Tu as raison, le ping de 216.46.170.184 ne fonctionne pas !
Sur pipeline 4 de CNN, la tele news1, après qu'une dame est lu un communiqué en thai, venant sans
doute des militaires, diffuse maintenant : des anciennes vidéos du roi et de la reine !!
Erika.
> le site du bangkok post est toujours accessible - il est fort sollicité il faut donc être patient.
voilà la une du Bangkok Post - cela fonctionne mais il faut du temps
COUP D'ETAT IN THAILAND
Coup makers call themselves Democratic Reform Council
Thai premier declares state of emergency
Nipat Uthit 2 road, usually bustling with locals and tourists, is quiet in the aftermath of Saturday's bomb attacks in Hat Yai town.— NATTHITI AMPRIWAN
Sonthi to widen rebel dragnet
Army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin plans to extend security operations to Satun and Songkhla after finding links between insurgents there and in the three southernmost provinces, an army source said yesterday.
Deep South: Army wants peace talks but unsure who with
The army chief's plan to seek talks with separatist rebel leaders in an attempt to end violence in the deep South is making no progress as the army still has no idea who the enemies really are, security sources said yesterday.
BMA suspends issuing IDs as magnetic-strip cards run out
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is temporarily suspending its ID card-issuing services after using up its last blank card with a magnetic strip yesterday, deputy city clerk Rattapol Meethanathaworn said.
Narathiwat hit by a spate of arson and bomb attacks
Narathiwat was hit by a spate of arson and bomb attacks yesterday as militants continued to create more turmoil in the troubled deep South. But no casualties were reported.
Assez sérieux pour annuler. C'est dangereux et les étrangers risquent d'avoir de sérieux problèmes. On les réfère à l'ambassade de leur pays et ensuite leurs déplacements sont limités.
Mais non,
pourquoi les étrangers ... pas de paranoia SVP
La Thailande a besoin de son tourisme apporteur de devises.
Je comprend que certaines personnes se posent des questions, ayez au moins la patience d'attendre demain et de ne pas réagir à chaud après quelques heures.
Actuellement TOUTES les sources parlent de calme.
Et en ce qui concerne l'état d'urgence il est en vigueur depuis 12/ 13 ans dans le sud.
Actuellement même le trafic automobile n'est pas arrêté à BKK
Pas de panique, pour l'instant ils se disent obéir au roi quoi qu'il advienne. 😉
De CNN : Story Highlights
• NEW: Thai military says nation under martial law
• NEW: Thailand's constitution suspended
• Thai prime minister at United Nations in New York
• Tanks in streets of Bangkok
Assez sérieux pour annuler. C'est dangereux et les étrangers risquent d'avoir de sérieux problèmes. On les réfère à l'ambassade de leur pays et ensuite leurs déplacements sont limités.
Le sage se conforme aux principes éternels :
de la modération, de la droiture, de l'humanité
et de la justice. (Philosophie chinoise).
...."Taksin devrait rester un peu à Manhattan.." dixit un analyste us sur BBC World.............ah ben c'est sur, meme si il revient par le nouvel aéroport, il y aura un comité d'acceuil.................donc, le coup d'état a réussi..........nouvelles élections, et zou.........
Je n'en sais rien. J'ai été chanceuse de pouvoir annuler auprès de mon agent de voyage parce qu'on avait convenu qu'il facturait à mon compte de carte de crédit vendredi. Une assurance annulation ne rembourse pas ce genre de truc, de la même façon qu'elle ne rembourse pas les catastrophe naturelles.
........il ne faut pas que tu annules ton voyage, c'est juste une crise politique un peu forte, c'est pas du tout dangereux pour les touristes.............c'est "bizness as usual" dés demain aprés midi...........
Pas de panique, dans quelques jours surement, des élections vont venir et puis une démocratie
de plus va surement naitre ! On ne peut pas imaginer un seul instant un régime militaire dure et
antidémocratique, car tout le monde y perdrait !😛
Je pense et j'espère que de toute façon, avant une dizaine de jours la loi martiale sera levée.🙂
Erika.
Je n'en sais rien. J'ai été chanceuse de pouvoir annuler auprès de mon agent de voyage parce qu'on avait convenu qu'il facturait à mon compte de carte de crédit vendredi. Une assurance annulation ne rembourse pas ce genre de truc, de la même façon qu'elle ne rembourse pas les catastrophe naturelles.
Le sage se conforme aux principes éternels :
de la modération, de la droiture, de l'humanité
et de la justice. (Philosophie chinoise).
Tout ce que je sais, c'est que la situation est extrêmement instable. On ne connait absolument rien des intentions de l'armée qui vient de prendre le pouvoir. Et le gouvernement qui vient d'être renversé pourrait réagir. Il pourrait effectivement y avoir de la violence au cours des prochains jours, voire des prochaines semaines. Je crois que je vais aller à Disney Land, ce sera plus jojo.
J'étais sur le point de booker mes vols sur internet pour mon prochain voyage en Novembre quand j'ai appris cette situation !!! Je vais maintenant attendre quelques jours pour voir comment se développe la situation en espérant qu'une transition "tranquille" s'instalera. Pour l'instant rien ne sert de paniquer !
Pour avoir deja connu ca en RDC et en Mauritanie!!! Je sais ce que represente un coup d'état il faut seulement rester calme!!! Il n'y as meme pas eu de coup de feu. Dans un mois la situation sera redevenue normale. Faut pas annule votre voyage en faisant ca vous privé les thai de ressources importantes!!!!! Moi je parts en décembre et je n'annule en aucun cas
Les savants s'interessent a la comprehension des textes et les ignorants a leur memorisation. Cheikh Qurtubi.
Bonjour,
Comme vous tous, je viens d'apprendre la nouvelle. Le problème est que je devais partir en thailande début décembre et au risque de vous paraître égoïste et de ne penser qu'à ma personne, je voulais savoir s'il fallait commencer à envisager une annulation?
Merci pour tous les conseils à venir
en tout cas, cette crise fera chuter le tourisme, c'est sur, car les seules images sont celles de cHARS dans les rues que les télespectateurs retiendront avec la phrase "coup d'état en thailande".
Il y a fort à parier que le prix des billets (si la crise dure plus d'une semaine avec des images de militaires en armes) risquent de chuter dans les prochains jours.
Et moi j'ai un billet thaiairways pour le 24 octobre à 13h50 !
Une chose qui risque de se produire, c'est une dépréciation du bath thailandais pendant quelques jours !
Le thailande a déjà connu cela, les milieux économiques n'aiment pas l'instabilité non plus !
Aucun coups de feu n'a été tiré !!!
Enfin, aux dernières nouvelles le général qui a pris le pouvoir, s'est entretenu avec le roi !! 😉
C'est bon signe, je pense !
Erika.
Pour avoir deja connu ca en RDC et en Mauritanie!!! Je sais ce que represente un coup d'état il faut seulement rester calme!!! Il n'y as meme pas eu de coup de feu. Dans un mois la situation sera redevenue normale. Faut pas annule votre voyage en faisant ca vous privé les thai de ressources importantes!!!!! Moi je parts en décembre et je n'annule en aucun cas
Le sage se conforme aux principes éternels :
de la modération, de la droiture, de l'humanité
et de la justice. (Philosophie chinoise).
