Ko Samui

Partyparadies

Who needs bustles, there is because of the Chawaeng Beach correctly, all different experience no vacation, but a Nervenzusammenbruch.


The night life of Ko Samui is some the only legitimate reason, itself over 10 hours into the back of ranks of an airplane to corrals. The world-famous legendary Full Moon party on Ko Phangan is only a good boat hour distant and in the meantime at the Chawaeng Beach is successfully copied. - Daily, as Spötter state, if the bar and taverns the engine anschmeißen in the evening there. Every now and then world-well-known disk change-over switches present such as Sven Väth the records in the clubs of Chawaeng.

The 3 km for a long time “Chawaeng Beach” is the main attraction Samuis and works as typically Thai as the “San Miguel” - beer, which is violently applied there at the beginning of of 2006. Friends of Spanish beaches indulge in here their dearest leisure activities: with the British because of a Ouadratmeters towel, in beach chair rows mad argue and by order forces from a private heap of sand to chase themselves away.

Vacation professionals let themselves be over-driven and sued also gladly by one of the numerous speed boats after the tour operator.

The Shoppingmeile (n) of Chawaeng offer everything that desires the tourist heart: Excellent coffee with Starbucks, a Hamburger, German beer, falsified branded articles etc.
Chill out zone

Geruhsamer happens it at the other beaches of the island: increasingly here long-term tourists advanced age winter.

“Those torn off”, the boss of the Bungalowanlage at the Meanam Beach points to a number of run down wood huts of the 400-Baht-die-Nacht-Klasse, “shortly build we here Komfortbungalows with kitchen”.

Some of these Bungalows of elevated equipment seams already the beaches of the island. Above all seniors from North America and Europe winter therein. The annual rent begins with approximately 2,000 EUR. Not particularly expensively, one considers, how much money is saved alone for rheumatism ointment.

Numerous real estate agents (“material estate”) offer also again built Bungalows to this target group for the purchase.

As consequence the age cut rises appreciably at the Maenam or Lamai Beach. - Which however also younger Traveller estimate, which have it gladly more calmly than at the Chawaeng Beach.

The beach and night life are here clearly more relaxed and by far calmer. Besides the accommodations and taverns are special in Meanam the most inexpensive on Samui. There are simple huts starting from 300 Baht/night.

Also Bo Phut and Big Buddha Beach at the northeast Zipfel of the island are quite relaxed, some visitors make nervous there however aircraft noise. The beaches are under the approach lane of the airport. - Also over Chawaeng fliers are noisy, what is not noticeable in such a way there however because of self-wheel from.

The south of Thailand : Beach Sand Sea

Beach such as sand at the sea:
Million travelers in Thailand cannot err: Nearly everything wants to the beach. There no problem, because beaches give it like sand at the sea, which possibly nevertheless problem is, because islands and beaches have their completely own characters. The Paradies one is the nightmare of the other one.

Likes practically each at least some time in sand and sun crickets, but that is already the smallest common denominator. Altogether there are three beach types:
Partying & maintenance program process

The day wanted 26 hours and those as well known to be stout filled. Is there something more intolerable to hang around than simply motionlessly? A beach is suited somewhat even if there are sport and Actionprogramme there. Speed boat driving and dipping are the mindeste. Many humans around you are not troubles, but a challenge. Because in each case beach is too monotonous in the long term and one could there nevertheless possibly come also times to thinking, sufficient alternating in the environment should be offered. In the evening decently one gerockt or to current sounds hops.

I understand already, you want not for a long time to read, but finally know, where you should as fast as possible. Phuket offers the full program. Ko Samui likewise. It will not disturb you that there are calmer corners on these islands also somewhat, to it rushes you anyway fast with the chartered motorcycle past.

Whom mainly the legendary Full Moon parties on Ko Phangan lures to Thailand, drives evenly there. Who did not hear ever something of these parties, but otherwise for a advanced Partyluder and/or a professional party lion delays itself, should close likewise immediately there and the Bildungslücke immediately.

