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[review] Custom engagement ring / wedding band made in Hanoi (Vietnam) in 4 days
I’m taking advantage of my whirlwind visit to Hanoi (one week) to have a platinum solitaire ring made. I’ve known my current jeweler for several years, but this is the first time I’ve ordered a custom ring from him. Let me explain how it works. It all starts with the design. You need to have a more or less clear idea of what you want. In general, you’ll need to consider setting some precious or semi-precious stones (it’s my jeweler’s specialty. He has an incredible collection of high-quality natural stones). For me, I want a solitaire ring, but you can opt for earrings, a bracelet, a pendant… Usually, people come…
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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…