Ne voyez-vous pas que tout ceci n'est qu'une mise en scène avec l'accord tacite de Taksin? qui va quitter le pouvoir sans perdre la face?
Sa fuite aux Nations Unies est elle volontaire?
C'était plus ou moins "annoncé", Non ?
donc, oui, du moins je le crois volontiers.
si j'avais mon billet pour demain, je ne l'annulerai en aucun cas, je prendrais juste une correspondance pour m'éloigner de BKK (comme une vraie Française qui se planque un peu, le temps que ça se calme) et voilà !
Ils ne vont pas se mettre à tirer sur les touristes dès qu'ils posent le pied sur le territoire, non plus...
......je pars dans un mois et c'est pas un probléme ce coup d'état, il n'y absolument aucun risque de guerre civile.................les attentats du sud du pays sont beaucoup plus dangereux, ce qui se passe à Bkk c'est que l'armée remet le pouvoir au Roi, comme d'hab...............
Il ne faut pas s'inquiéter, en thailande, les choses se passent toujours sans combats.
J'espère que cela continuera !
En tout cas le thai bath à 22h23 ne s'effondre pas 1 euro = de 47.86 à 47.89 bath !
Cela veut dire que la thailande inspire confiance, chez les spéculateurs de devise !
C'est pour dire que personne ne crois à un durcissement, mais plutot à une acalmie !!
Taksin lui même a des intérêts économiques en thailande et ce n'est pas son intérêt non plus
qu'une guerre de clans n'éclate !!
Demain est un autre jour !! 🙂
Erika.
Bon, pour l'instant, c'est pas grand chose. On part dimanche, on vous tiendra au courant.....
Le sage se conforme aux principes éternels :
de la modération, de la droiture, de l'humanité
et de la justice. (Philosophie chinoise).
Lucky that we have a home/Our Home is Nha May Man/Passing rain and dry seasons/In a full-of-love atmosphere/Besides my new family/I have brothers and sisters/The sun shines over the skies/Let's stay here, with all of us,
Being a Thai-American, I'm a little in awe at the situation. In reality, the situation is actually quite calm, the country is not in chaos and people are not lining the streets going crazy as some news agencies have reported. Most of Thai people I have talked to are a little surprised about the Army control, but are also annoyed by that it had to come to this ordeal because of major bickering between the two main poltical parties (Thai Rak Thai, and Democratic Party) unable to come to a compromise by putting forth the country's best interest. Outsiders of the country may view this as hostile, but in reality there is no violence or large gatherings going on at the moment.
Bo C., Bangkok, Thailand
I'm an American living in Bangkok. I just came back from downtown, things are quiet and peaceful and the military is staged at various locations. Traffic is moving and people appear to be going about their business. It is 1:23 a.m now. All UBC cable televisions stations are out, we have only one local station broadcasting pictures of His Majesty the King.
Nio Paul, Bangkok, Thailand
It's 1:20 a.m., we live in Bangkok. The coup seems to be still under way, we just came back from a drive along Sukhumvit Road, the main road in Bangkok -- lights are off, police are shutting down all of the stores, and directing cars off the road. It clearly isn't over yet.
Gary Murray, Bangkok, Thailand
Thanks for allowing me to follow the news because every channel is now blocked! It is incredible how the government wants to hide what is going on to Thai people! I just saw a tank on Rama IV where I live a few minutes ago ... I hope everything will be alright in a few days ... and I hope that the Internet will not be blocked too.
Julien Guilbert, Bangkok, Thailand
Am currently on 58th floor of Lebua Hotel at State Tower. CNN/BBC has been cut with message broadcast "We apologize for the interruption to our scheduled program. Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible." This replaced an earlier message that indicated disruption was caused by "Sun Outages." Streets below appears to be normal with lighter than normal traffic. Hotel staff are unclear whether we will be able to get taxis in the morning to get to the airport.
Nick Downing, Bangkok, Thailand
So glad Taksin kicked out. Thailand is moving forward to a better society. Long live our king.
Pasem Supinyo, Bangkok, Thailand
I work for a humanitarian organisation -- World Vision -- and we have hundreds of staff in Thailand. We'll be waiting with baited breath to see how things turn out. Thailand is a wonderful country and the tourist high season -- the country's main earner -- is about to kick into high gear. Millions of people rely on it for their incomes. Let's hope peace reigns and democracy is swiftly restored.
James East, Bangkok, Thailand
We are a group of American university students studying in Bangkok, while the attempted coup is coming to fruition. Here, we are watching CNN World News cover what is taking place on the streets before our eyes. Earlier tonight, totally unaware of what was going on, we were searched at a military check point in the downtown area.
John Nagib, Bangkok, Thailand
All the streets are crowded with soldiers, tanks being located in the center of the town. Nobody knows what's really happening, it's like war! I tried to watch CNN or BBC but it doesn't work. Army TV is still sending old images. At the moment, civilians are not yet affected but we don't know whether we should leave the country.
Roger Mason, Bangkok, Thailand
I cannot believe how immature Thai politics are. This is simply a power game of the elite/ruling class. A nationwide rally to protest against PM Taksin is scheduled to happen on September 20. The coup is mocking the "people power" and it is mocking democracy. How can there be "peace and order" in a country where people's voice is not heard and respected? And power is in a handful of ruling class with either wealth, cultural capital, or guns? On top of that, all Thai TV channels and cable TV, including CNN and BBC, and major Thai newspapers websites are blocked from broadcasting. This is ridiculous!
Tivani W., Bangkok, Thailand
I have seen troop carriers transporting both naval and army personnel in the area of Sathorn Road -- Bangkok's central business district.
Ian Leong, Bangkok, Thailand
I live in the Phra Khanong district of Bangkok, a largely Thai working class neighborhood. Now 00:30am local time. Things are quiet but many small clusters of people are gathered near intersections and verdors with TV sets. The prevailing mood seems more apprehensive than angry but people are clearly not happy with the Army for stepping in. Aquaintances who I know to be fed-up with Taksin want a lawful process to be the vehicle of change and are really disturbed by Army's action. They thought they had put this kind of political interferance behind them and see this as a giant step backwards. These are not academics I'm talking about, these are the opinions being voiced by the vendors, shopowners and ordinary residents of this neighborhood. Everybody is very worried what the Air Force and Navy will do, nobody wants to see conflict on the streets. Many are also wondering if Taksin's plane will be allowed to land in Thailand, and if not, what nation close by will be willing to be his home away from home.
David Jerauld, Bangkok, Thailand
I'm in Thailand. Since all the national TV channels are blocked, Thai people basically do not know anything about what's going on, except through watching CNN and other foreign TV channel braodcast through cable TV. But right now, all foreign TV news channel are also blocked. So the only way for Thai people to know what's going on out there is through the Internet.
A Thai woman, Bangkok, Thailand
Many Thais have awaited a military intervention a long while. It's wholeheartedly welcome. Thaksin has been an arch-tyrant. Over the past five years corruption has phenomenally widespread. In fact, Thaksin's side was about to stage a coup today but was interrupted. So thanks for the timely intervention.
