Month: June 2016

Island hooping in Greece – First stop: Mykonos

June 28, 2016
by fastenurseatbelts
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Where to stay?

Angelika Apartments and Studios are located really close to the city center. It takes about 5 to 10 minutes to get there by foot. You can reach the old port in about 20 minutes. A mini market and a scooter & ATV rental is less than 5 minutes away from Angelika’s comfortable and enjoyable Apartments and Studios in Mykonos. I paid 50€ for a double room, which is quite cheap for Mykonos. The rooms are very clean, have a TV and free WIFI. The rate also includes a free pick up from the airport. Angelika is really nice and you feel very welcome at her apartments and studios.What to do?

You should definitely visit Mykonos city center. The shops open around 12pm and offer clothes, accessories, jewelry and leather goods. In the morning or during midday it is less crowded than in the evening. Don’t miss little Venice and the windmills, which are close to little Venice. Little Venice is especially beautiful in the evening with its small restaurants. If you go through Mykonos small shopping street, you will reach the old port, which is also fascinating. To get a good snapshot, walk upstairs after the old port.

Mykonos has several beaches, which you can all reach by bus. One bus station is right at the beginning of the city center and the other one is at the old port. Just check the timetable before you go to the bus station. I went to the peaceful Elia Beach. The bus ride takes about 25 minutes from the old port. At Elia Beach are loads of sun beds, which you have to pay for.

How to get there?

Ferries go between the Cyclade islands every day. Direct Ferries offers to compare ferry tickets and to book them online. Mykonos also has an airport.

Next stop Naxos. Stay tuned!

Facts about the Chatchuchak Weekend Market

June 26, 2016
by fastenurseatbelts
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Chatchuchak Weekend Market

 

  • 27 Sections and 15.000 shops with goods from everywhere in Thailand (source).
  • More than 200.000 people visit the Chatchuchak Market on a day (Only Saturday and Sunday). 30% of them are foreigners (source).
  • It is open from 6am to 6pm (source)
  • I have been to several markets in Bangkok but the Chatchuchak Market is definitely the cheapest market in Bangkok with local prices (not tourist prices!)
  • Bargaining is typically at the Chatchuchak Weekend Market. Always try to get a good deal.

Behind Section 13 and 15 at the Chatchuchak Weekend Market you find almost every pet, which exists.

Use Google Maps to find your direction! Don’t miss the unique experience!

 

 

 

48 hours in Bangkok

June 25, 2016
by fastenurseatbelts
comments 9

My first day in Thailand

  • As I arrived on a Sunday, I went to Chatchuchak Weekend Market. It is one of the largest markets in the world. This market offers all which the heart desires such as food, clothes, accessories, furniture, animals and more.
  • My first temple in Bangkok was Wat Arun, which is one of the few temples you can climb on. When the sun goes down, you can take great pictures of the Temple and the riverside next to it.IMG_0670
  • For the evening, I planned to go to the Sky Bar in the State Tower, which is famous from the movie ‘Hangover 2‘. The view over Bangkok is awesome!! You do not have to pay for the entry, but the drinks, which cost around 650 – 900 Baht, are a bit more expensive. Be aware that you have to wear formal clothes, especially at the weekend. I could not visit the State Tower during the day as you cannot go upstairs and there are only four shops on the ground floor.

12 hours left in Bangkok

  • On my second day, I left the hotel around 8 am to take the shuttle to Grand Palace. I did not know that I had to wear long trousers to go inside the palace. Luckily, you are able to borrow long skirts. If you want to enter the Grand Palace, you have to pay 500 Baht. Close to the Grand Palace is Wat Mahathat one of Thailand’s Buddhist universities.IMG_0745
  • 10 minutes walk away from the Grand Palace, the Old Town Cafe Bangkok makes a delicious coffee and sandwiches.IMG_0763
  • One of Bangkok’s first shopping malls is the Siam Center. It has several, separate buildings and you will find every well-known brand as well as young Thai designers there. Several restaurants are in the Siam Center; most of the restaurants also have live cooking.
  • A quick walk away from the Siam Center, you find a small market in front of the Big C Supermarket, where you can buy food and accessories.
  • One of the top sights in Bangkok was the historical town, Ayutthaya, which is about 70km away from Bangkok. Ayutthaya’s ruins are a Unesco World Heritage. It takes about one hour to get there with a minivan, which leaves every hour from Bangkok’s Victory Monument. A return ticket costs 100 Baht. In the Ayutthaya Elephant Village, visitors can also ride elephant until 5pm in the afternoon.IMG_0948

 

 

If you have any questions or recommendations, leave a comment below.