Loy Krathong

This week on Thursday I had the chance to experience the Loy Krathong festival in Thailand for the first time. It happens to worship the water spirits and godesses and in Northern Thailand in Chiang Mai it is celebrated with the infamous floated lanterns. Whereas in Bangkok people come together around lakes, canals or rivers - wherever you find water - to float a "krathong". That is a kind of basket made traditionally out of banana leaves and flowers or bread. We went to the green lung of the city, the Lumpini Park, to partake at the lake. 

Halloween & Oktoberfest

Usually I am not a partygirl anymore. I lost my excitement for the nightlife a few years ago when I just realized that everything repeats and becomes one big monotony. Same people, same music, same venues, same drinks, same hangover. But I make exceptions for events involving dressing up properly for theme parties like Halloween and Oktoberfest. This year in Bangkok it happens that both of them were on the same weekend.

For Halloween I didn`t really have anything at home that can be considered as a real costume so I improvised with what I had and made something inspired by the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland (one of my all-time favorite disney movies!).

My 5 Favourite Food Destinations

I was tagged for the first time in my life for a challenge! Thank you love, Anna, sending you warm greetings from Bangkok to England. It is about one of my favourite things in the world, so I am keen for partaking: Food. Choose your Top 5 Favourite Food Destinations and share them on your blog. The difficulty for me was that I haven`t tried so many cuisines in the original country. I haven`t been to that many countries in general but I have been through my memories and picture archive and found some delicious bits I would like to share with you. So here we go, these are my top food places:

Dear Germany

you are my home, my comfort zone, my place for over 20 years and the country in my passport. The longer I live abroad, the more I consider myself as a Global Citizen and not a particularly nationality. But then I catch myself gazing at the Pretzels here at Auntie`s or find myself on a Birthday party in the German community, drinking Weißbier, watching football and chatting German. Oh Germany, I can`t deny it. You will always make a huge part of my personality. But is that really bad? Here are some things I cannot get rid of no matter how hard I try.

Relaxing Days in Krabi

It is unbelievable that these pictures were taken more than one year ago. The first time we step foot on Thai soil. After some days checking out our new "hometown" Bangkok, we needed some time on the beach to figure out the meaningful life decision of a move overseas. We flew from Bangkok Don Muaeng Airport (smaller one for domestic flights) to the peninsular Krabi at the Andaman Sea. We indulged with the Sheraton Beach Resort which was not that pricey because it was low season in May. It was tropical paradise. There are a few essentials throughout the day which belong for me to a good relaxation and are simply necessary to leave all worries behind.

Hidden Gem in Kanchanaburi

Normally I never talk about a certain product when it comes to travelling but this time I have to recommend a hotel which just blew me away last December: the River Kwai Resotel Resort. It is located in the Province of Kanchanaburi very remote from civilization. When you are flexible with an own car or you just want to be cut off from the world for a few days it is the perfect place to stay.

10 things to consider before moving abroad

As we have experienced now a move from one continent to another and know how NOT to do it I would like to share some helpful tips with you about the preparation, packing, etc. of the big move.

Koh Larn

Koh Lan or Koh Larn - not really sure about the right wording like usually here in Thailand - is a small island offshore Pattaya. With the ferry it takes 30-40 minutes to get there from the main pier and it runs every hour. For 30 THB one gets a bumpy ride through the sea. On the way back we got sea sick pills in the local pharmacy, took it half an hour before we got on the boat again and were doing well. But the outbound trip was awful.

Student Freshmen Camp // Stamford International University

Saturday two weeks ago at the unholy time of 8am most Freshmen students of Stamford gathered and got ready for the ride to Rayong while looking forward to a fun weekend with lots of activities and a packed programme. Seriously we were permanently busied from morning till evening. Sunday afternoon back home I felt like I needed another weekend subsequently however I made great memories and a lot of new acquaintances during these two days. Please excuse the medium quality of the pictures. I tried my best with my phone camera.

Oh my Pattaya

We have been to the Sin City, gomorrah and cathouse of Thailand: Pattaya. People told us the scariest and most awkward stories about this place but actually it was really nice and a lovely stay. I mean it is not a holiday destination for families with kids or upper class glitterati but absolutely acceptable for a weekend getaway when you are craving for the beach in the desert of the muggy city Bangkok.

Hua Hin activities

Hi lovelies, I am right now in the thick of chaos that comes with every new life chapter. My study program started last week thursday with the orientation day. A seniorman told me that the first week of school is always this chaotic but I am so German at heart. I need a straight proper plan and when I have too many options to choose between like the felt 1000 classes on the study plan, I am always afraid of missing something out. Let things settle down and see how it is in 2-3 weeks. This post should not gonna be about my study, it is too early yet. When things sorted out and my schedule is fixed, I blog a few thoughts about my study life abroad.
I still owe you the second part of our Hua Hin stay. For everyone who is living in Bangkok, it is a perfect beach getaway for two days. It takes you 2 hours to get there and there is plenty to do. Not only hanging around lazy at the pool and beach (although that is a good idea too).

