Walks in the Kingdom of Siam (page 9 of 11)

Thanks Joel for taking the time to share this beautiful travel experience with such great and original photos.

I can only add my voice to the chorus. What a treat! We all know the French tourist's tendency to seek out guides, hosts, or friends who speak their language abroad—sometimes out of fear of the unknown, often just out of laziness. Completing this entire trip without any local French-speaking resources is a real feat in itself.

And what an original choice of stops you made, carefully avoiding naming them to help preserve the area from mass tourism. On top of that, the quality of the photos is stunning. A true feast for the eyes. It’s clear a professional is behind them. Plus, with clips and those little everyday moments that add so much flavor to travel, the text flows naturally, is simple, and manages to include plenty of cultural insights without being pretentious.

What’s more, your interactions with locals are described without any condescension, without prejudice—just empathy and constant humility.

It’s so rare. A model for so many bloggers who see themselves as experts on a country after rushing through it. This travel journal might even become a reference on VF, or even beyond. Time will tell.

When’s the sequel coming?

Hi there

I’m trying another post. It’ll probably get deleted anyway.

I really like travel journals.

It’s super nice—temples, curry, no elephant riding.

Come on, dive into the real life.

It’ll be fine.

++

Come on, dive into real life.

Our "real life" is the one we create for ourselves.

Jojoone’s, and many others’, is made of getaways to the Land of Smiles.

It’s part of real life—theirs, mine, and that of those who go there.

Whether you travel here or elsewhere, it’s real life.

It's mickey nice temple curry not ride elephants

Criticism is easy...

What do you suggest instead?

Going to Thailand to visit temples, eat delicious curries, and refuse to ride elephants is, in my opinion, a great foundation for a holiday in the Kingdom of Siam.

I’m trying another post. It’ll be deleted anyway.

Honestly, wouldn’t that be the best thing that could happen to your message? We all make mistakes—few have the grace to admit it and act accordingly. Have a wonderful day.

PS: To the moderation team: if Nato’s message is deleted, please delete mine as well, as it would no longer make sense.

I can only add my voice to the chorus. What a treat. We know the tendency of French tourists to seek out guides, hosts, or friends who speak their language abroad, sometimes out of fear of the unknown, often out of laziness. This complete trip without any local French-speaking resources is a real feat in itself.

Hello Charles,

Your unexpected and friendly intervention is a pleasant surprise for us.

Let’s admit that we had quickly assumed you were more inclined toward peremptory remarks than positive ones. It’s true that when you master a subject, it’s hard to resist explaining things to some or putting others in their place. Not so long ago, we even lamented the absence of contributions from most of the forum’s big names on our travel journals, but that was a mistake. In the end, some are only here to satisfy their egos, and for them, we can only represent a kind of competition, which can lead to regrettable displays of jealousy. So, here’s the thing: by holding back too much on compliments, they all come at once! Let’s just say that after half a dozen trips, if you’ve got a bit of sense in your head, you manage just fine. The real feat was the luck that placed so many wonderful people in our path.

And what an original choice of stops, which you’ve carefully avoided mentioning to better preserve them from mass tourism.

You almost got it right: our goal isn’t to preserve mass tourism but its existence, which, by the way, we couldn’t fight even if we wanted to, makes things easier for us in some places. Our undeniable courage in facing the wet season plays a much bigger role!

But this leads me to share a quote from Mikthai’s blog (an exceptional blog, with many magnificent places, nice photos despite an unfortunate tendency to over-saturate the colors): "We’re crossing our fingers that this community space doesn’t turn into an open-air circus in the near future. I know I’m often criticized for not giving enough details about the sites featured on this blog. There are several reasons for this. I’ll expand on this stance very soon. I’d just like to remind everyone here that I’ve never refused to share information privately... you just have to contact me. I love sharing my passion and knowledge, but I can’t bring myself to turn this blog into a mere 'information supermarket' where human interaction is banned in favor of excessive click-chasing."

