Our trip from the start
-
Day 1 – starting our vacation
We arrived in Bangkok Thailand on Friday March 1st, 2024 around 12 noon, after an exhausting 10 hour flight. For our first night of vacation we decided to treat ourselves to the fancy Grand EastIn Hotel Phayathai in Bangkok. Although the hotel is fancy, we were disappointed that the windows do not open so there…
-
Day 2 – a day in Bangkok
Visited markets today, a floating market, with authentic Thai music. Meet a friendly young Spanish tourist traveling with her mom, we shared a taxi ride to Sky-train. A night market and did a bit more discovery of Bangkok. Trying out the different transportation options, sky-train, subways and all sorts of taxis. In one taxi which…
-
Day 3 – flying south
We discovered delicious almond and macadamia milk in a grocery store fridge, tasted jack fruit and magosteen for the first time. Left Bangkok at 16:00 and took a plane to Koh Samui. The engine made strange sounds before takeoff, which was quite concerning, the airline attendant said “Don’t worry we hear this noise all the…
-
Day 4 – Koh Samui
Exploring Koh Samui IslandOur first stop was Vikasa Life Cafe, a cafe in a yoga retreat, did not go to a yoga class but enjoyed the view and delicious vegetable and fruit juices, an a coconut of course. We then went back to Moonhut Bungalow Hotel to return the keys. The young taxi driver who…
-
Day 5 – cooking class
Started our day at Island Organics, with an organic herb garden tour and a Thai Food cooking Class. It was very interesting to hear about the different herbs, learn about aquaponics. From Koh Samui we headed off to Koh Pangan via a Thailand Style ferry boat. Arriving to what we hoped was a nice place…
-
Day 6 – relaxing in the south of Thailand
Sleeping in(Alon of course, I wake up early) relaxing….I let Alon sleep as I strolled along the beach, drank a fruit juice, wrote in this blog and just chilled. I had a long conversation with the owner, the Rung Arun Resort was once quite a luxurious family run resort. She, her husband and sister had…
-
Day 7 – yoga – relax – eat
Tried a Yoga class at AnandA in Koh Pangan, enjoyed it was relaxing, I really do need to take up yoga. Discovered awesome places to eat, explored some shops and of course relaxed.
-
Day 8 – organized tour
Snorkling, kayak, hiking adventure in the Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park. Took a tourist boat tour to the Mo Ko Ang Thong park. While hiking saw monkeys. They were staring at me from there perch just asking to be photographed. Snorkeling was fun, not as colorful as in Eilat or Sinai, but refreshing…
-
Day 9 – traveling inland
We took the ferry from KohPangan to Surat Thani. Then a bus to a jungle resort. The resort is a bit rustic but it is in a beautiful peaceful area. If we ever come again this way, it would be wise to rent a car, because it is a very secluded area. One interesting thing…
-
Day 10 – Kaoh Soc National Park
Woke up to the songs of many birds, and flowing water.This jungle resort has a magical atmosphere, the smell, the sounds, being surrounded in greenery. When we arrived yesterday we asked the only restaurant nearby for fruit platters, were disappointed that they have none. I mentioned this to our resort manager and she communicated not…
-
Day 11 – traveling to the north of Thailand
Good-bye southern Thailand, hello to the north. We reached our hotel and found elephants in our room. Rope animals, saw them everywhere. A temple across from our hotel, one of many scattered around Chang Mai. Strolled around the streets of Chang Mai till almost midnight in huge night markets that are open late. Tasted fresh…
-
Day 12 – discovering northern Thailand
Our room was beautiful so was the hotel, it was in a terrific area, the staff were so nice, BUT it was musty. There were no windows in bathroom and the door was a sliding one, twords the pool, there was something in the air which itched our nose, and eyes so we decided to…
-
Day 13 – Chang Mai
We had a taxi wait for us at 9:00 am , he took us to Boonsum Spirulina Farm. Where we meet Jiamjit Boonsom the founder, an 83 year old researcher that spent the last 40 years researching spirulina. Jiamjit was kind enough to introduce us to an organic farmer who took us to an organic…
-
Day 14 – Chang Mai
Another day of just roaming around Chang Mai. There are huge modern shopping malls along side street markets, you see wealth and poverty intertwined just meters apart. Abundance of fruits and vegetables on every corner. The old city is surrounded by a moat and wall, not all the wall is still standing, but you see…
-
Day 15 – Chang Mai
Start the day with a green drink and Breakfast. Walking around we found a museum with a display of ancient textiles. Up the mountain to the Doi Suthep Temple. After visiting the temple we went to a beautiful waterfall, they closed at 16:30 , and we arrived just after 16:00 so there where almost no…
-
Day 16 – Chang Rai
We arrived in Chang Mai at the end of tourist season, the air is smoggy, the flower festivals are all over.So not many tourists. Arrived at hotel, first thing I did was take a dip in pool after long bus ride from ChangMai to ChangRai. Then off to Saturday Night Market – Walk Street they…
-
Day 17 – Chang Rai
Sunday, so many things were closed. We wanted to go visit hot pools and an organic farm but it is all closed on Sunday, so we went to the White temple instead. They Have a man made “Cave of wonders” near the white temple very impressive. Also visited an art Around us were mainly local…
-
Day 18 – Chang Rai
In general we arrived in Chang Rai at the wrong time of year, what was supposed to be a very scenic north is very hazy and smoky because of all the burning of rice and corn fields in Burma. That didn’t stop us from having fun. 🙂 Pongphabat Hot Springs near Chang Rai Free public…
-
Day 19 – Chang Mai
Back to Chang Mai, we were going to take a bus, even bought tickets the night before for 13:30. But we woke up early and wanted to leave Chang Rai earlier, we prefer the food in Chang Mai. More vegetarian options without MSG. So we hopped on a taxi. On our way we asked the…
-
Day 20 – Chang Mai
Taking it easy today, getting organized, doing laundry, moving to a fancy hotel. We decided the last 2 nights in the north we will book a kind of fancy hotel.The prices here for hotel run between 1000 Baht (about 100 shekels or 28$) for the simple ones to 5000 Bat and up for fancy ones.…
-
Day 21 – visit to an elephant sanctuary
I went to an Elephant sanctuary camp, while Alon wanted to explore Chang Mai’s old city. It was interesting and fun to interact with the elephants. Feed them and splash water on them in the river. First thing they asked us all to change cloths and wear a blue shirt they provided. Elephants are very…
-
Day 22 – Chang Mai
For the last time, ate at some of our favorite restaurants, went to see a museum– learned a bit about the history of Chang Mai. Then off to the train station for an adventurous train ride to Bangkok in a first class sleeping booth. Sounds like fun? well no it could have been an interesting…
-
Day 23 – Saturday in Bangkok
Arrived really early to Bangkok, we could only check in at 14:00 so we left our luggage at the hotel and got a day pass to BTS Sky-train and roamed the streets of Bangkok all morning. Went to our favorite restaurant Rasayana Raw Food Cafe . Then relaxed and unwound in our booked hotel (Boulevard…
-
Day 24 – Bangkok
Sunday went to Royal Palace, water taxi, took long walk around the city, we ate spicy Flower market in Bangkok near China town. Flowers for good luck.
