Day 19: Simple Breakfast At Simple Life

The day started amazing for us again. In the wonderful surrounding of the Simple Life Bar we enjoyed a great breakfast with excellent coffee. From the shakes to the waffles everything was delicious, although they forgot to deliver a meal we ordered.
To compensate that mistake, they offered us some home made waffles. That’s how you should treat clients when you made a mistake.

Dining at Drift Wood Koh Jum Restaurant

Our culinary journey led us to Drift Wood Koh Jum Restaurant, a mere 10-minute ride south. The ambiance, service, and food were impeccable, with two fruit shakes, two meals, and a salad costing 580 Baht. It was an exceptional dining experience that beautifully concluded our day.

Day 20: Discovering Ting Rai Beach

Thanks to Frank from Luboa, we ventured to the stunning Ting Rai Beach (Ting Rai Beach). Hidden away and accessible via a bumpy road, this beach was a paradisiacal escape, boasting clean sands, minimal rocks, and tranquility. It was a reminder of nature’s untouched beauty.

Sunset and Sounds at Sun Smile Beach Bungalows

Our day extended into the evening at Sun Smile Beach Bungalows (Sun Smile Beach Bungalows), where we indulged in Thai cuisine against the backdrop of a beautiful sunset. Despite the watery shake and diminutive cocktail, the dinner and service left us content. The Wi-Fi connectivity allowed us to work amidst nature’s embrace.

An Evening of Music and Fire

The night was young, and the sound of music led us to a beachside live band performance. Surrounded by open fire, the intimate setting and heartfelt music created an atmosphere of joy and community. We stayed, enchanted, until the late hours, fully immersed in the island’s vibrancy.

Reflections on Koh Jum Hidden Gems

Days 19 and 20 on Koh Jum were a testament to the island’s ability to surprise and delight. From the authentic living at Blue Sky Bungalows to the serene beauty of Ting Rai Beach and the spontaneous musical night, each moment was a discovery. Koh Jum, with its blend of untouched landscapes and warm community, offered us experiences that went beyond the typical tourist path, capturing the essence of our adventurous spirits.

#KohJumExploration #IslandAdventures #ThaiCuisine

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Day 9: Work And Discovering Koh Phayam Cafes

Our Day 9 kicked off with a productive session at Lucky Rock Bar. Nestled beside the iconic Lucky Rock, this spot provided the perfect blend of work and relaxation, accompanied by the soothing sounds of the sea.

Google Maps Link to Lucky Rock Bar: Lucky Rock Bar

Afternoon at Hippie Bar

Later, we ventured to the mesmerizing Hippie Bar on Buffalo Bay’s other side. This place was more than a bar; it was an experience. Every corner brimmed with creativity, from the handcrafted boat bow to the vibrant decor. The smoothies were a delight, adding to the bar’s magical vibe.

Google Maps Link to Hippie Bar: Hippie Bar

Dinner at Lotus 51

For dinner, we headed to Lotus 51, where the beachside setting and delicious food created an unforgettable evening. The red snapper here was a highlight, perfectly complementing the tranquil beach atmosphere.

Google Maps Link to Lotus 51: Lotus 51

Ending the Night at Cha Chai Bar

To cap off the night, we visited Cha Chai Bar. The chai was excellent, though the overall ambiance left us with mixed feelings. Still, it was a worthwhile stop for a good cup of chai and a moment of relaxation.

Google Maps Link to Cha Chai Bar: Cha Chai Bar

Day 10: The Garden and East Coast Exploration

The next day, we started at The Garden, a charming cafe known for its great coffee and ambiance. Later, we explored the east coast of Koh Phayam on a motorbike, seeking our next accommodation and making a necessary ATM run – a reminder that cash is essential on this island!

Google Maps Link to The Garden: The Garden

Lunch at Flower Power Village

Our culinary journey continued at Flower Power. This expansive restaurant and shop offered a diverse menu, including freshly made noodles. We enjoyed the variety of food options and the overall quality of our meal.

Google Maps Link to Flower Power: Flower Power

Unique Experience at Rock Bar

Later, we visited the Rock Bar, a unique establishment built into the natural rocks. The adventurous setting and wild design made our visit both thrilling and memorable.