Supakorn B, Bangkok, Thailand
I'm a Thai citicen who lives in Bangkok nearby new Suwanaphoom airport. Thai military with Thai highest police department join together to coup our country. They have already occupied all Thailand television now. It's too bad to us Thai people. I Really don't know who are really good guys or who are the bad ones. My heart has only respect for our Majesty. Hope everything will be come through peacefully soon.
Jo Visutha, Bangkok, Thailand
English language news channels (CNN, BBC, CNBC, Bloomberg) have all been suspended on the major Thai cable/satellite provider (UBC).
Dan Stomierosky, Chiang Mai, Thailand
I urge most foreigners who view this military coup with an important perspective: Unlike military dictatorships around the world that hold onto power forever, ones in Thailand generally happen when the current government is under intense scrutiny for government corruption and there is no other way from preventing the country from falling apart , and then returns the power to the people. Take this situation: Give your children space to experiment -- but when your children are are about to try heroin, you have to stop them -- period. That's where Thailand is now. We're learning democracy (we've been trying for many decades), but when a PM tries legitimize himself as democratic although straightforwardly a tyrannical brat, only the Keynesian "helping hand" can save us. And the only hero now is our military.
Kuson S., Bangkok, Thailand
Dans un coup d'état et un état d'urgence, tout est possible, les frontières peuvent être fermées ainsi que les aéroports.
On peux aussi se déplacer dans le pays par voie terrestre ou par mer, sans quitter le territoire, non ? 😛 Je voulais dire se déplacer de bangkok...
Si c'était un coup monté, alors on fait comme s'il n'y a rien eu et que les avions continuent de décoller et d'atterrir.
En même temps, je ne pars pas demain, alors...
Le sage se conforme aux principes éternels :
de la modération, de la droiture, de l'humanité
et de la justice. (Philosophie chinoise).
hommage au Roi ......!!! Bon, je crois qu'il faut attendre un peu avant de se pronnoncer, on essaye de faire des commentaires qui nous sont propres sans vraiment connaitre les tenants et les aboutissants, il est peu probable que la vérité passe par nos sentiments respectifs et la sagesse veut que l'on attende un peu que la situation se décante avant d'emettre des avis de quels types que ce soit .... pour ceux qui ont des billets, je pense que vous pouvez continuer à partir, les risques pour le moment sont minimes pour les touristes (à moins de ne pas avoir de chance ou alors d'aler jouer un peu trop pret des chars....)n, de toute manière, comme il a été dit la Thailande a aussi besoin du tourisme qu reste un apport important d'argent mais la pays est aussi vcapable de surmonter la "crise" sans que personne ne soit sur le territoire, donc effectivement, dans une situation comme celle ci, tout peut arriver... si l'armée est en ville, c'est pas non plus pour faire jounour ou pour montrer leur beau 4x4 .... en attendant, passez une bonne nuit, personne ici n'y changera rien !😉
Il est important de percevoir combien votre propre bonheur est lié à celui des autres, il n'existe pas de bonheur individuel totalement indépendant d'autrui.....(Dalaï-Lama)
Oui ce n'est pas le moment de se dire "cool!Y a des chars en plein centre ville, je vais pouvoir aller faire de belles photos avec les militaires et tout et tout!"🤪.
Pour l'instant rien n'a pété, pas de mort d'hommes...
Lucky that we have a home/Our Home is Nha May Man/Passing rain and dry seasons/In a full-of-love atmosphere/Besides my new family/I have brothers and sisters/The sun shines over the skies/Let's stay here, with all of us,
Apres avoir regardé qques sites, la situation semble presque normal, a part le fait qu'ils y a des blindés un peu partout...
Je comprends tout de meme l'apréhension de ceux qui partent dans les prochains jours, voir les prochaines heures, malgré le service lamentable de nos ambassades, apportez avec vous les coordonnées de la votre!
A lire les posts des habitués en Thailande, tout devrait se régler assez rapidement, espérons qu'ils disent vrai🙂
Pour ma part j'y vais en février, donc j'aurai surement qques questions pour vous dans les prochaines semaines!
Dans tout ça, je trouve bien plus d'inquiétudes de voyageurs préoccupés de devoir décaler leur prochaines vacances que de compassion pour le sort de nos amis citoyens thaï ordinaires.
Marseil, inquiet pour ses amis.
"Rien ne développe l'intelligence comme les voyages."
Emile Zola
Et voilà, moi je sollicite toutes les bonnes âmes du Forum pendant des semaines pour préparer mon super voyage en Thaïlande, avec toute ma p'tite famille et tout ça, et quand tout est bouclé, compris, que la perpective du voyage est une fête de chaque instant, l'armée me fout tout en l'air en 24 heures...
Qu'est-ce que tu veux?On nous a conditionné depuis notre tendre enfance à avoir "PEUR"...C'est l'une des façons pour les élites de gouverner un pays...Moi aussi ça me gave toute ces infos non nuancé sur le site du ministére des affaires étrangéres
en gros "c'est ne partez pas ailleurs car vous risquez gros!Mais restez passer vos vacances chez nous!"
Sinon, d'accord avec Marseil...Faut penser aussi aux Thais!
A plus! Lexa sinon bonne nuit à tous!(en espérant que ça se calme en Thailande)
C'est dure l'incertitude pour ceux et celles qui doivent partir en Thailande, et peut être aussi pour ceux et celles, qui habitent ou résident actuellemnt là bas !!
Je vous souhaite à tout et à toutes bon courage.
Mais l'armée suivra le roi et son peuple, je l'espère de tout mon coeur !
A demain !
Erika.
Et voilà, moi je sollicite toutes les bonnes âmes du Forum pendant des semaines pour préparer mon super voyage en Thaïlande, avec toute ma p'tite famille et tout ça, et quand tout est bouclé, compris, que la perpective du voyage est une fête de chaque instant, l'armée me fout tout en l'air en 24 heures...
Le sage se conforme aux principes éternels :
de la modération, de la droiture, de l'humanité
et de la justice. (Philosophie chinoise).
je suis en thailande et je viens de me reveiller, ici il est 5 h du mat.
en voyant coup d'etat je me suis inquieté puis en voyant qu'ils etaient fidele au roi ca ma rassuré, si il y a des excées, des derapages le roi y mettra fin.
pas de raison de s'inquieter pour l'instant, s'ils avaient été contre le roi la ca aurait été la merde.
may pen ray, jai yen yen, deux expression conrante en thailande qu'il faut avoir en tête en ce moment.
Ah, si tu savais comme cela fais du bien de t'entendre !😉
Alors bonne journée à toi, et bon courage aussi,
je suis sûre que le pays du sourire va le garder encore et toujours.🙂🙂🙂
Merci Bernardddo, et bon réveil !😉
Erika.
je suis en thailande et je viens de me reveiller, ici il est 5 h du mat.
en voyant coup d'etat je me suis inquieté puis en voyant qu'ils etaient fidele au roi ca ma rassuré, si il y a des excées, des derapages le roi y mettra fin.
pas de raison de s'inquieter pour l'instant, s'ils avaient été contre le roi la ca aurait été la merde.
may pen ray, jai yen yen, deux expression conrante en thailande qu'il faut avoir en tête en ce moment.
