Australian life @ Cairns

Yeeeehaaa, so I made it to Australia, flying from Bangkok to Sydney then Cairns in a 17h trip. Quite smooth except that I have been sick most of the trip, probably with something eaten in Bangkok streets just before leaving... not the best experience, but ok, that's part of traveling so fine ;-)

View from the plane of Australia North-East coast

I have chosen to stay in Cairns few days, then do the great Barrier Reef then Sydney for a week. Originally, I wanted to do all the East coast then the Red Center, but this would have been too tiring, and not the best to really enjoy the places I see.

Arriving in Cairns Friday May 24th afternoon, I meet some people in the evening, and we plan a waterfall trip on Saturday. Great to start discovering the North-East Australia area, which is much greener than expected! There are big forests and a broken coast reaching the sea, nice views from the plane then trekking to the waterfall.

Jaap & Allan at the waterfall

Waterfall view

Trying my camera settings on the water flow... 

Cairns partying :-)

In the evening, Jaap and I meet Allan's japanese friends for a fun party in the lively Cairns town, full of backpackers and youngsters :-).
After a great barbecue at Allan's place, we move the Cairns classics of PJ's and Woolshed... a long night!

Yorkey knob kitesurfing beach

On Sunday, tough wake-up at 9am but this is to go kitesurfing on the North beaches, as a good 25 knot wind was planned. The beach is quite nice, with a kind of white sand and a quite shallow bay where we can kite on a flat water. Despite the wind wasn't as strong as forecasted, this was still a great day in the sun & sea, enjoying Australia. Another nice Dutch guy met after the session, who's sharing beers and driving me back to town, fantastic.




On Monday (May 27th), I take easy, rent a bike and go touring Cairns city. Not so much to see, but enjoyable to ride around, see the city organization, various shops & building, waterfront and lagoon, as well as the small Botanic garden.

Cairns esplanade pool

Cairns lagoon view... city in the background
Also, potential risk of crocodiles, wow!!

Tuesday (May 28th), I join a day-tour to the Daintree rainforest & Cape Tribulation. Daintree is a tropical rainforest, reaching the edge of the sea, and is the oldest forest in the world, with very ancient and diverse species of plants, insects & animals.
I was not especially thrilled to go there... but found it very interesting, as this is clearly something we do not have in Europe! Great feeling to walk into this rainforest, with amazing plants & trees. Pictures do not really show how it was, but still posting few ;)
Also, had a brief but interesting contact with the  local Aboriginals Australians, talking a bit about their habits & culture, and of course showing the Didjeridoo!

A crocodile on the shore

Mangrove view

Daintree river delta and coast

Didjeridoo time

Colorful & lively Bangkok

Spending few days in Bangkok has been like entering an aquarium: from the quiet & relax island life, I was suddenly immersed (again) into a big city life, with thousands of persons walking around, selling all kind of stuff, crying, shouting, begging money, horning from their car, taxi or tuk-tuks... in a word: messy. But in 2 other words: colorful & lively, which are those I will remember :-)

After an afternoon of travel from Ko Phangan, I reach my Bangkok hotel around 8pm, then quickly move to join Emma and some acquaintances to Khao San road, and later to see an infamous "ping-pong" show... Well, I knew i wouldn't like it, and I can confirm. More than the shows themselves which could be fun (I said "could"! ;), I hate the context and system it contributes / supports: mafia, sexual traffic, woman abuse, etc... Well, it was very touristy though, and some performances are impressive, but still, this will happen only once!

The day after, first views of the city come from a boat-bus ride on the Chao Phraya river which crosses Bangkok North to South. Perfect glimpses of the various aspects: skyscrapers, temples, food shacks and ruined buildings.

Wat Arun

Local meat balls of whatever... I ate them, not too bad ;)

The 1st real temple seen is Wat Intharawihan, a bit unknown, but it has its own charm. And a tall buddha! ;-)

Wat Intharawihan buddha

Monk praying

After this, I reach the more touristy Marble temple, which is indeed nicer. Located in a quiet and nicely done garden, it feels a bit isolated from the city mess and provide calm... enjoyable in the 45°C heat! I appreciate to see the temple is really used by monks - a buddhist school looks to be on-site-, and to see them doing their prayers / meditations. Interesting to see this different religion practices.  

