Happy Holidays from Tiger and Bird

We would like to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Wherever you find yourself - whether in the cold region of the world, or relaxing on a beach in the tropics - may you have a holly, jolly time with friends and family.

Personally, we often try to escape the colder regions of the world whenever possible. And extended trips through Thailand are so much fun. Here we rented a motorcycle with a sidecar and sped around the island, visiting a coffee shop here, a swimming spot there- the possibilities are endless. Then of course later in the evening - while sipping an amaretto sour, of course - there is the spectacular sight of the sun turning into a perfect glowing orange circle before its slips into the horizon. Whether here on the islands or in the big city, life really is a beautiful thing. 2026 is going to be great. Carpe diem!

Happy Holidays from Tiger and Bird

Tiger and Bird would like to extend to you and yours our best wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year! Whether this holiday season finds you traveling through exotic lands or enjoying the company of friends and family back home, may your days be merry and your hearts light.

The serene scene in this photo shows a sleepy fishing village lightly enveloped by morning mists which float down from nearby hills. Gentle ocean waves swish against rocks, while mockingbirds call out raucously from coconut trees on the shore. The promising scent of fried fish gently wafts through the salty air as our breakfast is prepared. The sun steadily rises over the ocean's horizon, spreading its warmth in increasing intensity. This slow-moving hour - sitting by the ocean and disconnected from the outside world - forms one of our favorite moments from this last year.

Happy Holidays from Tiger and Bird

Best wishes from Tiger and Bird for you and yours to have a happy, peaceful, and warm holiday season! Whether you are sipping a cup of cocoa in the tropics or putting another log in the fireplace in the coldddd north, we hope that you have a relaxing time with family and friends.

We haven't disappeared! As a quick update, viewership numbers for blogs and websites have been plummeting as people's attention shifts towards short videos (thanks to the clock sound website). So we've taken a step back to focus on real life responsibilities while continuing to travel. 

Our online presence may come back as time allows, but we will soon resume posting content on Instagram using @tigernbird! In the meantime, and as always, happy traveling!

Happy Holidays from Tiger and Bird

We would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New year!! We loved our most recent trip to Koh Phi Phi and highly recommend a visit. The town is fun and lively, and Maya Bay on nearby Phi Phi Ley has recently reopened to the public. Yes, that's the inlet used in the DiCaprio film "The Beach." The movie may have been somewhat disappointing, but the towering limestone cliffs and sparkling azure waters of Phi Phi Ley Island are nothing short of magical!

Happy Holidays from Tiger and Bird

Tiger and Bird would both like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! This year we will finally be celebrating around a table with many other jolly faces (all vaccinated, of course!). The new normal has never felt so good. Our best wishes to you and your families for a happy, healthy, and travel-filled 2022!

Mu Koh Surin National Park: How to Get There, Facilities, and Lodgings

Ko Surin Preparation and Planning | Chong Khat Bay Station | Lodging

Covered Seastar longtail boat navigating the sparkling emerald waters of the narrow straight between Ko Surin's Nuea and Tai islands

Koh Surin is a true tropical paradise. Wild, untamed jungle vegetation cover the towering limestone hills and cliffs of the islands, while marine life flourishes in the shallow waters of the coral reefs that surround them. The visual experience is unparalleled- white beaches of miniscule fragments of broken coral and shells set against sparkling emerald waters, vivid sunsets as the fiery star gently melts into the sea. Surprisingly, however, is that this particular national park is better-known for what lies under the water: what many call the best snorkeling and diving sites in Thailand. Avid snorkelers, Tiger and Bird planned to visit these islands and found November 2020 to be the perfect time for an ocean adventure. Our personal preparation for the trip began several months prior and included increased gym time and a daily four reps of two-minute planks so we could adequately tackle the three-hour-per-day snorkeling sessions in the currents of the open ocean.

Happy Holidays from Tiger and Bird

When life throws you lemons, you take that sour fruit and mix it with sugar water to make something delicious. 2020 has been a no good, downright scary year. As travel between countries has mostly shut down (one of our trips was cancelled at the airport- the flight attendant literally stopped everyone from boarding the plane and announced that Myanmar had just closed its borders, turning back the preceding flight), Thailand remained relatively open. Unfortunately, as of December, the situation has changed.

