SABADEEKA THAILAND KO SAMUI

KO SAMUI

Ko Samui is a pearl of the Gulf of Thailand. Only 50 years ago it had no roads and main transport by boat was taking days from one side of the island to the other. Many locals walked and that mode of transport also took days.

Now one of the most beautiful islands in Thailand, Ko Samui has a network of roads busy with bikes, many of which carry visitors from one bay to another.

A popular with visitors, Chawang Beach is the place of many shops, markets, restaurants, bars, discos and main events of entertainment, like Thai Boxing.

Quieter Lamai Beach has proximity to a multitude of  Buddhist Temples and northern Bay, Bo Phut to huge statues of Big Buddha, Goddesses and more temples. 

Nearby islandd of Ko Phangan is the original place where the famous Full Moon Party started and still is a reason for many visitors to visit this area. Another reason is the beaty of underwater world, Ang Thong Marine National Park and nearby Ko Tao.

Ko Samui has become one of the most popular islands in Thailand, it has so much to offer to visitors, sunny sandy beaches, turquoise waters and scenic interior of rainforest and waterfalls.

It is also offers delicious Thai cuisine, entertainment and fun. Enjoy Ko Samui, surrounding islands and wonderful Thai people. 

KO LIPE BUTANG ISLANDS THAILAND

KO LIPE

BUTANG ISLANDS

THAILAND

Butang Archipelago is a conglomerate of scenic islands in the southern part of Thailand. They are part of Ko Tarutao Marine Park and away from Ko Tarutao the same distance as Langkawi Island, Malaysia. While Langkawi is close to Malaysian Peninsula and is surrounded by emerald waters of the Andaman Sea the waters within Butang Archipelago are crystal clear.

Ko Lipe is a relatively small island comparing to Ko Adang, Ko Rawi, Ko Butang and many small but panoramic islands. Both on-land and under water beauty of reefs and islands is unique. However, Ko Lipe is inhabited and offers fabulous restaurants & shops while the other islands of the archipelago are secluded.

The coral reef and fish are the main magnet bringing visitors from afar to experience the beauty of the underwater paradise. The sea is all shades of blue, from aquamarine, azure and turquoise to deep, navy blue. The colors of nature, variety of bougainvillea and flora on the island the ever present and romantic palms create a picture one would never forget.

 

The Andaman Sea surrounding the Butang Archipelago is warm and inviting, swimming and snorkeling are pleasure. Local boats cruise through the waters of Ko Lipe among many little island around the island.

Thai people are friendly and smiling. Ko Lipe and its islands is a truly fabulous destination. 

MINGALABA MYANMAR FACES OF BURMA

MINGALABA MYANMAR

FACES OF BURMA

'Mingalaba' means good morning or hello. Disregarding how mispronounced the word is by visitors it always puts a huge smile on the faces of the people of Myanmar. It is not enough to call Burmese people friendly. They are kind, warmhearted and smiling in spite of the poverty and hardship surrounding them.

Burmese people exert happiness and welcome visitors. Their smiling faces are painted with thanakha, a paste that acts as sunscreen. It is also the cheapest in the world beauty product and natural moisturizer.

So “when in Rome” as the saying goes ….. it is a must to try thanakha and see the results of its application. Not many visitors actually try the product. However, all local ladies wear it quite naturally. Thanakha face is definitely one of the faces of Burma. In fact it is the most popular and ever present face.

Burmese people often wear the tribal wear. Shan State has a strong identity and the head dress is quite elaborate.

 

While the ever present monks use the simple dress code. The people of Myanmar are generous. Monks always fill up their bowls with donations and food disregarding how poor the givers are. Tasty mohinga soup is a favorite breakfast fare.

The nation so diverse, a conglomerate of different states and tribes live in harmony many could envy. A Burmese friend is a friend forever.

YANGON, MYANMAR The Land of Gold Yangon and its Golden Payas

Yangon and its Golden Payas

Arriving in Myanmar at daytime one must wear sunglasses. Starting with Yangon, the city of gold, one gets blinded by Pagodas, Temples & Palaces glistening in the sun. The Golden Buddha is towering over the city.

The multitude of Golden Pagodas is overwhelming. The local people never stop smiling. Their genuine smiles can be as blinding as the gold of architecture. Myanmar is opening its door to tourism and the locals are most welcoming.

The Shwedagon Paya dates to 600 BC and is a monumental part of Yangon elevated on Sanguttara Hill. It has a diamond orb and numerous images of Buddhas. It is surrounded by a number of smaller payas and occupies 46 hectares of the hill. Shwedagon is a tourist destination, viewed from sunrise to sunset by visitors. The spiritual feel of the pagoda is missing among the stalls selling souvenirs.

However, there is another Pagoda in Yangon. Its location is right on the Ayeyarwaddy River and the riverfront gives it a more serene atmosphere. It is Botataung Paya. It lights up slowly with a sunrise on the river. A walk through the gold-leaf-coated stupa holds one is awe at the grandeur of the place. It also has a spiritual feel with locals preying and offering gifts of flower and fruit to Buddha.

