welcome to thailand

Phuket

2007-09-30T23:34:00.002-07:00

Phuket Located approximately 862 kilometers south of Bangkok is Phuket,
Thailand's largest island, which is often dubbed as the pearl of the Andaman,
or the pearl of the south. Its natural resources- rocky peninsular, limestone
cliffs, white powdery beaches, tranquil broad bays and tropical in-land forests
contribute to making it the South's wealthiest, busiest, most visited and most
popular island and province.

Nestled in the tropical zone off the west coast of the southern part of Thailand
in the Andaman Sea and the Indian Ocean, the province covers an area of
approximately 543 square kilometers (excluding small islets). It is estimated
that Phuket Province covers an area of approximately 590 square kilometers
if its 39 other small islands are included. The islands total length, from north
to south, is estimated at 48.7 kilometers and approximately 21.3 kilometers
wide.

Phuket borders on Phang-nga Province to the north. The other 3 sides are
encircled by the Andaman Sea the place where many of the best diving sites
are located. The island is connected to Phang-nga Province by Sarasin Bridge
and Thep Krasattri Bridge.Staying on the island is easy, as there are only two
seasons in a year - the rainy season (May to October) and the hot season
(November to April). The low season of phuket is between September and
October as they are the wettest months. The best period for a visit, is from
November to February, when it is possible to see the clear blue sky, feel the
fresh sea breeze and marvel at the crystal clear water while lying on powdery,
palm-fringed beaches. Average temperatures ranges between 23°C and 33°C.

Phuket's topology is exceptional with 70 percent of its area covered with
mountains which stretch from north to south and the remaining 30 percent
being plains located in the central and eastern parts of the island. The island
does not have any major rivers except for a total of 9 brooks and
creeks.Phuket is divided into 3 administrative counties namely Amphoe
Muang, Amphoe Thalang and Amphoe Kathu.

