Are Isreali and French men deaf?

I have noticed a peculiar resemblance between Israeli and French men. They all talk very, very loud like they want the whole pool to hear their conversation. Even worse, they keep talking even when their conversation partner is 30 meters away. Loudly. That sound level is also used at 30 inches, mind you.



It is not like they have something interesting to say...

Paradise by night

What a lot of people come here for: the full moon



The pool

More paradise

I really am liking this place. The weather is beautiful, the pool is lovely, the staff is wonderful and the other guests are very nice, despite most of them being British. :)

Home sweet home for the next 16 days


Todays sunset

Always wanted to know how the other half lives?

For $1625 you can find out... :)

Paradise found!

After 5 weeks or thereabouts it has finally happened. I have arrived in paradise. Although a lot of people may suspect Koh Samui to fit that picture, Koh Phangan is much more idyllic. It reminds me of Bali (which is always good in my book) and is less 'loud' than its bigger brother.

My current view:



The 'resort' I chose (Sunset Cove) is everything I hoped it would be. Nice crowd too. I will certainly survive here for 2 weeks...

Memories of Oz...

Upon cleaning my camera I noticed that I still had some pictures of my travels through Australia...

Beach bumming @ Koh Samui

Today I decided to take the hotel bus to their sister hotel at Lamai beach. The hotel there is not so nice, but the beach location makes up for it somewhat. It is all dirt cheap here, so I spent like €5,- on lunch. This can go on forever. The weather is good. Not too hot, a nice breeze and the occasional cloud. I still prefer Bali over this island, but what can I say...

The beach location


Other angle


The weary traveler after a hard day of resting...

I'll live...

After a quick trip from Bangkok to Koh Samui I have arrived at what is to be my home for the next 5 days. I think I can make do...

Once again it is a nice room



and a nice terrace



with a view to match



Lets hope the weather is nice tomorrow. I feel like white beaches.

Spraining a Chest Muscle - Who Knew?

Yesterday during my massage I felt slightly uncomfortable. There was a slight pain in my chest when I was face down, like I was lying on something. Not very nice when somebody is applying the maximum pressure possible I can tell you. Slowly during the night it got worse. I got the helping of Tiger Balm from the minibar (yes, no idea why it was there...) and starting rubbing it in.

Today when I woke up I could hardly use my right arm for anything more than typing. Some web research later I decided I have a sprained chest muscle (pectoralis major) and that is bloody inconvenient. The treatment is rest. Now that I can do. However, tomorrow I must travel to Koh Samui and there will be lots of lifting of heavy bags, most likely the cause of the injury to begin with... I can only hope it will be better tomorrow.

By the way, did you know that shower caps filled with ice work perfectly as an ice pack?

From Aussie to Thailland

It is strange how sometimes you only appreciate a place after you left it. Australia is a beautiful country and I could have easily stayed another two months. Who wouldn't with beaches like this?



The flight lasted an uneventful 8 hours. Even I start to get bored on aircraft nowadays.



This is my hotel room in Bangkok. I plan to spent a lot of time in the hotel. It is a lovely place.

Lounging...

One of the things that makes air travel in premium classes such a pleasure is the lounge experience. One of the best lounges in the world is the Qantas First Lounge at Sydney airport. I am therefore not the slightest bit annoyed that I have to wait here for my flight to Bangkok. Even if it is for over 5 hours...









Just had a wonderful lunch and I am enjoying the view!

Bye Bye Australia

After about 25 days it's time to call it a day down under. Australia has its pros and cons. I like the weather, like the people, like the space. It really is a fantastic country. What I liked less is how it is like the US in the way it is organized and in their hotels. I miss that Asian feeling. Still a country I would like to return to. Someday!



BA10 will take me to Bangkok tomorrow. I look forward to it.

How to spend the last day...

... being 43? Tomorrow I will edge a year closer to 50 or further away from 30, depending on your outlook. Today I am staying in a very nice motel in Yamba, NSW. It is by far the cheapest accommodation I stayed in and also the best. It has style, peace and quiet and also a nice pool. Not quite Asia yet, but it is getting better. The sun is still scorching hot (35C) and being outside all day is simply not doable. I decided to end year 43 on a nice beach.



Tomorrow I need to get up early (they need the room, so no late checkout) and drive to Port Stephens. Another scenic coastal drive I'm sure. I tried to upload some video I made of the drives so far, but the internet connections in the hotels so far have been too slow for that. Maybe in Bangkok I can.

The cold, snow and everything....

How's that working out for you all?



Ain't life a bitch...

A Room with a View

The room



The view by day



and by night...

Surfer to Paradise

After I had arrived in Surfer's Paradise I decided to take a nice long walk on the beach. It being a beautiful day and all... Better than your feet in the snow, I say.





Walking along I noticed how many warning signs there are on the beach. I remember thinking jokingly to myself "wow, this must be a dangerous place!"







Unfortunately I soon found out this is all there for a reason. A surfer was rescued from the sea but he was already dead, although they tried CPR for at least half an hour.



It was not only the lifeguards working on him but also his friends. A most disturbing site. I was surprised at the many onlookers. They were working on him in plain sight and everybody was watching. I did not want to get closer for 'the photograph' though, and just like the local news I kept a respectful distance.



He was ultimately sped away in an ambulance but according to one of the guards he 'is dead mate'. I guess these guys are here for a reason!

What do you mean: it's cold?

Eat my dust...

Today I had a wonderful drive from Armidale to Stanthorpe via the small town of Texas. Almost nobody else on the road, glorious sunshine and beautiful scenery. It took about 5,5 hours but it was more than worth it. Far better than taking the highway!









I am happy, really! Just concentrated...