Today, I received a priceless gift. The island of Koh Tao decided to affirm its love for me and offered me a perfect dive. credit: KohTaocompleteguide.com It started with the diving conditions. Tanote Bay was my first love two years ago, but since my arrival, I hadn't been able to fully appreciate it. Too much wind, too many waves, poor visibility, rain, downpours... Today, when I arrive at Tanote, the conditions are perfect and visibility is at least 20 meters. The first mom

Just for fun, I decided to tell you about the differences between Thailand and Canada. When you think about visiting a foreign country, you expect to speak another language, but it's much more trivial details that create the real change of scenery. The sun and the moon The first difference is the behavior of the sun and the moon. Yes, yes, here they don't act the same way. Who would have thought. Let's start with the sun... which sets faster. In half an hour, it's over, the s

I tried to resist... I swear... but the call of paradise was stronger than anything. Two years ago, when I arrived in Koh Tao (Turtle Island) by... accident, it was a wonder from beginning to end. For those who don't remember, I was supposed to spend three months in Vietnam but, after five weeks, I decided to take a little trip to Thailand. In fact, it's all thanks to my partner who has a knack for creating and maintaining connections with people he meets on the road. When we

A snack? Leaving Tha Ton I head towards the Mae Hong Son loop. On the way, I stop at a small cafe, like there are thousands in Thailand. The lady serves us a drink but what catches my attention is what is placed on the table. Bamboo sticks and small banana leaf packages. I examine everything carefully, trying to guess what it is. No use… The lady, seeing my perplexity, comes over and explains that these are snacks. The bamboo stick can be peeled like a banana and, inside, the

Today I am heading to the Golden Triangle. This place located at the confluence of Myanmar, Thailand and Laos, has played a very special role over the centuries. The Golden Triangle refers to the region where opium was intensively cultivated. Yellow gold was used as currency for black gold (opium). Given the huge amount of gold that passed through the region, it was proclaimed "The Golden Triangle". The opium poppy grows well at altitudes above 3000 meters above sea level. Th

Since I arrived in Chiang Mai five weeks ago, I've been taking it easy. Life is a long, quiet river that is shared between long walks in the city, culinary discoveries and... foot massages. But this morning I'm leaving for a journey that will take me I don't know where. We've rented two motorcycles and we'll let the wind take us. Only my first stop is known, Chiang Rai, located further north, very close to the Burmese border. I chose it because someone is waiting for me there

Today I'm going on an adventure. Since my destination is quite far from Chiang Mai and I'm renting a motorbike for just one day, I decided to "treat myself" and rent a nice little 400cc Triumph. I get on my bike and leave Chiang Mai heading south towards the roof of Thailand, Doi Inthanon. This mountain is part of the foothills of the Himalayas and is the highest mountain in Thailand. 2565 meters Crédit: landscapesUHD Let's take a walk in the woods... Doi Inthanon Park is luc

When you travel a bit, you notice that people are the same everywhere. Be polite and smile and... you will get smiles and kindness. Even today, I met an old lady in an alley in Chiang Mai. I saw her, she smiled at me, I did the same... the connection was created. Even though she spoke very little English, she still told me that she came from Cambodia, that she was now Thai and that she was 82 years old. For my part, I told her that I came from Canada and that I found her coun

In Chiang Mai, a city of over a million inhabitants, it is very easy to get around. You can easily rent a car, motorbike or scooter at a very good price but it doesn't stop there. There are the Songthaew. These are "shared taxis". They wander the streets looking for customers. If there is no one in the cabin, they will take you wherever you want. If there are people... well it is to be discussed according to the destinations already requested. The price is fixed at $1.20. The

Tonight is Christmas Eve. It’s always a bit sad to be so far away from my family and friends but fortunately, my partner and his unfailing love are there. We decided to attend Christmas mass to meditate, celebrate the birth of Christ and… feel a bit like home. We are lucky. Our home is very close to the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Chiang Mai and Bishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana is presiding tonight. So it is well surrounded that we accompany the Christmas carols that we