But for much of 2020, we took the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy Thailand in its raw, natural beauty. The experiences have been unforgettable. And all the while, it provided us the opportunity to directly support locals involved in the beleaguered tourism industry. We always travel with an emphasis on authentic experiences and spending local- some Thai boat captains wistfully asked us to extend our stay on remote islands, talking about pristine locations teeming with fish. Other restaurant owners in deserted locations simply thanked us for being there and giving them some business.

The future looks dark and scary with all the uncertainty. But we trust in God and believe that this too while pass. In the meantime, and as always, our best wishes to you and your family for a safe, healthy, and joy-filled Merry Christmas and a Happy - and hopefully better! - New Year.

The Powdery White Sand Beaches, Sparkling Azure Waters, and Coral Reefs of Lipe Island in Thailand

Koh Lipe | General Information | Photojourney

Koh Lipe in the sparkling azure waters of the Andaman. In the distance, larger Koh Adang and Koh Ra Wi are uninhabited islands that are part of Tarutao Marine Park

Koh Lipe is a remote tropical island nestled in the sparkling azure waters of the Andaman Sea near Thailand's border with Malaysia. As a tropical paradise the island is without equal. Powdery white sand beaches line shores mere meters (yards) from coral reefs teeming with all kinds of aquatic life. Every moment of every day, from morning until night, the surrounding beauty is such that it feels as if the visitor has stepped into an Instagram photograph or tourism brochure. The island is low-lying, relatively developed, and fully walkable. Longtail boats transport visitors to numerous additional snorkeling sites as well as the nearby uninhabited paradises of Koh Adang and Koh Ra Wi. And the scuba diving is majestic! A friend visiting the island in November sent back enviable underwater photos taken with whale sharks feeding nearby. Note that Lipe is also a very popular tourist destination; we avoided the crowds and found the island almost deserted in late 2020 near the end of the travel lockdowns.

Koh Lanta: An untouched tropical paradise for world travelers

Koh Lanta | Getting There | Pimalai Resort | Old Town 

Koh Lanta from the south. The white line in the ocean is where the Andaman Sea meets the waters of the sheltered bay to the eastern side of the island (and yes, like all photos that you find on our blog, we took this picture ourselves!)

Koh Lanta is a beautiful island paradise situated a short ferry ride away from Thailand’s southern shore in the Andaman Sea. Relatively remote and difficult to access, the island is huge and remains mostly wild and untamed, still in the early throes of development. Dense mangrove forests line the northern shore of the island, eventually giving way to alternatively long white sand beaches or rocky formations stretching along aquamarine waters- all visible to visitors traveling to the resorts in the South. Many local people call Koh Lanta their home and live in villages clustered near the shoreline, leading to a mix of shops catering to both tourists and residents. The island has a touch of je ne sais quoi, perhaps a refreshing authenticity that Tiger feels is now missing from many popular Thai tourist destinations (even distant Koh Chang has changed as supermarket chains move in, tourists begin to vastly outnumber residents, and general infrastructure increases). 

Southern Thailand adventures abound- more posts coming soon!

The tranquil aquamarine waters off of Koh Lipe are a great place for snorkeling!

August has been very busy, with Tiger and Bird focusing on extensive trips around a recently reopened Southern Thailand (Thailand has done a fantastic job containing the spread of the coronavirus. As of the time we began our trip, more than seventy days had passed with no domestic cases). A peninsula here, an island or two there- we plan to spend many days exploring areas that are usually crowded with tourists. These are strange months of a strange year since international visitors are still mostly barred and domestic visitors are far fewer in number.

A Beach Exploration Guide for Phuket Island in Southern Thailand

Phuket | Beach Map | Photojourney

Patong beach at low tide can be a beautiful place to kick back and relax in the cool evening hours!

