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Hello! I am Romain

I am Romain, a thirty-something Frenchman, originally from Franche-Comté, but adopted by Lot (and from Bayonne at heart!)

You can't really say that I fell into travel when I was little, but let's say that after a whim that took me to Thailand, I've had travel stuck to my skin ever since. So much so that I've remained stuck in Asia.

After 2 years of regular back and forth I decided to settle down in Bangkok.

Today married to a travel addict local, I travel around Asia as much as possible and report my adventures here. For a reason that is still undetermined to this day, I have always had a certain attraction to Asia. Maybe my childhood "Dorothee club" and these Japanese animes have something to do with it or maybe I simply had a desire to escape under the sign of Buddhist "zenitude", who knows.

Even the longest journey begins with a single step.

Photo gives village Borobudur Java Indonesia

In any case, in the end, I greatly appreciate being in the heart of Asia and I am happy to share my discoveries, whether they are cultural, culinary or simply unique places to visit, landscapes that have left their mark on me, etc.

I embellish it all with lots of photos, my passion. I see them as a mix between pure and hard illustration in order to guide the reader on the different places visited, but I really try to capture the essence that emerges from the place and keep portraits of encounters, of significant moments, unusual ones, or simply more aesthetic photos, to better make you want to go and discover for yourself.

So I want to say that, with some exceptions, all the photos are mine. (the very few that are not mine are credited to their authors respective).

My wife and I love travelling to meet the locals, wandering around villages and observing local life, especially in markets. If possible, we sometimes print photos. otherwise a drawing sketched by Jitima in order to give the locals a souvenir of our visit. All those smiles we get in return are a reward worth all world travels.

We generally do a mix between must-see destinations and more unusual or generally less visited places, in order to have an overview of several aspects of a country, and not just the pure tourist side.

Who is this blog for?

The blog is aimed at both future travelers and those who are just curious and hesitant. Whether you are in the process of going on a trip to Asia and are looking for information, or you are interested in choosing to live in Thailand.

The goal in all cases is to share the local culture and life with you. The blog aims, I hope, to make you dream, donner want to know a region, a country, to encourage you to take the leap and travel in your turn. If you are in the case of expatriation, I hope to inform you about the aspects of life in Thailand, what daily life can be like in Bangkok, discover the little-known corners of Thailand.

To learn more

I invite you to read my page containing a few lines concerning my editorial line and the press review concerning me.

Learn more

Need advice? Don't hesitate to contact me!

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Comments:

Sisi
16/07/2014
What a great initiative to bring a photo back to the locals!
It must be very emotional sometimes…
Congratulations on your blog, I will perfect my second trip to Thailand with the help of your valuable advice.
Roman
16/07/2014
Thank you for this message! Yes it is sometimes moving, we never know how people will react! It is a fairly simple gesture that seems the minimum after shooting portraits everywhere.
Line Robez
08/09/2014
The information is very good! Thank you very much!
patricia
05/01/2015
Hello Romain, hello everyone,
1st trip to Thailand in preparation (I think there will be others!!…), your advice will accompany us in March 2015…
Congratulations for your patience, for the time spent keeping this blog alive, for sharing passions, above all don't change anything!!
See you soon at the corner of a street!! Happy New Year 2015, be magical like Asia!!
Roman
05/01/2015
Hello Patricia,
Thank you very much to you too, without the readers and their thanks, my efforts would be in vain!
Maybe we'll see each other in March 😉
pascal
17/02/2015
Hi Romain
Thank you for all your advice about Thailand, very useful for discovering this country in a different way....
I am engaged to a Thai woman from BKK and I will go there in a while to prepare the marriage file but as I am in the process of divorce and it takes a little time I must be patient…….
I am also scouting through the expat blog site to take over a guest house in Chiang Mai.
but I must admit that I am a little afraid of the political organization where everything is run by the military and if one day they want to get rid of the foreigners installed there...not much recourse possible...
looking forward to meeting you there one day maybe
It would be a pleasure to meet you during my stay there.
cordially
pascal
Roman
17/02/2015
Hi Pascal,
I don't think we should be afraid of the military for that.. it's not in their interest to kick out foreigners. Statistically I would be more afraid of a scam on a non-viable (or sometimes over-sold) business...
Looking forward to meeting you one of these days in Bangkok!
Good luck with the administrative procedures!
Roman
EMILIE
26/07/2015
Hello Romain
I've been enjoying browsing your blog for 4 hours!!!!
It is fantastic…and very complete
I am planning a trip to Thailand for my friend and I in January/February 2016
I called on an agency for a quote and organization and the price... ouch!!! it stings
So I'm trying to set up the project myself but it's tough...so many things to see, so many kilometers to do
We plan to stay 15 days and to do both the north and the south. We know very well that we will not be able to see everything so we try to sort
If you have time to waste helping us, I'm interested!!!
Thanks again for your blog Romain!!
See you soon
Roman
26/07/2015
Thanks for the compliment! I just replied to you via email 😉
THENAULT
18/10/2015
Hello,
Well-made site that makes you want to get lost in Asia.
I want to drive from Chiang Mai to Surat Tani. What are the must-see places on this route?
Thank you for your upcoming responses.
Roman
21/10/2015
Hello and thank you for your message!
Already, very good initiative to travel this portion by car, there is however a lot to see so the choices will not necessarily be easy, it all depends mainly on the time you have available to make this trip. If we go to the essentials, I would say a stop in Lampang, Sukhothai, first capital of the kingdom of Siam (possibly Si Satchanalai to complete the corner)
Then a stop in Ayutthaya, the ancient capital before Bangkok. You can avoid Bangkok if you plan to visit the city before or after this trip by car via Kanchanaburi and its region. Visit the Khao Luang caves in Phetchaburi, Kaeng Krachan national park.
Then we go to Hua Hin, where we can visit its vineyards (yes, yes!), the special temple, Wat Huay Mongkol, or the one on the hill with the monkeys offering a view of the city of Hua Hin, Wat Khao Takiap. We go to Sam Roi Yot National Park.
Visit and stop at Prachuap Khiri Khan and its bay of Ao Manao. Possibly also towards Bang Saphan/Ban Krut.
Further down, you can also stop at Chumphon then go down to Khao Sok National Park and finally reach Surat Thani.
Jeans
20/12/2015
Hello Romain
I have already been to Thailand and I was amazed both by the landscapes of the north and by the kindness of the people.
Having recently retired, I plan to return with my friend for a longer period, at least 1 month, in order to immerse ourselves and, above all, see the possibilities of settling in for the longer term.
Do you know of any addresses of French expatriates in the north who could help us find a rental? We are thinking of going there in 2016.
Your blog is wonderful, and it confirms my idea of returning there and for this dream moment, I thank you.
Good luck to you and thank you if you have a little time to dedicate to us.
Jeans
Roman
21/12/2015
Hello,
I know few expats in the north… apart from one I met who runs a hotel in Chiang Mai (the All in One Guesthouse). I wish you a successful installation!
Thank you for your comment !
Jenny - JDroadtrip
19/01/2016
Great blog, honestly I'm going to Thailand for two months at the end of the year, it's full of information, great for preparing my trip 🙂 Thanks and congratulations!
Roman
19/01/2016
Hi Jenny and thanks for your message! When you're in Bangkok come and say hello!
Jenny - JDroadtrip
19/01/2016
Absolutely, I would be happy to let you know 🙂
morel
25/01/2016
good evening, could you contact me via Facebook morel sabine, or via my email address please, as I see that you are a guide I am interested, since I travel alone, usually, with a backpack, plane ticket only, but Thailand seems so impossible to do alone, thank you
bb
18/02/2016
Hello,
You talk a lot about expatriation but it's more about immigration. You are a migrant in Asia.
Roman
18/02/2016
Hi Bertrand,
This is a recurring debate about the use of the word, defined as follows: If you move from a rich Western country to a poorer one, you are an expatriate. If you move from a relatively poor country to a richer one, then you are an immigrant. The fact is that "immigrant" has a pejorative connotation, the word expat is rather the norm concerning a European going abroad. I invite you to read this interesting debate here.
