We enjoy some cocktails in this little thai-frenchy restaurant close to the peer with a relaxing atmosphere and some nice jazz music. It is good to be back in "Europe" for an evening from time to time.
10/31/2009
Cocktails and Music in Krabi
It is our last night together in Krabi. Tomorrow Sandra and I are heading with the VIP night bus to Bankok for a day in Ayuthaya and further north to Chiang Mai. Andy will stay for some more nights here in Krabi and then slowly head down to Malaysia.
We enjoy some cocktails in this little thai-frenchy restaurant close to the peer with a relaxing atmosphere and some nice jazz music. It is good to be back in "Europe" for an evening from time to time.
We enjoy some cocktails in this little thai-frenchy restaurant close to the peer with a relaxing atmosphere and some nice jazz music. It is good to be back in "Europe" for an evening from time to time.
Three Tickets to Paradise
Leaving out the crowded Phi Phi Islands, we take a longtail boat to the Chicken Island, Tup Island and Poda Island for some relaxing beach time on the paradisic islands with white sandy beaches and massive limestone rock formations as well as some snorkelling session around its bays. Enjoy the pics!
10/29/2009
Cave Kayaking Mangrove Forest Krabi
Krabi is a nice place, it is cheap to stay and the perfect location to explore the area. We booked a day trip to kayak in the mangrove forests in Bor Thor somewhere north of Krabi. We are ready for the pick up service at 8 am. We meet our guides, Mel and C, and get to know our group of 8 people.
With the kayaks we head out with our guide C to the Grotto Cave and Lod Cave of stalagmites and stalactites and a lagoon called The Garden of Eden, places of absolute silence. The river delta is surrounded by chalk mountains and limestone cliffs. After a lunch break C takes us to Pee Hua Tho Cave, where we witness some historical cave-paintings approximatelly painted onto the rocks about 3000 years ago with the colour of the mangrove tree.
With the kayaks we head out with our guide C to the Grotto Cave and Lod Cave of stalagmites and stalactites and a lagoon called The Garden of Eden, places of absolute silence. The river delta is surrounded by chalk mountains and limestone cliffs. After a lunch break C takes us to Pee Hua Tho Cave, where we witness some historical cave-paintings approximatelly painted onto the rocks about 3000 years ago with the colour of the mangrove tree.
Tiger Cave Temples
It is Wednesday morning and we decide that it is time for some cultural experiences and some physical exercise. So we grab a taxi for originally 20 baht each (the taxi driver stops at some point and raises the price to 50 baht, although we cannot really understand his broken english) and drive to the Tiger Cave Temples about 10 km north of Krabi.
We have a look at the temple inside the rock formation and then climb the mountain for its observation and buddha platform. The 1236 steps are killing. Some of them are about 40 cm high and 70 percent steep. In combination with the humid climate we are glad reaching the platform with an astonishing view and a 15 m golden buddha looking over the surrounding land.
As we can see some bad weather coming our direction we head down again.
The temples and the platform are impressive. However, between all the monks and praying Thais we see a lot of poor street dogs in bad shape. It is kind of sad to see that within a country were the people have such a friendly attitude, there is no time, no money, no responsibility for the dogs living in the streets.
We have a look at the temple inside the rock formation and then climb the mountain for its observation and buddha platform. The 1236 steps are killing. Some of them are about 40 cm high and 70 percent steep. In combination with the humid climate we are glad reaching the platform with an astonishing view and a 15 m golden buddha looking over the surrounding land.
As we can see some bad weather coming our direction we head down again.
The temples and the platform are impressive. However, between all the monks and praying Thais we see a lot of poor street dogs in bad shape. It is kind of sad to see that within a country were the people have such a friendly attitude, there is no time, no money, no responsibility for the dogs living in the streets.
Thai Lessons
Sawadee Kaa! We made our way with the night boat and bus to Krabi on the west coast of Thailand. I almost cannot describe how glad I am to have spent the last week with Andy and Sandra! We managed the night boat with 60cm matraces with some little dirty pillow for each of us. The motion of the sea made the others feel a bit sick. I, however, slept like a baby and had sweet dreams until Andy woke me up to go back on land again. Being set in the wrong taxi or transfer bus we made it after a few extra transfers with wrong directions to our connection point in Surat Thani, observing a beautiful sunrise. In Krabi we enjoy a wonderful breakfast (incl. our first real western Cappucino since our arrival) after checking out in our hostel room.
10/27/2009
Leaving Koh Tao
It is my last day on this beautiful island. I am feeling hungover, since I went out for dinner and movie with Sandra. Andy and Scott, two nice guys we got to know a couple of days ago, met up with us again and so we joined the parties out on the beach. The beer here comes in big size and is quite strong. It is the last night with the four of us. Today Sandra, Andy and I are leaving with the night boat heading to Krabi for some days on the west coast.