Le sage se conforme aux principes éternels :
de la modération, de la droiture, de l'humanité
et de la justice. (Philosophie chinoise).
je suis en thailande et je viens de me reveiller, ici il est 5 h du mat.
en voyant coup d'etat je me suis inquieté puis en voyant qu'ils etaient fidele au roi ca ma rassuré, si il y a des excées, des derapages le roi y mettra fin.
pas de raison de s'inquieter pour l'instant, s'ils avaient été contre le roi la ca aurait été la merde.
may pen ray, jai yen yen, deux expression conrante en thailande qu'il faut avoir en tête en ce moment.
Bien dit, Bernardddo, je pense aussi que le Roi mettra de l'ordre. Après tout les militaires disent qu'ils veulent rétablir la démocratie. Et ils semblent tous porter les couleurs du Roi. J'ai confiance, ça ne peut être que mieux que Taksin rentre dans le rang. Vive la Thaïlande. Vive sa Majesté.
Je pars le 25.9 pour Chiang Mai avec ma femme.
Salut à tous nos amis qui sont en Thaïlande.
J'espère de tout mon coeur que ce coup d'état sera sans conséquence pour la population comme pour les visiteurs.
Je ne suis pas une spécialiste de la Thailande. N'empêche que ce qui me rend dubitative sont les nombreux exemples de coups d'état militaires ailleurs dans le monde qui, s'ils semblaient pétris de bonnes intentions au début n'ont guère connu d'issue heureuse...
Je pense au Chili en 1973, au Nigéria en 1975, 1983 etc..., à la Côte d'Ivoire plus près de nous en 1999, et j'en passe...
La bienveillance à l'égard du peuple affichée au départ tourne très vite en eau de boudin.
Pourvu qu'il n'en soit pas de même pour la Thaïlande.
non meeah vraiment rien a voir avec chili nigeria ou cote d'ivoire, d'après tout ce que je viens de lire ce coup d'etat est fait pour remettre de l'ordre et mettre fin a la crise politique actuelle dont le pays n'arrivait pas a sortir et a la corruption.
au final je crois que cela peut apporter de bonne chose, et sous le regard de sa majesté.
c'est vrai que cela peut etre etonnant pour beaucoup de francais mais quand on vit en thailande on en vient a aimer le roi parce que c'est quelqu'un d'une grande sagesse et c'est ce qu'il fait que j'ai confiance parce que le coup d'etat n'est pas contre lui, au final quoi qu'il se passe c'est lui qui aura le dernier mot.
salut
Je viens d etre en ligne avec Bgkk il est 7.00 eux aussi sont tout comme vous en France avec peu d info pas de télé mais la situation semble normal en dehors de la présence des blindés ...il n y as pas eue d ordre concernant les touriste et les avions ont circuler normalement cette nuit avec des arrivée au petit matin comme d habitude.
l armée a le controle de la ville mais il veulent surtout le départ du gouvernement en place ..aucune violence ne semble avoir eue lieu ..l appel de mon ami se voulais rassurent Ce n est pas le premier coup d etat qu il vie mais apperement cela semble pas de la même ampleur que le dernier en date ..en dehors des chars et qui sont semblerais t il concentré prés du palais et des batiment du gouvernement il n y as pas de militaire a chaque coins de rue.
il est difficile d avoir des info car la télé est coupé et les sites thailandais ont été coupé . aujourd hui les banques et certains commerce sont fermés .
il semblerais que des coup de feu ont été entendus sur Chian mai ville a forte majorite pro taksin mais c est a mettre au conditionelle aucune certitude de cette info ..
La vie c est cmme une patisserie on peux la regader sans cesse mais pour connaitre ces saveurs il la faut croquer... les gens sont seuls parce qu'ils construisent des murs au lieu de construire des ponts
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Hi fellow travelers,
First trip to Vietnam.
We’ll be arriving in Ho Chi Minh City during Tet.
Is it complicated to find accommodation and get around during this period?
Any tips would be welcome.
Thanks for your replies.
Hello,
After 1 night in Khao Sok, I’d like to find a 2 Days 1 Night package on the lake.
After reading a lot, I decided to "break the bank" and treat ourselves to a private tour—mainly to avoid the crowds.
But after contacting several operators, they offer "private tours" that are very expensive (around 700 €), yet in the details, the boats can only leave from the pier at 10 AM like everyone else. (I was hoping to leave much earlier.) The morning program is the same for everyone too (private or not). They drop us off at noon at our floating hotel (I’d chosen Phupha Waree). Free afternoon (swimming or kayaking in front of the hotel). We head back by boat for a 1-hour sunset ride. And the next morning, we leave the hotel at 8 AM to be at the pier by 9:30 AM at the latest—end of the trip.
So basically, we’re paying a lot for a private tour just to do the same thing as everyone else at the same time.
Or maybe I just had bad luck in my search.
I contacted Panida Ladi, who’s very popular on forums. We’d agreed on a private tour that matched my request (departure from the pier at 8 AM, very personalized itinerary). We settled on the itinerary and price, she asked for a Wise transfer for a 30% deposit, confirmed receipt of the deposit. Then 30 minutes later, she messaged me to say she was canceling everything because it was impossible to do the requested tour—and promised a quick refund of my deposit.
So here’s my question: Who’s done a *real* private tour on this lake? Who can recommend a reliable agency? Is it even really possible to do a private tour here?
Hi,
I wanted to get some info about the cable car and the bridge—I see lots of different options...
How much time should we allow for these two activities? If we arrive around 4 PM, will we have enough time to visit without rushing?
Thanks
I’m searching for a real gem for my 3rd stay in Koh Lanta: a lovely, high-quality hotel right by an easily accessible beach in a lively spot.
If you know of anything that fits what I’m looking for and want to share, don’t hesitate!
Hi,
On September 1st, we're heading to Kalimantan for six weeks, probably from Pontianak to the Derawan Islands.
I've scoured this site, which is usually my go-to 😉, and others like VoyageForum, but recent info is pretty scarce.
I'd love any tips on places you've visited—our itinerary is still a work in progress.
We're two couples traveling with backpacks, using buses, boats, guesthouses, and homestays.
Thanks in advance!
Hi! I’d like to split my trip into two parts: 15 days in Phuket and 15 days in Krabi. Do you know if I can rent a car and drop it off in Krabi when I fly back to France?
Thanks for your feedback!
Have a great Sunday!
Martine
Hi, is anyone there in Flores right now? According to some websites, everything is closed and the situation is tough. But our guide says it's fine. Who should we believe? We're supposed to leave on September 2nd. Thanks to anyone in Flores at the moment!
Hi dear community,
I'm planning to visit Cambodia this winter, right after Christmas, for my first solo trip and my first trip to Asia. For two weeks (yes, I know it's short, but I really can't do more...). I have two main desires: Siem Reap and the countryside, the villages, the Mekong...
What do you think of this itinerary? Arrival in Siem Reap, departure from Phnom Penh.