Tips for Reducing Your Holiday Expenses in Phuket and Thailand

2007-09-26T21:08:00.000-07:00

While we mainly aim this article at visitors to our part of the world in Phuket, Thailand, you can apply a lot of the advice to holidays anywhere in the world.
One of the great attractions of Thailand is that it is cheap. The Tourism Authority of Thailand can carry on pushing their vision of Thailand as a millionaire's playground for as long as they want but still the majority of visitors will be people who have a limited budget.
In this article, we will give a few simple tips to help you make your money go further. We are not talking about the sort of penny-pinching measures that backpackers use to make their tiny budget stretch a year. We are not going to suggest you eat noodles every day. After all, you are on holiday and holidays are meant to be enjoyed. However, most people have worked hard for their two-week holiday in the land of smiles and there is no reason why they should not get the best from their money. Here are a few simple tips to make the money go a bit further.
Accommodation
If you want budget accommodation then usually you can find good deals just by walking in off the street. Walk around the side streets of any of Phuket's beach resorts and you will find guesthouses. During peak high-season (Xmas & January) it is better to book in advance as there may not be any rooms available. Whatever you do, do not ask a tuk-tuk driver for a recommendation. They will just take you somewhere that pays them commission.
If you want mid to high range accommodation then you should book in advance. If you walk in off the street, you will pay more for your room. It may seem strange but it is cheaper to book in advance through a travel agent or internet-booking site. The internet booking sites have the best rates. An excellent tool for finding the best rates is Hotels Combined. This Australian based website does a price comparison across 30 internet-booking sites and finds the cheapest available rates.
If you are on a longer-term holiday of a month or more then it may be worth looking for an apartment. If you go further back from the beach (e.g. Nanai Road in Patong), you can find nice one bedroom apartments from 12,000 baht a month.
Flights
Finding cheap airfares is a little more complicated.
There is a lot to be said for buying a package holiday from a travel agent. They will use their buying power to ensure you get good rates for your hotels and flights. However, many people enjoy the flexibility and independence of booking their own flights.
We would like to give a link to a single site that provides cheap international flights across the globe. Unfortunately, it does not work like that.
The airlines do not give their cheapest tickets to the major international travel sites. They know that companies such as Travelocity & Priceline have the marketing power to sell tickets that are more expensive. Therefore, while these companies sell in more countries and cover more destinations, they do not have cheap airline tickets.
The airlines give their cheapest tickets to small independent travel agents. These smaller agents usually only sell flights that depart from their local country. So for example, if you are in the UK you could check cheapflights.co.uk and they will check for the cheapest flights from a range of small agents. You will probably find return flights to Phuket from £500 or less. If you try the major international travel agents then return flights start from $2,000. Therefore, whatever country you are in, check the internet or classifieds for your local travel agents and look around.
The best international internet-booking site is ebookers.com. This site covers most major destinations and sells tickets in most countries. While their prices are not the absolute cheapest, they are very competitive.
Travel Insurance
Many visitors seem willing to travel to Thailand without travel insurance. The low medical costs in Thailand mean this is not such a big gamble as at a destination such as the United States where high medical fees and a litigious society make travel insurance an essential.
However, we really would recommend that new visitors to Thailand get some form of travel insurance. Things can and do go wrong and it is best to be protected.
Do not get travel insurance from your travel agent. They may offer good deals on package holidays but they try to make the money back on the extras and their insurance rates are overpriced.
Get your insurance from a local and reputable insurance broker. There are no international insurance brokers providing competitive travel insurance to all nationalities. Instead, you need to go to an insurance broker in your home country.
Price comparison sites are the quickest way to find a good a good deal. You need to find a site that covers your own country. So for example you could try here if you are a US Citizen or try here if you are a UK Citizen.
Rather than just getting an insurance package for your two-week holiday, it may be a good idea to consider an annual multi-trip insurance package. If you have more than one holiday a year or even a few weekends away then these can be very good deals.
Money Exchange
Do not change money in your home country before coming to Thailand. You will get a much better rate of exchange in Thailand. Bring an ATM card or travelers cheques. In fact, it is nice to have two sources of money in case of problems so why not bring both.
Do not exchange your money at hotels. They give bad rates. Exchange booths at airports also give poor rates. The best way to get money when you first arrive is to use an ATM at the airport.
Tours
The tour prices in Phuket are generally very competitive. These organised tours are a convenient and reasonably priced way to see Phuket's tourist attractions. There are many tour shops and lots of tours so the competition keeps the prices down. Just go to any tour shop and you are likely to find some good deals.
The only problem with booking tours is you do not know the quality of the tour service. The price may be competitive but if the experience is poor then you will still be disappointed. Most of the tour organisers provide a good service but there are also a few stinkers.
If you do not want to take a shot on an unknown tour company, you could book your tours in advance with Viators. Their prices are only a little above what you will find at the local tour shops and you have the benefit of knowing you are dealing with reputable tour operators.
Tipping
Tipping was never really a part of Thai culture. It is a custom that we visiting westerners have introduced and which Thai customers have now taken up. Most western visitors over-tip.
The normal tip in Thailand at restaurants or bars is 20 baht. That may seem like a derisory sum to leave by western standards but in Thailand they do not expect any more. You are not being tightfisted by leaving so little. In fact, some claim that westerners who come here and tip big are actually causing problems for everybody else. They are creating an expectancy of big tips from westerners that never used to exist.
Getting Around
The tuk-tuks have earned themselves a bad reputation for both prices and service. They are now charging a ridiculous 200-baht for short trips around Patong. Unfortunately, if you have bags or want to make a long journey then there is often no choice but to use them. All we would say is make sure you agree a price before starting the journey. Considering the prices they charge, there is no reason to give a tip.
There are motorcycle taxis everywhere. You can recognise them from their coloured vests. A short trip around town should cost 20-40 baht.
You can hire a motorcycle for 200 baht a day. They are a great way to get around town and see a bit of the island. Drive carefully and always wear a helmet. Bring an International Driving License and carry it whenever you are driving. If you do not carry an IDL, you may end up paying the police a few 300-baht fines.
You can hire jeeps from independent renters for 800 baht a day (but with very little insurance) or cars from reputable hire companies from 1,400 baht a day.
Restaurants
Eating out is remarkably cheap in Phuket. There are so many restaurants that there is a lot of competition and even the tourist restaurants will seem cheap to most visitors. Still there are big price differences between restaurants. Generally, the further you go from the beach, the lower the prices. If you eat at one of the major restaurants along the beachfront then you are going to pay for the location.
Thai food is cheaper than western food. It is also very good and there is a tremendous range of dishes. You are sure to find something you like and appreciating the local cuisine is part of getting to know the local culture.
You should also consider getting out of the tourist resorts and trying some real Thai style restaurants. The difference in price and style of food can be startling.
Check Your Bill
Do check your restaurant or bar bill before paying. We would not want to say this is common but it does occasionally happen that they add extra items or total it up incorrectly to get more money. Don't feel bad about it. Thai customers invariably check their bill and are not embarrassed to point out 'mistakes'.
Shopping
You should avoid shopping at the tourist stalls along the beachfront and around the tourist resorts. The quality of goods is unreliable and the prices are vastly hiked. Unless of course you just want the fun of haggling and do not mind that you may be buying overpriced rubbish.
You have to be careful when asking tuk-tuk drivers for recommendations. If you are looking for specialty shops (jewelry, tailors, etc) then there are a lot of these that pay commission to tuk-tuks for bringing customers. The tuk-tuks will take you to these shops rather than the places that will give you good deals.
You should do your shopping at the department stores, shopping malls, markets or at specialty shops which are mostly in Phuket Town. The new Jung Ceylon shopping mall is the best option in Patong. Beyond the tourist resorts are Robinsons, Central Festival, Tesco Lotus and Big C.
For cheap clothes, trinkets, accessories, etc, two good locations are the Weekend Market (Sat & Sun 3pm-10pm) on Wai-Rat-Hong-Yak Road in Phuket Town and Expo Indoor Market on Tilok Uthit 2 Road, Phuket Town.
If you are looking for gold, silver, pearls, jewelry, art, antiques, etc then the best specialty shops are in Phuket Town. The problem is finding them. You have an extra problem here because even if you know where you want to go, your tuk-tuk driver may still try to claim a commission from the shop. Unfortunately, the best option is to drive yourself or dump your tuk-tuk after the drop off and do your shopping on foot.
There are good gold & jewelry shops on Montree Road in Phuket Town. The best art & antique shops are in the old town area of Phuket Town around Thalang Road & Dibuk Road. You should be aware that you need an export permit to take genuine antiques out of the country.
Bartering
Bartering is part of Thai shopping culture but only at market stalls and independent shops. Try to haggle the price down a little (a lot if you are shopping at tourist stalls). It really helps if you have an idea of what is a good price. Try to haggle in good spirit with a smile.
If you can speak a little Thai, it will help. Not only does it create goodwill but it also gives the seller the impression you know a little about Thailand and might actually know what would be a good price. Even just an opening 'Sawatdee' may be enough to help your cause.
Girls
Yes, this little section is for the guys who intend to play around with the bar girls. If you are not careful, this will rapidly become the biggest expense of your holiday.
Just because you have picked up a girl at a bar, that does not mean you have to buy drinks for every other girl at the bar. They will try their luck and if you are a soft touch, they will keep coming back for more. Just say no from the start.
You do not need to ring the bell and buy everybody in the bar a drink.
If you take a girl back to your hotel then agree the price up front (usually 1,000 to 2,000 baht). You do not have any responsibility to buy her food, drinks or pay her taxi home. It is up to you.
Most of all, you do not have to pay for her family's healthcare, sick buffalo or whatever other sob-story she may tell. And you definitely do not need to send her money once you