Phuket has been a premier tropical vacation destination for Western tourists for about 60 years. This southern province, slightly smaller in size than Singapore and itself Thailand’s largest island, boasts beautiful tropical beaches, international-class resorts, and easy access points to islands situated in the transparent aquamarine waters of the adjacent Andaman Sea. For Bangkokians, Phuket is also synonymous with a sister-province across Pgang Nga Bay called Krabi, as well as the popular islands between of Koh Yao Yai, Koh Yao Noi, and Koh Phi Phi. Phuket is a land of fantasy. A vacation to Phuket can take the form of whatever the visitor desires: secluded beaches for the whole family to enjoy, resorts situated in large coves with good surfing waves, touristy beach towns with scenes and experiences similar to Pattaya- all can be found within the province. And for those who prefer short excursions off the mainland, day trips to various islands and snorkeling, scuba diving, boating, and adventure sports await.

Naka Island: A Tropical Paradise in Phang Nga Bay

[Top]   [The Story]

Welcoming point for guests visiting The Naka Island near Phuket in Thailand

Naka Island is a small, semi-private island to the West of Phuket in Thailand’s South, sheltering from the Andaman Sea with larger islands Ko Yao Noi and Ko Yao Yai in the massive Phang Nga Bay. The island is shared between a sprawling luxury hotel, a local fishing village, and the isolated COMO Beach Club. Our destination for this extended weekend trip was The Naka Island, a hotel that is part of Marriot’s Luxury Collection Resorts.

Tiger had been eyeing The Naka Island as a romantic getaway from Bangkok for several years and jumped at the extended weekend opportunity even though it was the rainy season. After all, why not make time for a beach escape during the offseason? Prices are (slightly) more reasonable and there are fewer crowds in nearby Phuket. The resort was indeed splendid, but little did we know that through a series of events this might literally have become a trip to end all trips - cue Gilligan’s island theme song.

Hiking the Ancient Trails of the Kumano Kodo in Japan

[Top]   [Nakahechi Route]   [Day 1]   [Day 2]   [Day 3]   [Off to Kyoto]

The Kumano Kodo is a network of trails that split and intertwine, allowing hikers some Robert Frost-worthy* decisions!

The Kumano Kodo is a network of trails that crisscross the Kie mountain range in Wakayama prefecture south of Kyoto. The paths date back more than 800 years and move from lush valleys and vast rocky riverbeds, up steep hills past waterfalls, and through quaint mountain villages nestled in dense forests. Along these paths are towns and small mountain villages with traditional full-board Japanese inns, called ryokan, allowing hikers to move along the trails at their own pace before soaking in natural mountain onsens before a pleasant night of rest atop tatami mats. Many stops along the trails are UNESCO heritage sites and in and of themselves are well worth a visit. Also worth noting is that this ancient trail network was historically used as a Buddhist pilgrimage to one of three major shrines and may be considered similar in purpose to the Camino de Santiago in northwestern Spain. Tiger and Bird are always simply searching for a good hike and found the scenery and unique experience enjoyable.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The Quaint Mountain Village of Yunomine in Wakayama, Japan

[Top]   [Ryokan Suggestions]   [Tsubo-yu Onsen]

A tourist strolling through the small mountainside town of Yunomine in Wakayama Prefecture

Yunomine (pronounced “you-nah-min-ayy”) is a delightful mountain village that Tiger and Bird immediately fell in love with. Surrounded by cozy Japanese inns and houses, a hot stream - fed by boiling, mineral-rich water rising naturally out of the ground - flows lazily down the hillside, creating plumes of steam in the frosty winter night air. Central to the town is a public onsen fed by the hot waters of the stream. The crown jewel of Yunomine is Tsubo-yu Onsen, a small wooden, partially open-air cabin built over the natural hot spring waters of the stream itself. Tsubo-yu is one of the oldest onsens in Japan (perhaps discovered more than 1,500 years ago according to our innkeeper) and holds the distinction of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tiger and Bird strongly recommend that anyone who plans to hike the Kumano Kodo trail MUST book at least one night in this quaint and isolated mountain village.

Off to Japan! Traveling through Mie Prefecture and Wakayama on the Road to Kumano

[Top]   [Onigajo]   [Maruyama Senmaida]   [Waterfalls]   [Yunomine]

The Kumano River moving slowly through the vast, stony riverbed in Wakayama, Japan

Beautiful visages of exotic mountainsides shrouded in the fiery yellows and reds of autumn. Long, winding trails of the millennium-old Kumano Kodo pilgrimage paths snaking its way through untamed forests. Spectacular cliffs, and quaint villages nestled in the mysterious Kii mountains. Plumes of steam rising from naturally hot riverbeds gently heating the frosty night air. Yes, this is Japan. A rural and authentic Japan. Tiger and Bird were stoked. After several years of planning and multiple postponed starts, we were finally embarking on this magical trek across the ancient Kii mountain trails!

