![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240205_130946-1038x576.jpg "View from Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail")
Today was devoted to exploring nature again: I visited the highest mountain in Thailand, Doi Inthanon. However, even there I came across some temples (or more precisely: some pagodas). Continue reading Pagodas in the mountains
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240203_162448-1038x576.jpg "Wat Phra Sing")
Temple-hopping in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is really rich in temples – too rich to visit them all. So, on my first day and a half in the city, I concentrated on those temples that were considered particularly worth visiting or that looked particularly inviting to me as I walked past. Continue reading Temple-hopping in Chiang Mai
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240202_084702-1038x576.jpg "White Temple")
Colorful temples
The first Thai city I visited, Chiang Rai, had again lots of temples to show. However, these were not only “conventional” temples, but also temples in rather unusual colors: There is a Blue Temple as well as a White Temple, and also a Black House Museum which consists of black buildings in the shape of temples. Continue reading Colorful temples
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/20240130_082253-1038x576.jpg "Shompoo Cruise")
Two days on the Mekong
Another entry in the list of must-dos during my Southeast Asia trip (besides Angkor and Luang Prabang) was a boat trip on the Mekong. So, I spent my last two days in Laos doing exactly that: I went on a cruise from Luang Prabang to the Thai border. Continue reading Two days on the Mekong
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/20240129_055628-1038x576.jpg "Almsgiving in the early morning")
The traditions of Laos
After my trip to Nong Khiaw, I returned to Luang Prabang, because the next leg of my journey starts from there. This time, I used my stay in the city to familiarize myself a bit with the local customs. Continue reading The traditions of Laos
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/20240127_152041-1038x576.jpg "Nong Khiaw from Sleeping Lady Viewpoint")
The karst hills of Nong Khiaw
In order to see a bit of rural Laos, I tried to find a small town somewhere in the northern Laotian mountains with certain properties: First, it should not be too far from Luang Prabang (because the Laotian buses are not particularly comfortable). Secondly, it should offer a few short hikes and maybe a nice day trip (because I do not feel like going on big hikes just yet after recovering from my short illness). In the end, I settled for Nong Khiaw – and this proved to be exactly the right choice. Continue reading The karst hills of Nong Khiaw
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/20240122_165040-1038x576.jpg "Luang Prabang from Phousi Hill")
The temples of Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang! Ever since I read the descriptions by Peter Moore in his book “The Wrong Way Home” about this city, it was the epitome of Southeast Asia for me. Even though the city undoubtedly has some beautiful parts, reality could not quite keep up with my (very high) expectations – but this may also be due to a rather unfortunate start. Continue reading The temples of Luang Prabang
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/20240118_125417-1038x576.jpg "Angkor Wat")
Angkor and more
The main attraction of Cambodia are the temples of Angkor. So, this was also the main focus of my five-day stay. Still, I also explored rural Cambodia a bit. Continue reading Angkor and more
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/20240112_071421-1038x576.jpg "Marina Bay")
Full, fuller, Singapore?
The transition from the vastness (and emptiness) of the Southern Alps in New Zealand metropolis of Singapore is a tough one. Still, I braved the masses, and explored the city for two days. Continue reading Full, fuller, Singapore?
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/20240111_114624.jpg "Last view of New Zealand")
E noho rā, Aotearoa
Long-term readers of my blog also know what this title means: My wonderful time in New Zealand has come to an end. Continue reading E noho rā, Aotearoa