History of Wat Pradhatudoisutep

2007-09-26T20:56:00.001-07:00

History of Wat Pradhatudoisutep
In 1386 His Majesty "Guna" the eighty king of "Meng Ray" dynasty had sent the favorable elephant to find the place to keep the "Holy Relic" that he gain and keep for worship by his own for 13 years. The elephant went randomly and finally reached the top of Doi Sutep. It cried 3 times and walked clockwise (its call "pradaksin", the method to show worship to someone or something) at the same time. After that, it died. The king ordered to dig the ground deep 4 meter and wide 12.5 meter. He placed 6 huge stone in the hole and put "Holy Relic" in there filled with stone and construct pagoda cover that hole. The pagoda's high 2.5 meter.
In 1538 "Pra Muanggasaglou" the twelfth King of "Meny Ray" dynasty had increase the size of the pagoda by build the new one cover the old. The new is high 5.5 meter and wide 12 meter. He also ordered the sculptor made the golden lotus and placed on the top of pagoda.
In 1557, "Pramaha Yanamanggalasobothi" had built the ladder to make easier to access the pagoda.
Not long ago, "Sivijhai" the famous master in Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand had built the road to pagoda. The road is long about 11 kilo meters. There, He also establish the temple as know "Wat Pradhatudoisutep" too, from that time, it very easy to access the pagoda and now "Wat Pradhatudoisutep" is one of famous temple in Chiang Mai. Most people who come to Chiang Mai always visit this temple too.

