Wow, time is running even faster since the start of the pandemic, at least I got the feeling. Luckily the worst is over, or is it still to come? Anyway, at least we´re allowed to travel again freely since a while already what brings me to the reason of this blog post.
While all the photos in this post are older and a throwback to our previous travels through Thailand and Australia, the plans are not. In fact they are relatively new and only a couple of weeks left before we pack our bags again and start a big journey.
We enjoyed the last two winters in Portugal a lot and we will miss many things. I will miss the surf here although the water is a bit too cold for me. However, where we go its warm and the surf is the same if not better in some regions.
Beginning of march we will be flying from the beautiful laidback Algarve to Bangkok, the city of Angels, the crazy city that never sleeps. Its been a few years since we´ve been there and I´m really looking forward to it. Can´t wait to see the awesome skyline and watch the sun set over it.
I always enjoyed that city and never made a bad experience here. Can´t wait to smell the street kitchens and taste all the amazing food. The trick with Bangkok for me is following, never stay longer then 5 days otherwise I go crazy.
We will spend time in Bangkok twice this time, first time when we arrive from Portugal and then again when we return from Island hopping. I think on the second stay we will have some more time to explore Bangkoks greater region with all its temples and many other sights.
Yes, island hopping, we will definitely visit at least two islands, Koh Samui, which was our very first island we visited back in 2009 and Koh Phangan we´ve never visited before. Not sure yet, but this will be it probably as we also want to relax and take a breath from an exhausting 2022.
Below are some impressions from our past Thai Island trips. I could post thousands of Thailand photos but I guess I´ll wait and post the new stuff as soon as we´re there. Can´t wait to swim in the warm ocean again after spending hundreds of hours surfing in the cold Atlantic. Riding scooter and exploring the islands is one of our favourite activities when we´re on a island in south east asia.
Its always great to find beautiful, empty beaches but I don´t expect to find them on Koh Samui or Phangan, I guess they will both be absolutely crowded.
After spending a bit more than one month in Thailand we will be flying from Bangkok to Brisbane. A year ago I would have never thought that I would step a foot into that country ever again but things keep changing quickly.
Last year in October I heard that we can enter Australia again without any testing or vaccination requirements. I also learned that we´re allowed to apply for a tourist visa without any costs since our last visa was affected by the pandemic. Usually the cost for a visa is around 140$ per person. We immediately applied for the 12-month tourist visa and a few days later it got granted which means we´re now allowed to enter for up to 12 months on each arrival as long as the visa is valid. In other words, we´re going to spend the next 12-18 months in the land down under.
Anyone who knows us a bit and our travel stories knows that we love Australia and have been there many many times. I´ve seen more from Australia then I have from europe and I´m so looking forward to a good time over there and live the Aussie Lifestyle. Surfing, Hiking, Camping and of course see all our old friends again and hopefully make some new ones.
I´m already hearing the annoying screams of the Rainbow Lorikeets in the Morning. It´s a noise that will never bother me, other than loud neighbours like here in Portugal.
Until this new adventure starts I won´t be as active on here as the last couple of months since I need a break of screentime and also need new photos and stories to share. I´ve definitely spent way to much time in front of my laptop or smartphone in the past weeks and that needs to change.
you will find this post on pinmapple as well
[//]:# (!pinmapple 13.86061 lat 100.52743 long Throwback Thursday and Future Plans (Thailand + Australia) d3scr)
Very beautiful photos!
The nature is very beautiful and the architecture too!
Thank you, appreciate your comment.
Exciting news and travel plans! Fingers crossed for you guys that everything goes smoothly :) Btw I didn´t know that the tourist visa in Australia can be valid for up to 12 months, wow, that´s a lot of time on that extraordinary continent! Too bad it´s so far and expensive over there :D :/ But once Hive hits 10 bucks, we will surely come to say hi :D
@tipu curate
Yes very exciting! I do hope as well but so far its looking good. I know 12 months is crazy, you can get either 3, 6 or 12 months and as long as you can convince them that you have enough funds to cover your time there its all fine.
It is expensive, at least more than south east asia but I always tell people that it mostly only seems too expensive. Cigarettes, alcohol and dining out is really expensive everything else is not really more than in europe, at least as long as you earning euro. :) Fuel for example is way cheaper...Pretty sure we won´t spend more money than in Portugal right now.
would be awesome to meet you there ;)
Thanks for all the info, good to know ;)
Upvoted 👌 (Mana: 15/45) Liquid rewards.
thank you so much for your constant support @ackhoo
Great plans… March is soon.
Safe travels @betterthanhome looking forward to hearing all about it.
Great captures from a while ago.
Thanks for sharing 👋🏻😊 have a lovely evening!
Thank you so much. Yes, time is running right now, only 3 weeks left. So exciting...
You are welcome 👋🏻😊 it will go soooo fast.
Enjoy it all. I can imagine this being exciting! A lot… hehehe 🤭
I'm already thinking about my summer vacation, and when I see your pictures in this post I feel nostalgic, here in Romania now it's very cold, in some areas even extremely cold, your pictures seem to have warmed the atmosphere, especially if we're talking about Thailand.
Always good to plan vaccations early enough. Where do you want to go?
Yes, all photos were taken in tropical warm weather. Can´t wait to enjoy the heat :)
As any tourist I would love to visit tourist areas in Thailand, but more than that I would visit many areas that are not frequented by tourists to see local life exactly as it is without much preparation.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Probably the best way to travel and experience new cultures. Same to you...thanks
I can foresee Pinmapple being very busy in 2023!! Great for the whole community to catch up on what we've been missing the past 3 years. Have a great time!
haha yes, I will be definitely pinning some new points on the map :)
Thank you so much
Sehr schöne Bilderserie.
Dank dir.
Wonderful collection of awesome moments
Thank you so much. I just thought the same. I should look more often at my own photos and remember these times.
Stunning array of photos including a very user-friendly looking surf-spot! I've been to Thailand once and love Koh Samui, especially after having my full of more touristy places like Phuket! I'm sure you'll be able to find a bit more peace and quiet there!
Thank you, I got tons of Australia photos, spread on way to many hard drives :)
Koh Samui is nice, good beaches but very crowded tis time of the year. Anyway, we will find our quiet spot.
I guess you talk about that spot? Its Noosa Heads, one of my favourite surf spots and an amazing right hand point break. Unfortunately its absolutely over crowded and its getting worse. Drop ins, no respect and of course the chances of sharks but I´ve never seen one. But if you get one on a good day you will get rewarded.
Australia is certainly full of beautiful landscapes. I've never been but my father lived there for a while and couldn't stop talking about it.
In early 2000's I went for a visit to Thailand my birthplace which was Bangkok. It was crazy fun but like you I left for Samui after 3 days. In 2019 my partner and I went to Bangkok and I assured him we wouldn't want to stay long. It was actually our preference and we couldn't get enough. We never made it to Koh Samui which was great back in the day.
There is nothing that fascinates me more than the Bangkok skyline.
I think Australia is my most favourite country I´ve ever visited. It´s so diverse and the nature absolutely fascinates me. Can´t wait to see all the animals again.
Yes, Bangkok is amazing and if it gets too much you need to leave. Last time we were there is already 6 years ago so I´m very excited. Nothing beats the skyline by night from a roof top bar.
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