Category Archives: Southeast Asia

Farewell to Luang Prabang

Global Traveller Blog Posted on November 13, 2017 by

I got up early and biked around the riverbanks. It was great to do it before the sun was in full force. The riverbanks are just enchanting. I decided that I had to do the “must do” in Luang Prabang and so I climbed Phoussi Hill. It’s historically important but I really didn’t see what the big fuss was. Fortunately it was cool enough  to climb up the 300 some steps so that wasn’t too arduous but it was also overcast when I finally got to the top. Since it wasn’t sunset it wasn’t  overcrowded but as there wasn’t much space up there I could imagine that with more than a couple of dozen people it would get unpleasant indeed. I think that climbing this hill could easily make it onto a “most overrated tourist attractions” list. I took my time getting back to the hotel where I had a noodle soup at my favorite restaurant down the street. The breakfast in the hotel is really not very good but the noodle shop was fabulous. After packing up, checking out and leaving my luggage at reception I decided I wanted to cross to the other side of the river even … Continue reading →

Last day in Bangkok

Global Traveller Blog Posted on November 14, 2017 by

I checked into the New Siam Palace Ville Hotel last night which I chose mainly for its swimming pool and its excellent location not too far from the Royal Palace and from Koh San Road. There’s nothing particularly wrong with the place but it strikes me as somewhat cold. Maybe it’s the architecture or the design or the reception. I don’t know. I guess it’s good value for money. So I got up this morning early and looked around the neighborhood which I liked very much. When I first arrived in Bangkok, the neighborhood was not very interesting but this neighborhood is much more enticing with lots of little shops and restaurants along pedestrian streets. My goal is to visit the Royal Palace which was closed on my last visit. My first choice would have been to visit the national museum but unfortunately it was closed today. At least I did get to see the room containing the golden chariots used to transport the urn containing the King’s ashes. So reception told me I could actually walk to the Royal Palace which turned out to be more or less true. Actually it was kind of a long hot walk and … Continue reading →