SR: 5 days (1 day for arrival, 3 for the temples, 1 for the lake and its villages)
Kratie (stop on the way to Mondolkiri): 3 days (1 day of travel, 2 days there)
Mondolkiri/Sen Monorom: 4 days (1 day of travel, 1 day there, 2 days of treks)
PP: 3 days (1 day of travel, 2 days of sightseeing)
I think I need to cut one day somewhere if I travel from Saturday to Saturday or Sunday to Sunday. In Kratie, maybe? Or in PP? And I'll miss the boat trip that everyone recommends (SR-Battambang), but I don't see where to fit it in. Unless I do a PP-PP loop starting in the east, skip Kratie or just stay one night, then SR, then PP.
In my timing, Mondolkiri seems closer than Ratanakiri, which also tempted me a lot! Will it be too complicated alone? I'm thinking of using local guides or a small local agency for a nature and village getaway.
I've read that Siem Reap is very crowded between Christmas and New Year's. I could also do the circuit in the opposite direction. But I thought it would be easier to get familiar with the country by arriving in a touristy area—I might be wrong...
Thanks for your advice and opinions!
Hi everyone.
I’m planning my trip, and based on all the posts I’ve read, this country is amazing.
Of course, I’ve got a ton of questions for you.
Here’s a possible itinerary: Vientiane - Vang Vieng - Phonsavan - Sam Neua - Nong Khiaw + villages - Phongsali - Luang Namtha and the area - Udomxai - Huay Xai - Luang Prabang and back to Vientiane.
What do you think?
We’re planning to prioritize local transport—is it possible to do this loop?
We’d also love to go kayaking, but I’m not sure if the season’s right or where the best spot is.
For trekking—I read that Phongsali is the most authentic spot to visit villages and see wildlife. Do you know of a reliable agency and a guesthouse with reasonable prices?
Is it worth taking a slow boat for a stretch on the Mekong, and if so, which route?
For accommodations, is it better to book through Booking.com and Agoda or look when we arrive?
Are mosquitoes bad in Laos, and should we take malaria prophylaxis?
What’s the average daily budget (accommodation, food, visits)?
Is renting scooters a good option for exploring towns, and if so, which ones?
From what I’ve read, it’s best to carry cash—euros or dollars? Is it risky to walk around with that much cash?
I’ve still got tons of questions. Thanks to anyone who can help, and I’m open to all tips, info, etc.
Thanks again
Hi there,
I’m planning a trip to Vietnam in February, specifically Da Nang and Hoi An.
Does anyone know a French-speaking guide in the area?
Thanks for your help
Hi there,
I’m planning a family trip (my wife and I, both 47, and our two sons, aged 5 and 12) to Malaysia for the last week of June and the first two weeks of July 2027.
We used to love road trips as a couple, then as a trio, but since our second child arrived, we’ve taken a break with "camping village" style trips.
Now feels like the right time to get back to our old habits, while adjusting the pace for the kids.
We’re craving Asia. We’ve been lucky enough to visit Thailand, Indonesia (Bali and Lombok), and Sri Lanka before.
Friends have raved about Malaysia, so we’re definitely tempted.
For those who know and love Malaysia, what would be a good itinerary starting from Kuala Lumpur, with a maximum of 3-4 stops? We’d like a mix of culture, nature, and relaxation (just to clarify, we’re not big beach fans). All of this without rushing, of course.
Hello,
We’re a family of four with two teens aged 16 and 18. We’re heading to Thailand this summer. We’ll arrive in Bangkok and plan to take a flight to Luang Prabang.
I’ve seen there are some great visits and excursions to do (temples, markets, waterfalls) and maybe even venture a bit north to places like Nong Khiaw, Muang Xay, Muang Ngoy, or Oudom Xay.
But I’ve also heard about the Bokeo region with the Gibbon Experience.
Since we won’t be able to do everything, I’d love to hear about your experiences, impressions, and advice on the two options I’m considering, especially since we’ll be meeting family in Chiang Mai, Thailand, afterward.
Option 1: A loop from Luang Prabang heading slightly north, then a flight from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai.
Option 2: A few days in Luang Prabang, exploring within a few dozen kilometers around, then heading to Bokeo province for the 2-day/1-night Gibbon Experience. For this option, I saw on Rome2Rio that it’s possible to book a ferry trip on the Mekong from Luang Prabang to Huay Xay—they mention about 8 hours. But is that realistic? What type of boat is it?
Then, to get to Chiang Mai, there aren’t many options—bus or minivan—but how does crossing the border work?
Finally, for those of you who’ve been to Laos in August, what was the weather like?
We’ve already visited Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia during the same period over the past four years and weren’t really bothered by bad weather.
I’m starting a discussion about guides in the Mekong Delta because we’ve just finished our trip in this region and had a hard time finding a French-speaking guide. We had Thanh—she speaks French really well and travels all over the delta region, including Ho Chi Minh City. She’s super friendly and flexible. I recommend her wholeheartedly. If it can help someone...
Feel free to contact us for her number.
Hi everyone,
I couldn’t find any recent info on Kuching.
Can anyone recommend a hotel or guesthouse for under 100 RM that’s nice and affordable? No dorms, please.
Also, does it rain a lot in November, and is it still worth visiting Semenggoh or Bako?
We’ll be arriving in Phnom Penh this coming January and we’re thinking of starting our trip with a stop in Kampong Cham, then Kratie.
After Kratie, we’re considering heading toward Siem Reap with a stop in Kampong Thom.
That said, I’m not really sure how long the Kratie–Kampong Thom journey might take or how complicated it is.
Does this stop on the way to Siem Reap seem like a good idea to you?
If we don’t visit the Sambor Prei Kuk site, are there still any walks or sights worth checking out in Kampong Thom?
Silly question—backpack or hard-shell suitcase for the Sepilok, Kinabatangan, Tioman, KL trip?
I’m struggling to fit all my son’s and my stuff into the 70L backpack... and I’m thinking a suitcase would be easier, but I’m not sure if it’ll work for getting around.
Hi there,
I didn’t plan to return to Thailand this year, but my health conditions mean it’ll be the best place for me to stay between two trips to India. The tourism setup there is so well-organized that it’s the most "comfortable" country for a short visit. Thailand feels too sanitized for my taste, and there’s too much religion, Buddha, and the King, but it’s still the best option given how my health has been evolving. I’d considered two weeks in ThaTon for hiking, but I got too sick from the burn-offs during my trips to the mountains around Chiang Rai. So I’m not sure where to go this year. Definitely not the sea, touristy spots, or the mountains with burn-offs...
After a stay on Koh Phayam this coming November, I’d like to spend 2 or 3 days on Koh Phra Thong before heading further south.
Do you think it’s doable to leave Koh Phayam early enough to catch the 10 AM boat from Khura Buri to Koh Phra Thong? The next one isn’t until 4 PM, which would cost me a whole day.
I’m planning a trip to Indonesia, specifically Sulawesi and Java, in September for 10 days.
I don’t know this part of the world at all—any advice is welcome!
I’ll be traveling solo and would also love tips on meeting other travelers or locals.
Hello everyone,
Not long ago, I used to travel as a couple, but my husband has since passed away, and I’ve decided to set off again. The trip I took to Cambodia in January 2025 did me a world of good.
