We decided to cancel the paramotor flight of the morning (too tired) and to prepare one for the evening.

We chilled a bit in the streets of the old Phuket, saw nice old houses, met some nice personns, smelled parfumes of Orchids. Photos here

When we come back to the car, surprise: it is locked. Mathieu probably parked on a forbidden place! The mission is now to get the car back; thanks to Chai, our liaison helper, who manages to talk to police! But we had to pay the fine, and finally, we laugh a lot of this small experience.

We are searching the take off, but we get lost, and we pass by an Orchid farm. We decide to visit it, and see lots! Photos here

The wind is perfect, the light is good! Take off for Math and Emi. We fly around a kind of street built on the sea. It is very scenic, and we invite you to visit it on the ground, it’s full of ambiances, and no farang there! We have this great priviliege to have a private seightseeing of Phuket town, from our paramotors. Photos here

Just arrived at the Sukko Spa resort, we have a massage, in our private space, in our private room! We are in the biggest Spa resort of south east Asia, and maybe worldwide… The massage is so good, that we cannot avoid sleeping! Our muscles are better, and we’re ready to try another known restaurant: Siam Indigo

The ambiance is easy, no need to wear costumes here. Super décor, as we say in French! We spend a very good moment, the food is delicious! Photos here.

Tomorow, we have an elephant trekking in Chalong, then we’ll take some sun on the mythic beaches of the West of the Island.

Blogger: Mathieu & Emilia

Looked like fun, huh? We enjoyed ourselves at the floating market. There’s lots to do. Our visit was on Day 1 in the afternoon. Our first priority was lunch. There are “traditional”-style restaurants scattered among the platforms in the market. But for a unique experience, you should try dining from the many boats docked along the walkway.

Nestled in each boat is a full stove with a pot of bubbling broth with an assortment of spices and main dishes: chicken, pork, fish and noodles. Most of the menus are written solely in Thai, so point to the photo of the plate that looks good to you and relax at the your table.

Dining is done on the floor, on a mat. Your server will bring your meal to you. Remember to leave your shoes on the walk before entering the dining area.

Brian and I each enjoyed our selections.

Given that this is a market there are shops selling all sorts of products. Food stalls with ice cream, drinks and snacks are scattered throughout. There’s plenty to keep you entertained. Dancers, magic acts, martial arts, Thai boxing over water and more are scheduled throughout the day. They provide a nice break from browsing and bargaining.

There are also plenty of massage vendors at the market too. Walk around and compare prices, although most are around the same price. Granted these can’t compare to a true spa experience, but for a few baht, they provide 30 minutes of relaxation. For something truly unique, why not try a fish spa? We did.

Here’s how this works. The fish in the tank suck the dead skin off your feet. It’s supposed to be refreshing, but our opinions differ. Brian found it effective and enjoyed the 15 minutes. Ben on the other hand, got chills each time the fish started sucking his feet. It’s a tingling feeling that tickles a bit. What we can both agree on, was that this was fun regardless of whether or not it did anything. We laughed and smiled so hard that nearby onlookers had to get a photo with us. You may have noticed that in our video.

The market is quite large so to save yourself some walking you may want to take a boat ride from the front to the back, and walk your way to the main entrance. It may be a bit touristy with the hats, but it’s different.

Our biggest adventure at the market was bug eating.

Now before you get all squeamish on us. Let’s clarify a few things. Bugs are not the potato chips of Thailand. People don’t go around eating bugs all day. In fact, most of the Thai people we spoke to said they have never eaten bugs. So know that this is not a typical snack in Thailand. It’s usually found at markets like these and sometimes in the street stalls.

Secondly, bugs don’t taste bad. We know, you don’t believe us and you probably won’t even after reading this post. But if it helps any, we’d eat bugs again. They are cooked in hot oil and prepared with spices – so they have some flavor to them (but not like sour cream, nacho cheese or ranch!). And that’s what you taste, the spices. Depending on the bug, some, like the grasshopper, are crunchy. Others like the silkworm are like eating a pea; Hard on the outside, soft on the inside.

