December 2018
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The Royal Cities around Mandalay
A challenging drive to the Royal Cities around Mandalay Today was truly a fantastic day. However, initially, it started off wrong. I hired a blue taxi to take me to the three Royal Cities in the vicinity of Mandalay. So I end up in an old, rickety vehicle whose suspension has long since been abandoned.…
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Afternoon relaxing at the lake
A tempting proposal to go relaxing at the lake The girl working at the bar of the guesthouse where I am staying asked me yesterday if I wanted to join her and some friends on her free Sunday. The prospect of relaxing at the lake sounded appealing to me, so I agreed. She arranges a tuk-tuk for…
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Countryside trip around Vang Vieng
Cycling along unpaved paths Today I experienced great pleasure in the peacefulness of rural Laos while taking a countryside trip around Vang Vieng. I rented a bicycle in the morning and drove to the Tham Chang cave, along unpaved paths. When I finally reached the cave, I had to climb 150 steps to reach the…
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On the move to Mandalay
All flight information in Burmese After 2 days of wandering around in Yangon, I decided to move to Mandalay. The flight went smoothly. But it could have turned out different. The boarding gate displays nothing; when a plane leaves, someone with a sign walks through the hall, with all flight information in Burmese, of course.…
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Siem Reap by express boat
Trying to catch a deal to guide us around in Siem Reap We woke up at 5.15 am to take the express boat to Siem Reap. Our motorcyclists are present at half-past seven at the entrance of the hotel. The ship leaves at seven o’clock. One of the drivers asks me if he could assist…
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Ha Long Bay boat sailing trip
Joining a group for a Ha Long Bay boat sailing trip To reach Ha Long Bay from Hanoi, it takes a 3-hour bus trip. I am joining a Ha Long Bay boat sailing adventure with an international company of Canadians, Dutch, Scottish, and English people. All groups follow a more or less similar package. Therefore…
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Trip to Doi Suthep temple
Thai soup for breakfast On my second day in Chiang Mai, I want to make a trip to Doi Suthep. I wake up later than usual due to my late night of drinking. A staff member informed me yesterday that she intended to prepare Thai soup for breakfast. When I arrive at the bar at…
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Buddhist Initiation at Shwedagon
Visiting the Shwedagon pilgrimage site Today in the afternoon I visited the Shwedagon pagoda where I had an unexpected Buddhist initiation. Without any debate, this temple is unquestionably the most significant in Myanmar. It contains one massive stupa covered with gold leaves, and around it, you have numerous other temples and shrines, showcasing unique architectural…
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Wandering the city of Chiang Mai
Cheap tuk-tuk fare to the inner city Early afternoon, after a break, I decided to go wandering the city. I am taking it easy today and just want to enjoy a visit to some famous temples in the inner city. My accommodations provide a tuk-tuk driver who will take me to any location in the…
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Annual Loy Krathong Festival
Gratitude to the goddess of water Some weeks ago it was time again for the Loy Krathong festival. This religious festival forms the annual gratitude of the Thai to the goddess of water – Mae Kong Ka, just after the rainy season. They thank this goddess for the abundant rainfall they received during the year because it brought…