Étiquette : 1693

A market like no other in the world

If there is one market to see besides the floating markets of Thailand, it is this one. The unusual Mae Klong market is a little adventure. This is called the “folding umbrella” market. A daily train in the timetables are known to the merchants, passes right in the middle of the voice and brings down the « awnings » and the traders’ stands. This is why this nickname is more than justified. To get there, you have to take the train from Bangkok. The market is not far from that of Amphawa (see the video on Amphawa) and you would do well to stop there after the floating market. The unusual Mae Klong market is located in the southwest of Bangkok.

Mae klong an unusual market in Thailand

Many travelers do not know about this unusual Mae Klong market, but it is becoming a little more popular because of the videos we see on YouTube. I invite you to look at mine to understand how such a market has existed for over 30 years. In our country, it would be impossible to make such a deal even for a day. However, I like this adage from a philosophical book taken up by a video game and a film: “Nothing is true, everything is permitted”. Fans may have recognized it. In our country, we are not trusted, as if we were all irresponsible and cheats. The authorities would have taken the matter to court a long time ago to fine us if we were like its traders. This way of not trusting us in France is one of the reasons that makes me say that I feel better elsewhere.

And to get started, equip yourself with a recent paper guide, do like me and use one of these guides:

[amazon_link asins=’2816154645,2816162850,2013237049,2011612586′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’francejetequi-21′ marketplace=’FR’ link_id=’6b527557-58f4-11e7-929a-a7ff73b56c4e’]

Leaving ko phangan was very easy and in this video I retrace my steps. Determined to return to the Thai culture which appeals to me so much, I follow suit accompanied by a young woman. Emy was my ex-partner who helped me with many things. But like a majority of Thais, they dream of a European for the wrong reasons. This is also why I ended our relationship if you are wondering why, you curious little ones…  To return to my visits, I must tell you that everything goes through Bangkok station when you want to move inland. If you come back to Bangkok often, this is normal.

Ayutthaya, the beginning of Thai culture

This magnificent city from another time is a real starting point for the curious. From Bangkok station, take the train to Ban-takhli, but you have to get off at Aytthaya without change after about an hour. Temples and temples everywhere. I think I have never seen so many temples in my life at this precise moment. You need to equip yourself with a bike, a map, and why not a French-speaking guide if you want to understand. It was around the year 1000 that Thai civilization began its creation with the Kmers, Chinese and other peoples. Today Ayutthaya is his heritage and I invite you to read the dedicated article on the site.

Kind advice from me, please don’t ride on the backs of elephants when you visit Ayutthaya. It has an elephant center in the middle of the city and you participate in the abuse of these animals by riding on them. They are attached to chains which lacerate their legs.

Phra Pathommachedi Stupa: 120 meters high

What can you say about this visit to the largest temple in Thailand? It’s impressive and peaceful. You have to go to Nakhon Pathom to see it as indicated on the map with “maps”.  Departing from Bangkok station by bus, you will find the temple easily, because it can be seen from anywhere in the city. The Phra Pathommachedi Stupa is built 120 meters high, the 1st floor of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The special thing about this temple is that you cannot be inside. You can, however, admire the Buddha sculptures all around.

Visit Amphawa, the largest floating market in Thailand

Still departing from Bangkok station, you take the bus, which will take you to Amphawa.  Located on the “maps” southwest of Bangkok, you will have to be patient to arrive approximately 2 hours later. On site: eating, eating and orgy of food as far as the eye can see. If you like Thai gastronomy, this is one of the places to go to taste everything. I had the opportunity to eat grilled squid on a trader’s boat and it was delicious. I tasted lots of local products. Some have “ripped out” their tongues but what better way to please you than this market. Visiting Amphawa with your eyes closed is good, it’s typical, it’s authentic and fun! The video above will tell you more than my words to conclude. I can confirm, Thailand is an easy country to do alone without help.

