Tag Archives: Floating Hotel

Thailand: 500 Rai Floating Rafthouse, A Bungalow With A View

Posted on July 20, 2013 | Leave a comment

What a fantastic view

when I arrived by boat at the 500 Rai Floating Rafthouse, a small hotel with 11 floating bungalows in a remote cove nestled in a pristine nature! Unlikely oasis in the middle of nowhere (not exactly Mademoiselle Le K, we are in Chiewlarn Dam, in Khao Sok Natural Park, lol!). And you can not play the jaded!

I’m so excited, I’ve never slept on a floating hotel! The setting is awsome and I’m euphoric! Let’s face it, comfort is very basic, but in front of such a view how I couldn’t be charmed! The hotel serves a very good Thai food. The staff is nice and the owner is a former Buddhist monk turned into a successful business man.

I discover my bungalow after the distribution of the rooms. Naively, I chose a room without air conditioning. Which would perfectly suit me, if there were nets on the windows, especially in the shower and toilet half open to the outside and lined with insects at nightfall. For the evening the slightly cooler temperature is perfect to sleep without air con. But repeated attacks of my “buddies” mosquitoes quickly become unbearable!

Not to mention other insects, I had an invasion on my bed of insects that looked like “flies”. This is the name given in Hong Kong to these tiny insects like small black dots. Anyway I sprayed the repellent all over the room several times. As the product is super harmful, I went to dinner while it was indeed.

And finally I slept in front of the fan in two super large and comfortable armchairs, with the windows closed (pictures 1 & 2). And guess what? I slept very well! The must is to watch the sunrise. I opened wide the windows and put my seats in front of the landscape! Just amazingly beautiful! Pictures 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5: the view from my bungalow. Pictures 7, 8, 9 & 10: the public areas of the 500 Rai Floating Rafthouse. Photo 10: pontoon where we dined by candlelight in the evening.

Follow my whole trip in THAILAND. You can also discover my other pictures in the Facebook of the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Facebook of the Royal Thai Embassy in Belgium. ENJOY!

Thailand: The Pak Tako Estuary in Chumphon

Thailand: Visit of A Silk Workshop

DESTINATIONS

Thailand: The Arrival @ Cheio Larn Lake

Posted on July 17, 2013 | Leave a comment

Still in the South and Surat Thani surroundings, early in the morning we took the road to the Ratchaprapa Dam, north of Khao Sok National Park. After visiting one of the spectacular views of the dam, we win the pier for Chieo Larn Reservoir (pictures 1 & 2). 10-11am and the sun is very strong (not good for pictures), in canoes we ship for 1 hour raft ride to our hotel with floating bungalows. The wilderness is breathtaking, it is simply awsome! It made me remember of my first trip to Thailand, Krabi, Koh Phi Phi etc … Huge rock pythons, composed of limestone cliffs emerging from emerald lake. Wow! The place is called Little Guilin. The forest is super thick. We are in one of the few places in Thailand and Asia, where it remains the primary forest. I am really impressed. As the feeling of being “alone” (of course with my traveling companions, lol!) in the world. You feel small, tiny in this magnificent setting! Just when we crossed a unique canoe (pictures 4 & 5)! I realize that we are sailing from the tops of mountains is crazy (pictures 7 & 8)! The white marks on the rocks (pictures 3 & 6) correspond to different levels of water. A “paradise” vision by approaching our raft hotel nestled in the wilderness, the concept is so thrilling! I’ve never slept in a floating bungalow,). And you, have you ever slept in a flotting bungalow in the wilderness?