Ko Phangan is reached of the neighbour island Ko Samui in approximately one hour with the boat. On the party days active boat traffic between the islands prevails. Who would like to drive not boat or is simply too putrid, can celebrate also on Samui.

By the way do not only roar on Ko Phangan the loudspeakers at the beach to full moon. Fullmoonpartys arrange the owners of tavern in the meantime at each better beach of Thailand. Besides organizers lure parties to Black Moon -, help Moon - and even to Quarter Moon. I estimate, the first 3/28stel-Moon parties am already planned.





Ease, however its and only no program
Is there something more wonderful, than living and hang around simply into the day? No plans, no dates. Finally the books read, which already wait for years in the shelf and which waves watch, how they run on the beach. Many humans around you are thereby troubles. The more calmly, so much the better.

One discovers the really untouched, lonely Thai beach probably only in the cinema. Where it is also only somewhat beautiful always, already is someone. But there are also in Thailand still some calmer islands and coast regions.

Ko Chang was valid long time as if secrettap for all, which look for beautiful beaches without much excitement. Some publications and TV-report praise Ko Chang still still as remote and completely untouristisch on. That is clearly wrong, the tourism the island long opened, but comparatively relaxed is it there still.

Do not secrettap is Khao Lak also for a long time any longer. Supposed were your neighbours already there. The place is nevertheless and is rather relaxed its beaches.

One spends calm days also on Ko Lanta. The beaches of the island are probably too long, that ever really many tourists could meet there. Whom Lanta is still too hectic, heads for from Ban Saladan, the principal place of the island or from Krabi Town on the mainland the small neighbour island Ko Yum.

And then still another few last genuine Geheimtipps with gggggaaaaaannnnnnzzzzz eased beaches. But I lie down there (now) still gladly alone. Perhaps betrayal I those sometime times. At the latest however if a jet AI letting opened there. Is not however yet….

Landscape look
The most beautiful island of Thailand is Ko Phi Phi. Not even a century disaster can change in it something.

The most beautiful beach of the mainland is Railey Beach with Krabi. In the meantime it is there perhaps somewhat too full. But who places itself at Raileys Phra Nang Beach scarcely against the Wasserlinie, before all the tourists, and on the sea outside, can still one of the most famous motives for photo of Thailand in all celestial beauty sees admire and the higher nature of its choice thank that it created such a thing.

At all the maritime island world of the Andamansee in the province Krabi with pittoresken rock and numerous smaller islands inspires all Landschaftsfreaks. Longtailboote also according to untwisted four-cylinder Diesel head for islands and beaches. The fact that the engine roars and is extraordinarily hard the planks notices however hardly anyone, in view of the nature beautifulnesses the mouth before being astonished not too gets

Shopping in Bangkok

Supply & demand

As in all metropolitan cities you get also in Bangkok simply everything, - most besides rather favorably. The dealers in the Khao San quarter offer everything, from which they mean, a Farang (Farang = bekloppter Westler, that for obskure products gladly too many Baht puts down…) its joy would have to.

Is usually correct; nothing is so ugly and from so miserable quality, that it did not want to have still another English Girlie.

Indispensable for tourists does not only give it in Banglampoo approximately around the Khao San Road. Also to the Silom Road dealer on the road offers falsified gears, to clocks etc. for the mark-conscious however financially weak Farang.

Hardly a street trader has fixed prices. Also in many shops acting is not only possible, but usual and is quite expected.


Action

Rule of thumb: Frag' after the price (“How much is it? ”). Anywhere if a price tag does not stand, you receive most for approx. 30 - 40% of the price, which is first said.

Before you begin with haggling, place to you the end price, which you want to pay (30%, but maximally 40%, more not!) before the internal eye forwards and do not decide to pay under any circumstances more all the same which comes now (yours opposite makes in the meantime exactly the same and specifies in the spirit a minimum price).