Google Maps Link to Rock Bar: Rock Bar

Summary

Days 9 & 10 on Koh Phayam were filled with discovery, from the artistic Hippie Bar to the serene dining at Lotus 51 and the eclectic Rock Bar. Each spot we visited added to the diverse tapestry of our island adventure. As we continue to explore Koh Phayam, its laid-back charm and unique spots never cease to amaze us. Stay tuned for more of our island stories and experiences!

#KohPhayamCafes #BeachfrontDining #IslandAdventures

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Day 7: Koh Phayam Surfing Adventures and Beachside Breakfast

Our morning on Koh Phayam started with a mouth-watering falafel plate at the beachfront. The sight of perfect waves was too tempting to pass up, so I (Wild) decided to try surfing for the first time. Renting a board for 150 Baht per hour, I managed to catch some waves and even stood up a few times. It was thrilling!

Bungalow Quest Along the Beach

In the afternoon, our stroll along the beach turned into a quest for our next stay. We explored various resorts, finding options ranging from budget-friendly to luxury. The search was as much fun as it was challenging.

A Refreshing Pause at the Reggae Bar

Needing a break, we stopped by the Reggae Bar for some incredible smoothies. The mango and pineapple concoctions were just what we needed to recharge before continuing our exploration.

Evening Delight at JJ

Dinner was a beachside treat at JJ, where we enjoyed a scrumptious red snapper. The sound of the waves complemented our meal perfectly, creating a memorable dining experience under the stars.

Day 8: An Amazing Breakfast – The Perfect Start

The next day started with an amazing breakfast at “Bilbo’s”. They have self baked cinamon rolls, great fruit bowls and the best coffee we drank so far on the island (we have to mention, that we didn’t drink much coffee yet ).
So this cafe is definitely worth a visit…

Motorbike Ride to Buffalo Bay

This day brought a new adventure as we rented a motorbike to check out Buffalo Bay. The beach there had a different vibe, less inviting than our current spot but still worth the visit. Our hunt for accommodation led us to a solidly built bungalow at Buffalo Bay Vacation Club, a significant upgrade from our previous stay, especially the toilet!

Google Maps Link to Buffalo Bay Vacation Club: Buffalo Bay Vacation Club

Dinner and Work at Gypsy Bar

Our evening unfolded at the Gypsy Bar, where we combined dinner with a productive work session. The atmosphere was just right for both relaxation and getting things done – a rare find on Koh Phayam.

Summary

Days 7 & 8 were a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation on Koh Phayam. From my first surfing experience to finding the ideal bungalow, every moment added to the charm of this tropical haven. As we continue to explore and uncover the secrets of this island, we’re reminded of the beauty of discovering lesser-known paradises. Join us for more tales and tips as Dana & Wild keep unraveling the wonders of this hidden gem!

#KohPhayamSurfing #HiddenParadise #IslandAdventures

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The Journey to Bamboo Bungalows

On Koh Phayam, our first stop was a cozy shop where we met another Tom, who recommended the Bamboo Bungalows. His suggestion sounded perfect – beach access and a chill vibe were just what we needed. So, we hopped into a tuk-tuk (200 Baht/8€) and headed there.

Google Maps Link to Bamboo Bungalows: Bamboo Bungalows

Settling into Our Bamboo Abode

At the bungalows, we snagged the last available room – a simple, rustic bamboo bungalow for 600 Baht (about 16€) a night. While the room had its charm, the toilet situation was… let’s just say, less than ideal. But hey, that’s island life for you! Despite the smell, the overall ambiance of the place won us over.

Exploring Koh Phayam Paradise

Hungry for more than just scenery, we ventured out to explore the local dining scene. Koh Phayam is lined with cafes and eateries, offering a tempting array of choices right by the roadside. It’s a food lover’s paradise!

A Pizza Redemption at Paolo Italian Pizza

We stumbled upon ‘Paolo Italian Pizza’ and decided to give pizza another shot. We violated our 3 rules for eating in Thailand (see our other post), but we took the risk and it paid off! This time, the wood-fired oven promised a better experience. And it delivered! The pizza was fantastic, coupled with a fresh salad – a meal that definitely made up for our previous pizza misadventures.

