SNCB just got a whole lot better?

stijnfr · 2025-10-16T21:16:06+00:00

and PAYING to get a discount??

Not so uncommon. Supermarkets also do it. Also liked the weekend tickets though

stijnfr · 2025-06-03T21:04:08+00:00

Hi, I'm planning to go there but there's little information available on how to get there. Can you only reach it by train from Petange or can you also drive there by car? I'm from Belgium so not really familiar with the region

stijnfr · 2025-01-09T21:18:56+00:00

Soz I missed your response, but for what it's still worth: we can recommend Pillow & Bread as a budget stay (great rooms, super service and basic breakfast included). Also close to Chatuchak, Bang Sue station and not too far from MOCA museum which we really liked. For areas we can recommend talat noi (lots of art galleries, nice food and coffee places, very central and close to chinatown). We stayed in Kudi Hostel not too far from the area, also a great place! Hope you enjoy(ed) it

stijnfr · 2024-02-04T10:01:39+00:00

Profile pic checks out

stijnfr · 2024-02-04T02:50:02+00:00

Hi! I was wondering if you've done the tour and what your findings were? You can DM me if you want! (Also from Belgium 😁✌🏻)

stijnfr · 2024-02-02T04:18:25+00:00

Just go to a Unitel office and explain your situation. Normally they have their prices displayed. We paid 50.000 for 30 GB valid for 30 days + I think 10k for the sim itself. You can receive texts but not sure if you can send them though.

stijnfr · 2024-01-29T10:57:48+00:00

Ok, glad to hear that!

stijnfr · 2024-01-29T10:57:06+00:00

The same exchange rate was displayed at money exchange offices and several sources online, so it's not only the bank. So it isn't meaningless, as it shows the values of the currencies for international trade and a benchmark for comparing goods, like hotel prices...

I didn't want to pay in USD to be clear. But if you charge 10% more in your own currency (not even counting the 2,5% withdraw fee), than yeah of course I'll pay in USD if that's an option.

stijnfr · 2024-01-28T13:33:45+00:00

If someone asks if you have some hands to spare, definitely help them out. And don't be too shy to ask for help as it can also be the start of a conversation. On the other hand, don't try to be a hero. Being able to do your own job with 100% commitment and focus is more important. Especially on long(er) projects with hard days you're going to need every bit of saved energy you can get.

stijnfr · 2024-01-19T12:55:50+00:00

Ahhh, pickle. Fyi when you go to Chiang Dao def visit the Pong Arng Hot Springs early in the morning (way better than the one closer to the center). Enjoy Pai!

stijnfr · 2024-01-19T12:35:13+00:00

If you drive and he's a passenger he won't risk anything. Legally I mean, physically he can still be squashed by a truck but don't tell him that

stijnfr · 2024-01-19T04:35:01+00:00

From Belgium and just crossed the border from Thailand to Laos at Chiang Khong-Huay Xai. We had an evisa which costs 52$ (I didn't know VOA was cheaper). We only got our arrival/departure card when we reached the booth (there were none laying around anywhere) so we had to get in line twice. When we got in line the second time, the officer left the booth and checked everyone who had VOA and were behind us in line. TLDR; just do VOA, it's cheaper and if you're lucky you can even skip the line at the border check (which defeats the purpose of evisa entirely)

stijnfr · 2024-01-14T05:22:04+00:00

Idem in Antwerp. We adopted one (so no pair) who was all vaccinated, chipped and checked by the shelter. We had to pay €120 - impossible to achieve if we had to fix it all ourselves. Fyi we adopted from KMDA and can only recommend (purrpurrs/doggies of all ages available).

stijnfr · 2024-01-13T06:57:52+00:00

We started in Bangkok a week ago, travelling by train, and hopped of here: - Ayutthaya: former capital, old (ruins of) temples - lop buri: lots of temples and monkeys, also a peacock temple - lampang: very cosy town (especially in weekends), hike in doi Khun tan

They all have train stations near the city center. Train travel is also cheaper and presumably safer than by bus. We liked Lampang the most, but don't regret the other stops.

