Our real, vivid, splendid, spectacular, adventourous, stunning Thailand race and trip is coming to an end...
Time to say "Goodbye and don't cry for us, Thailand" as you have a big place in our heart forever.
Dolphins "Goodbye"
And then we met this guy in town to bid us farewell
Thailand is in many ways a regional leader of fashion and fusion. On our last day we did not miss out on Vietnamese fresh springrolls, Malaysian seafood laksa, Japanese sushi, Chinese oolong tea and ... Italian espresso in a cutting edge design urban eatery
(Selfies not appropriate)
A view for a million
Where we saw a million times of hope for internal love
Ta-da, our drawing :) BG + RO = GL (great love) in amazing Thailand
Just when we though we saw everything from the submarine world, we got into the Kung Kraben Aquarium which also happen to be for free
The may have seen many wats but each one has its own charachter
Here on the road in the coastline of Chanthaburi under the bridge of PakNam Khaem Nu, there is hidden another view to the sea
How often dreams come true? It is hard to say but one is certain - in Thailand a dearest dream - to swim with dolphins came true! To feel the gentle skin of the dolphin, to be left to thier strong body to float you through the waters, to be in contact with such a wise creature - it's indeed an experience of a lifetime that will always remain.
Treating and feeding dolphins so to become a real friend with them
...and to recieve that precious kiss...
We are in such a close contact and communication with the dolphins like friends playing around
and like meeting with a close friend for a chat
When was the last time when you saw a dolphin show? It is not a show you can go each day unless you live in Laem Sing District in Thailand . As if you were living around, we'd assure you'd be visiting the funny dolphin show each single day
you'd be that close to the dolphins..
Nam Phliu waterfall is easy to reach as walking on paved road for 10-15 mins though in a splendid National Park of Chantaburi region. It was full with surpises as it's full with fish...tons of fish. This would have been fisherman's heaven if it wasn't a national park to restric the fishing ;)
At dusk under awe inspiring elements
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We straw through the streets of Chanthaburi to reveal its hidden amazing wats
Our tour in Chantanburi started with the Roman Catholic Wat which was another surprise on the top of the Russian Orthodox Church in Koh Chang
A helmet is a must. Even if made of grass
As already said, the locals in Baan Nam Chiew Village are so friendly that they gave us a ride to the Trat bus station
We are so happy we had this task as this cute village deserves to be promoted more and be visited so to experienced the lively and honest people who creat so interesting hats from scratches
Sure we did sew a hat
Though obviously for a girl it will be more challenging not to suit but to pick up a hat out of such an amazing variety
Eventually the one and only was found :)
Man rarely have such a big struggle of picking up the one :)
Heading back to the mainland by ferry though swimming is also possible if you feel fit enough to swim the 1- hour ferry ride
Signs in Thailand are well translated to Bulgarian so we can never get lost in translation :)Romanian translation is :-)
And then taking a tradinional Thai taxi
On menu tonight - fresh Barracuda
It seems like a dream when we saw the devine beach line of Koh Wai Island! It is no joke we are in paradise :)
We were offered another round of snorkelling that we couldn't resist but to see what is hidden underneath
As Ko Rang Island is part of Mu Koh Chang National park, the island has a cristal clear water, white sand beach and it is not inhabited
We first did snorkelling around Koh Mapring which is approximately an hour boat ride from Koh Chang. There are no words to describe the seaworld beauty and variety of fish but to experience it.
And don't worry if you don't feel comfortable swimming - there are the nicest boat crew that will help you and will follow you all the time in the sea so to feel safe and secured
Our second day on Koh Chang Island started with a boat ride. I'd just bought a fancy hat to suit my boat trip and shooting a video explaining where we are heading to when.....
...my hat flew away. This was the shortest hat I ever had in my life :)
The first full day at the island was full with emotions and truely interesting places and adventures, the weather was also adventurous as going from sun to pour rain in no time. We responded back by throwing ourselves into the lavish waters of Klong Plue Waterfall at the end of the day and guess who got on track with us - the Romanian team :)
On the way to the Nam Tok Khlong Phlu waterfall we encountered a turtle in thier natural habitat . Swimming with him/her was an experience from another level :)
Writing the name of Dimiter happened to be on the same day of his Name Day :) That will bring twice more luck to him
Just in the North of the Koh Chang island there is another splendid temple. Writing our names on the back of the Dragon's skale is a sign of good luck. One day they will pick all the skales and "dress up " a dragon statue if a new temple that is to be built somewhere around Thailand.
It seems we were one of the very few people daring to cross the roaring waters of Than Mayon Waterfall. It feels like we had a prive waterfall of such beauty
Even under the rain the Wat Salak Phet shines in bright colours like a real pearl.