Live And Stay In Thailand With A Passport Holder

2007-09-26T20:51:00.000-07:00

In a recent survey of the most traveled places in the world, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country that made it to the top five, and very rightly so. Thousands of tourists from all over the world flock to the Kingdom all year round to frolic on the stunning beaches, explore the many mountains and rivers, and of course, take advantage of one of the world's most blatant sex industries.
Visits vary from a few days to a few years. Many visit on holiday and never leave, and understandably so. The country is gifted in more ways than one, the people are friendly with foreigners, and the cost of living is amongst the cheapest in the world. Indeed, there's a lot to be said about the mysticism of Thailand, how it reels you in with its beauty until you find yourself never wanting to leave and succumbing to its will.
Visa Runs
Barely a year ago, Thai immigration laws were relaxed and tourist-friendly. Though it varies for some countries, most foreign nationals are automatically given a 30-day grant to stay in the Kingdom upon entry. However, 30 days is grossly insufficient to explore the wonders of Thailand. Border runs were common and most foreign nationals can do as many as he or she chooses, the popular destinations being the neighboring countries of Cambodia, Laos, and Malaysia. You simply needed to take a trip to the border, bearing your passport in its passport holder, and you get another 30 days.
With the ousting of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, however, immigration laws have since been tightened. Border runs are now limited to 2 instances, after which, a foreign national has to leave the country, passport holder and all, for at least 100 days. An alternative is getting a proper visa, which is a seemingly easy process that actually gets tedious as you go along.
Tourist Visas
For a fee, Thai consulates abroad provide tourist visas for foreign nationals seeking to stay in Thailand for a few months. If you are already in the Kingdom, you'll have to take a trip to a neighboring Asian country (or your own country) to get the tourist visa from a Thai Consulate.
It's a quick and painless procedure. Simply visit the consulate with your passport, safely stored in your passport holder, provide a couple of photographs, fill out a form, and pay the fee. You then get a 60-day tourist visa and you may apply for an extension of 30 days within the country.
Non-immigrant Visas
Non-immigrant visas are trickier. These are provided for foreign nationals seeking to stay in the Kingdom for a long period of time for employment, business, etc. Non-immigrant visas range from 90-day single entry passes to 1-year multiple entry passes. It's not as simple as walking into the consulate with your passport holder. You would need to be able to provide several documents, justifying your stay in the Kingdom.
For example, if you are an English teacher employed at a Thai school, you need to provide letters from the school declaring their intention to hire you, your school documents, criminal clearance records from your home country, and of course, your passport in your passport holder. As long as all documents are available, there should be no hitch in getting a non-immigrant visa.
There are more options to getting visas for extended stays in Thailand. However, the Thais are changing the rules quite frequently these days so nobody is really secure. It's important to keep on top of the latest Thai immigration news at all times. After all, you wouldn't want to leave the beautiful country in a hurry, passport holder and all

Cheap Asian Travel Tips

2007-09-26T20:35:00.000-07:00

Traveling in Asia can be ridiculously cheap and fun if you know what you're doing. Cheap Asian travel is done by being intelligent with your cash and being well informed of what is going on. Last year when I was in Thailand the ratio of the dollar to the thai baht currency was about 40 baht to 1 dollar, now it is about 30 to 1! Paying attention to the local politics and what is going on in the world is just one of many ways that you can make Asian travel cheap.
One of the most basic things for cheap asian travel is to live like the locals. This doesn't mean that you are going to be out the rice fields work from dawn to dusk like some of the locals, but you will have a similar lifestyle that will also add a lot of culture to your trip. Instead of eating at that nice Westerner restaurant go down and eat from one of the street stalls. You'll have a blast eating with the locals and attempting to communicate with them and you'll also get a chance to really sample some of the local flavor that is quite good. Don't worry about getting sick, the locals wouldn't be eating there if they were getting sick, so you shouldn't either.
One of the biggest keys to cheap asian travel is how you decide to go about seeing asia. Clearly if you want to fly it's going to cost you quite a bit more then the local bus. Now there are some tourist busses that are great and get you to where you need to go for cheap, but be warned, there is a reason for why they are cheap. One of the reasons is that they stop at specific locations for meals that are out in the middle of nowhere so they can jack the prices up. So if you do take these busses take a sack meal or bit the bullet and pay the jacked up prices. The best option in my opinion for cheap asian travel is to take the local bus. You'll experience that countries culture up close and directly and you'll be doing it for the same price as the locals themselves.
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How To Dodge The Police In Vietnam