-
Day 25 – Bangkok
We wanted to go see a u-pick grape farm, found a taxi driver who said he would take us. He mentioned he could take us to the floating market that was on the way and we should see it, we agreed. He actually worked for the boat tour of the floating market, and wanted us…
-
Day 26 – Bangkok to Tokyo
Ate a Fancy buffet breakfast at the EastIn we took the sky train to airport and said fair well to Thailand. After a long 5 hour flight no frills Air Asia flight, (no movie, no free meals, no frills)- we arrived tired in Tokyo.
-
Day 27 – Tokyo
Woke up to a nice sunny day in Tokyo Simple things like walking down aisles in supermarkets and just walking around in the streets was an interesting experience. We tasted nato, fermented soy beans. I could not eat more than half a bite.
-
Day 28 – all aboard
Boarding the Queen Elizabeth Food, music and entertainment non stop, from the moment we were onboard.
-
Day 29 – a day at sea
Food all the time food- nonstop, lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, so we are not complaining, BUT lots of other things as well that I shouldn’t be eating…. but I am LOL. Probably will gain a few kilos before this cruise is over.Cruise – 2- Day at Sea -Cruise – 2- Day at Sea…
-
Day 30 – on shore visiting Akita
First thing we looked for were hot springs. We were delighted to find out than less than 10 min walk from where the ship’s shuttle bus left us was a local public bath house. Sign in entrance (a bit small in photo) – no entrance if you are drunk, no entering with tattoos, no dogs.…
-
Day 31 – visiting Kanazawa
At the ship’s port in Kanazawa, there was a warm welcoming group including women who had won pageants in previous years, dressed in traditional Japanese kimonos. The train station where the ship’s shuttle bus dropped us off was very impressive, one of the most beautiful stations in Japan. Walking around the city to explore. We…
-
Day 32 – another day at sea
Lots of relaxing, doing laundry, sleeping in, eating and eating. Meet lots of interesting people on the cruise.
-
Day 33 – Busan South Korea
Inside the biggest shopping mall in Busan there is a 3 floor spa called SpaLand . First thing take off your shoes and get cotton shirt and shorts. There are changing rooms for men and women, the changing rooms lead to men and women seperate baths with mineral water pools.The area with the steam rooms…
-
Day 34 – Happy Birthday to Me
Day at sea.Started off with Champagne at midnight, to celebrate. Morning Zumba on the ship, the ChaCha class, then relaxing. What a wonderful 65th birthday 🙂
-
Day 35 – Nagasaki
Nagasaki, August 9th, 1945, world war II, atomic bomb. We felt the city was still a bit depressed, compared to other cities in Japan, or was it just us… with the thought of what had happened here. We went to the Peace Park and to the Atomic bomb museum. climbing starts to the Peace Park.…
-
Day 36 – at sea
A day of relaxation, slept in, went to the zumba class, afternoon siesta, just enjoyed being….relaxation…Something we rarely allow ourselves at home.
-
Day 37 – Shimizu
Shared taxi cab with German couple, went to Nihondaira Yume Terrace, where you can see mount Fugi. Took Nihondaira Ropeway, then climbed many stars to reach the Kunozan Toshogu Shrine. Drank Macha tea prepared in the traditional fashion Strolled around the city, was filmed by Japan TV while buying tea, found a great seaweed store.…
-
Day 38 – End of Cruise
Ship arrived in Tokyo in the morning, we had our last delicious meal on the Queen Elizabeth, then said good-bye to wonderful cruise. Went to pickup our JRail pass and leave extra luggage at a hotel in Tokyo will be staying in latter on. Then hopped on the bullet train to Kyoto. Lots of Manga,…
-
Day 39 – Kyoto
When to see the Kyoto Botanical Gardens, so many flowers in bloom, so beautiful. Cherry tree blossoms every where, again today we see that everyone is busy taking pictures of the cherry blossoms. Took a stroll along the Kamo River. Discovered the streets of old Kyoto, temples and shrines in every corner.
-
Day 40 – Kyoto
Slept in late, we are on vacation, so we are in no rush, then we walked around Kyoto, in the afternoon we went to Fushimi Inari Temple Stairs, many stairs to get to the top. The whole way has tori gates. All along the trail foxes stair at you and growl. Beautiful view of Kyoto…