Wow, time is running even faster since the start of the pandemic, at least I got the feeling. Luckily the worst is over, or is it still to come? Anyway, at least we´re allowed to travel again freely since a while already what brings me to the reason of this blog post.
While all the photos in this post are older and a throwback to our previous travels through Thailand and Australia, the plans are not. In fact they are relatively new and only a couple of weeks left before we pack our bags again and start a big journey.
We enjoyed the last two winters in Portugal a lot and we will miss many things. I will miss the surf here although the water is a bit too cold for me. However, where we go its warm and the surf is the same if not better in some regions.
Beginning of march we will be flying from the beautiful laidback Algarve to Bangkok, the city of Angels, the crazy city that never sleeps. Its been a few years since we´ve been there and I´m really looking forward to it. Can´t wait to see the awesome skyline and watch the sun set over it.
I always enjoyed that city and never made a bad experience here. Can´t wait to smell the street kitchens and taste all the amazing food. The trick with Bangkok for me is following, never stay longer then 5 days otherwise I go crazy.
We will spend time in Bangkok twice this time, first time when we arrive from Portugal and then again when we return from Island hopping. I think on the second stay we will have some more time to explore Bangkoks greater region with all its temples and many other sights.
Yes, island hopping, we will definitely visit at least two islands, Koh Samui, which was our very first island we visited back in 2009 and Koh Phangan we´ve never visited before. Not sure yet, but this will be it probably as we also want to relax and take a breath from an exhausting 2022.
Below are some impressions from our past Thai Island trips. I could post thousands of Thailand photos but I guess I´ll wait and post the new stuff as soon as we´re there. Can´t wait to swim in the warm ocean again after spending hundreds of hours surfing in the cold Atlantic. Riding scooter and exploring the islands is one of our favourite activities when we´re on a island in south east asia.
Its always great to find beautiful, empty beaches but I don´t expect to find them on Koh Samui or Phangan, I guess they will both be absolutely crowded.
After spending a bit more than one month in Thailand we will be flying from Bangkok to Brisbane. A year ago I would have never thought that I would step a foot into that country ever again but things keep changing quickly.
Last year in October I heard that we can enter Australia again without any testing or vaccination requirements. I also learned that we´re allowed to apply for a tourist visa without any costs since our last visa was affected by the pandemic. Usually the cost for a visa is around 140$ per person. We immediately applied for the 12-month tourist visa and a few days later it got granted which means we´re now allowed to enter for up to 12 months on each arrival as long as the visa is valid. In other words, we´re going to spend the next 12-18 months in the land down under.
Anyone who knows us a bit and our travel stories knows that we love Australia and have been there many many times. I´ve seen more from Australia then I have from europe and I´m so looking forward to a good time over there and live the Aussie Lifestyle. Surfing, Hiking, Camping and of course see all our old friends again and hopefully make some new ones.
I´m already hearing the annoying screams of the Rainbow Lorikeets in the Morning. It´s a noise that will never bother me, other than loud neighbours like here in Portugal.
Until this new adventure starts I won´t be as active on here as the last couple of months since I need a break of screentime and also need new photos and stories to share. I´ve definitely spent way to much time in front of my laptop or smartphone in the past weeks and that needs to change.
you will find this post on pinmapple as well
[//]:# (!pinmapple 13.86061 lat 100.52743 long Throwback Thursday and Future Plans (Thailand + Australia) d3scr)