2007-09-25T23:36:00.000-07:00

The good news about traveling to Vietnam is that you won't have to be concerned with threats of terrorism or border wars. Vietnam has been there, and done that, and now the country is trying something new: it wants to attract foreigners and their money by becoming a tourist magnet.
One way it has of achieving its goal is to guard its borders in a manner which makes most would-be subversives take their acts elsewhere. One sure-fire way for you to dodge the police in Vietnam is to avoid doing anything that might hint of clandestine espionage. When you decide to take photographs, clear them with whatever authority you can find. Don't even bother asking if you can shoot pictures of the Vietnamese government buildings, and ditto for the military establishments should you come near them.
The guy in the tan uniform is a traffic cop, and the guy in the green uniform is with the tourist police. The tourist police are a fairly new addition to the Ho Chi Minh City police force, and their job is to help tourists cross the street if the Ho Chi Minh traffic police are failing to do their jobs. You shouldn't try to dodge the tourist police, because they will wonder why you are afraid to let them help you. Besides, reports are that they spend most of their time congregating on street corners and whistling at passing cars. Usually they are perfectly happy to ignore you if you ignore them.
The traffic police in Vietnam are another matter. The traffic police have a reputation of finding reasons to fine the people they stop, and looking for reason to stop them so they can fine them. This is especially true for those traveling by motorbike.
One way to dodge the traffic police in Vietnam is to eschew the motorbike rentals in favor of taxis. Your taxi driver will be in the loop as to where the speed traps have been set up, and will have the requisite skill for making fast U-turns in the middle of downtown Ho Chi Minh City if there is a police checkpoint ahead. Your taxi driver will also know alternate routes to get you to your destination when there is a policeman standing on a corner. But if you really want to add some spice to your visit, go ahead and rent the motor bike, and try to dodge the police by engaging in a few Evel Knievel moves of your own.
If you're homosexual, the best way to dodge the police in Vietnam is to take your vacation in Thailand, where you will feel much more at home, blending in with local lady boys. Although homosexuality is not outlawed in Vietnam, there remain cultural taboos against it. While the gay scene in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City may be more relaxed, there was a recent incident in June 2007 where a gay sauna in Ho Chi Minh City was raided and closed. The customers themselves were not charged with anything fortunately.
The best way to dodge the police in Vietnam, it seems, is to stay in your hotel room, but that's probably not why you made the trip. So practice your motor biking skills before you leave home, stay away from any place that appeals to homosexuality, watch what you photograph, and look both ways while you are crossing the street!

5 Great Survival Tips When Traveling

2007-09-25T23:29:00.001-07:00

How to Survive While Traveling
In one way or another, aside from the business purpose that some travelers pursue, traveling is known to be one outlet for the adventurous aspect of a lot of people. Sure, traveling can be one heck of a fun activity. However, one is never sure on what untoward incident that can be encountered while enjoying the sights and scenes during the trip.
To avoid getting caught off guard while traveling, here are a few tips to ensure survival while traveling:
1. Know your water.
2. Milk will do.
Remember that thing they say regarding milk as the complete food? It still is true. As long as you boil it for at least 10 minutes too, like how you should have your water, it will serve as one of your best sources of nutrition. Local processed milk products may not be safe for your tummy, better opt for a more popular brand of milk product.
3. Vitamins Schmitamins.
Bringing vitamins will help in warding off many of the diseases that an unguarded (with resistance-building supplements) person may be so prone to. Multivitamins can be more convenient to bring than
separate vitamins for various needs.
4. Battling extreme temperatures.
Doing one's homework before going to any foreign country will save one fr
If you are to go to one hot spot of the world, your luggage will benefit a lot since you don't have to bring a heavy and thick wardrobes. Now if you are about to visit a place like Antarctica, one tip is to choose well your clothes so as not to stock up much on those that you will not be using that much.
5. Taking care of your skin.
Don't forget your bottle of moisturizer if you're going somewhere cold. A sunscreen will be very indispensable too. A lotion or anything that will ward off insects is one must-have that should never be overlooked either. One best advice that is applicable too even when you're not traveling that much is to avoid getting sun exposure as much as possible.

