just blending in. ✨ #gratitude #kohphangan
Considering the shame of only the single posting last year, let's start 2023 off on a right foot. And beware not only photo candy but also some content.
But about those photo's. I can understand that I have quite a few fitting from Bali, but why so many from Thailand's Koh Phangan?
Homeiswhereyourbagis (Sep. 8) might have an explanation: favourite place, nice waterfall. What doesn't explain anything. One of their write up's of a Koh Phangan waterfall:
'Another beautiful waterfall of Koh Phangan is the Paradise Waterfall. A really small but very calm waterfall in the middle of the jungle. Not many tourists get lost here.However, there is little water in the dry season, but you can still sit in the waterfall, enjoy the peace and nature. Simply switch off with a little cooling. I really like it here'.
I suppose there's no answer as to why Koh Phangan waterfalls are popular, nor why everybody should head out here all of a sudden. Possibly to do with it's reputation for full moon parties (and any other moon parties), though these can take place wherever in Southeast Asia.
When it comes to content on Southeast Asian waterfalls, we seem to be steered to another list of / a travel site with tours of and/or when solely relying on news, the drownings/falls themselves. What I mean to say, there's precious little travel info being shared such that it makes it's way to Google searches. So also not here. Didn't it use to be different?
Trip.com has a post (Oct. 13) on the biggest and most beautiful waterfalls of Thailand (editor note: this hardly occurs simultaneously). No surprises on the list, but also no Koh Phangan ... They do answer the following question:
'Is it safe to swim in Thailand's waterfalls?Generally speaking, the waters are quite clean and you're unlikely to meet any dangerous animals. The only real danger comes from the water current, so be extra careful during the rainy season, when rivers are flowing at their strongest'.
Thailand's leading newspaper Bangkok Post (Mar. 11, 2021) on Chet Sao Noi waterfalls of Saraburi. As usual there's no possibility to quote from Bangkok Post. However from what I understand, huge efforts have been undertaken to ensure over crowding is eased as the park-like landscape has been enhanced and many a facility added. For better, for worse? The Bangkok Post adds that Chet Sao Noi is not overlooked no more.
We are now all settled in our house, which is a very nice feeling. We live a bit outside where everything is happening, about 15-20 minutes drive with scooter. We had a plan of isolating ourselves a bit from the boiling soup - to focus on us, be in nature, read books and on projects we have separate and together. So this is perfect. Its such magical nature here, lots of waterfalls, the ocean is crystal clear, you can smell the flowers. Yesterday my man experimented his way to the perfect recipe for gluten free vegan pancakes - after getting inspired at the food market the other day. So delicious. There is something special with pancakes - something I can really crave. And after a full day of delicious eating & love making we felt like going to a waterfall. Life on a stick <3
Hongkong's South China Morning Post has a safe article (Jan. 9) on Thailands Chanthaburi. Highlights include waterfalls:
'The entrance to the Namtok Phlio National Park is just beyond. Having parked outside the ticket kiosk, I pay 200 baht (US$6) to enter the 130 square kilometres (50 square miles) or so of protected forest.A path along a mountain stream passes signs warning of wild boar, Asian mongoose and black bears; a pyramid-like stupa – a Buddhist shrine – built by King Rama V in memory of Queen Sunanda Kumariratana, who drowned in the Chao Phraya river in 1880; and a moss-coated chedi – a Thai Buddhist monument – dating back to 1876.Thais are bathing in the pool below the epic waterfall that shares the park’s name.I peel off my sweat-soaked shirt and leap into the cool mountain water. Fish are easy to spot in the clear water and they are not shy of the people intruding on their habitat, nipping dead skin from toes.I had not imagined my journey would culminate in being nibbled by black carp in the jungle, but that is the beauty of wandering, when detours and chance encounters lead to the gems travellers prospect for'.