Google Maps Link to Paolo Italian Pizza: Paolo Italian Pizza

Evening Beach Walks and Sunset Wonders

Post-dinner, we meandered back to Long Beach, a stretch of sandy shores perfect for leisurely walks. The sand was fine, and the best part? It didn’t stick to our feet – a small but significant joy! As we strolled, we found ourselves captivated by the breathtaking sunset, a perfect end to our first day in this island paradise.

Google Maps Link to Long Beach: Long Beach

Summary

Arriving on Koh Phayam was like stepping into a postcard, with just a hint of adventure (courtesy of our bungalow’s toilet!). From heartfelt breakfasts to beachside bliss, our day was a blend of island serenity, culinary delights, and those unforgettable sunset moments. As we settle into this slice of paradise, despite its quirky challenges, we’re reminded of why we love traveling so much. Stick around for more stories from Dana & Wild as we continue exploring the enchanting the Koh Phayam!

#KohPhayamParadise #IslandAdventures #TravelDiary

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Die Dünen von Maspalomas sollte man auf jeden Fall einmal gesehen haben. Hier kann man ausgedehnte Spaziergänge machen und hat das Gefühl, sich mitten in der Wüste zu bewegen. Das Meer ist zu Fuß immer in ca. 1/2 Std. Reichweite (zu Fuß), wenn man sich in den Dünen befindet.

In den Dünen von Maspalomas

In den Dünen gibt es illegalerweise einige FKK Anhänger, die ihre Seele (und andere Körperteile) baumeln lassen. Und das am liebsten ganz oben auf der Spitze einer Düne. Das war lustig anzusehen…

Der Sandstrand ist sehr lange, breit und gut bevölkert (siehe unten die Karte). Überhaupt wenn man z.B. im Osten beginnt am Strand entlang spazieren zu gehen, kann man den ganzen Tag an der Strandpromenade entlang Richtung Westen (Miloneras – das Luxusviertel) schlendern.
Man findet zahlreiche Cafes, Restaurants, Ramschläden, Markengeschäfte, kurz alles, was das Herz begehrt.

In den Dünen von Maspalomas

Wer hier Ruhe und Einsamkeit sucht, ist falsch. Hier pulsiert das Leben.
Der Strand ist gut bevölkert, aber nicht dicht, d.h. es bleibt genügend Platz und man fühlt sich nie bedrängt.

Markt in Maspalomas

Jeden 2. Sonntag im Monat ist in San Fernando Bauernmarkt und jede Woche ist dort Flohmarkt. Dort kann man von Brot einer deutschen Bäckerei über frisches Obst und Gemüse alles Mögliche für den Gaumen finden. Der Bauernmarkt ist zwar nicht groß, dafür gut sortiert.
Der Flohmarkt ist groß, dafür gibt es auch wirklich jede Menge Schmarrn, den keiner braucht.

Hier noch die Karte von Maspalomas:

Bilder

Anfi Beach

Der Anfi Beach ist umringt von einer Timesharing Anlage. Was man so im Internet liest, sollten Sie auf keinen Fall auf die Timesharing-Keiler hineinfallen. Wir haben nur den Strand genossen, bzw. den Nachmittag im Anfi Beach Club verbracht.

Dort bezahlt man für 2 Liegen+Schirm ca. 30 Euro. Getränke etc. sind relativ teuer. Wir haben uns sagen lassen das kommt daher, weil hier viele Schweden und Norweger herkommen und die sind diese hohen Preise gewöhnt.

Kurz: die Anlage ist sehr schön, die Preise ganz schön gesalzen. Am “normalen” Strand (neben dem Anfi Beach Club) steht eine Liege neben der anderen. Siehe auf folgenden Bildern

Playa de los Amadores

Der Amadoren Strand ist einer der wenigen hellen Sandstrände an Gran Canarias Küste. Er liegt zwischen Puerto Riso und Mogan. Der Sandstrand wurde mit Sand aus Maspalomas künstlich geschaffen. Das glasklare Wasser lädt zum Baden ein.

Die in die Felsen gebaute Hotels passen gut zur Landschaft. Hier hat es uns besser gefallen als in Anfi, wenngleich es trotzdem relativ “touristisch” wirkt (durch die vielen Hotels, Cafes, Restaurants etc.).
Die Sonnenliege am Strand kostet: 4 EUR, der Sonnenschirm: 3 EUR (Stand: Nov. 2014).