And to get started, equip yourself with a recent paper guide, do like me and use one of these guides:

[amazon_link asins=’2816154645,2816162850,2013237049,2011612586′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’francejetequi-21′ marketplace=’FR’ link_id=’6b527557-58f4-11e7-929a-a7ff73b56c4e’]

I left Chiang Mai and did my basic tourist thing…

Yes, I am not particularly proud of this part of my trip. I really did my basic tourist thing by passing through Ko Phangan. This island is certainly one of the best-known party spots. It is also a very beautiful island in Thailand, which deserves to be visited with Ko Samui or Ko Tao for diving. So, I laugh at myself, but I also had the chance in the 3rd chapter to be helped by Emy, my ex-partner Thaie. I say this because I feel like I’m catching up a little on the cultural side. The full moon party takes place every full moon on the island and European tourists rush to come and party there. To return, to this departure from Chiang Mai, I had to be patient.

Six hours of travel even with the plane going south. For €30 you cross the country with Air Asia. I recommend that you use the Air Asia smartphone application because hotels often charge you for WiFi. Air Asia does not offer anything special on board the plane, you have a cold or hot drink, and a small cake to last the hour and a half of flight.

Airport and bus to visit ko phangan

Arrived there, you have the bus which will take over. In terms of comfort, the bus is a nice way to be able to admire the Thai landscapes at a slow pace. The bus I took was rather slow, but that didn’t matter, I was in no hurry to get there. During the journey, you can use the Agoda app to find your hotel or bungalow in Thailand. Agoda is the equivalent of booking.com but more local. All hotels that have accepted the partnership with the platform are listed. I found my bungalow this way while I was getting on my bus. Many German tourists were with me. I didn’t understand a word. However, there was one thing that came up often: “Full moon party”.

What can I do in Ko Phangan, besides the full moon party?

You have the “half moon”, “the jungle party”, “the black moon”, “waterfalls party”… I believe that all the little names displayed on the signs on the island tell you that it’s a real business. Debauchery, alcohol sales and “rock’n’roll baby”. It’s also for this side that I’m not particularly proud of having passed through here. But I was brief on this passage. I invite you to watch the video which will complete these few writings to finish. Please note that each evening costs 500 bath so my advice is to only do one evening. Your curiosity will be satisfied because all the other evenings are identical, humanly speaking. The only difference between all these evenings is the decoration. Thank you for your comments on this article.

See chapter III in video.

And to get started, equip yourself with a recent paper guide, do like me and use one of these guides:

[amazon_link asins=’2816154645,2816162850,2013237049,2011612586′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’francejetequi-21′ marketplace=’FR’ link_id=’6b527557-58f4-11e7-929a-a7ff73b56c4e’]

Little explanation on why Thailand?

That’s really me!

Going to Thailand and not knowing that the biggest festival in the country takes place between April 10 and 15 each year. I came right at the time of the Thai New Year. Every April, it’s the biggest water fight in the world. I mean, I know people who are unable to leave without having done their “little travel documents”. I was already reassured because many friends including my father spoke to me about Thailand. “Alex, you will see Thailand, it’s great, it’s the bomb, it’s worth doing, but get rid of France.” I think I’ve heard everything in terms of first approach to the country. Descriptions based on their emotions more than on the culture of the country. Some people travel close to home and others like me need to go really further. To feel in a bubble, I need to get away, experience exoticism and different cultures. I had already had approaches to Buddhism in books, and that was the additional trigger.

Visit Bangkok on Songkran day without knowing it in advance!

Arriving in Bangkok at the terminus of Phaya Thaï station by metro, I was already expected without knowing it too. I was about to get into a taxi when a scooter taxi offered me his services. I should have thought twice before getting on it without helmets. I was oblivious to this decision and thought “Yes Yes Land” in my head. It must have been the existing side that was acting on me like a drug. The drug makes you insensitive, impenetrable to risk, to pain. I think I can apologize for doing that myself. All that to say, take a taxi, don’t take a 2 or 3 wheeler to start an adventure without the risk of ending up in the morgue. The road, and the Thais, are dangerous.