Marble temple

Monks praying at Marble tempe

3rd temple... yes, busy day! The famous Wat Pho, where the reclining buddha stands. Very colorful buildings, columns, sculptures, temples buildings, roofs... despite the end of the day light and clouds, it was still very nice to see.

The white, lucky belly, buddha

A view within Wat Pho temple

A view within Wat Pho temple 

THE reclining -& huge- buddha

 The 2nd full day is dedicated to a 20km bike-tour of Bangkok... I find it is always great to discover cities like this, you see so much quickly, but still in a close-way, I love it. We are just 5 to follow a local-guide, this is perfect (except the 45°C...).


Quite easy to take pics while biking... so I did many. Cannot comment all and tell all the various areas crossed, but it was really good to ride through streets you would never ever enter if you are just a tourist, and see how Thais are living, working and socializing. Just seeing quickly of course, but better than not.

During the tour, we take some good time to visit the other famous temple of Wat Arun, with its high center "prang" / spire. Decorations on it and all others prongs or buildings around are very nice and well-done. 

Me at the top of Wat Arun, with Grand Palace behind

a Wat Arun sculture

Luck luck luck!?

 The crazy footbag soccer play which happens all around Thailand... could catch quite an impressive game while crossing the city, impressive to see them play and do acrobatic freestyle jumps to shot this tiny ball!

A footbag game... better be agile!

Overal, I liked Bangkok. It is a true city, with a real soul, a deep culture and habits, with a lot of interesting things to see. It is messy and dirty in some way, but not so bad at the end of the day, you quickly get used to it. Living there would be probably fun for few months then difficult, but I would be happy to come back.

yeah ;)

Ko Phangan beach & partying

So, after 2 days of intense diving, time to relax :-)
I set-up in a nicer hotel, on the Haad Rin beach, where the Full Moon Parties are happening, and where most of the nightlife is during low-season.

Surprisingly, the beach is really nice! At least before the FMP, from what the locals say.

Taxi &/or fishing boats on Haad Rin beach

The hotel is also really good, directly on the beach with a large pool and nice chalets, it does provide a good improvement from the previous backpackers hostel or the impersonal & cold Dubai hotel :-). Stay there if you come here! (it's Palita lodge, not even expensive)

Most of all, staying 4 nights (four nights!!!) in the same room & bed is the biggest luxury I could dream of!



So, while enjoying the white-sand beach and green bay around, we rent a scooter with Emma & friends to tour the island. While the Chinese temple in the middle wasn't as nice & big as expected, it still provided good photo shots... and an unexpected "15mn meditation" under the guidance of a Russian buddhist-monk living there... interesting! Got a red & white wrist bracelet to "attract luck", not sure it works, but so far I keep it. It just turned pink & white, but ok, fine.

Part of the Chinese temple

Meditation time!
(the unseen part: it is probably 45°C in that room...)

Another day, I also try jet-ski... I (and surprisingly you would tell me) had never tried it! Not a big fan of motorized sports in general, but ok, it was fun for 30mn ;)

Haad Rin beach at night

Haad Rin beach at night... pretty quiet at this time of the month, it is crazy to imagine there are 30,000 night-clubbers on this small pan of sand during the FMP!!

We still have good fun & party at Cactus and around, everything is easy here.

The French & Dutch party crew ;)

Cactus bar... infamous?

A random foam party!

No FMP during the dates I am staying, but still can do a 1/2 moon party, which takes place in the jungle. Quite good, really, the area is nicely prepared and even if there is "only" 4-5 thousands persons, the party is definitely fun, with great, non-commercial house music.

A very colored party :-)

Leaving the island on Monday was a bit sad... I could have stayed a bit longer, i was really feeling well here! But ok, I guess Bangkok deserves few days, so let's keep moving :)

Sunset from sunset beach