Wenn man es noch exklusiver haben möchte, gibt es den Amadores Beach Club mit eigenem Swimmingpool. Die Liegen kosten hier ab 12 EUR aufwärts, die beim Swimmingpool 30 EUR

Wir haben im Paraiso Beach gegessen (letztes Restaurant, vor dem Beach Club Amadores). Das Essen hier ist preiswert und gut. Die Kellner haben uns mit ihrer lustigen Art unterhalten und man hat den Eindruck, sie haben Freude bei der Arbeit.

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Diesmal verschlug es uns auf die kanarischen Inseln bzw. die Kanaren. Genauergesagt machten wir eine Kreuzfahrt auf Mein Schiff 3 und blieben anschließend noch eine Woche in Maspalomas (Gran Canaria).

[English]

Overview of our tour in november 2014 to the canaries including Gran Canaria, Madeira, La Palma, Teneriffa and Fuerteventura (click on an entry for details).

This time we decided to do our tour report in german as people who want to do the same tour with Mein Schiff 3 are mostly german based.

But we added a link in each report to the Google translated version of each report.

• Mein Schiff 3 (german / deutsch)
• Madeira (german / deutsch)
• Teneriffa (german / deutsch)
• La Palma (german / deutsch)
• Fuerteventura (german / deutsch)
• Gran Canaria (german / deutsch)

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Aufgrund des starken Windes konnten wir nur mit Mühe und einer Stunde Verspätung in Puerto del Rosario, der Hauptstadt von Fuerteventura anlegen. Die Hauptstadt Puerto del Rosario selbst ist unspektakulär.

Die Taxifahrer bieten hier verschiedene fix vorgegebene Routen an, von denen sie kaum abweichen und wenn dann nur zu höheren Kosten. Eine 3,5 Stunden Fahrt kostet hier 90 EUR. Wir entschieden uns für die Route in den näher gelegenen Norden. Auch wollten wir das Dorf Corellejo sehen sowie schöne Strände.

Unser Taxifahrer Pedro konnte in Vergleich zu den anderen Taxifahrern wenigstens ein wenig Englisch. Die Fahrt mit ihm war sehr lustig.

Fuertaventura unterscheidet sich von den anderen Inseln. Hier gibt es jede Menge Sand und kommt einer Wüstenlandschaft mit sehr wenig Vegetation ähnlich. Es gibt hier eine jede Menge Traumstrände und Dünen.

300 Sonnentage gibt es auf Fuerteventura und nur 50 Regentage. Und genau einen dieser 50 erwischten wir.
Für die Insel ein willkommener Segen, für uns leider nicht so schön. Die braune Sandflut überschwemmte das normaler weise blaue Meer und die Straßen.

Unser erster Stop mit dem Taxi führte uns nach Corollejo. Ein Dorf, wo, im Vergleich zu den anderen Dörfern, einiges los ist.
Denn die erinnerten an Geisterstädte, keine Menschenseele auf der Straße.
Der Taxifahrer, der übrigens Pedro hieß, meinte, dass beim Regen hier keiner aus dem Haus geht.

In Corollejo gab es ein bisschen Action. Kleine heimelige Lokale sowie kleine Gechäfte zum shoppen. Aber hier regenete es Gott sei Dank noch nicht. So konnten wir gemütlich in der chilligen Bar „Mojito“ direkt am Meer Platz nehmen.
Im “Mojito” bekommt man verschiedene Arten von Mojitos. “Maracuja Mojito” und “Mojito mit Gin und Ginger Ale” standen auf unserem Tisch. Heimelige Atmosphäre, Chillout Musik mit direktem Blick aufs Meer und Sonne – von der wir ja an diesem Tag wenig abbekamen. Das war sicher der Höhepunkt von unserem kleinen Fuertaventura Einblick.

Denn kaum sitzten wir im Taxi, begann es heftig zu regnen. Überall wo wir hinkamen, gab es kaum Menschen auf der Straße. Die Dörfer gleichten Geisterstädten.

Der Norden hat im Vergleich zum Süden eher kleinere Strände. El Cortillo ist ein Strand, wo Ebbe und Flut merkbar vorhanden sind. Um 18 Uhr ist dieser Strand voll mit Meerwasser.

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We decided to go by taxi and to stop at “Ile Aux Cerfs”. The vegetation on the eastern part is beautiful, there are more foreign people on this side of the island. So if you’d like to experience the “real life” of Mauritius beside the tourism, go east!

