When flying from Bangkok to Southern Thailand, you notice changes immediately after leaving the airplane. The Thai capital is not exactly known for cool temperatures, but you will soon learn the difference between hot and tropical hot. It is not the temperature but the high humidity that makes the most significant difference. Some of our electrical equipment could not cope with these conditions, and I got some water droplets in the back camera of my iPhone. Not because I went swimming with the device but solely because of the extreme humidity.

Also, tropical rain showers are awaiting you; these are different from European rain. Of course, it depends on the season; there are two: the rainy and dry seasons. Although coming into the dry season, it can occasionally rain as well. Mostly, it happens in the evening when the high humidity rises and discharges into the atmosphere, thus creating heavy (but relatively quick) rain showers and thunderstorms. Under these conditions, nature is very different than in tempered climate zones but more diverse than you would think. Of course, there is the jungle, exotic animals (picture 6), beautiful lagoons, and even pine trees. Of course, the endless blue sea dominates everything in Southern Thailand, and the coast is fascinating with rough rock formations and bizarre little islands (pictures 1, 2, 5, 7). Also, the tide is surprisingly strong, at some places uncovering the sea floor for many hours during the day (picture 3) and showcasing a rich biotope of many kinds of crabs and crustaceans.