Venture a little further north from my home island on a couple of hours drive away and found this stunning waterfall.. Having this beauty all for myself the whole day is just priceless..#waterfall #beautifuldestinations #nature #photography #outdoors #adventure #menofoutdoors #neverstopexploring #welivetoexplore #phangnga #phuket #thailand #chasingwaterfalls #hike #trek #outdooradventures
Best waterfalls you need to visit in Lao PDR (Nov. 9, Backpackerswanderlust). Luang Prabang, Pakse and 4000 islands. Good intro.
Travelmanuel asks (Aug. 14) the question and supplies the answer:
'WHERE IS THE BIGGEST WATERFALL IN LAOS? HOW TO VISIT KHONE PHAPHENG FALLSFrom Thailand’s Mae Ya Waterfall to the Detian-Banyue Falls in Vietnam, Kawasan Waterfalls in the Philippines, and Bali’s epic Sekumpul Waterfalls, Southeast Asia is known around the world as a destination for beautiful waterfalls, and Laos is no exception.Although still very much off the beaten path, the largest and widest waterfall in Laos is known as the Khone Phapheng Falls. Thousands of locals and tourists flock to this area to relax, take photos, and see the power of nature'.
Thafalang river, Laos #laos #thafalang #nudie #intouchwithnature #niceday #nudista #asia #aventura #adventure #river #riverswim #thakhek #bluesky #naturist #hot #hiking #hotday #jungle #offthebittentrack #paradise #refreshing #relax #swim #skinnydipping #clothesfreeliving #clothesfreelife #gaynude #nakedliving #nakedinnature @experiencenaturism #nakedmalebeauty #clothesfreelife
Over to some official news. From the Vientiane Times (Sep. 8):
'More than US$8.8 million is being spent to improve infrastructure, including construction of a road leading to Kaeng Nyui waterfall in the tourist hotspot of Vangvieng in Vientiane province....Vangvieng district Governor Mr Bounchan Malavong said construction of the road to Kaeng Nyui waterfall will begin soon and will take 24 months to complete....The existing road to the Kaeng Nyui waterfall will be paved over a distance of 6 kilometres and will be 6 metres wide. A parking area, shops, and sidewalks will be built.The construction of a road and a bridge on the west side of Vangvieng district will involve a double layer of asphalt over a distance of 26-kilometres and a road width of 6 metres.Drainage will be improved, an existing bridge will be repaired, and a reinforced concrete bridge 80 metres long and 11.6 metres wide will be built across the Nam Xong river'.
Then the same source from nearly a year ago (Jan. 18, 2022):
'The well-known Tad Yeuang waterfall in Pakxong district, Champassak province, has been recognised with an Asean sustainable tourism award, which will be presented to provincial officials at a ceremony to be held in Cambodia.The award was given in acknowledgement of successful tourism development around the waterfall, in ways that are sustainable. Tad Yeuang waterfall is popular with visitors because of the stunning scenery that surrounds it, while the everyday life of local residents can also be observed....Provincial authorities have encouraged people living near the waterfall to grow organic vegetables for sale to visitors and are promoting aspects of local culture in the hope of generating more income for local residents....Champassak is well endowed with places of interest, both nature-based and historical, and no one should miss a visit to this scenic region during their stay in Laos.The province has 216 officially-designated tourist sites, including 116 natural, 60 cultural and 40 historical places of interest, but only 20 have any visitor facilities.Among the natural wonders are Khonphapheng, Tad Fan, Somphamit Waterfall Park and Tad Yeuang waterfalls, with activities ranging from trekking and ziplining to rest and recuperation in the lap of nature. Visitors can also enjoy produce from the Bolaven Plateau, including its famed coffee. The province has been named by the government as a green travel zone, meaning that tourists may visit the area now that Laos has reopened its doors to visitors after travel restrictions have been lifted'.
Also to be read in the Laotian Times (Jan. 19, 2022)
Posed
Sideman, BaliTourists pose in-front of hidden waterfall.
A couple more lists.