Food tour with Taste of Thailand

One week ago this time my mouth was watering while waiting for a real great experience in Bangkok: a 4 hour walk through the Bangrak district of Bangkok combined with delicious dainties along the way. I was super excited because well, I love food and this city. The combo? Unbeatable.
Tours with Taste of Thailand can be booked -here-. I recommend you to come without having breakfast before, there will be more than enough to eat the next hours, I promise.

The starting point is the BTS station Saphan Taksin.There we met with our lovely tour guide plus a photographer. The group consisted only of 7 people, therefore the atmosphere was familiar right from the beginning.

It is halftime! My travel year 2014 so far

Do you recognize that we are already in the second half of 2014? The difference to a regular soccer game is the missing break in between for taking a deep breath and looking back at what you have experienced in the first half. So that is why I am listing my year so far for you and also for me to summarize and memorize. It has been a year full of changes, goodbyes, hellos, opportunities, travels and choices. How appropiate to the soccer world cup in Brazil, huh? Everybody supporting our German boys? I hope so. Even though the games are in the middle of the night due to time difference, we try our best to keep up with everything. They will bring the championship home, I firmly believe.

Hua Hin arrival

When you move abroad and live there for a limited time, you take every chance to have a little getaway and explore your new surrounding. Last year december we discovered Hua Hin, a beach resort 2 hours from Bangkok (somehow we always end up 2 hours from our city). Hua Hin is the summer residence for the Thai Kings` family and thus popular among the locals.

3rd anniversary with my travel- and soulmate

Sometimes I hate every single stupid word you say,
Sometimes I wanna slap you in your whole face.
There's no one quite like you, you push all my buttons down,
I know life would suck without you.

Ayutthaya

The Ayutthaya kingdom of Siam existed from 1351 until 1767. In the mid-eighteenth century the Burmese invasion lay Ayutthaya in ashes. Today the countless old ruins of the former capital of Thailand can be visited. They let us divine how magnificent this city has been once.

From Bangkok it took us 1 hour up North by car to the temples. Unfortunately we somehow chose the hottest day ever for our daytrip. We just visited one temple and a half.. the second one we did not go inside. These days the rain season is here but back in beginning of May it was right before and therefore hot as hell. Don`t be fooled because you see no sun in these pictures. This kind of heat is the most exhausting one: muggy and heavy, pressing the air out of your lungs.

Wat Mahathat

What do I eat in Thailand?

Needless to say that Thailand is the nation of foodism. Honestly, food is a topic all over the country. Back in Germany they often asked me what I eat here and how much my stomach tolerates it. 

Well, I love Thai food and I hazard the consequences, let`s keep it to that. So I have gone through all my pictures to show you delicious treats from Thai cuisine. Anyhow it is an important part of their daily life. Thais even often ask me if I am hungry or if I have already eaten lunch. They mean it in a polite way (at least I hope so). Because it is hot and humid all year long in Thailand, it is even more important to keep your body fueled and hydrated with liquids. Though I know it is not good to have drinks with ice, I cannot resist when I am outside and see all the coffeeshops and tea bars luring with refreshments.

Good old Germany

We have been to our homecountry Germany for 10 days. It was a spontaneous trip as a big surprise for a friends` birthday party. When you lived abroad for a while and you come back home you observe the country you spend your whole life in totally different. What was boring and taken for granted before you left is now notably and exciting. I am tired of comparing two countries against each other and always weigh the pros and cons. It is beautiful living in both of them. I appreciate every minute here (we are back in Bangkok) as well as I do in good old Germany. I really try to live in the moment and not in the future. Is that too cheesy?

nature in German forest

Wanderlust

I resumed some of my favourite travel quotes for you in pictures with short explanations. Enjoy!

Benjakiti Park or How expats spend their weekend

Every now and then I grab my Marco Polo travel guide and root around for a new spot to see in Bangkok. We are here since 7 months, well, to be honest just one half of us is and the other, which is me, since 3 months. This is not a long time measured against our life time. I have a guess now about where to buy groceries, go to sports, get a good massage and a haircut but there is so much more to explore in crazy, beautiful and amazing Bangkok.

Glamping in Khao Yai Nationalpark

Once the travel bug bites there is no known antidote. True words. This month from the 13 to 15th april the Songkran Festival took place in Thailand. A festival for New Year where everyone is throwing water at each other. Children sit next to grown-ups at the back of pick-ups with water guns in their hands and they are merciless. It`s a state of exception and a lot of fun! Moreover it is a national holiday and many people from Bangkok go on vacation. On the islands in the South it is even more crazy and you are happy when you bought your ticket early in advance. We started our planning spontaneous and that is why we did not choose an island. I mean 200 Euro for a flight ticket with worst times for departure and arrival? No, thanks. After looking around on the internet for a nice place not too far from Bangkok I found our travel destination: the Khao Yai Nationalpark.

A natural paradise and the third largest park in Thailand with evergreen forest and grasslands, elephants, monkeys, black bears, a lot of waterfalls and even tigers.