Actually it was a real fun and refreshing to have a shower :)
This is a cosy Thai style pier on the south east part of Koh Chang - on Tambon Koh Chang Tai, Amphoe Ko Chang. As it is on a coastal bay looking towards 2 islands - Phrao Nai Island and Ko Phrao Nok the view is surreal and devine even on a rainy day. Needless to say, there is Homestay of Ban Sommai Salakpetch if you wish to have a local experience.
The view towards Long Beach @ Koh Chang is another piece of heaven
It's also appreciated by dog and his owner. We didn't want to disturb thier tranquility so we dicides not to bother them with taking a selfie.
As "CHANG" in Thai means Elephant, there is no way but to visit the Elephant Camp on Koh Chang Island.
If you wish to ride an elephant, there is comfortable platform for that:
Still if you find it more proper and elephant friendly you can just fondle them. Despite thier size, they are so gentle and wise.
The couple came several days to caress for thier favourite elephant. The photos of thier close connection speaks on thier own
It comes as a huge surpise to encounter an Orthodox Christian Church on the way to the Elephant Camp @ Koh Chang Islands. it is just another proof that all religions can live in peace.
On our first morning on Koh Chang Island we hit the road to go the the Elephant camp
The first view pointed at koh Chang we were luck to admire was towards Kae Bai Beach. From this point you can enjoy the Koh Man Nai and Koh Man Nok islands
We were so amazed that we bought a postcard so send it to TAT office in Romania and to share the splendid view.
Smiling as we asked to help us writing our names in Thai
In Bang Bao on Koh Chang Island the fishing village is a must as you would chose the fish and let you witness cooking it for you - this is a recipe for a delicious meal :)
The fishing village of Bangbao is a spot where you can select fresh fish of your choice and watch it being cooked. We got ours on barbeque with Thai veggies.
On our botique plane the day before we had an hint what local fruit we shall try
Hence we bought all of them to taste them
Even working hard, Thai people smile widely and sencerely.
There is no better way to treat yourself after a long travel days but to enjoy a relaxing Thail massage with aroma. Especially when it is just on the sea side feels like being in heaven.
And Trat has not only boutique airplanes but also the airport itself
Oh yes, we were picked up from the plane with a train instead of the ordinary bus transfer
As it seems domestic planes in Thailand are real fun
Sure it was a boutique plane to Trat
Thailand Race had just started as we are departing from Bangkok Airport. What a start - we have been greated from tons of journalists. Wish us luck and follow our track :)!!!!
Wat Bangbao visited at a dusk when monks weren't there. For the case of good luck we wrote our names on the back of the ceramic scales of the Dragon being built in the Chinese temple of Chao Por Koh Chang Shrine on the same island of Koh Chang
Done. Twice. First in Bang Bao (barbecued Thai Fish) and then at Lonely beach (fried baracuda with garlic) Two out of many culinary highlights!
Done. Bumped into some Romanians there. Visited 2 more of another spectacular waterfalls on Koh Chang - Than Ma Yom and the one behind the Russian Orthodox church, suggested by the priest (detour x2)
Done. Selfies with locals and strangers taken all over the place. Multiple nice beach views recorded on Koh Chang.
Done. Task performed at least half a dozen times. Each.
Done.
Koh Mak observed from a wooden boat. Instead - the marine national park around Ko Rung explored on foot and snorkelling. At least 4 extra islands visited, including Ko Wai (detour x 4)
Done. Both the making and the buying
Done. Selfies with fishes in their habitat taken
Done. Town explored. Multiple wats, including a Roman Catholic one, explored (detour x ?) Scenic coastal area explored. Nang Praya view enjoyed. Lovers' padlocks galore. BG + RO = GL (great love)
Fresh water turtles spotted and observed in their nature habitat on Koh Chang
Done. At War Klang, Chanthaburi
Done. Names signed in Thai. Local people manage to read them right
1. Plane
2. Minibus
3. Car ferry
4. Pick-up truck taxi
5. Wooden tourist carrier boat
6. Hitch-hiked cargo motorcycle
7. Funny ferry-to-parking opensided shuttle vehicle
8. Sedan car (courtsey the hat artisans)
9. Big intercity bus
10. Motorcycle taxi
11. etc, etc
Busy posting them here and on other social media. Ref. Instagram #thethailandraceTeamBG
- 2 extra waterfalls on Koh Chang
- 1 extra Buddhist Wat (Koh Chang)
- 1 Chinese Wat (Koh Chang)
- 1 Russian Orthodox Wat (Koh Chang)
- 1 Roman Catholic Wat (Chanthaburi)
- Even more wats (Chanthaburi)
- 1 extra traditional fishing pier (Koh Chang)
- 1 monument to King Teksin (Chanthaburi)
- 4+ islands in Mu Koh Chang National Park
- view point of PakNam Khaem Nu Bridge
- Dolphinarium (Oasis Sea World, Laem Sing District)
- Aquarium (Kung Kraben)
Done. Multiple times. Banana, pineapple, watermelon, mango, longan, coconut etc.
Done.
Done.