The Shark Experience
7:00, Sunday morning. We are driving out to Chumpon Pinnacles. The waves are massive this morning. My stomach feels upside down, I hardly had any sleep due to shark attack nightmares spawned by the typical white shark attack scene of The Beach, which we have seen at one of the beachbars last night. The islands are almost vanishing beyond the horizon.
8:40, Deep Dive. We are down on 31m outside the pinnacles. There are no fish, the water surrounding us is filled with sand particles. Trying to keep me calm. Suddenly my instructor Nicki is taking my hand, pointing with the other hand into the water on our level. First there is only a shadow, getting bigger and clearer: the first greytip reef shark. My heart stops beating for a moment. Another shark is passing just a few meters below our fins. This shark is massive, 3m long. Nicki is grabbing here camera and following the shark on its way. She is my buddy, I am forced to follow although I feel like turning around and ascending. The shark is vanishing for a moment in the dark in front of us, however, coming back a couple of times cruising his circles. I am experiencing an emotional rollercoaster and so I feel tears filling my eyes starting crying under water just for a few seconds. They are tears of relieve, tears of joy, tears of fear, tears of enthusiasm.
Back on the boat, I am still overwhelmed for the rest of the day. I am glad my second dive does not involve any sharks, only trigger fish. We are going down with a rectangle for my Advanced Peak Buoyoncy Skills.
12:00, Monday. I recovered from my last day and am back on the boats. Three more dives, three beautiful dive sites.
13:33, Mango Bay. This time it is my turn to swim rectangles, triangles following a compass and navigate our way back to the boat. During the fun dive part there is the fish school, hundreds and hundreds of Fusilier forming one big stream.
14:40, Red Rock. We are out for a bit of cave diving including my fish identification check.
16:03, close to Japanese Gardens. This is my last optional dive, I choosed wreck diving so we are going down to some fisher boat that sank about five months ago. We swim through the captains cabin, take pics of me sitting on the deck of the boat.
8:40, Deep Dive. We are down on 31m outside the pinnacles. There are no fish, the water surrounding us is filled with sand particles. Trying to keep me calm. Suddenly my instructor Nicki is taking my hand, pointing with the other hand into the water on our level. First there is only a shadow, getting bigger and clearer: the first greytip reef shark. My heart stops beating for a moment. Another shark is passing just a few meters below our fins. This shark is massive, 3m long. Nicki is grabbing here camera and following the shark on its way. She is my buddy, I am forced to follow although I feel like turning around and ascending. The shark is vanishing for a moment in the dark in front of us, however, coming back a couple of times cruising his circles. I am experiencing an emotional rollercoaster and so I feel tears filling my eyes starting crying under water just for a few seconds. They are tears of relieve, tears of joy, tears of fear, tears of enthusiasm.
Back on the boat, I am still overwhelmed for the rest of the day. I am glad my second dive does not involve any sharks, only trigger fish. We are going down with a rectangle for my Advanced Peak Buoyoncy Skills.
12:00, Monday. I recovered from my last day and am back on the boats. Three more dives, three beautiful dive sites.
13:33, Mango Bay. This time it is my turn to swim rectangles, triangles following a compass and navigate our way back to the boat. During the fun dive part there is the fish school, hundreds and hundreds of Fusilier forming one big stream.
14:40, Red Rock. We are out for a bit of cave diving including my fish identification check.
16:03, close to Japanese Gardens. This is my last optional dive, I choosed wreck diving so we are going down to some fisher boat that sank about five months ago. We swim through the captains cabin, take pics of me sitting on the deck of the boat.
10/24/2009
Lost on Koh Tao
I am still staying on the little island just north of Koh Phangan and Koh Samui located east of the Thai mainland. Of course, some things are different here and so our first challenge was to parttime share our bungalow bathroom with a cockroach of the size of an egg for a day. Sandra and I managed to overcome our natural disgust, accepted him and called him Thommy. However, we are fine with him leaving us again and ensuring he is not coming back.
Anyhow, the delay of our departure is due to the Padi Open Water Courses. I joined Simple Life Divers for the Padi Open Water. Together with our instructor Nicki, I managed all theoretical class room trainings and the confined pool session for the handling of the equipment (getting used to BCD, respirator and mask removal ect.). The first day of open water out on White Rocks and Japanese Gardens was quite an experience. Getting on the diving boat we prepare our equipment and get the last instructions from our instructor. The water looks amazing with deep clear colours. It is our turn. I get on all the equipment, do the buddy check. Standing at the back of the boat, I halfinflate my BCD, left hand is on the weight belt, right hand is on my mask and respirator. I focus on the horizon, take a big step and enter the water with mz 15kg equipment. Fighting against my fear of open deep water as well as fish (especially big fish), it is amazing to breathe and focus and actually be part of the aquatic environment. Everyone should have this on his list of things to do in his lifetime. With two further dives the next day down to 18m I complete my open water certificate. On my last ascent to reach the surface again, I am sad to leave the water again, so I spontaneously decide to join the Advanced Open Water Padi Course including 5 more dives down to 30 m.