I’m now considering Thailand, a destination we never included in our plans because even 15 years ago, people said it was too touristy. Still, I’m thinking about the itinerary below, but I don’t feel up to arranging buses, trains, or guides on my own while I’m there. I’m looking for one or more drivers and have been in touch with an agency, but their offers are just copy-paste group tours that I don’t want.
So, if you have any contacts, experiences, or advice, I’d be so grateful if you’d share them with me. Here’s my rough plan:
Arrival in Bangkok
Ayutthaya (2 nights)
Kanchanaburi (2 or 3 nights)
Sangkhlaburi/Sai Yok (3 nights)
Sukhothai (2 nights)
Lampang (I’ve planned 3 nights, but that might be a bit much—it depends on what time I arrive in the city)
Chiang Mai
Chiang Dao
Pai
Chiang Rai
I was thinking about the Mae Hong Son loop—thoughts?
What do you think about staying overnight at the Golden Triangle?
When I look online, of course, I can find agencies that organize tours to national parks, etc.
I’m retired but in great physical shape. I’d rather go hiking than sit in hot springs with crowds of tourists who’ve all arranged meet-ups. I don’t want to spend a day at an elephant camp, and I don’t want to visit Karen villages.
I’d love to hear your advice.
Thank you all,
Hi everyone,
Could you share your thoughts on my 3-week itinerary?
We’re a small group (family + friends) of 12 people, planning to leave around January 21, 2027.
Here’s my itinerary:
3 nights in Bangkok
4 nights in Chiang Mai
3 nights on Koh Samui
3 nights on Koh Phangan
4 nights in Krabi
4 nights in Phuket
I’m also open to any great tips you might have...
Thanks, everyone! Alain.
Hi,
From Malacca to get to Jerantut, is it better to go back to KL and take a bus from there, or take a bus to Tampin and then a train? Any feedback on the "Jungle Train"? (duration, price, comfort, etc.). Thanks
Hi there,
We’re planning a 3-week family trip next summer with our three kids, who’ll be 8, 8, and 7 years old.
After some research, we’re leaning toward Malaysia to combine nature/forests and paradise beaches. The idea is to introduce our kids to the country’s culture, nature, and wildlife.
We want a great trip but without splurging on luxury options like high-end lodges and resorts. We’re looking for comfort with a touch of authenticity—basically, a good middle ground.
I’ve started putting together an itinerary and would love your expert advice and tips to help us build this amazing trip with our little ones.
Day 1: Departure from France
Day 2: Kuala Lumpur
Stay at a hotel near the airport or KL Sentral.
Just one night.
Day 3: Morning flight to Sandakan (Borneo).
Stay in Sepilok
Day 4: Sepilok:
* Orangutan Center
* Malayan Sun Bear Center
* Rainforest Discovery Centre
Day 5: Depart for Kinabatangan.
Boat safari in the late afternoon.
Day 6: Sunrise safari.
Jungle walk.
Evening safari.
Day 7: Final safari.
Return to Sandakan.
Flight to Kuala Lumpur, then to Kota Bharu (or overnight transit depending on schedules).
Day 8: Transfer to the port.
Boat to the Perhentian Islands.
Days 9 to 13: Perhentian Besar
5 full days.
* Snorkeling
* Hiking
* Turtle watching
* Wild beaches
* Relaxation
Day 14: Return to the mainland.
Bus or private car to Taman Negara.
Hi everyone,
We’re heading to Flores and then Bali at the end of September.
We’ve already visited both but this time, once we’re in Labuan Bajo, we’d like to take a boat to the Komodo Islands to see the famous Komodo dragons.
I don’t want to sleep on the boat—just a day trip would be perfect.
Does anyone know a reliable and friendly provider to recommend?
Thanks in advance, and have a great summer!
Summer seems to be the best time weather-wise for Bali.
And since summer’s when we can take a long trip, let’s go for Bali... even though we know it’ll be *packed* with people!
So we’ll steer clear of the island’s south...
Our current plan (19 days on the ground, 7 stops):
- 4 Nights (3 days) in Ubud
2 days for rice terraces / activities (Tegallalang, Campuhan Ridge, Monkey Forest, Bird Park, coffee plantation, market (?), dance "pestacle," cooking class and/or spa)
1 day with a driver for the Temples (Pura Gunung Kawi, Tirta Empul Spring, Pura Mengening, Goa Gajah...)
- 2 nights in Sidemen (1 day for Pura Kehen + Batur Caldera + Pura Besakih and 1 day to relax in the rice terraces)
- 3 nights on Gili Meno (Rest and beaches) from Padangbai
- 2 nights in Amed (1 day from Padangbai with the Abang rice terrace and Tirta Gangga baths, and the next day a boat tour in Amed)
- 4 nights in Pemuteran (1 day for transfer and rest, 1 day to visit Kawah Ijen, and 2 days of snorkeling at Menjangan Island)
- 2 nights in Munduk (1 day with the Dayang rice terrace and the 3-waterfall hike, 1 day at Pura Ulun Danu Bratan)
- 2 nights in Jatiluwih (1 day in the rice terraces, and on the last day, we’ll stop by Pura Taman Ayun in Mengwi and Pura Tanah Lot before catching our red-eye flight).
Accommodations in homestays or hotels.
Transportation to be arranged on-site with the lodgings (?)
Boat to Gili Meno to book in advance (?)
Kawah Ijen excursion to plan ahead (?)—check with the homestay (?)
Thanks for your thoughts/comments to help us explore this destination...
After reading and researching, we're planning the following stops in Cambodia in January 2027:
- Phnom Penh
- Kampong Cham
- Kratie
- Siem Reap
- Battambang
- Kampot (round trip)
I'm wondering about the direction of these stops, which could also influence our international flights.
Either a round trip from Phnom Penh in the order above.
Or landing in Siem Reap with the following order:
This second option would save us the Battambang - PP - Kampot trip but means doing a round trip to Battambang from Siem Reap and placing the "highlight of the trip" (Angkor) at the beginning of our stay.
Hi there,
We’re planning to travel from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang next November.
We’d like to take a slow boat from Chiang Khong—or rather from Huay Xai in Laos—with an overnight stop in Pakbeng.
Could you let us know if the boat still leaves Huay Xai in the late morning? If so, what time roughly, and what’s the price for the trip?
Thanks for your help!
Alod
We (3 adults: 68, 65, and 25 years old) are just back from a short trip to the Philippines, and I’d like to share a little summary of our journey. First of all, I’d like to thank everyone who contributes to this forum about this destination and answers the questions of those who aren’t familiar with it. I should also mention that my comments are personal and don’t reflect anyone else’s opinions. Since I don’t have any literary or photographic talent, I’ll stick to the facts and share a few details about the sights, hotels, and restaurants.
Preparations:
We chose this destination in December and quickly booked our flight tickets (540 € with Turkish Airlines) for a departure on February 16 and return on March 5, 2019. We then contacted two French-speaking tour operators based in Manila, asking them to put together an itinerary based on our wishes (places to visit, type of accommodation) and our budget. We wanted to see the rice terraces in northern Luzon, the hanging coffins in Sagada, before flying to the Visayas (Bohol, Siquijor, etc.), and the Taal Volcano, while limiting our nights in Manila as much as possible. In the end, we opted for Alize, whose itinerary and quote matched our request almost perfectly. Our exchanges helped us refine our circuit.