On top of that, the quality of the photos is a delight for the eyes. You can tell a professional is at work. Plus, with clips and little everyday moments that add flavor to the trip, the text is fluid, simple, and manages to provide plenty of cultural insights without being pedantic. Moreover, the interactions with locals are described without any condescension, without prejudice, with empathy and constant modesty.

Regarding the photos, Françoise asked me to tell you (the poor thing, she’s not to blame) that they’re not professional photos but vacation photos. This has already been mentioned several times in previous travel journals, so I invite you to refer to them. Besides, if you’d looked closely, you would’ve noticed that an entire series of waterfall photos is signed by Joel. The lady let her favorite assistant take over. Guess it wasn’t so bad after all...😉 We won’t go so far as to wonder if we could offer you professional travel journals, but just know that if that were the case, you’d have to pay up: you can’t have your cake and eat it too, right? 😛

It’s so rare. A model for many bloggers who see themselves as country experts after rushing through it. This travel journal might even become a reference on VF, or even beyond. Time will tell.

When’s the next one?

Now you’re getting downright lyrical. Let me bring you back to earth: in a little over a century, no one will even remember that you or we ever existed. For now, we’re here, so we don’t care, and later, when we’re gone, well, it won’t matter anymore. That was my Desproges moment!

My conclusion is that after seeing so many blurry, poorly framed photos with cut-off feet and reading stories where mistakes accompany the flatness of the style—and, as you say, blogs that are shockingly banal—I’m glad you took a favorable look at our case. This travel journal was a tribute to two people who PROVED their qualities: its success gives it even more value in our eyes. The fact that a significant number of participants reacted positively shows that on this forum, there are still people with healthy values.

When’s the next one? It’s better to ask: Why a next one?

Hello,

I won’t take back a thing.

A forum is a space for discussion. Someone who posts their life, their work, their trip on a forum has to accept criticism in return.

VF is a forum.

P.S.: I really like Jojoone’s travel journals, but that’s not the point. And I relearned Belgian sarcasm after a dose of Quebecois directness from the interns.

++

Good evening,

You're right, don't remove anything.

It's fine as it is—people will see for themselves...

Have a good evening.

This is my chance to officially wish you a great stay, hoping you’ve figured out your itinerary. And hoping to hear from you in return, maybe...

I just stumbled upon your travel journal, which let me escape from my office for a few hours! I’m visiting this country for the first time at the end of November, and it’s helping me plan ahead for my trip!

have a great day.

Thanks for taking the time to let me know! Have a great time there.

Hey Joel,

Now that’s what I call a thunderous opening—executed like a pro and definitely deserves a hearty cheer!! Thailand doesn’t appeal to me, but the humor? Oh yes!!!

A big thank you to an active and generous community member, a fellow travel journal creator herself, for taking the time to look at this little piece I put together with whatever I had on hand. I’ll try to keep at it 😉

Hi Joel,

I’d like to thank an active and generous community member—herself a travel journal creator—for taking the time to look at this little work made with whatever was on hand.

Generous, yes, but with zero expertise on any region. So I spend time admiring posts from those who are experts in different areas, and I travel through them, thanks to their insightful answers and mouthwatering photos.

Among your visits, I find this building super kitschy. I really love this temple. Does the inside match the outside?



These fruits look strangely like breadfruit, which we have plenty of back home in Martinique. What do they call them here?

You also mention the bananas you buy—they remind me of what we call "figues pommes" at home, but these look bigger.

Noey takes us for lunch in a beautiful natural setting. It’s authentic because, despite our request, the dishes are served nice and spicy. Off the beaten path, it’s not sanitized.

Oh, you! When it comes to spicy food, you’d love Ladakh with all the Indian influence there now!!!!

Ah, this is the kind of scenery I love seeing—it might just tip the scales one day and get me to go there.



All day, we explore a region where hills and valleys roll by, along with banana trees, cornfields, and rice paddies. A real breath of fresh air—well, hot fresh air.