We just composed a slideshow for you – you can find the corresponding text within the pictures:

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Price range: $$$ (143€ per person, per night)

Room and board: Prestige Cottage Room, half board

For the last days we are staying at Preskil Beach Resort, Mahebourg.  To be serious: we expected more compared to Merville Beach, because Preskil has 5 stars, while Merville only has 4.
In comparison to Merville Beach, the  staff at Preskil isn’t that welcoming, the room is smaller, the beach isn’t that nice,  wheather isn’t that good and also this hotel charges for many services extra.
Although it has some disadvantages we liked Preskil at the end of the day. We liked the hotel complex, the clear water of the sea and the water sport activities.

The hotel

The good
+ generelly the hotel complex is very nice and in the evening it’s romantic
+ the sea is very clear
+ buffet: food is fresh, excellent and a lot of choice; we like the variety of the breakfast buffet
+ A huge variety of watersport activities like water skiing, sailing, snorkeling, diving, etc. Best of all: nearly everything is free
+2 tennis courts (hard pitch) and rackets for free
+ excellent band in the evening
+ there is a bus station infront the hotel. The bus goes to Mahebourg (approx. 15 minutes)
+ On monday there is a market in Mahebourg (cheap cloth)

The not so good
– Preskil charges  extra for many services:
– exra charge for the internet (WLAN is just for free in the bar)
– extra charge for water (75 rupees per bottle)
– extra charge for tennis balls, better bring your own tennis balls! (4 tennis balls cost  510 rupees (12,50 EUR)) in the hotel
– when you want barbecue instead evening buffet it  costs extra 950 rupees (25 EUR)
– when you want to book the steakhouse instead of evening buffet it costs 750 rupees
– Compared to the west, the weather here in the east  isn’t that nice. In the  afternoon it’s always cloudy. Temperatures are approx.5 degrees lower
– room (prestige cottage) : as we entered in the first time , the room was smelling badly and it seemed very small. It  should be 42m2.  But we measured  (with a cord and a page in A4) only 32 m2. When you add the terrace you get 42 m2.
– service isn’t that friendly
– the evening buffet is somehow strange. When they have for example chinese buffet they also serve pizza.
– service is not so welcoming.

And again, here are some of our impressions:

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Price range: $$$$ (135€ per person, per night)

Room and board: 1 deluxe room, sea view, kingsize bed, half board

The hotel

The good:

• Nice welcome package: when we approached the room, we found a t-shirt on the bed, a bottle of champagne and a basket with fresh fruits on the table.
• Great view from our room: the sea in front of us and every day a beautiful sunset (see picture slideshow below)
• Sun in the afternoon / in the evening
• A huge variety of watersport activities like water skiing, sailing, snorkeling, diving, etc. Best of all: nearly everything is free
• Beautiful beach, clear water
• The staff was very friendly and helpful.
• One evening we booked dinner on the beach (additional fee around 700MUR / 17 EUR). When we were sitting on the beach, the manager of the hotel stopped by to ask us if we enjoy our stay.
• Very good service. One day our A/C didn’t work. We reported it before we went to dinner, after we came back into our room a few hours later, it was fixed.
• Daily bottle of water for free
• Wi-fi is free and available everywhere in the hotel
• The hotel has 3 stars, in our opinion that’s underrated, they deserve 4
• Our room was very bright, nice and clean, although there were some small damages (see pictures) on mirrors etc.
• The have a tennis court available for free use with floodlight. It’s a hard court in good condition. Tennis rackets and balls are free

The not so good:

• When we arrived at the beach at 11am, all beach loungers were taken. We just stayed there eitherway. If nobody was coming within 1 hour, we moved their towels and took the beach lounger. That’s conforming the hotel rules which say you have to free the lounger, if you leave it and don’t come back within 1 hour
• Food was ok, but nothing special. We booked half-board so we had a buffet each evening
• Our room was not 100% quiet: sometimes we heard our neighboors with their little children through the wall
• In general you can see that the hotel is not the newest one. Everything is clean and well maintained. For example the edges of mirror in the bathroom were broken (see pictures below)

Tipp

For an additional fee (700 MUR / 17 EUR) you can have dinner with service included directly on the beach. So you don’t eat from the buffet and the meals are served.

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