I saw an elephant… my first elephant. Well, it was far away and it was a domestic elephant but still… it was impressive. So, back at my accommodation, I read to learn more. Emblematic animal of Thailand The elephant is the emblem of the Kingdom of Thailand. It is represented everywhere, really everywhere. Sculptures, paintings, literature, national emblems, paper money,... It is everywhere, as much in temples as on the street or in parks. It is known to bring peace, success a

Eating... You must repeat this gesture 3 times a day. At home, it’s simple. I open the refrigerator or the cupboard… and I choose from a multitude of foods that I have known since my childhood. When traveling, in a foreign country with an unknown language and alphabet, it’s something entirely different. Just buying coffee is an adventure. In front of the supermarket coffee display, I wonder. Well, I know it's coffee, but still... Espresso coffee, normal coffee, whole beans, i

I'm leaving, once again. Over the past 5 years, I have visited about ten countries (Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, United States, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Colombia, Costa Rica, Portugal) and the taste for adventure continues to inhabit me. My memories are more and more abundant and my luggage lighter and lighter... The part that stresses me out the most, the plane trip and the visas, is now behind me. It must be said that each time it is a new adventure because each count

My departure to Thailand whit Air Canada

credit: KohTaocompleteguide.com Regretfully, I will be leaving Koh Tao in a few days, but first I would like to explain to you the pleasure I feel when I snorkel there. As soon as I approach the shore my senses are activated. The beauty of the landscape, the gentle sound of the waves, the smiles of holidaymakers,... When my feet touch the warm water, the pleasures that await me whisper sweet words in my ear like a siren song. Finally, I plunge my head into this underwater wo

สวัสดีค่ะ - sawat di kha - hello I've been on Koh Tao for a month now and... haven't written to you anymore. It's because the life I lead here is so peaceful, so easy, so pleasant. I let myself be lulled by the waves, I admire the view, I slowly savour each passing day. What more can one say? I don't feel like leaving. I imagine myself spending the rest of my days here. Smiles, sunshine, beauty all around me. Why would I want to quit? Koh Tao is not for everyone. Do you like

♫ Ce matin je sors de chez moi Il m'attendait, il était là Il sautillait sur les coraux Mon Dieu qu'il était drôle dans l'eau Le p'tit poisson de toutes les couleurs Le p'tit poisson de toutes les couleurs ♫ This morning I go outside He was waiting for me, he was there He was hopping on the corals My God he was funny in the corral The little fish of all colors The little fish of all colors It's a song that my grandmother, not that my mother, okay I admit everything... it's a

Today I explore Aow Leuk, which means deep bay. It's a small beach not far from where I'm staying. credit: kohtaocompleteguide.com It's hot, so I dive immediately to discover a new world. From the first fathoms I feel small tingles. Nothing stops me and...the tingling continues. It feels like electric shocks or small needle pokes. It's unpleasant and... Koh Tao is one of the places where you find box jellyfish, one of the most venomous marine animals in the world. credit: Wi

During my dives, I met surprising animals such as romantic AND faithful fish. Hong Kong butterflyfishes pairs are lifelong. They protect each other against predators, find their food together and offer us the opportunity to take beautiful pictures of beautiful little couples. There are other more amazing life forms like sea cucumber. credit: Amada44 et chaloklum-diving.com I have seen several varieties on the seabed. At first, I wondered if it was a plant or an animal. It's

In my last post, I promised to meet you in Thailand... well, here I am. My arrival on a paradise island was not without difficulties. However, I had planned everything. I had bought my plane ticket from Đà Lạt to Bangkok and then I had to find a ticket from Bangkok to Koh Samui. Not rocket science, knowing that there are several flights a day. But life doesn't always go as planned. When I arrived at the VietJet counter, the mocking smile of the agent who looked at my passport