International flights:
The round-trip flights went smoothly. Turkish Airlines, while not at the level of Asian or Gulf airlines, does the job just fine.
Day 1:
We landed on time (6:15 PM) on Monday, February 16, at Terminal 3. We exchanged our euros (near the car rental counters), and I can confirm the exchange rate was very good. On the way to the St. Giles Hotel (decent and affordable for a transit night), we got our first glimpse of Manila’s dense traffic. The Makati district, where our hotel was located, offers a wide choice of restaurants, so we grabbed a quick bite to recover from the trip.
Day 2:
This day was dedicated to transferring to Banaue. Fortunately, we had a comfortable van and an excellent driver for this journey, which took all day (8 to 9 hours with stops). We got a taste of driving in the Philippines—and it’s terrifying. You wouldn’t want to drive on these roads. The first thing that struck us was the relatively good condition of the roads and the cleanliness (a change from other Southeast Asian countries). This impression lasted throughout our trip. Around 6 PM, we checked into our room at the Banaue Hotel (large, charm-free, but with a beautiful view of the rice terraces).
Day 3:
With the help of a local guide, we took a jeepney to Batad. And then—wow! The rice terraces form an amphitheater overlooking the small village. Under the sun, it’s simply spectacular and breathtaking! Even though we’re familiar with rice terraces (Sapa, Bali, Thailand, etc.), we were dazzled by so much beauty. We spent the day walking along the terrace walls. This place is timeless and fully deserves its UNESCO World Heritage status. However, we returned to the hotel exhausted (due to our ages and lack of exercise). We had dinner with our driver at the Las Vegas restaurant in the center of Banaue. The meal was decent, cheap, and the Filipino owner played the guitar to accompany our dinner.
Day 4:
Today, our driver took us to Sagada. The mountain road offered spectacular landscapes (about 1.5 to 2 hours). Along the way, we stopped in Bontoc to visit the small but interesting anthropological museum. It features old photos and various objects from the Ifugao tribes, as well as a reconstruction of primitive dwellings.
We then went on a short hike in Sagada with a very friendly local guide who explained the region’s funeral rites. The walk started at the communal cemetery before reaching “Echo Valley,” where we saw the first coffins hanging on the cliff. We continued to the “Underground River” and a small waterfall, ending our journey in the “Lumiang Cave” burial cave. All in all, this day was very interesting. On the way back, we made a few photo stops.
In the evening, on our driver’s recommendation, we ate at the “Bistro,” a French enclave in the center of Banaue (good pizza, roasted quail, homemade fries).
Day 5:
Today was a transfer day. To limit fatigue and nights in Manila, our tour operator arranged a flight from Clark to Tagbilaran (Bohol), saving us 2 to 3 hours of driving. But to catch our flight, we had to leave very early: 5:30 AM. Our kind driver dropped us off on time at the airport. To use it, we had to pay a 150 PHP tax per person. The Philippine Airlines flight (15 minutes) left early and was far from full. Upon arrival, we were taken to the Loboc River Hotel, on the banks of the river of the same name. A very charming lodge lost in a tropical garden. We stayed in a stilt cottage overlooking the river. We relaxed a bit in the lovely pool. This place is really great—the staff is charming, and the food is excellent for a reasonable price.
Day 6:
This day was dedicated to exploring Bohol. The program was classic, starting with the tarsier sanctuary. We saw a few specimens in a small garden, each pointed out by a staff member. It was both good and disappointing because the animals were in pseudo-freedom in a small enclosure. Then we went to the “Chocolate Hills” and climbed 240 steps to admire the panoramic view of the hills—but by 10 AM, it was crowded. On the way back, we stopped at the butterfly garden, which was uninteresting: tiny, with few butterflies. We consoled ourselves by photographing beautiful flowers. To please our teen, we stopped at the Loboc Eco Tourism Adventure Park and crossed the river lying down, suspended from a steel cable (300 PHP). Finally, we had the traditional lunch-cruise on the Loboc River. It was a factory-like experience, and the meal was unremarkable. The only good thing was the singer on each boat and the lush vegetation. Afterward, we visited colonial churches and the cathedral, remnants of the Spanish presence, before returning to the hotel for a well-deserved dip in the pool. Note that for those interested, there’s an arena near the hotel where cockfights are held every Sunday—something Filipinos are passionate (if not obsessed) about.
Day 8:
Very early departure for the port. We boarded a *banca* in search of dolphins. After about an hour of sailing, we were lucky enough to spot around a hundred dolphins. Our boat then headed to the small and charming island of Pamilacan. After a walk through the little village, we came across locals traditionally building a boat. They told us it takes about a month to finish their outrigger boat. Then we had to choose our snorkeling spot between the coral garden, the fish park, and the turtle enclosure. Note that a fee is charged for each spot: 150 PHP per place and per person. It felt a bit like we were being ripped off, especially since the spots weren’t amazing—we’d see much better on Apo for much less. We had lunch on the island at one of the many small eateries (350 PHP per person).
Days 9 and 10:
On our return, we were taken to the Bohol Sea Resort on Panglao Island, where we stayed for 2 nights. It’s a small, recent establishment in a quiet corner of the island. It’s relaxing—maybe a bit too much. It has a nice pool and access to Danao Beach, but the view is blocked by a flotilla of boats. We didn’t try their diving school. The meals were good. If we had to do it again, we’d skip this stop to spend more time in Negros.
Days 11 and 12:
We took a fast ferry (Ocean Jet) from Tagbilaran port to Dumaguete and were taken to the Thalatta Resort, about 20 km away near Zamboanguita. We stayed there for 2 nights. Let’s just say it was our favorite. It’s a small place facing Apo Island. The rooms are simple, and the pool, nestled in a magnificent tropical garden, is fantastic. The staff is friendly, and the meals are very good. The hotel has its own diving center (snorkeling gear provided) and its own boats. We booked the Apo Island excursion: 1,350 PHP per person, including lunch. It was incredible: magnificent corals, colorful fish, and turtles of all sizes. The crew was endlessly kind and didn’t hesitate to dive to guide us to the best spots. In short, a perfect day. This site is ranked among the top 5 diving spots in the Philippines.
Since we were lucky enough to be there on a Wednesday morning, we explored the surprising Malapay Market, a 10-minute walk from our hotel. You’ll find numerous stalls selling vegetables, fruits, live or dried fish, and handicrafts. Enclosures are set up for selling livestock (calves, zebu, pigs). There are also restaurants. We were lucky to see two pigs roasted traditionally on a spit. There are few Europeans, and the people are warm. A great moment.
We left this beautiful place with regret because we didn’t have time to visit the island or go swimming with whale sharks.
Days 12 to 15:
From Dumaguete port, we took a short crossing (1 hour with Ocean Jet) to Siquijor Island to reach the Coco Grove Beach Resort. A beautiful hotel nestled in a spacious tropical garden. Several restaurants and bars, 4 pools. Despite the size of the place, it remains intimate. You can snorkel (corals and fish) right in front of the beautiful beach. We stayed in a very pleasant duplex suite. For those interested, there’s a spa and a diving center. You can also take the Apo Island excursion (offered at 1,950 PHP).