Our assignment as winners in this competition is to try/see/and do as much as we can in Thailand and that’s what this activity was all about. If we can do it, so can you. Adventures are all about pushing yourself and doing something extraordinary. Yum!

Have you ever eaten bugs or anything unique? Comment by sharing your experiences.

|Know Before You Go|

Appeals To: Everyone
Suggested Stay: Variable, depending on how much you want to do. 1 hour minimum. More if you eat, shop a lot and watch the shows. This is a great afternoon excursion.
Cost: Nothing to browse. Food is cheap. Practice your bartering skills in the shops to get the best price.
Getting There: The market is located 10 minutes from downtown off the main road, Sukhumvit. It gets crowded with tour busses and cars so parking may be tight. Many cars park on the street, like us.
Don’t Miss: There’s a lot to keep you busy here. Ask the greeters at the entrance what shows may be performing during your visit.
Visit Online: | web |
BTW: You’re in Thailand so spend your Baht and have some fun. Get a massage, feed the animals or try some bugs. Whatever you choose, do something different. Do something you wouldn’t do at home. We loved our trip to the market because we did stuff we’d never even think about at home. That’s what vacations are all about – and that’s what Pattaya has to offer!

Blogger: Benjamin & Brian

Blogger: Curtis & Mark

The Chiang Mai Night Safari is quickly becoming a huge tourist draw in Chiang Mai.  Where else in the world can you feed a baby white tiger (only 300 in the world) milk while it sits on your lap?  Or play with a baby hyena?  Or hold and feed a newborn baby puma?  We were able to do all these things and more at the Chiang Mai Night Safari!  The Night Safari officially opened on February 6, 2006 and has had over 2.5 million visitors since then.  We first watched the biggest Musical Fountain and Water Screen Show in SE Asia and then took the Predator Prowl route through the park at around 9:30 PM.  This area is primarily carnivorous animals and consists of about 27 species and over 200 animals, including lions, tigers, white tigers, bears and crocodiles.  It is a strange experience being so close to these large and dangerous animals at night, but you are perfectly safe thanks to a proven and tested safety system.  The safari-goers are seated in an open-air trolly, which really adds to the excitement of being right there with the animals.  After our hair-raising predator experience, we went through the Savannah Safari zone.  This exhibit is mostly animals from the African savannah habitat and includes 34 species and over 320 animals, such as spotted hyenas, white rhinos, cheetahs, giraffes and wildebeests.  This is the closest you will ever have the chance to be to so many exotic animals; certain ones, such as the zebras, come right up next to the trollies!  After these two splendid tours, we had the great pleasure of meeting the CEO of the Chiang Mai Night Safari, Mr. Narong Tananuwat.  He was more than happy to provide us answers for our many questions about the variety of species and the safety of visitors to the park.  Mr. Tananuwat informed us that we were visiting the largest Night Safari in the world, at over 234 acres, and revealed that they are in the midst of expanding the park.  The Night Safari’s mission is to provide a one-of-a-kind experience while educating park-goers about all species of animals.  It is beautifully designed and large-scale in every aspect, yet you are able to find yourself and be at peace with nature.  AubParkThailand strongly recommends you devote a night to visiting the Chiang Mai Night Safari to get a unique view of some exotic and wonderful creatures.

Blogger: Aubrey & Parker

Mini Siam recreates notable landmarks from around the world in painstaking detail. Set against the backdrop of manicured lawns and gardens, the kids will have fun getting up close with famous sites previously seen only in textbooks and on television. Here’s a YouTube video with our antics at this tiny attraction.

We also used this opportunity at Mini Siam to flex our photography muscles with some silly photos. Take a look.

|Know Before You Go|

Appeals To: Families with children, the budding photographer who wants some zany landscapes, fans of kitsch.
Suggested Stay: 1 hour
Cost: 300 Baht ($10)
Getting There: Directly off the main road, Sukhumvit. It’s near a McDonald’s so you can grab some food for the kids before/after visiting.
Don’t Miss: Taking silly photos for your scrapbook.
Visit Online: | web |
BTW: Mini Siam is open until 10:00 P.M., making it one of the few attractions open late at night.