Lake Kandawgyyi, Royal Lake, is the host to the Royal Palace reflecting golden swans in its waters.

 It is safe to say that gold is a national color of Myanmar. There are very few places in the world that can offer golden sights as dense as those spread around Yangon.

BAGAN, MYANMAR, The Plain of Pagodas & Temples

BAGAN
MYANMAR
The Plain of Pagodas & Temples

Let’s go back a few centuries. One does it anyway traveling through Myanmar. But Bagan is special and dates all the way back to the 11th century. King Anawratha has converted to Bhuddism and decided to build temples to prove his commitment. In fact, trying to please Bhudda, he started a race to build as many temples as possible. His successors continued the race and building of more temples and pagodas.

Thus Bagan was proud of some 5000 temples until earthquakes started destroying some. The biggest distraction happened in 1975 earthquake, which destroyed almost half of the temples. 

 

Still Bagan is proud of some 3000 temples, many in the stage of reconstruction. It is a paradise for archeologists and lovers of architecture and history. However, there is another face of Bagan.  A fabulous place to meet friendly locals. People of Myanmar are gentle and kind; the advantage of meeting them in Bagan is that most speak some English, due to the popularity of Bagan and considerable numbers of visitors.

Bagan  Morning Market is a great meeting spot. A patient dog waiting for some bits, locals looking for a bargain or strolling. Another great place to meet locals is Lawkananda Pagoda site with a nearby lake. It is fun to join kids in feeding fish. 

The pagoda is built on the bank of Ayeyarwaddy River so strolling along the river observing fishermen and ferries is a relaxing pastime. It is one of the most scenic places in Bagan and sunsets with Lawkananda Pagoda in the background are impressive.

 

Bagan is a definite “must see” destination in Myanmar. Its ever-present history is striking. The atmosphere is spiritual, the countryside scenic. It is a great site to go back in time, meditate and enjoy. 

DERAWAN ISLAND EAST KALIMANTAN INDONESIA

SWIMMING WITH TURTLES

DERAWAN ISLAND

EAST KALIMANTAN

INDONESIA 

There are very few places in the world where a unique experience of swimming with turtles is possible. Turtles are gentle but big creatures so seeing them while snorkeling and following their path among fish and colorful coral reefs is an experience of a lifetime. 

One of these places is Derawan Island, a well hidden, absolute paradise of natural beauty. Derawan Island is part of the archipelago of Marine Park located in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. 

Derawan Island Archipelago has a treasure of marine life and underwater wealth and offers fabulous snorkeling and diving. One can swim with manta rays of Sangalaki Island and nearby Kakaban Island has a fresh water lagoon with jellyfish. Maratua Island has extensive reefs and a resort. But it is Derawan Island where the locals greet one with smiles, hospitality & friendliness.

This September the Island has hosted Derawan Island Water Festival, a successful event for visitors and locals alike.

Berau, Tanjung Redeb is a starting point welcoming Festival participants with amazing hospitality. It is only a prelude to a  two hour speed boat trip to Derawan allowing to absorb some wilderness scenery.

  

The Derawan Island Water Festival opened a scenic area of East Kalimantan for the lovers of diving and snorkeling. However, it is not just the underwater beauty of marine life that attracts the visitors to come back. 

The hospitality of Indonesian people is incomparable with anywhere else in the world. We will return.

LAHAD DATU & SEMPORNA, SABAH, BORNEO

LAHAD DATU & SEMPORNA


Lahad Datu and Semporna are only some 40 nautical miles apart in one of the most scenic areas of Sabah, Malaysia. Many villages and spectacular islands and reefs separate the towns.

Lahad Datu is an important Malaysian port in the eastern part of North Borneo. It has been known for trade with China from the 9th century, then Spanish and Portuguese also discovered Lahad Datu. The area was divided between the Sultan of Brunei and the Sultan of Sulu since the 15th century. Predominantly Kadazan population has been joined by many nations when British North Borneo Charted Company started to trade in the 1880s. 

It usually is money that starts wars and Lahad Datu is not doing too badly in the trade. So it could have been one of the reasons that the self proclaimed contemporary Sultan of Sulu invaded Sabah in March 2013. The Lahad Datu and nearby Sempurna suffered the loss of 56 lives. Now, 6 months later the area is still fragile as tourism is concerned. Lahad Datu is a stepping point to Danum Valley Forest Reserve which is home of orangutans and rare Sumatran rhinoceros among many bird species and other wildlife. 

Semporna, being mere 40 nautical miles away from Lahad Datu and right on the doorstep to Marine Park of Sipidan and Mabul Islands famous for marine life and fabulous diving, is a great starting point for a diving and snorkeling adventure. Pulau Gaya and Tetigan, are located on Tun Sakaran Marine Park reefs and are both above and underwater marvels of nature.

Today Malaysia celebrates Merdeka Day, Independence Day. It is great to see that the Lahad Datu and Semporna district so recently a battlefield is peaceful and offering its beauty to visitors in safety. Selamat Merdeka Hari Malaysia!