Travel Journal
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A Summer in France (2024): DIY, Gifts, and Luxury
It’s becoming almost a habit: every summer, we look after my sister’s cat(s) while she’s on vacation. We make the most of our time in France to: When I came back from Vietnam, I brought back a ton of leatherworking tools. Honestly, as I was storing these tools in my sister’s basement, I wondered what had come over me to buy so much. But then, when I started making my second and third leather bags, these tools made my work so much easier that I no longer regretted buying them. Since we had to go to Paris three days a week for the Olympics, I worked on my leatherworking projects…
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My week in Hanoi (Vietnam): July 2024
Between Thailand and France, we spend a week in Hue, then a week in Hanoi to pick up my luggage (I have a huge stock of leather and books to bring back to France). At first, I plan to see no one (to rest a bit before the Olympics), but so many unexpected things come up that I end up seeing everyone in a week. We still treat ourselves to 2 nights of rest at Daewoo, the hotel where I learned to swim and where we got married in Hanoi. But it’s the first time we’ve spent the night there. The rooms are a bit outdated, but it’s one of…
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Attending the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
As a sports fan, attending an Olympic Games was high on my wishlistbucket list. I had looked into going to Tokyo in 2020 before giving up when I realized the budget required. No regrets, they were postponed due to Covid and then held behind closed doors… I couldn’t miss Olympic Games held in France, and now it’s done! A story, to remember it by. I bought a first batch of tickets in May 2023, when I was selected in the “lottery” at the 3rd or 4th round. My two criteria then were: iconic venues + sessions with medals. As the Olympics approached, I made additional purchases to complete my schedule…
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Back to Koh Phangan (Thailand) in 2024
JB absolutely wants to come back to Koh Phangan, the place where we spent 6 months during Covid. Because of the return of tourism, I’m afraid he’ll be disappointed and file it under “lost paradise,” but it’s better to face reality and accept that the “Covid Koh Phangan” no longer exists. Luckily for us, our beloved Koh Phangan still exists a little, especially in low season. Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal We take a speedboat from Koh Tao with the company Lomprayah. They offer to drop us at our hotel for 150THB/person. Handy! We get dropped off in front of Green Papaya Hotel (across…
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Thai boxing matches at the Rajadamnern Muay Thai Stadium in Bangkok
Back in 2018 (6 years ago already!), I got to attend an evening of Thai boxing matches in Chiang Mai. Back in Thailand, I considered attending a fight night on Koh Phangan before realizing I’d have time to do it in Bangkok just before leaving the country. I noticed there are events at the Rajadamnern Muay Thai Stadium. My brother Bruno, who practices Thai boxing in France, confirmed it’s an iconic venue. I’m not sure if it’s like this all year, but in June/July, there are events every night. How to book tickets for the Rajadamnern Muay Thai Stadium? To book, you have three options: Since I didn’t feel like…
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Snorkeling in Koh Tao (Thailand)
After our trip to Bhutan, we fly again to Bangkok then take a night bus + speedboat to Koh Tao, where we stay for a week. Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal Transport Bangkok – Koh Tao JB books the tickets on 12go asia (link) but he picks the wrong category. There are two categories for the bus leaving at 9pm and you need to take the more expensive one at 1550THB, it’s the VIP bus with twice as much space as a regular bus. JB made a mistake and bought the regular bus tickets, and it took five massages afterwards to get my bones…
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[review] VIE Mgallery in Bangkok (Thailand)
Since JB has the status Gold at Accor, we always try to stay at an Accor hotel when we need an early check-in or a late check-out. Our bus to Koh Tao leaves at 9 PM, so we’re thrilled to have a late check-out until 5 PM at VIE Mgallery Bangkok. There are two MGallery hotels in Bangkok, and my gut tells me this one is better. And the suite will prove me right, as we’ll be at the other one a few weeks later, and it’s not the same standard. At this Mgallery, we were upgraded two categories + welcome drinks + early check-in + late check-out. In short,…
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A Week in Bhutan, the Land of Happiness: Part 2/4
After two nights in Thimphu, we’re eager to explore the Bhutanese countryside, far from the “big” cities. This post is part of a 3-part series on Bhutan. If you haven’t read the first part yet, check it out here Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal We’re supposed to have breakfast at 8am, but our hotel is surprised that “everyone arrives at the same time,” despite a very detailed order they had us make at 10pm the night before. We’re about to leave with empty stomachs when the waiter runs after us with a bag full of fruit. Our guide and driver are quite embarrassed by…
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A Week in Bhutan, the Land of Happiness: Part 1/4
We’re taking advantage of being in Asia to fulfill one of our dreams: visiting Bhutan, the country whose people are said to be the happiest in the world, to understand their recipe for happiness. Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal Choosing the Agency Although the cost of living is very low, visiting Bhutan requires a well-stocked wallet, because you have to: Since we’re at the start of the monsoon season (late May – early June), there are few tourists (except the Indian neighbors who are on vacation), and we have a private tour for a week. The agency we chose is called Bhutan Best Inbound…
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[review] Le Méridien Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok Golf Resort (Thailand)
Between Vietnam and Bhutan, we spend a night in Bangkok because there is no direct flight between Vietnam and Bhutan. JB chooses a hotel near the airport (20 minutes by car) that has a free shuttle to/from the airport. This is a hotel belonging to the Marriott group, so we can use our miles and can be upgraded thanks to our Gold status. Our room costs 147€ (Booking link). This hotel is absolutely gorgeous, it’s a resort with a spa (that’s typical) and a golf course (that’s less so). There is an infinity pool, a spa, a fitness center, and two restaurants. By opting for the paid breakfast, we get…
