Category Archives: _Asia_

Asakusa

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I made it into Tokyo on rainy morning after a total of 14 hours in the air (and some time at LHR airport).

As usual (I guess, I may use ‘as usual’ meanwhile) I checked in to the hotel, took a shower and then started discovering the surrounding area – in this case the Asakusa area of Tokyo, including the Senso-Ji temple.

In the evening the group came together for an initial group meeting. Luke – our tour leader gave the usual plus some Japan specific pieces of information, afterward he took us to a very Japanese restaurant … one, where the main interaction was through vending machine.

Final Night in Bangkok

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Today was the last night of the tour – we ended up in a restaurant around the corner of the hotel. After dinner we went to what turned out to be the most expensive, most scenic – yet best cocktail of the whole trip. We had that one in the rooftop bar of the Banyon Tree Hotel – on the 62nd floor. An amazing way to say good-bye to Thailand.

Erawan Falls

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Today we were heading out for Erawan Falls, which included the opportunity for having a swim in and under the (second level of the)waterfall.

Kanchanaburi

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From Ayutthaya we continued to Kanchanaburi – home of the (in-)famous bridge over the river Kwai.

We did a short tour, visiting the JEATH War Museum, as well as the war cemetery – to arrive at the bridge just in time for the sunset. Samlors (bike rickshaws) were our transportation of choice for this tour – including a quick try by ourselves.

The Golden Triangle

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Today we had a full day of excursions around the Golden Triangle, the border region between Thailand, Myanmar (Burma) and Laos.

We had the opportunity to get about the border town to Myanmar and even have a quick jump over the border at Thailand’s northernmost point.

We also made it to a viewpoint at Mekong to get a glimpse of the two neighboring countris, before heading for the Opium Museum – followed by a speedboat tour on the Mekong.

The speedboat trip included a stop in Laos – with the shopping opportunity in a fairly unethical market. They had everything on stock (and for free sale) from snake whisky (including a snake of course), to liquor with pieces of tiger penises or ivory statues.

Hilltribe Trek – Day 3

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Today was the last day of the trek; we made it back into town and then on to the Golden Triangle.

Hilltribe Trek – Day 2

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The walking distance today (i.e. day 2 of the trek) was just 7km, so we had time in the morning to visit the village school to teach some English and play with the children.

The destination of our 7km hike walk was the Akha village of Baan Mai Pattana.

We again had a walk through the village after our arrival. After our return we prepared egg to give it to the children of the village. Background is that the food in this village bases on what is produced around, this means the children get plenty of vegetables – but hardly meat or egg, thus producing a lack in their nutrition.

Hilltribe Trek – Day 1

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We left the village this morning; a first a rough hour by E-Tan, then by foot. The first day of the trek was sold as the most strenuous day, the use of porters was recommended – however on the paper the distance was just 14 km, with an elevation gain of around 600 meters – so nothing to bad (at least compared to other treks I did so far); so I decided to carry my pack by myself (which turned out to be no problem at all…).

We had lunch next to a waterfall, before we continued on to Baan Huay San Lisaw, a village of the Lisu people – and our destination for the day.

After arrival in the Lisu village we (once more) had a guided walk around, followed by dinner and some local dance and music.