Are the rooms you sleep in air-conditioned?

What a joy after a long day to savor seafood curry served in a coconut. Those who haven’t tried it yet should—missing out is almost a sin!

And I’m guessing it’s spicy?

Ah, I have my answer.

It’s always been delicious. Often, it’s too spicy for the ladies and not particularly for the men. It’s good to know there’s no point asking for it non-spicy. Thais don’t usually add chili to this dish, but the preparation includes ingredients from the start that make it anything but light on the palate. Rich in flavor, though—oh yes.

Anyway, your waterfall photos are stunning.

I guarantee you, we were blown away! We, who are rarely surprised—this time, it was total astonishment. Joel, still half-asleep in his bathrobe, stunned.

It was like they all agreed on it this year. It’s not always like this, but sometimes in life, you get paid back in full...

Oh? So it’s pretty exceptional, then?

It’s a good thing to start with a positive mindset, to engage in conversation whenever possible, to make your guide laugh, and to show them all the respect they’re due. That’s clearly one of the things Thais appreciate most. Just using a few words in their language here and there makes them really happy. They probably take it as a sign of the interest you have in them.

Ah? So that’s your secret—but not everyone can speak a few words of Thai!!!

Thai Buddhas have different postures from Ladakhi Buddhas. I’ve never seen reclining Buddhas in Ladakh. And religious buildings are called temples in Thailand.

Are there different types of Buddhism? I found the answer in this site. In Thailand, it’s Theravada Buddhism, while in Ladakh, it’s Vajrayana (Tibetan) Buddhism.

The Shakyamuni Buddha (seated in the lotus position) is sometimes seen, but never a reclining Buddha. Most often, you’ll find Maitreya Buddhas in Ladakh. Maybe it’s due to the difference in the type of Buddhism practiced?

Anyway, I’m learning a lot from your travel journal. Thanks.

We’ve really put in a lot of effort so far to provide as many details as possible—and as precisely as possible. But the time it takes to write, wow!! It’s hard to keep up that effort over time. It’s true that many people solemnly talk about sharing, but only if they get to benefit from it.

It’s important to know how to give without expecting anything in return—otherwise, you’ll spend your life being disappointed. Personally, I find that just telling the story of a trip lets me relive it, put some distance between me and the tougher parts, gain perspective, and sometimes even get more out of it over time. So that’s already a win.

It's durians and it stinks 😛

Hi Régis,

It's durians and they stink 😛

Ah!! Got it, thanks!! So they’re not eaten, then? Breadfruit, on the other hand, is delicious!!

hi again,

With a touch of humor, one could also say it's a shame that since your registration in 2011, no one has received a little thank you, a compliment, an answer to their question, or even a tiny travel journal of sorts.

But, and I’m getting serious again, kind people, those who’ve already been supportive, or even some newcomers, have already been helped by me.

As hinted from the start, this journal is a little nod to all those experienced participants and country experts (far more than me) who no longer come because, despite their solidarity, they’ve received little thanks in return—and sometimes even criticism. Not to mention hoping that among those who come here for information, many would go out of their way to help others in return.

You give me a "Hi," I give you a "Hi"—what’s fairer or more logical than that?

I love your reply!!! You’re giving me ideas......😄

Ah!! Okay, thanks!! So it’s not edible then? Breadfruit, on the other hand, is delicious!!

It *is* edible, but let’s just say the smell is… unique. https://blog.courrierinternational.com/singapour-equatoriale/2016/05/07/durian-du-gout-et-des-odeurs/

Oh, darn it, I arrived just when everything was over!!! Well, thanks a lot for sharing this, and see you soon for more discoveries!!!

These are jackfruits. Jackfruit. Khannon in Thai, nanka in Filipino. It's very fragrant but doesn't have the intensity of durian.

Hi Fabien,

C est des jacquier

And it doesn’t stink, then?