thailand waterways short version
TRANSCRIPT
Thailand WaterwaysA Brad Florescu Signature Journey
The Concept• Water is an ubiquos feature in Thailand’s geographical
layout and also a central element in the Thai culture.• For as long as Thailand has been inhabited, the
waterways – rivers, lakes and seas – have been essential in the economical, cultural and spiritual development of the country. Water is revered as a deity, Mother of Mankind.
• Thailand’s waterways provide the visitor with a completely different, genuine perspective on Thailand. This tour has been designed from this perspective.
Overview• East of Bangkok, nearby the Cambodian border,
lies Mu Koh Chang Marine Park, an archipelago of 52 islands.
• Only three of these islands are inhabited. The other 49 are either deserted or privately owned.
• The strict national park rules have helped preserve the astonishing natural beauty of this area.
• The best way to explore the Mu Koh Chang Marine Park is by a sailboat. Join us.
Note that Google Maps only displays the larger islands. Click here for the online map.
Area Map
Sail Ho!• Meet out boat: 44 feet luxurious catamaran, fully
equipped for the highest levels of safety and comfort.• Shake skipper’s hand: Captain Paul is an
experienced American sailor who has crossed the Pacific and the South China Sea single-handed before anchoring in Thailand for the last four years.
• Captain Paul’s knowledge of the Koh Chang area is unrivalled by anyone except maybe the old local fishermen.
About This Trip• The itinerary of “Thailand Waterways” has been custom
designed by Brad Florescu and Captain Paul.• This is a 100% original trip that cannot be booked as
such via any travel agency. Most visited areas are off the mass tourism map.
• Every location and attraction on the route has been personally inspected by Brad, Captain Paul or both.
• We chose to accommodate you on land and not on the boat in order to maximize your comfort. Life on a boat – albeit photogenic – has its share of restrictions.
• See the next slides for the day-by-day schedule.
Day1. Bangkok.We will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to
the 4-star hotel.Optional evening dinner by
the Chao Praya River(if your arrival time allows).
Day2. Mae KlongIn order to avoid paying market fees, the resourceful local vendors set up their stalls a few centimeters from the State railway.
Whenever the train passes through the Mae Klong market, all the stalls are folded and unfolded with amazing speed and precision.
Few seconds after the train has passed, the market is back in business.
This place is unique in the world.
Day2. Wat Kai Bang KungThis surreal 500 years old temple in Samut Songkram has been literarily covered by the roots of three giant trees, hence the surname “The Wat In A Tree”.
Kai Bang Kung is a place of worship for the locals, as King Rama I used this temple as his first base and training ground during his victorious war against the Burmese army.
Day2. AmphawaThe Amphawa Floating Market – set on the canals of the Klong River - is as colorful as the over-touristy Damnoen Saduak, but it has preserved its genuine character.Most customers are locals. Fresh fish, vegetables and fruit abound.We will spend the night in Amphawa so you can enjoy the local life until late in the evening.
Day3. Koh ChangToday is mostly a transfer day to Koh
Chang (meaning The Elephant Island), the starting point of our cruise. Koh Chang is
about 5 hours east of Amphawa. Estimated arrival time: 3 pm.
Once we’ve checked-in at our German-ran resort in Ao Salak Phet (Pirate’s
Treasue Bay) we will go on a boat trip up the river, to visit the local fishermen
village and explore the mangrove forest.
Day4. Koh ChangKoh Chang is the third largest island of Thailand, so we are going to need a whole day to explore at least some of its treasures.
Light trekking to the majestic Khlong Phlu Waterfall (30 meters tall).
Drive to Bang Bao Bay, the best area for gourmet food and handicraft aficionados.
Check out the fine sand of White Beach and Lonely Beach.
After dinner we have scheduled a briefing session with Captain Paul.
Party on “The Joy Of Siam” (the boat, right).
Day5. Cruising.Captain Paul will set sail early in the
morning and take us to some deserted islands and beaches around
Koh Chang.
As this will be our first day of sailing, we will do our best to help you adapt
to the boat motion and avoid sea sickness.
The Captain will take short passages from one island to another so you will spend most of the time swimming or
sunbathing.
Overnight in Koh Chang.
Day6. Cruising.Our second day of cruising. Islands
and beaches, swimming and snorkeling in the blue clear waters of
the archipelago.
Should you want to learn a bit about sailing, the Captain will be more than
happy to explain you the basics.