Fang' brutally low with 10% on. Your official contact you loud neck for moved to explain (in reality it is irritated, because most Farangs begin with 30%, because in the Lonley planet stands in such a way). Increase by in each case 2% (and not in 10%-Schritten!).

You receive the things for 30%. If you are in bad form, you pay 40%. STOP WITH 40%! If it does not fold, you have too highly gepokert…

The latter is not a problem. Because which is offered once somewhere, it guaranteed also a few meter continues to give: New play, new luck!

Falsified branded articles

The import of falsified branded articles such as clocks, computer, software, clothes etc. (thus the whole deadwood, which tourists in Thailand buy gladly on the road) to Germany is forbidden.

In practice border officials tolerate a falsified clock at the wrist of a traveler usually just like falsified jeans at its back.

However if reference points for a commercial character result, the goods are seized.

That means: no reference points may result that the falsifications are intended for commercial traffic. Here it concerns first kind and quantity of the things. A suit-case of full clocks is probably rather suspicious.

In practice problems arise again and again, starting from which quantity or which value the goods possess a commercial character. However no clear rules can be set up. Rather the customs officer for each individual transmission must make a new decision. This takes place due to its concrete statements in the individual case concerned.

Ingenious business idea: Falsified things favorably in Thailand buy and in the Internet presume. Did not only forbid, but even punishable. Who wanted to know always times, how it looks in devil kitchen, should operate such business.

Residential areas (for tourists)

Anywhere in downtown Bangkok, there are tourist-inns - from backpackers - Billigbude to 5-star luxury hotel. Roughly speaking, the focus descending into three zones:

1. First Class

In the downtown district towering hotels along the Chao Phraya River on (Oriental, Shangri-La, Royal Orchid ...) and hot solvent-inclusive and luxury tourist welcome. Exquisite comfort, price, beyond good and evil.

2. Business Class

Most of the tourist spend the night in the area except for the Sukhumvit Road. Billigbuden from a few more mid-to upper price levels (from 900 baht). Some hotels rent their rooms by the hour there ...

3. Wood Class

"The" first port of call center and Rucktouristen in Asia / Thailand / Bangkok is in and around the Khao San Road (KSR) in Banglampoo, a northern inner city area of Bangkok. Rooms will be here (especially in the Rambutree Road (also abundantly available Soi Rambu Tri). Rates from 250 to 1000 Bath.

Bangkok, city of angels

What a city! Cosmopolitan as San Francisco, Hong Kong as an exotic, larger than London, Paris as a refined, cheaper than Palma friendly than Copenhagen, more relaxed than Kathmandu, Singapore as a bustling, fun-loving as Rio, hotter than Cairo, more opaque than Moscow, more beautiful than Venice, closer than Sydney. And also: beyond the slums and red light districts safer than Bielefeld.

The tense life pulsates in Bangkok on the road. Even there, practicing dentists. The road is habitat. Perhaps because it was outside - despite the smog - a little less stuffy than in most buildings.

The tense life is less hectic fidgety or even than it seems at first glance. The startling discovery, after a few days in the seemingly overheated metropolis: Bangkokians move slowly, smoothly and quietly. Every individual has relaxed. Heat alone does not explain this serenity. It must be even more: Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta are not cool, but where people rush through the tense streets.

It sounds incredible, given the relevant Horror Stories: The rhythm of the people in Bangkok is rather slow (apart perhaps from times of tuk-tuk drivers - the's in a hurry) is always highly. Why this is so, I do not know, I'd bet on oriental gods and spirits.

Thus, there is a longer explanation, why call Bangkokians their homes, "City of Angels": The angelic grace of the people in this city.

The serenity of the Thai people is also transferable to farangs that begin after a few days, wonderfully relaxing by one of the most beautiful cities in the world to stride - and thereby feel the vital, vibrant life of a mega-metropolis.

That's the magic of this city, it is both in one: ebullient - alive, as the hot soup from the cook-shop and timeless - leaving just as the eternal Buddha in temples and shrines.