How to Say Sleep in Chinese Mandarin

2007-09-25T23:25:00.002-07:00

So now you're in China and ready to speak-out or probably just preparing for your Beijing 2008 Olympics learn Mandarin bag of tricks that you want to pack up or probably anticipating a pretty chick, handsome dude, up in the East West or South to learn Mandarin with? Let's begin with some of the phrases you may encounter on a regular basis. I've included the Simplified Chinese characters, PinYin, and audio just beside the words.Format is: English (Pin Yin) (Chinese characters ) (Audio sample). So, what are you waiting for, have your hands, feet, pen and paper handy, or fire up your handhelds and go!
How to say sleep in Chinese? SLEEP (shuì jiào)(睡觉) This is a very 'fragile','sexy' and 'mouth-watering' word to use so be aware of it and use with discretion : )
USAGE/SCENARIOS: * You are tired and wanted to rest * You wanted to have sex (Fragile! Watchout! Censored! Boom!) * Your computer is sleeping or on standby (something for the Geeks) NOTES: Bear in mind that the pinyin "shuì jiào" for the word sleep(睡觉)is also pinyin'ed "shuĭ jiăo" for Chinese dumpling(水饺). The points of distinction are of course the tones.
What if they don't get it?SOLUTION At times they won't understand what you're talking about in vain. So...don't forget to put your hands on top of each other (sleeping gesture), just beside your ears, bending your thighs a bit towards your right or left to visualize the methods explained above as a last resort, while you speak and express what you mean. Look straight between the eyes, but avoid putting your tongue out when you speak "sleep" ; )==

Travel to Thailand

2007-09-25T01:48:00.003-07:00

"If you come to Chiang Mai, but you don't visit Doi Sutep. It seem like you don't come here."
Doi Sutep is one of most important place in Chiang Mai. There is the "Holy Relic" there (if you want to know more and how "Holy Relic" is important just search). Here is the place of warship of Chiang Mai. Most travelers always visit here if they come to Chiang Mai. One of Reason, this place is very important and not far from Chiang Mai, you can come here in short time. When you come here, you can go to worship the "Holy Relic" also take a tour around the temple. There are many interesting here. Let's see below
1. Naga Ladder. This have been built in 1557 by "Pramana Yanamonghalabodhi". It's called "Naga Ladder" because the ladder surround with two "Naga" (Each Naga have 7 head) from the start (The Naga's head) to end (Naga Tail). There are about 300 total levels. To access the pagoda you must climb this ladder, but in the later there are lifts. If someone want to climb then can walk instead. Most people use lifts to climb up and walk back to climb down and see the Naga Ladder.
2. Mom. Mom is myth creature also is the god of rain (The god who controls the weather make wealth to the land) according to Lanna people's faith.
3. Two Giant. The Giant is protector of temple and "Holy Relic". According to Buddhist's faith, there are 4 giant is 3.1 Kuvera protector of north 3.2 Dhatrata protector of east 3.2 Viruulpakkha protector of west 3.4 Virulhaka protector of south Those giant are god and they will protect the holy places.
4. Mass bells. Most of Thai will ring the bells. Why do they that? There are several reasons (faith). 4.1 To ring the bell is announcing they come here and done good deed. According to faith, announcing is the way to share what you done with other. 4.2 To ring the bell is worshiping the Buddha. 4.3 whoever rings the bell they will comeback and visit this place again. This bell is for ring. So if you come to visit here don't forget to ring it.
5. Museum. Here is something you can see in museum. 5.1 Old Buddha figure. 5.2 Tool use for religion ceremonial. 5.3 A mural about Buddha biography and other 5.4 Brahman god figure. Etc.
6. View point. From this point, you can see entire Chiang Mai from far. Sometime you can view fog too. Relax and enjoy the beauty of Chiang Mai.