MOITRIER Sarah
18/02/2016
Hello, I am also preparing a trip with two friends for November, we already have the plane tickets, departure on 09/11/16 and return on 27/11/16. We plan to spend 4 days in Bangkok to do the must-sees, the Royal Palace, Chatuchak market, ... then we plan to go to Chiang Mai for 5 days and we are hesitating between the night train to go there or the plane what do you think? And then leave for Phuket to see the bay of Phang Nga and finish the stay on Koh Lanta. We already have to take the plane Chiang Mai- Phuket and on the way back Krabi - Bangkok so that would make 3 internal flights or 7 flights in 3 weeks with the flights Paris-Bangkok and Bangkok-Paris maybe a bit much no? The goal is to optimize the time as best as possible so as not to constantly waste it in transport.
Also I would like to know in terms of security for three girls alone? And what excursions at the level of Chiang-Mai, for the rest on an island it will be idleness and rest because the beginning of the stay will already be well filled with excursions.
I await your advice, thank you in advance.
Sarah
Roman
20/02/2016
Hello,
As for the mode of transport, it only depends on your approach to the trip, to make it simple and quick the plane is undoubtedly the best one but people generally appreciate the experience of slow travel, by train, it allows you to see the landscape go by (in the early morning, the main thing being at night), rub shoulders with the locals (even if in general there are a lot of tourists too).
With 3 domestic flights plus a return flight from France, that makes 5 flights for me not 7… am I missing something? If the goal is to optimize the time on site, the plane remains the best option, it doesn't seem like much to me in any case because it is not the most exhausting mode of transport in my opinion.
If you choose Thailand as your destination, I think it is not insignificant and that you should already know that there are no security concerns, girls or not, go with peace of mind! There is no shortage of activities in Chiang Mai, it depends on your tastes and your budget! If you want to approach elephants I recommend the Elephant Nature Park, for a short trek for a day, I appreciated the services of Jungle trekking Chiang Mai, after that nothing beats the freedom and curiosity of renting a scooter and going into the surrounding countryside.
drinker
19/08/2016
Thank you Romain, very informative blog, it gives ideas for a schedule when we know that our goal is to see and do as many interesting things as possible in 15 days...because we already know that it's too short 🙁 ….. and that when we return we will only have one idea in mind...to go back!!!!
Roman
20/08/2016
Indeed, 15 days is short and the best thing is to come back! Thanks for the compliment!
Muriel
23/08/2016
Hello,
I'm going to Thailand in late October/early November for about ten days, my first trip alone to a culture so far removed from ours, I'm apprehensive and really looking forward to it at the same time!
I stumbled upon your blog by chance while I was thinking about the route and mode of transport during this (too) short stay... I want to do everything (north and south), it's going to be complicated!
Browsing your blog has just reassured me 🙂
Roman
23/08/2016
Hello,
I understand the mixture of feelings! You have to make choices, a little overview in about ten days and indeed, if you like it, you just have to come back and visit the country in more depth!
Barbara - Milk Tea Time
28/10/2016
Hello Romain,
Having recently discovered Thailand and really wanting to go back, I came across your blog to get some information and I have to say that it is really very well done. (I took the opportunity to follow you on a few social networks.)
Thank you and congratulations for this great work!
And I look forward to meeting you one day in Hong Kong, I don't think that's part of your travel diary yet. 😉
Roman
30/10/2016
Hello Barbara,
Thank you for the compliment and for following me on social networks 😉 I saw your article on your blog and it is not possible to leave a comment there… (or did I see wrong??) I wanted to clarify about the floating market, which does not close at 8:30 – 9:00 because there are several and not just one!
I'll make a note of Hong Kong, maybe you know Amélie from Voyagista? If not, maybe you could get to know her 😉 I haven't been to Hong Kong yet but it's not very far and I definitely intend to go there one day!
Paulo Oliveira
28/08/2017
Bonjour.
Amazing your trip and the richness of details shown. You must have done excellent preparation before the trip. Congratulations on your dedication.
Cackling
11/02/2019
Hello Romain, bet won, reading and discovering your blog we are going to Thailand with the children 9 and 12 years old from March 30 to April 15! We land in Bangkok and leave from Phuket. We plan to spend 3 nights in Bangkok, 3 nights in Kanchanaburi and leave for the south via the night train ... We need advice and ideas to define our route and our visits .. We would like to do a national park on our route +/- jungle!) and find a place in the south to settle down for 5 days and do some snorkeling. I can't wait to receive your ideas !!! Thank you very much !!!
Roman
12/02/2019
Hello,
From what I read and calculate, this leaves you a margin of + or - 5 days to go down to the south before resting for 5 days. I see several options, the simplest being to stop in Hua Hin then visit the Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park (I talk about it here), about 50 km south of the city.
Island level you could stop at Mu Ko Chumphon at the town of Chumphon, if few islands offer accommodation (none in fact I think), there are beautiful spots accessible during the day via excursion (notably Koh Ranka Chio).
Another option would be to stop near Ranong and travel to Koh Phayam and Surin islands before heading to Khao Sok National Park, north of Phuket.

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About Us

Hello! I am Romain

After 2 years of regular back and forth I decided to settle down in Bangkok.

Who is this blog for?

Comments:

Sisi

Line Robez

patricia

pascal

EMILIE

THENAULT

Jeans

morel

bb

MOITRIER Sarah

drinker

Muriel

Cackling

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