Thesimpletravel notches (Jan. 4) 25 Top Malaysian waterfallsA blog (Aug. 29) by Valerie Wheatley notes Cebu's many waterfalls and lists 7.
The World Travel Guy has a very extensive list (Jan. 4) on Indonesia's best waterfalls, seventeen are listed.
Bali Discovery reports (Nov. 13) on the opening of a glass bridge over the Petanu river:
'As reported by Beritabali.com, effective Saturday, 12 November 2022, the public is welcome to cross the gorge and enjoy the view of the adjacent Tegenungan waterfall in Blahbatuh, a short distance north of Denpasar, Bali'.
It was one of my first mornings in Bali. I had just gotten out of a sweaty Sunday morning ecstatic dance and a handful of us, new and old tribe, decided to go to a nearby waterfall.I was riding on the back of my best friend’s motor bike. Jungle to the left and right, Balinese and tourists whipping by.My heart was wide open already, and Morgan asks me, “The word nightmare implies the worst dreaming imaginable. So is there a word for the best dream possible? What would be yours?” That question alone put me on an upward spiral for my journey here. This trip has been a dream. Every moment seamlessly woven with high caliber humans, inspiring conversation, nourishing food, juicy dances, sunrise singing, some of the best yoga teachers & massage practitioners, profound meditations, serendipitous business meetings, a cosmic astrological reading from the high priest of Bali, surfing, motorbike riding, and endless laughter. Not to mention staying in an absolute sanctuary in the midst of chaotic Ubud. Wow Bali, you have blown me away. I am beyond inspired, nourished, and grateful. Thank you. And giving thanks for having yet another week after feeling so full already 💦🌸🌴🙏🏽#givethanks #friends #life #sograteful #ubud #bali
Manners
Vietnamtravel has an article (Jun. 12) on secretive waterfalls around the city of Nha Trang. Some though are actually huge entertainment complexes (Yangbay), so not so secretive then?
Vietnamplus (Aug. 16) spots a waterfall-now for something different subject:
'The Vietnam Post Corporation launched a set of stamps featuring famous waterfalls in Vietnam on August 15, aiming to promote the country's scenic landscapes to the public.
AsianewsNetwork has an article (May 18) on environmental protection in Cambodia (is this not a contradiction?):
The article / report continues with a concise diary of the days needed to visit the falls and return to modernity. Bit of a strange article.'Recently, Sreysor spent 10 days travelling to the waterfall called Chay 100 – ominously called “Death Falls” by some of the members of nearby villages – on her latest adventure exploring Cambodia’s wilds.Chay 100 is located in the middle of the deep forest of the Cardamom Mountains, bordering Koh Kong and Pursat provinces, and it is reached by travelling from Khnong Phsa in Kampong Speu.“We aimed to find the waterfall called Chay 100,” she says. “I heard old people say that there was a beautiful high waterfall hidden out in the middle of the forest. So we wanted to find out if it was true and if we could find an easy way for eco-tourists to visit the area.”Sreysor and a group of four other friends set out to find Chay 100 accompanied by three guides from the local community. They had an unforgettable experience as a result – but not entirely in the manner for which they’d hoped or planned'.
Khmer Times (Jul. 12) reports on a 'hidden' waterfall:
'Hoang Waterfall was at one time inaccessible, home to only a few hermits and wildlife. Yet, it is now a popular tourist destination in the Tboung Khmum province, which was split from Kampong Cham in 2013. However, it is still quite daunting to reach the waterfall even today.It is home to a cliff-hiking area with dozens of square metres of cascading waterfalls with beautiful views and the air, sweet'.
Finally, again the Khmer Times (Jul. 19) with some better news for some waterfall chasers:
'6 tourists had a lucky escape after they were trapped in a tree by heavy floods at a waterfall for over an hour.Heavy flooding at Thmar Kral Waterfall Natural Resort in Chiep Commune, Teuk Phos District on the afternoon of July 17, 2022, left the tourists trapped on a tree on an island in the waterfall'.
kasianast [Bali]:
Free your spirit