Phuket Resort Spa You Can Relax Peaceful And Convenient

2007-09-25T01:44:00.002-07:00

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Guide to Bangkok

2007-09-25T01:40:00.001-07:00

Bangkok is an exhilarating destination, with her interesting mix of traditional sights and attractions, exotic aromas and western influence. To unravel the layers of this city, you'll need to understand its history and culture. A trip to this Kingdom of smiles will allow you to do this if you allow yourself enough time to see some of the treasures this place has to offer. At least three days, and this is not a problem with an abundance of cheap flights and good hotels available in Bangkok throughout the year. This article features some of the highlights and traditional must-see attractions.
Wat Pho Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) is one of the oldest and largest temples in Bangkok and located next to the Grand Palace. It is most famous for its grand and splendid reclining Buddha, covered in gold leaf and measuring more than 150 feet long. There are some cool spots under the trees beside the temple for rest and rejuvenation as well. Treat yourself to their famed massage services where they offer trained professionals in the school of traditional massage housed within the temple itself. You will also enjoy the action of dropping coins into a long line of small containers around the reclining buddha, as an act of accumulating blessings for yourself and others.
The Grand Palace The Grand Palace, with its glittery, extravagant architecture, is simply grand. This famous palace was built in 1782, and it continues to capture visitors' imagination with its magnificent buildings and intricate details. It gives you an insight into Thai royalty, in local Siamese style with its wonderful mix of colours.
Entering the palace grounds, you will have to wear long trousers or skirts. The dress code states no jeans, but don't worry, you can always rent the appropriate clothing for free if you turn up in them. Audio guides are avaliable near the entrance and are helpful if you are not in a tour group.
There's always touts outside the palace scamming unaware tourists that the grand palace is closed, and suggesting to follow their tours. Just don't be fooled by them.
Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaeo) Located inside the grounds of the Grand Palace, and regarded as the most important Buddhist temple in Thailand, Wat Pra Kaeo enshrines Phra Kaew Morakot (the Emerald Buddha), the highly revered Buddha image meticulously carved from a single block of jade. This temple is a huge incredible riot of glittering gold and colours, everywhere you look. There are a million details not to be overlooked and part of visiting the Grand Palace is seeing this Emerald Buddha. If you happen to visit the palace on the same day as the King himself, grab the chance to see the Emerald Buddha clad in its gold outfits!
Floating Market The floating market has been reduced to a touristy state nowadays, but even though transactions are more involved and to do with tourists rather than locals these days, the floating market boats are still piled high with tropical fruits and vegetables, fresh coconut juice and local food cooked right on the boat itself.
With each boat jostling for space within the narrow canals, it's absolutely frantic and disorderly. The paddling skills of each boat-woman are to be admired at and they will stop and bargain with you at any time. It's vibrant, noisy but great fun.
Chao Phraya River The Chao Phraya River flows through the capital and is where Bangkok's historic roots lie. One of the most fascinating and scenic areas of Bangkok, the riverside reflects a constantly changing scene day and night. The river is also one of the major transportation systems of the city, with massive traffic jams along the roads all day. The water-taxis ferries commuters up and doen the river, and heavily laden rice barges can also be seen in the waters.
The river is set against a backdrop of glittering temples, palaces and historical landmarks. You can also find luxury, five-star hotels, as well as cheap hotel deals along the riverside.
Chinatown Chinatown is a busy area, packed with market stalls and has probably the greatest concentration of gold shops in the city. Always crowded, especially during the Chinese New Year period, this area still retains its old look and relatively untouched by modern high-rise developments. The Chinese community here still continues their own traditions and religious practices. Restaurants can be found abundant along the streets, offering Chinese cuisines, delicacies and seafood. One of the best places to enjoy sumptuous seafood at relatively cheap prices, and this area has lots of budget hotels for any backpacker.
Jim Thompson House Jim Thompson or James Harrison Wilson Thompson was born in Greenville, Delaware in 1906. He is an American who started the Thai silk industry in Thailand after World War II. With his natural flair for design and color, and his dedication to reviving the craft, Thompson gained worldwide recognition for his success in generating international demand for Thai silk. This former residence of his houses a magnificent collection of Asian art and many unique displays, in addition to it being best place to purchase silk in Bangkok.
This place has an intriguing history to boot as well. During the Easter weekend in 1967, Thompson disappeared while on holiday with friends in Cameron Highlands, a northern Malaysian resort. An extensive and extended search failed to reveal any clues about his disappearance. Theories abound about his disappearance, but there has been no answer as yet.
Vimanmek Mansion Built by King Rama V upon his return from Europe in 1897, this palace is the world's largest golden teakwood mansion featuring an elaborate and unique blend of Victorian and Thai architecture. Altogether there are 31 exhibition rooms, with the bedrooms, the throne room and the bathrooms maintaining the atmosphere of the Thai past. Some display rooms house exhibitions of Thai art including silverware, ceramics, crystal ware, and ivory.