Pattaya: Blogger: Benjamin & Brian

We have a car a bit bigger than other contestants, but nearly no place left for Chai, our liaison guy!

We arrive in the Sukko Spa resort, it is like being in jungle, we have the best comfort ever! Even a private massage place in our room! Photos here

We prepare to make our firsts tasks, and have a lunch in a typicall Thai restaurant. The waiters are laughing, because farangs (foreigners) probably never come in this small restaurant. The food is delicious, fast, and super cheap (we ate more than enough for 40 bahts, less than a euro per personn)!

We arrive in the Phuket Aquarium, and we discover local faune and flora. Also, worldwide fishes, corals shows their beautys! But, to tell the truth, we had the chance to see many of them in real scuba diving opened water recently, and, of course it is not the same taste. Photos here

Our programm brings us to the Phuket Zoo; we spend a few hours, to talk with our friends there. We saw some crocodile shows, with some Indiana Jones Thai style, we saw elephants dancing, even painting, and bicycling… Photos here

Well, to tell the truth, we do not appreciate really zoos, this is a very personnal point of view, but as we are open air people, we do not really like seeing animals in cages. We saw beautifull birds, but they cannot fly…. Pity…

Most of people really enjoyed the shows, so, it is for sure a good attraction for you if you wish it!

Before to explore a bit more the city of Phuket (scheduled for tomorow), we take a bit of altitude (still on the ground) and reach the Khao Rang view point (a nice hill just over Phuket, wonderfull view, and sunset) Do not miss it! It is full of ambiances!

We have a dinner at Baan Klang Jinda the evening, it is one of the most known restaurant in Phuket, and in Thailand! Food was amazing, fine, and tasty! The Chilian wine was also first choice! Emilia get a special vegetarian menu, while Mathieu have a great seafood plate. Photos here

What a day, we felt like we ran 24 hours. It is not finished, we have to report it to you! Emilia had a problem this evening: her charger of computer burned, means that we have now only one computer… Anybody has an idea to get a Toshiba charger in Phuket?

Tomorow, we hope the weather will be good, to show you Phuket city from the sky! We’ll probably do it in the evening, and visit the town during the day!

Have fun!

Blogger: Mathieu & Emilia

The legend behind Doi Suthep is that the site was chosen in 1371 by an elephant carrying a piece of holy relic that had split from the original at Wat Suan Dok in the city. The elephant took three days to climb the mountain then he circled the spot three times before it knelt down and died. The central gold-leaf chedi, now 16 meters tall covers the hole where the relic was buried. The original copper plated chedi is the most holy area of the temple grounds. There are beautiful pagodas, statues, bells and shrines within the site. The wat has both Hundu and Buddhist characteristics and symbols. There is a model of the Emerald Buddha and a statue of the Hindu God Ganesh. You can climb the mountain by foot up the naga stairway (309 steps) or use a cable car. There are beautiful views of Chiang Mai city once you get to the top too. Doi Suthep is our favorite temple in all of Thailand because of its uniqueness and amazing design.  It is close to the city, but far enough away that it feels like a nice little road trip.  Doi Suthep is located northwest of the city on Huay Kaew Road that merges into Route 1004.

Blogger: Aubrey & Parker

The national park has 4 waterfalls.  There weren’t many people when we got there, just some locals enjoying a dip in the pool. Some families are having a picnic beside the natural pool. The falls seemed to be drying up. We saw  aging photos of them posted on the wall  of an office near the entrance,   and it was obvious that water was more abundant then. It is said that the waterfalls flow best after a heavy rainfall. Maybe this was “low season.”  Nevertheless, it was a good hike up the trail, where we met some foreign friends.

Nitzan and Yonatan of Israel came here for a vacation. “Young people from Israel always come to Thailand before starting  work or  university. We wanted to see what it’s all about, so we’re here,” Nitzan said.

Blogger: Michael Paul & Jennifer

We take our time, to drive the little road following the coast, sometimes lost in the mangrove, sometimes having wonderfull viewpoints on the islands which make this corner so amazing! We visit a few fishermen villages, far from the big road. We advise you to do so, get lost a bit in this region, you’ll see beautifull landscapes.

