Thaimaan saarihyppely: Paratiisisaaret Koh Yao Yai ja Koh Yao Noi

Villeimmissä unelmissanikaan en olisi voinut kuvitella, että Thaimaasta löytyy vielä hiljaisia, autenttisia ja kuvankauniita saaria, joita ei turismi ole vielä täysin vallannut.Uskomatonta mutta totta, kaksi tällaista rauhallista paratiisisaarta, Koh Yao Yai ja Koh Yao Noi, sijaitsee vain 30 minuutin venematkan päässä Thaimaan vilkkaimmasta pakettimatkaajien suosikkikohteesta Phuketista. Sijainti on ihanan ideaali lähellä Phuketin kansainvälistä lentokenttää, mutta silti valovuosien päässä Phuketin turistihässäkästä ja

My Travel Bucket List for Summer 2017

As some of you may know, I am a person who loves planning and creating lists. Sometimes I wish I was not like this but what can I do! On the other hand, when it is related to travelling, having a good time and enjoying life I don’t think it can be a bad thing right?

For the upcoming summer I have created a list of things to see and do, both locally and internationally, however, I have not locked any final plans or booked tickets yet. So I almost already know what to do this summer and my

Koh Kham, Thailand – Scenic Island with Black Volcanic Rocks and White Powdery Beaches

After exploring Koh Mak by bicycle for two days and celebrating Thai New Year & Songkran Water Festival I still had one full day left before heading back home. In the morning after breakfast I headed to Ao Suan Yai Beach on the north-west coast of Koh Mak and bought a boat ticket at Koh Mak Resort to go to the neighbouring island of Koh Kham, a privately owned small paradise island just 1 km off Koh Mak.The boat ride from Koh Mak to Koh Kham took no more than 5 minutes and

Walking to Koh Rayang Nai from Koh Mak at Low Tide, Thailand

One day in Koh Mak I was enjoying a lazy afternoon on Ao Kao Beach and observing what the few other people on the beach were up to. I noticed a couple of people first walking on the beach and then put on their sandals, went into the water and started to wade towards the small island just off shore. After a while they returned the same way.Later that evening I asked my hotel owner about the island next door, Koh Rayang Nai. I was advised that the island is easily reached by kayak in no time or if I wanted

Celebrating Thai New Year & Songkran Water Festival in Koh Mak, Thailand

If you are in Thailand 13–15 April you should prepare yourself for Songkran, Thailand’s famous New Year celebrations. The Songkran Festival is a time of renewal and paying respect to Buddhism. The ritual of cleansing is to bring good luck and prosperity for the coming year.

Songkran also marks the end of the dry season (April being Thailand’s hottest month) and the beginning of the tropical rains. Songkran is the longest public holiday in Thailand, which gives local people an opportunity to get together with friends and family.Today Songkran is known for its water festival, which is celebrated by locals and visitors alike. In cities streets are closed for traffic, and used as

Exploring Koh Mak by Bicycle: Day 2

Having enjoyed such an active day exploring the eastern parts of Koh Mak by bicycle on Day 1, I was excited to start Day 2 with my bike, now with plans to see what the western part of the island had to offer.I started the day from my bungalow after late breakfast and took a paved road that goes to the centre of the island first passing a disc golf course and some resorts. Then going up a very long steep hill leading to Vista Lookout Point in the back garden of

Exploring Koh Mak by Bicycle: Day 1

The beautiful Thai island of Koh Mak is a low carbon and sustainable destination so what could be a better way to explore the island than by bicycle! I absolutely love biking and of course I also wanted to respect and support the green values of the island, so I rented a bicycle for two days instead of a motorbike.Koh Mak is fairly small in size, just 10 kilometers wide and 5 kilometers long. The terrain in Koh Mak is mostly flat with a few hills in the interior, natural forest alongside lush groves of coconut and rubber trees, making it

Enjoying Tranquil Island Life in Koh Mak, Thailand

If you read my previous post you already know that I had a bit of a hassle and unhappy tears at my arrival in Koh Mak after spending 10 incredible days on the island of Koh Chang. After I found  a decent place to stay in Koh Mak I was full of positive energy again and ready to enjoy easy sunny days on the beach and explore the island.With a population of around 1000 people and most of the island being privately owned by a couple of

Arriving in Koh Mak, Thailand: Trouble and Tears in Paradise

After exploring Koh Chang and enjoying quiet beach life under falling coconuts of Bailan Bay and by blue lagoons of Klong Prao for 10 days it was time to continue my travels to the next paradise island: Koh Mak.There are several boat companies offering transfers between Koh Chang and other islands. I bought my boat ticket to Koh Mak at a local travel shop on Koh Chang for 500 Baht, and was picked up from the hotel

Transport: How to Get from Bangkok to Koh Chang, Thailand

Many people have asked me what is the best and easiest way to get to Koh Chang from Bangkok. This of course totally depends on what type of traveller you are. Some people want to get to Koh Chang as quickly as possible. Some people want to get to Koh Chang as cheaply as possible.This time I only had the chance to do island hopping in Thailand for 2 weeks so I opted for the