A few minutes later, we arrive at a place that the driver had decided alone to drop me off. I just said, “Drop me off at a hotel on a nice street.”  I ended up at Kao san road. This legendary area of ​​Bangkok for backpackers or backpackers like me. Discovery of the neighborhood and the rest of my adventure can be found in the video in this article. I wish you a good time in this little documentary which is technically amateur (my apologies for the pros). However, my approach and my desire to do it was professional. Even though I didn’t have the right equipment to do it, it was at that moment that the idea of ​​creating my own media (francejetequitte.com) came to me. Having spent the rest of my professional life in radio and other media, I jumped on this idea. It is through practice that we find our inspiration and Thailand has given me a lot of happiness. I end by thanking my father for his help on site and many other things.

The rest of the adventure in chapter II.

And to get started, equip yourself with a recent paper guide, do like me and use one of these guides:

[amazon_link asins=’2816154645,2816162850,2013237049,2011612586′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’francejetequi-21′ marketplace=’FR’ link_id=’6b527557-58f4-11e7-929a-a7ff73b56c4e’]

Preparing for your trip is an art!

To start, the basics like passport and visa(s)

Preparing for your trip takes a little time. We are all facing the same ordeal, leaving is good but preparing a minimum is better. I grant you, it’s not the most relaxing part of preparing for that trip you’ve been dreaming of. The advantage is that by doing it well, you will save a lot of time for the rest of the trip, and experience the adventure more comfortably. So, let’s get started with the adventure artists, and let’s start by checking that your passport is valid for 3 to 6 months after the planned return date. Also remember that the biometric passport requires a minimum of 4 weeks at the town hall. The annexed town halls of your city will receive you without an appointment for this.

Never without my visa!

Personally, since I haven’t lived in the capital for several years, I use an agency for my visa. I use “action-Visa” which is a serious agency that I recommend. You have to send your passport by mail, but don’t be afraid, it will come back to you quickly. Allow one week to fifteen days more if you want to have the precious ticket to return to the country of your choice. Some countries offer an “on arrival” visa, but beware, they are sometimes only issued at major airports.

An international driving license is useful if you want to drive in free mode

Preparing for your trip outside the European Union means having this driving license which will accompany the French license. It is a master key which is recognized by the authorities of the country you are going to visit. Sometimes a police officer may not know the document, and that happened to me, but don’t worry, there is always a more knowledgeable police officer around. To obtain the document, it’s simple, go to the prefecture, but first follow the procedure described here. In a case like this, I recommend that you take an afternoon off from your employer to carry out the operation.

Health is sacred, preserving it is “vital”!

Go see your general practitioner or go directly with your health record to the international travelers center. This specific service exists in every major city in France and you can consult the doctor and get vaccinations at the same time. I invite you to read the article on this subject here.

Here, I am not talking about European countries but the rest of the world, however equip yourself with the EHIC vital card. The European insurance health card is useful if, for example, to go or return you make a stopover in the euro zone.  The easiest way is to create your AMELIE account to request it. I even have the application on my smartphone to request it. Take a look at this Social Security page. I recommend that you take prescriptions with you too, to prove that the medications you are carrying are useful to you. Sometimes the language barrier can lead to unexpected situations and official documents are reassuring.

Prepare your trip by creating duplicates of your documents!

No, you are not going to become a forger, just a photocopy. Don’t forget anything: your passport, your identification card, your international driving license, or your return plane ticket. Personally, to avoid unpleasant surprises, I scan and photocopy. I have the photocopies in my bag, and if I get stolen, I can retrieve the photos of the papers from my i-cloud and print them on the spot. If you no longer have a phone, a PC will be enough to upload documents to a cloud like Apple does with iPhones.