After all, you’re part of the crew.
Day7. To Koh Mak.It’s time to say goodbye to good old Koh Chang and set off to the next base: Koh Mak, a hippy, laid back island in the South.
En route to Koh Mak we will make a stop in Koh Wai for swimming and beach combing.
Check-in at the beach resort in Koh Mak.
Day8. Cruising.A full day of cruising around Koh Mak,
to some secluded snorkeling sites hand picked by Captain Paul.
Stops in Koh Rang and Koh Rayang. You got that right: Koh means
“Island”.
Overnight in Koh Mak.
Day9. To Koh Khood.Relaxed cruising to Koh Khood, the third base of our trip.
The remote, mysterious and still undeveloped Koh Khood features some of the best beaches in South East Asia.
Check-in at our resort on the best beach of Koh Khood.
Day10. Cruising.Cruise to the West side of Koh Khood. Swimming, snorkeling,
beach landing, beer drinking and guitar playing.
The good life.
Day10. Koh Khood.Afternoon is the right time to explore the island. We take a boat up the river all the way to the magical Klong Chao Waterfall.
Day11. Koh Khood.Full day at the beach. At will. You deserve a holiday, sailor.
Sunset party on the boat. Fancy dress ping-pong playing (pirate themed). Don’t ask for more details or you’ll spoil the surprise.
Day12. To Bangkok.It’s time to say goodbye to our kind
Captain Paul and his beloved cruiser.
Morning speedboat transfer to mainland, then van transfer to
Bangkok.
Check-in at your hotel. Optional farewell dinner .
Day13. Back Home.Transfer to the airport at the time of your choice.
If you don’t feel like going home, an extension in Bangkok can be arranged upon request.
The PracticalSideOf GoodLife
Dates and Data• Trip duration: 13 days/12 nights.• Cruising days: 9. • Assembly date in Bangkok: November 3rd.• Last check-out: November 15th.• Optimal number of participants: 8.• Overland tour crew: 4.• Joy Of Siam Crew: 3.
Budget Inclusions• All accommodation in superior resorts and hotels.• Every breakfast.• Lunch on board on every full-day of cruising.• A/C Toyota Commuter van with driver at our disposal on days 1-
6 and 12-13. All transfers.• Thai English-speaking guide on days 1-6.• The 44 feet catamaran on days 6-12.• Certified skipper; stewardess.• Onboard drinking water, tea, coffee and fresh fruits (upon
availability).• One double kayak for you to use.• Brad Florescu as your facilitator throughout the trip.
Budget Exclusions• The flight to Bangkok, Thailand (details on next
page).• Lunch whenever we’re not on a full-day cruising.• Dinner.• Soft drinks, beer and spirits (can be purchased on
the boat at very friendly prices).• Any damages you inflict on the boat.• Travel insurance.• Any diamond necklaces or jade statues you might
want to buy from Bangkok.
Getting to Bangkok• There are quite a few flight options from
Bucharest to Bangkok. • The most convenient in terms of flight time
and price is Qatar Airways: around 790 EUR at the time of writing this document.
• We can assist you with finding and purchasing the best flight option. Just ask.
Sailing Etiquette• A boat is like a house. For 9 days, the 44 footer
catamaran will be your home. Treat it accordingly.
• The Captain is everyone’s Captain. Crew or non-crew, we all follow his orders. For your own safety and comfort, do what he says.
• The Captain may decide to change the route if weather or sea conditions are not proper or in the unlikely case there is a boat malfunction.
Weather• November to February is the best time to visit
the Northern Gulf of Thailand.• The North-Easterly wind is excellent for
sailing, yet the waves should be quite small due to the proximity to the mainland.
• Rain is very quite unlikely to occur. And so are rainbows.
Local Information• Supermarkets, banks, ATMs and pharmacies
are available in Bangkok, Amphawa and Koh Chang. You should cash out and shop before we leave for Koh Mak.
• Thailand is 5 hours ahead of Romania. The Sun rises around 6.30 AM and sets 12 hours later.
• The local currency is the Thai Baht (1 RON = 8,7 THB).
• No vaccination is needed.
Final Notes• All photos embedded in this document –
except for the one in Amphawa - have been taken by Brad Florescu or Captain Paul.
• Should you have any questions or remarks, we invite you to e-mail us: [email protected] (for any itinerary-related details) or [email protected] (for any practical/financial information).
• Thank you for your kind attention. We hope to see you on board.