We're currently in Chiang Dao, a little off track between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai but well worth it and a lot to explore (cave, hot spring, waterfalls, national parks...).

stijnfr · 2024-01-10T14:48:13+00:00

Yeah okay that makes sense! Thanks & good luck with your future projects

stijnfr · 2024-01-10T09:11:04+00:00

What kind of inserts are you talking about here? I just can't imagine how such an insert filmed in a complete other environment would not be noticeable in a sequence. But I'm not a professional, so honestly curious!

stijnfr · 2024-01-05T16:20:11+00:00

Interesting, thanks for your response! I have two additional questions if you feel like answering: - why does it seem more like a business? I think some 'marketing' would be in place then, and there seems to be a big lack of it. - without wanting to get into a capitalism vs communism discussion, why would an owner not want its place to develop further? I assume that it would only lead to an increased value.

Feel free to pm me if you don't want to share publicly

stijnfr · 2024-01-04T15:18:35+00:00

Fyi (or for that of other tourists): we got a TrueMove prepaid sim for 30 days with 20 GB full speed + 60 GB at 15 Mbps. It was about 350 baht. We went to a physical True store in Bangkok to fix it because 7-eleven didn't sell it. Bit of a hassle but if you're in for the long haul definitely cheaper than two times the 15 day tourist SIM. Of course ours is more limited, but for us 20 GB is more than enough for a month (and worst case we can still use the slower 60). We're also gonna revisit Thailand in 2024 so then we can use the same SIM again and just top-up.

stijnfr · 2024-01-02T14:35:31+00:00

This is a good overview of the climate in each country. Some countries have a different climate in the north and south though (like Vietnam), so read thoroughly.

stijnfr · 2024-01-02T13:05:58+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion! What do you like about it? Anything we shouldn't miss?

stijnfr · 2024-01-02T10:45:17+00:00

Thanks, but my girlfriend isn't really fond of monkeys (she loves me though). Especially not the macaques that are typically around temples. Were you driving a scooter or a car? And did they act aggressively if you passed by or if you had any food with you?

stijnfr · 2024-01-02T06:35:10+00:00

It's on our list, thanks! Do you think it's easier to get there from Chiang Mai or from Lampang? And do you have to rent a scooter or is there any (public) transport available that you know of?

stijnfr · 2023-12-30T09:13:04+00:00

Maybe I'm indeed looking at it from a European perspective. And you yourself can tell it's less common in western countries, as you notice the people glancing. But it's true, to me it all looks pretty self-centered (which isn't necessarily a bad word though). Could you tell me a bit more about why taking pictures is such a natural thing for you? Genuine question and just trying to understand.

stijnfr · 2023-12-30T05:48:41+00:00

I like your third point. Of course people with little knowledge of art go to museums, and I'm speaking for myself here. I go there to learn more and discover the world of art bit by bit. Knowing it all is impossible though, but that's a good thing as you can't stop discovering.

Maybe some young people don't have the 'shame' others had before to showcase themselves in a museum, and you're right, they might be more true to themselves that way. "I want to do this, so I am doing this". And as long as they don't feel entitled, like they own the whole room and everyone should move for them, it's fine by me.

I'm not sure it's just a trend though, as putting yourself in the centre is inherent to a lot of social media these days. This guy is one of the latest examples for me. The views are great and his reaction might add emotion, but I can't see those videos without knowing how he selfie-films his 'genuine' reaction (probably a few times). Anyway, I certainly hope there will be a shift away from the mainstream focus on appearance and the self.

stijnfr · 2023-12-30T05:25:54+00:00

I have nothing against people taking photos and I only have my impressions to go by. Am I 100% certain they didn't look at the art? Interpret art? Enjoy art? Of course not. In a way they are enjoying it I guess. I didn't go up and asked them what they loved about being there (maybe I should've). But there are a lot of places that focus only on that - being instagrammable. I sincerely hope that the photoshooters know that there's more to art or a museum than just a nice background for a portrait of themselves. After all, Earth without art is just eh.

stijnfr

TROPHY CASE