Exploring the sleepy town of Kanchanaburi and crossing the Bridge over the River Kwai

[Top]   [Giant Raintree]   [Wat Tham Suea]   [JEATH War Museum]   [Bridge over the River Kwai]

Passenger train crossing the Bridge over the River Kwai

Kanchanaburi is the shared name for both a province and the largest town in that province. Kanchanaburi town is situated around 150km northwest of Bangkok, which typically translates to a leisurely three hour drive along local roads. Along this drive, the province first appears to be largely flat with some low-lying hills before giving way to large mountains and thick jungle in the north and west. But don’t let this description fool you! Kanchanaburi’s climate is still very much the tropics, with beautiful Instagram posts often belying the intense heat and humidity in the summer months, which often exceed levels found in Bangkok.

Kanchanaburi tourism highlights include the Bridge over the River Kwai, part of the WWII-era Burmese railroad that was made famous by the movie of the same name, and Erawan National Park, which is home to the otherworldly seven-tiered Erawan Falls– a series of waterfalls that convey cold, mineral-infused mountain waters through cloudy jungle pools down into the Khwai Yai river far below. There is no need to fear crocodiles around the falls- there has never been one sighted in the area; but, well, the jungle is still home to snakes, water monitors, and other creatures. But we diverge! Let's get back on topic.

Tiger and Bird love Kanchanaburi and have experienced a bit of a renaissance this past year in terms of visiting this area. Our most recent itinerary included stopping by a giant raintree, taking a small tram up the steep hill to Wat Tham Suea, visiting the incredibly detailed WWII exhibit at JEATH War Museum, and finally crossing the still-active Bridge over the River Kwai. This photojourney details our trip!

Amphawa Floating Market. Voyaging through the Canals

Touring Amphawa on an overcast afternoon

Amphawa is more than just another commercial market in Thailand. Amphawa is an experience of traditional Thailand, of what Bangkok may have been several hundred years ago. The local government and community here go to great lengths to blend modern culture with Thai traditions from many years ago, earning a nod from UNESCO in the form of an honorable mention several years back. Residents live in small houses located along the klongs and vendors fill their boats with wares in the morning before traveling a short distance up the klongs to Amphawa. Throughout the day, children laughingly swim in the canals, while in the evenings, many residents catch fish from those same waters. The waterways around the floating market are well-maintained and have a very lived in and authentic “feel” to them when contrasted with many “touristy” destinations around the Thai capitol.

Amphawa Floating Market: The Best. The Biggest. The Food.

Taking a Thai longboat through the canals of Amphawa

When people visit Bangkok for the first time, they often have a checklist of items to see and experience. Usually this includes the Grand Palace, the newest shopping mall nicely situated on the Chao Phraya River (namely, Icon Siam), possibly some Muay Thai, and a walk around various local street food market. This merely scratches the surface of what the exotic City of Angels in the far away land of Thailand does have to offer, but is reasonable given the limited timeframe afforded by vacation travel. No matter how short the trip, however, Tiger and Bird would like to suggest adding another item to the list: Amphawa, one of the largest floating markets in Thailand. Tuk tuks and tourist-traps will tout other floating markets near the capitol, but if you’re looking for the legit real deal, an authentic market mostly frequented by local Thai people, then Amphawa is the place for you to go.

Exploring the Resort Town of Hua Hin

[Top]   [Monkey Mountain]    [Shopping]   [Activities]

Northern side of Hua Hin beach

Brilliant, white sand beaches under a burning sun. Thai-style resorts interspersed with high-end luxury hotels near sleepy towns. An authentic seaside vacation in the tropics. Hua Hin is all these things and more- a look back to what Thailand’s coastal resorts may have been like twenty or thirty years ago, but with the addition of modern conveniences, if desired. Lesser known than its nightlife-crazed sister city of Pattaya across the Gulf of Thailand, Hua Hin is often the preferred destination for a quiet weekend away from Bangkok for long-term expats and Thai locals.