Back from Cambodia

Dear readers, I am back from Cambodia and got a lot of new impressions and experiences to share with you. Let me first tell you that Cambodia and I did not have a good start. My travel to that country was not really voluntary but I had to go there for some visa issues. Who is more interested in that topic can check out Bangkok Buddy Travel Service. This agency is reliable and helpful when it comes to visa troubles in Thailand. We went there on a sunday early in the morning (and by early I mean 4 am!) with an air conditioned luxurious van. We crossed the boarder after 4 hours driving and finished up in Poipet. I never felt so far away from my comfortzone. My boyfriend was not with me because he was on a business travel. Poipet is a city of 35.000 people and an important border with Thailand. Salesmen carrying their goods in vehicles back and forth the gate. 

Gate to Cambodia

Hidden treasures in Thailand - Khao Sok Nationalpark

 We all know Thailand as a travel country. We know Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samui, Phuket, Krabi, Koh Tao and the more in culture interested travellers even know Chiang Mai, Lopburi and Udon Thani. But have you ever heard of the Khao Sok Nationalpark? Me neither. Before my incredible lovely boyfriend showed me this beautiful place when I visited him last Christmas. We are together since almost three years and my presents for birthday and Christmas were always related to travelling. He knows how to make me happy. Who needs a necklace when you can have gorgeous memories?

My prince and I

Welcome to Australia

I had to change the time on my watch this year so many times and it is just March. I feel to thankful and blessed that I have the possibility to see all these great places. Do not believe that I take it for granted to collect all these stamps in my passport. But now or never. Travel as much as you can and as far as you can. Money comes back, time does not.

10 things I love about Thailand

Somewhere you are always a foreigner. This is what I feel like everyday since living in Thailand. At the first glance this country seems to be chaos at its best. The first time I came here, I was overwhelmed by all the impressions, scents, noises, the heat and traffic. In May last year I did my first trip to Bangkok, in the middle of the hot rainy season.

Meanwhile I began to see a system in this turmoil of people and electric cables everywhere (haven`t yet found out how to put them under the ground). There are some things that never change like the employers of your favourite massage saloon and the menu of that little cute restaurant around the corner but Thailand is always in movement. Where you bought yesterday those fancy shoes at a street market today you get crispy chicken. I put some things together I learned loving here in a list:

Hamburg my pearl

Hamburg has been my hometown for 2,5 years and I am thankful for every minute of this time I could spend in this beautiful stunning city. Actually it is even the second largest city of Germany, located in the North at the Elbe River. The Port of Hamburg ranks right after the one of Rotterdam in the European top list regarding the amount of transshipments. The metropolis is a magnet attracting students, employers, business men and searchers from all over Germany.

I have known this city as a kind of Island where thousands of people stranded by the tide, washed up from the ocean of life. In my vocational college class I met girls from Magdeburg, Wolfsburg, Coblenz and Berlin. They all came to this place to find work, friends, answers and love.

HafenCity

Sparkling Lucerne

You remember that abnormal hot summer 2013 in Germany? That was the time I took a lowcost flight to the even hotter Switzerland to visit my fabulous aunt living in Lörrach on the German side of the border triangle (France-Germany-Switzerland). The airport of Basel is in fact on French ground but is used for tourists coming to Basel as well. Imagine what a desaster it was to have three (!) different currencies in that area. French Francs, Swiss Francs and a long while ago the German Mark. Fortunately France decided to join the European Monetary Union in 2002. My aunt was temporarily  living with three wallets at a time. Thank EU this is over.

From our place we took 1,5 hours by car to get to Lucerne in north-central Switzerland. Capital of the Canton of Lucerne counting 76,200 people.

Cooling me down at Lake Lucerne

Kos` it was amazing

We did it. Shame on me and my darling. Our first longer stay abroad was ... a package holiday tour. 

In summer 2012, my first year of apprenticeship was not over yet - this explains our misery to book this awful touristic product, we took up our travel to the Greek island Kos.

Located in the Aegean Sea before Turkey it counts 33.000 inhabitants, most of them living in the principal town Kos Town.

harbour of Kos Town

Par(ad)is

If every city has a word, like Elisabeth Gilbert concerned in her great book Eat Pray Love, so the word for Paris is Elegance.
Like an old madame the city has it weaknesses: an old creaky ageing underground metro system, wasted garbage on the trottoirs, crumbling facades and dusty museums but first of all she has it`s pride. She affronts the new skyscrapers in the suburbs and does not bother about linearity of modern architecture. She refuses to bow to all this because she is amazing and marvellous just like she is since forever. The 35 million visitors yearly give her reason.

La tour Eiffel

I want to go back to Westerland

Last year in november I dediced to do a goodbye-trip with my best friend. The choice was not easy because our destination should have been not so far away and not that expensive.

So we travelled one weekend to the northernmost German island Sylt. After explaining my boyfriend that it is a great idea and ignore his arguments about cold weather and low season, I searched for ways to get there.

We took the train from Hamburg-Altona in North Germany which is only 3 hours through nowhere.

Where to stay? Sylt is an exclusive and posh Island and we needed something around the capital (9000 inhabitants actually do not justify that term) to get there easily from the main station.

One holidaycheck later we reserved a double room in the Sylt Motel nearby the main station.

The interior was as creative and stylish like the name. But clean and that is most important to me.

Promenade of Westerland with seagull