Bangkok makes it easily to its guests. The city overwhelmed, and yet no one has an infinite amount. The culture shock can dose every guest at pleasure itself, even greenhorns to find their way almost immediately, the people are friendly and helpful shameful, each evening is a mild summer and the minimum daily costs for housing and food are less than that of a metro - Day ticket in most other world cities. Some will open the city. Others refused, to send them home or to inconsequential dream beaches.

Otherwise, there live some 10 million people and probably find it fairly normal.

What a city!

What to do in Bangkok

Massage
There are about a million or two massage shops in Bangkok. Some serious, some not.

If you do not have sex, no dislocated bones but simply want a real good massage, go into the holy WAT PO (about 20 minutes south to the foot of the Khao San Road / adjacent to the Grand Palace).

In WAT PO, the most prestigious massage - School of Thailand is located. As Thais go, and they know why. Excellent 30 minutes Thai massage for about 180 baht (about 3 Euro), 1 hour 300 baht; herbal massage 400 baht.

Learn Massage
In Bangkok, several massage schools offer courses. The most expensive courses cost around 1,000 U.S. dollars.

Rates are moderate in the accredited massage school in WAT PO: introductory courses with 30 hours in either 5, 6 or 10 days can be installed into the holiday planning and cost about 7,000 baht (about 150 euros).

The school web: www.watpomassage.com

And we distance ourselves now, but very quickly from the site and its contents, for which we are obviously not at all responsible, and greet the OLG Hamburg!

Beauty Shop
"Great experience, especially for men!" I drew a Thai beauty in her beauty salon and promised that afterwards I would look just as good as them. Is not strictly true, but I since I am a convinced customer Thai beauty salons. For $ 5, there is not even 2 hours "full facial treatment": Herbal Massage, Oilmassage, Herbal Treatment, peeling, etc. The smog is out of the skin ... very, very good! (Incidentally, for women ...). Club in the Rambuttree Road (the first parallel street north of Khao San Road).

Hairdressing
There's hairdressers in Bangkok (Thailand and all) about the same as massage shops. Men get a cut for the equivalent of EUR 2 hair. Most Thai hairdressers know their job, at least I was always satisfied (the risk is low: in Bangkok, you get cheap baseball caps ...).

Culture and even 


National Theater
The National Theater is just a stone's throw from Khao San Road (go to Khao San, south) to the 8-lane road, then keep right, towards the Chao Phraya River, the great building on the left before the bridge. True Thai theater, not a tourist kitsch! Sometimes an international program. Performances on most days at 17.00 clock. Staggered entrance fees, with an international student discount card (the original not the fake crap from the Khao San Road). Go and inform you, man / woman there spoke English.

The pearls on the road 
For example, the great Chinese opera, in which I happen to come into Chinatown. - This event was not in any guide, any site, etc. Such pearls you find in the streets, somewhere beyond the tourist track.

... or the curious amusement park, which was raging at a fairground, for which apparently Fellini's "La Strada" has been the template ...

Running around, looking around the corners. You can not actually run it, because there is always a tuk-tuk is that you "go home".

Brimming with life 
At the bus terminal rages plump Asian life. Take a look at one! Best in the early evening, starting shortly before the night buses. In Bangkok, the Southern Terminal (buses in the south) is not too far from the Khao San, on the other side of the Chao Phraya River on the Phran-Nok Road (tuk-tuk). Eastern Terminal on Sukhumvit Road, Northern-terminal at the Phahon Yothin Road

Organized excursions
Not very useful tips: The many travel agents in Khao San area en masse to offer short-and day-to Tripps at different sites: Boating through the canals (klong) or to the floating markets (floating markets "), cruises on the Chao Praya River trips to the snake farm of the Institut Pasteur, the Thai boxing, temples, etc.

Usually somewhat more expensive than self-organized, but comfortable: A minibus will pick you up and take you back again.