There are a lot of piers, who welcomes tourists, to have a ride in long boat, and visit James Bond Island (one of the firsts attractions here, everybody wants a snap on the location of the film). We would love to do it, but we begin to search for a take off area. Not easy, mangrove everywhere, and the ports are a bit small… We finally find a good place, to have a nice aerial idea of the Phang Gna bay. We couldnt go too far in the see (no rescue boats booked, so we played safety! )

We land just in the football field we took off an hour ago, during a football training, Thai people stops for a while, and all children comes to see our funny equipment closer.

The night is already here….

Our goal is to reach Ao Nang beach, in the corner of Krabi! On the road again!

We drive from Pattaya to Phuket, and we think we can arrive in the evening; big mistake, it is longer than expected, and Mathieu is too tired to continue, we stop at around 3 in the morning, and sleep in the car. Pattaya to Bangkok to Phuket, around 12/14 hours, we strongly advise you to take the bus, they are very comfortable, cheap, and you travell by night, so you can rest.

We finally arrive in Phuket Island, and we go straight to one of the most famous beaches; Patong.

We find a very nice resort, owned by Claude de Crissey, an ex hang gliding instructor, who welcomes us. The Royal Phawadee Village is a perfect location to settle a bit in Patong beach. It is friendly, very nice looking, and you can really have a good rest. Budget is more than acceptable for people who wants to have the best comfort.

No time to loose, our main goal, for now in Phuket, is to learn scuba diving! To visit the island better, we’ll come back later, during the contest. Just arrived, and we book a 3 days full lessons of scuba diving at Sea World diving center. René Christoffersen, our instructor begins our courses, by a lot of theory, and by practical courses in a special framed pool for divers. We use the Padi system, which looks like the most known by far for recreationnal diving. Did you know that sound goes 4 times faster underwater than in the air? Emilia, not afraid, adapts very quickly to all exercises; while i really have to make efforts… To tell the truth, i’ve always been scared by water, and have no idea about how i will react in this new universe… But it looks like i do not so bad

Day after, first dive in open water! very exciting! Our diving area is Racha Yai island, south of Phuket Island. We take a boat, full of advanced divers, and have a 1 hour ride to reach the location. We start from the pier of Chalong (south east of Phuket, certainly the biggest pier for your activities, scuba diving, snorkeling, island hopping)

We pass close to beautifull islands, we fell in paradise. The boat stops in a small nice creek, and René invites us to wear equipment after a last briefing. We jump in the Adaman sea, it is sooooo warm! about 30 degrees! We begin the descent, and reach about 12 meters. And then appears to us, luckiest personns in the world at this precise moment, a new universe. How could we tell you? There are no words! Colourfull, silent, and full of different noises in the same time, it is just like a royal garden! We can see lots of corals, of different sizes, shapes, and colours. Some of them are green, some are red.

We see many different kinds of fishes, but we cannot recognize them, we are students! There are so many things to see, that we dont know where we have to turn the head! We can see Murrays, a bit scarry at the beginning, we see a baby ray, a stone fish, a scorpion fish, and so many others! Hundreds or thousands in fact! We also see Nemo, we didnt realised the film was done here…

After 45 minutes of this first dive, we reach surface, and have a break for the second dive. A bit more relaxed, we enjoy a lot this one too!

Time to come back to Patong, but we will not party tonight, we are too exhausted, and another dive awaits us the day after.

During the next day, we come back to Racha Yai Island, and explore underwater the other side of the island. Here also, it is totally unreal, and we begin to feel better skills, and to manage security better. Thanks to René, for his good teaching and his awsome pictures, and to Sea World for the logistic.

Despite the windy and turbulent conditions of theese days, we decide to try to fly the morning after; the take off will be close to Phuket city (east of the island), and we naturally book an Hotel here. We’ll wake up early the day after, we want to take off at the sunrise, to have the biggest margins to the wind, and to the turbulence.

Blogger: Mathieu & Emilia