there at 8 am) but it is really a must-see. "Lying Buddah" or Wo Tao or however they call it was the most impressive and beautiful thing I saw in Bangkok. "Historical/Cultural sites" like these two are all situated in the same area so you can easily walk from a spot to another. Shopping you can do at MBK (I went several times). In Kao San, you can shop and have a drink: real backpackers' temple. Chinatown: you have to go there just to see how good you are with orientation and not getting lost or being walked over... lol
For the beaches: 2 possibilities: East or West. East is where I went: Koh Samui, Koh Pan Nangh (not really good with spelling) are the most famous islands there. West: Phuket and Koh Phi Phi which were touched by the tsunami, although I think it is now as good as before. Some places are very quiet and still wild but where I went: lots of bars, clubs, restaurants, street shops, bungalows, cafes, massages parlours, and lady boys. What would be Thailand without lady boys? lol Guys, be really careful, a lot of them do actually look like real women and are quite attractive, have everything like a woman, but... used to be boys, which I find really scary. However it is totally accepted there and noone is pointing at them.
Lots of activities are awaiting you there: water sports, snorkling, diving, clubs, bars, shopping...
I went there with a very small suitcase and came back with it + a second one and my big backpacker's backpack (we were 2 people). So I would advise you not to take many clothes when you get there. Well, at least your favourite dress, skirt, top or jeans whatever but you really can buy anything for really cheap in Thailand. I bought lots of summer tops, handbags, flip flops, summer pants. Everything is available for the European tourist whose suit case got lost in the transfer. So do not worry about it.
Someone asked me about mosquitos: not that many I would say. These awful little things love my blood and usually I get attacked many times on every inch of my body... lol Did not happened in Thailand. Depends on the season I guess, but there abolutely no threat in December.
Hope you enjoyed my blog.
I am planing to go somewhere on the globe in May-June, maybe in South America. If anyone is free, has the resources and the motivation to enjoy a backpacker's life for 2 months, let me know.
posted by lorarex @ 3:04 AM
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