TDM
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Test & Review of the Bose Soundlink Micro Travel Speaker
It’s not necessarily an essential item in a digital nomad’s life, but a Bluetooth speaker is very much appreciated. Laptop and smartphone speakers aren’t known for being top-notch, and even without being an audiophile, the sound quality of an external speaker is a real plus. For several years, we were happy users of the ultimate ears roll 2speaker. When its battery started to wear out, we took advantage of a discount offered by our American Express Fnac card to treat ourselves to the Bose Soundlink Micro (Amazon link). When we bought our first speaker, the Bose Soundlink Micro didn’t exist yet. We had considered getting the Mini version but found…
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Shooting range session in Koh Phangan (Thailand)
Back from a hotel stay for my birthday, we happen to pass by the entrance to the Phangan Yang Yai Shooting Association (link to their Facebook page). Judging by the photos on their Facebook page, this is where the police forces train in shooting. Since I’m still a big kid and shooting a pistol is fun for me, we follow the path without really knowing if the shooting range is open during this covid period. The dirt road is quite long but manageable by scooter, and it’s by hearing several gunshots that we get our answer: it’s open. The range offers many different weapons and the price depends on the…
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Celebrating JB’s birthday at Anantara Rasananda in Koh Phangan (Thailand)
Because of a small Covid wave hitting Koh Phangan island, all the “cool” plans to properly celebrate JB’s birthday fall through. But that’s okay, we decide to spend 1 night at the Anantara Rasananda hotel, which we really liked during our little excursion last time. Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal I wanted to go there by boat from Chaloklum, then be brought back to Chaloklum the next day, but that requires two round trips for the fisherman and he gives us a very high rate. What’s the point of taking the boat if the visibility isn’t great and we can’t even go snorkeling? JB…
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How to Apply for the 60-Day Covid Extension in Thailand? Koh Phangan Immigration Office
After getting a visa extension of 30 days without any hassle in Koh Samui, we applied for the 60-day Covid extension for the first time, which allows us to stay in Thailand a bit longer. This extension, called Covid, was originally designed for tourists stranded in Thailand since March 2020. However, the deadline keeps getting pushed back. For now, it can be requested until November 26, 2021, for an extension until January 25, 2022. But Thailand has continued to extend the possibility of applying for this extension since last year, so for now, it’s a fairly safe way to stay in Thailand until the country considers that Covid no longer…
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Snorkeling at Haad Khom & Bottle Beach: Koh Phangan (Thailand)
For several weeks now, we’ve been looking to go on a boat trip for snorkeling. Unfortunately with Covid, boats rarely leave to Koh Tao, where there are several snorkeling/diving spots. While eating lunch near Chaloklum port, at the restaurant Leo Thai Food, we spot a “taxi boat” sign and it turns out the owner’s husband is a fisherman and can take us on a snorkeling tour by boat. Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal Not having seen his boat before the tour, we discover it on the day. It’s a true fishing boat, with two fishing rods on the sides. When he comes to pick…
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Boat tours near Koh Samui: Ko Rap, Koh Madsum, and Ang Thong Marine Park (Thailand)
Before Covid, there was no shortage of boat trips to explore the small islands and the marine park near Koh Samui. But with tourist numbers plummeting, finding a tour has become mission impossible. We had to contact a friend of a friend of a friend… to find a trip around Koh Samui organized by a Frenchman who’s been living here for 20 years. Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal Note: The two tours featured in this post were taken in June. But it’s only now that I’ve found the time to write about it 😀 Trip 1: Ko Rap, Koh Madsum The boat leaves in…
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[Reflection] #11: Taking the Time to Read and Read Well
I’ve noticed that the longer my articles get, the more people ask trivial questions—the answers to which are already in the article. The longer the text, the more people can’t be bothered to read because their attention span is quite limited, and at some point they give up or skim through. This happens more and more often, and getting these kinds of questions annoys me, because I think: (1) I took the time to write this long article, available for free. All you have to do is read (or Ctrl+F to find the answer), it’s not that hard. (2) It’s disrespectful to treat me like a free consultant who spends…
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How to translate a book in a foreign language purchased on Kindle?
There are so many books not translated into French that if you don’t speak the language, you won’t have access to them. Recently, I wanted to read some Japanese books, and despite my research, not only were they not translated into English, but the ebook version wasn’t available on Amazon France, Amazon US, or Google Play. Here is the result: Kindle version vs. translated version. I don’t speak Japanese, so I can’t judge the quality of the translation, but the essential message is there. There are a few weird phrases, but we understand well. However, there are some parts that cannot be translated because they are in image format and…
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Back to Chaloklum, Koh Phangan (Thailand)
I hope you’re doing well! This is just a short post to keep you posted. We came back to Chaloklum and stumbled upon a resort that’s absolutely charming. No beach access, sure, but surrounded by coconut trees. The pool is gorgeous, we even get shade in the afternoon, and there’s a restaurant on site. The chef cooks divinely. We’re truly in paradise! The rent is only €330/month (plus €40-50/month for electricity). It’s so cheap and the environment so pleasant that we decide to invest a bit for our comfort. Before, this was JB’s workspace: After a trip to the market & Home Mart (the local IKEA): JB now has a…
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Back to Koh Phangan and exploring Thong Nai Pan, Bottle Beach View Point (Thailand)
Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal Restrictive travel restrictions Overnight, Koh Samui becomes a cluster, with over 100 Covid cases (out of 616 contact cases) following an infection at a nightclub. Koh Phangan treats Koh Samui as a dark red zone (even though they’re in the same province), requiring visitors to provide either a Covid test or vaccination certificate (xxx days after Sinovac, xx days after Astra…). Luckily, they’re not too familiar with Janssen (the embassy allowed us to get this vaccine but it’s not used for Thais) and simply ask that all doses be administered. But there’s only one dose, so just 2 days…