We spent our days relaxing between the pool and the beach. In the evening, the sunsets over Negros and Apo were stunning.
We booked an island tour with a comfortable tricycle from the hotel (1,500 PHP). The circuit was classic and allowed us to go around the island. We discovered beaches, the famous 400-year-old ficus tree with its enormous roots, and its equally famous foot bath with its cleaning fish. Then we visited the St. Isidore Convent before heading to the Cambugahay waterfalls and their four pools. The setting is idyllic, and the water is surprisingly good—we had a lot of fun swimming. We had dinner at a restaurant overlooking the island, where you can see Apo, Cebu, and Negros. In the end, Siquijor turned out to be a real little tropical paradise.
Since the hotel restaurants were expensive, we dined at nearby establishments: Fuego (clean, good—excellent raw fish—and quiet), Chekesch (louder), and the very pleasant Baha Bar, which brews its own beer and offers more refined cuisine.
Days 15 to 16:
We left at dawn to return to Dumaguete and its airport by ferry. We had breakfast at the Coco Grande Hotel, an annex of the previous one. The Philippine Airlines flight went smoothly. A driver took us to the town of Taal. We stayed at Paradores Del Castillo, right in the heart of the old town. It’s a charming old house with only 6 rooms. The various rooms are decorated with antiques—a real little museum. The garden is pleasant and opens onto the town.
It’s an old early 19th-century house converted into a hotel, beautifully arranged with 6 rooms in the heart of the city. The restaurant in the garden is very pleasant and offers a panoramic view.
We visited an old Spanish house before heading to the beautiful Basilica of St. Martin of Tours, one of the most beautiful religious buildings in the Philippines. A mass was in progress, allowing us to gauge the Filipinos’ fervor before we could visit. When we left, it was dark, and we could admire the illuminated building. We ended our evening by exploring the night market with its many fruit and skewer stalls. A nice surprise.
In the morning, we were taken to the shores of Taal Lake, an ancient caldera where a second volcano has formed in the middle of the lake, which in turn contains another lake. We boarded a *banca* to reach the island in the middle of the lake. This was followed by an uphill walk, made difficult by the high temperature (36°C) and the dust on the path. The dust was worsened by the many horses carrying (or bringing back) the less courageous. To illustrate the difficulty of the climb, the trail is marked by the Stations of the Cross and its 14 stations. We were panting while our guide trotted far ahead. Our effort was rewarded when we reached the summit and its viewpoints over the inner lake and the surroundings. The wisps of smoke seen here and there confirmed we were on an active volcano. Inside the lake, there are supposedly 45 small volcanoes, one of which emerged during its last eruption in 1911.
On the way back, we had lunch by the lake before returning to Manila and the Bayleaf Hotel, whose main merit is its location in the Intramuros district. In the late afternoon, we walked along the walls of the old city.
We had dinner on the hotel’s panoramic terrace overlooking the city and the bay.
Day 17:
Last day! Our tour operator joined us for a tour of the Intramuros district. He enriched the visit with comments on the history, geopolitics, and economy of the Philippines. We visited the Manila Cathedral, destroyed 7 times in the past (6 earthquakes and the 1945 bombing). It’s beautiful, and its stained glass is magnificent. We couldn’t enter the San Agustin Church, the oldest Catholic building in Manila. We passed by the memorial to the Battle of Manila, which claimed over 100,000 lives. We visited the area around Casa Manila, which was closed on Monday, and had a drink at Barbara’s cabaret, located in a historic house. A very enriching morning.
Then we went to the Mall of Asia, the world’s largest shopping mall, to buy some souvenirs (Kultura store) before being taken to the airport. We exchanged our last pesos at the buying rate right after check-in.
The return flight went smoothly. We regretted not being able to use the facilities of Istanbul’s new airport, as its opening was delayed by another month.
Finances:
In the end, we spent 1,640 € for the international flights, 4,200 € for the stay (hotels, visits, various transports) with the agency (whose professionalism we can only praise), and about 700 € for meals, tips, and souvenirs.
Summary:
Luckily, we had beautiful weather throughout our stay, with temperatures between 26 and 35°C. Discovering the Philippines was a wonderful experience. The diversity of the landscapes, the kindness of the Filipinos, the cleanliness, and the truly delicious fruits (especially pineapples and mangoes). We were never harassed, unlike in many touristy countries. On the other hand, the food, though generally cheap, wasn’t exceptional.
Since this country is so vast, we might return in the near future.
Though I’m not a specialist on this destination, I’m happy to answer your questions based on my experience.
So, my flight tickets have just been booked for a trip to Cambodia from November 4th to 27th, 2025.
I’ll be traveling solo and want to explore this amazing country while getting a bit off the beaten path.
I’m arriving in Phnom Penh and also departing from Phnom Penh.
My goal is to travel as much as possible by bus and scooter.
What itinerary would you recommend?
What are the must-do things?
I’m open to all tips and info.
Thanks in advance for your help and responses.
Nipat Uthit 2 road, usually bustling with locals and tourists, is quiet in the aftermath of Saturday's bomb attacks in Hat Yai town.— NATTHITI AMPRIWAN
Sonthi to widen rebel dragnet
Army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin plans to extend security operations to Satun and Songkhla after finding links between insurgents there and in the three southernmost provinces, an army source said yesterday.
Deep South: Army wants peace talks but unsure who with
The army chief's plan to seek talks with separatist rebel leaders in an attempt to end violence in the deep South is making no progress as the army still has no idea who the enemies really are, security sources said yesterday.
BMA suspends issuing IDs as magnetic-strip cards run out
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is temporarily suspending its ID card-issuing services after using up its last blank card with a magnetic strip yesterday, deputy city clerk Rattapol Meethanathaworn said.
Narathiwat hit by a spate of arson and bomb attacks
Narathiwat was hit by a spate of arson and bomb attacks yesterday as militants continued to create more turmoil in the troubled deep South. But no casualties were reported.
hommage au Roi ......!!! Bon, je crois qu'il faut attendre un peu avant de se pronnoncer, on essaye de faire des commentaires qui nous sont propres sans vraiment connaitre les tenants et les aboutissants, il est peu probable que la vérité passe par nos sentiments respectifs et la sagesse veut que l'on attende un peu que la situation se décante avant d'emettre des avis de quels types que ce soit .... pour ceux qui ont des billets, je pense que vous pouvez continuer à partir, les risques pour le moment sont minimes pour les touristes (à moins de ne pas avoir de chance ou alors d'aler jouer un peu trop pret des chars....)n, de toute manière, comme il a été dit la Thailande a aussi besoin du tourisme qu reste un apport important d'argent mais la pays est aussi vcapable de surmonter la "crise" sans que personne ne soit sur le territoire, donc effectivement, dans une situation comme celle ci, tout peut arriver... si l'armée est en ville, c'est pas non plus pour faire jounour ou pour montrer leur beau 4x4 .... en attendant, passez une bonne nuit, personne ici n'y changera rien !😉