Back at the diving school, I get my teaching material and the first briefing for the next day. The first diving site is Chumpon Pinnacles far out in the open sea having my first deep water dive there including an nitrogen narcosis test (whether my brain functions at 30 m depth. Luckily, it does!) and the observation of reef sharks. Hearing the word shark, I am feeling this inner tension and my heart starts bumping. More about that tomorrow.
Anyhow, the delay of our departure is due to the Padi Open Water Courses. I joined Simple Life Divers for the Padi Open Water. Together with our instructor Nicki, I managed all theoretical class room trainings and the confined pool session for the handling of the equipment (getting used to BCD, respirator and mask removal ect.). The first day of open water out on White Rocks and Japanese Gardens was quite an experience. Getting on the diving boat we prepare our equipment and get the last instructions from our instructor. The water looks amazing with deep clear colours. It is our turn. I get on all the equipment, do the buddy check. Standing at the back of the boat, I halfinflate my BCD, left hand is on the weight belt, right hand is on my mask and respirator. I focus on the horizon, take a big step and enter the water with mz 15kg equipment. Fighting against my fear of open deep water as well as fish (especially big fish), it is amazing to breathe and focus and actually be part of the aquatic environment. Everyone should have this on his list of things to do in his lifetime. With two further dives the next day down to 18m I complete my open water certificate. On my last ascent to reach the surface again, I am sad to leave the water again, so I spontaneously decide to join the Advanced Open Water Padi Course including 5 more dives down to 30 m.
Back at the diving school, I get my teaching material and the first briefing for the next day. The first diving site is Chumpon Pinnacles far out in the open sea having my first deep water dive there including an nitrogen narcosis test (whether my brain functions at 30 m depth. Luckily, it does!) and the observation of reef sharks. Hearing the word shark, I am feeling this inner tension and my heart starts bumping. More about that tomorrow.
10/20/2009
Escaping smelly Bangkok
Arriving Bangkok around 8ish in the morning I met Sandra, a sweet dutch girl, on my way into the city. Spending a few hours in busy Bangkok together, we decided to take a night train heading south together to Chumphon in order to escape all the friendly tuk tuk drivers asking: "Where you going?". After two nights with almost no sleep we arrived this morning in Koh Tao - the turtle island. We found some accommodation for our first night on the island and spent most of the day just lying at the gorgeous beach, enjoying thai food, going for a swim and resting, of course - the lovely pics have to wait for a bit since I cannot connect my camera right now. Tomorrow we will start our 4-day open water diving certificate, which I am pretty excited about :)
In general, I can say that I am doing well and I am glad to not travel on my own for the first days. It is way easier to adjust to weather, food and culture.
Anyhow, enough for today.
Der Weg ist das Ziel, sprach Konfuzius. Ich bin am Ziel.
10/17/2009
This is it.
The day I have been waiting for is finally in reach. Everything went well, most of the things are packed. I have to admit some mixed feelings today about leaving tomorrow, but I hope this is just part of the normal procedure of leaving and saying goodbye for such a trip.
This is it. I am leaving everything behind. Excited? Definatelly! Scared? Maybe. But not for long. This is it.
10/08/2009
So little Time,...
... so much to do. Not sure why but within the past few days, I have run into the common theme of feeling that I do not have enough time to organise all the things that need to be taken care of. Finding myself with seemingly endless to do lists, ending up with confusing thoughts and way too many open issues on my list. I will need to focus the next few days on preparing the defense of my diploma thesis, which is sceduled for next week in Berlin.
10 days left. The countdown is on.
10 days left. The countdown is on.
10/07/2009
Von einer, die auszog das Fürchten zu lernen
Also known as "The Story of the Youth who went forth to learn what Fear was". Well, no, I do not really identify with this kind of character of the German fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm.For those who are wondering, what this is all about, these pages will be my travel journal for the coming 6 months, since I am about to pack up and go traveling around the world. After (almost) finishing my degree it is time for a break and so I am heading off to see some other parts of the world. Throughout these pages you will find information on my current stay, my travel experiences and stories along the way. I will try to keep you updated with everything that matters!
The flights were booked, the plan is as follows:
18.10.2009 Frankfurt am Main - Bangkok
24.11.2009 Bangkok - Tokyo
02.12.2009 Tokyo - Sydney
16.12.2009 Adelaide - Cairns
11.01.2010 Sydney - Auckland
27.01.2010 Auckland - Nadi
09.02.2010 Nadi - Auckland
09.02.2010 Auckland - Buenos Aires
03.03.2010 Rio De Janeiro - Lima
27.03.2010 Santiago - Sao Paulo
27.03.2010 Sao Paulo - Frankfurt
Among the many people to whom I am indebted for help and support in the preparation of my trip, I wish to thank my patient parents, my dear sisters and my incomparable friends. I will miss you a lot, you have my sincere love!
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