Honeymoon Planning

2007-09-23T20:25:00.000-07:00

Just like planning a written report or news article, you have to know the who, what, when, where and how in regards to your honeymoon planning. The who and what portions of the planning are no-brainers as the who refers to you and your intended while the what refers to the honeymoon. So do you have any ideas as to the when, where and how in referring to your honeymoon planning?
Typically, most honeymoons occur within a few days of the wedding ceremony although that is not always the case. Some people will plan the wedding based on school or work schedules and plan a honeymoon trip later when both parties can get a large chunk of time off for vacation. Others will decide where they want to go first and then decide on the when in regards to honeymoon planning. If you and your intended have your hearts set on a skiing vacation, then the obvious when in regards to honeymoon planning will be sometimes in the winter months. However, in seeking a tropical destination, the when could occur at any time of year.
Knowing where you are going is crucial to the where part of honeymoon planning. For strict budgets, you will likely stick close to home with the idea of going all out in a few years on a more extravagant vacation. Looser purse strings might see you venturing abroad to foreign countries either by cruise ship or by plane. The where in honeymoon planning is also influenced by what you and your intended's likes and dislikes are in terms of weather and available activities. Tropical settings offer up the most opportunities for newlyweds and they are also romantic as well.
Unfortunately, the buck sometimes stops right where you don't want it to - your dream destination for your honeymoon. Unless you want to be in debt for a few years while you pay off your dream honeymoon, it pays to be more sensible in your honeymoon planning. There is no reason not to choose a destination based on what your budget will allow and still plan that dream destination vacation for a later date. For some couples, a cruise makes economical sense in terms of the how of honeymoon planning. Your food, drink, activities and accommodations are not only under one roof but also part of one price. Plus, with this type of honeymoon, you can still see new places each time the ship makes port during your cruise. Let your budget dictate what you can and cannot afford in terms of your honeymoon destination. Honeymoon planning doesn't have to be rocket science, just plain old common sense with a hint of dreams and romance thrown in.

Honeymoon Nights

2007-09-23T20:24:00.000-07:00

The honeymoon night of the 50's or even earlier was a whole different ball game than a honeymoon night today. The biggest difference is the sex; more than half of newlywed couples polled by bridal magazines and websites admit that they are too tired for any lovemaking on their first honeymoon night if they leave right after the reception.
Wedding planning is also not what it used to be; from choosing vendors to picking bouquets and place settings for the 200 people you barely know is a tough job and it requires meticulous planning even if you hire a professional wedding planner. If you are into details, and most brides are for their once in a lifetime (hopefully) event, then they want to do most of the choosing and shopping even if they have a planner. All this spells out months of exhaustion and tension on the big day if everything will fall in to place.
After everything does go smoothly, all brides want to do is sleep. Some grooms may not share the same definition of a honeymoon night but they really can't do much about it if their new spouse has dozed off on the way from the reception in the limo. Also because the majority of couples have already had sex before the honeymoon night, there really is little charm for going through the effort on the day when so much more is going on.
You could spice up your honeymoon night for traditions sake at least by postponing the honeymoon for a few days. By not leaving immediately after the wedding ceremony or reception, you get to recuperate from the exhaustion and can start the honeymoon on the right note Even though it sounds archaic in this day and age, but few (actually very few) couples are holding off sex until the honeymoon night. And just by waiting to sleep with one another after the vows, makes their honeymoon night that more special. Don't fret too much about whether the flowers in your bouquet match the ones on the centerpieces; focus on your partner and the new life that you are about to begin. Even if ultimate intimacy is not on your things to do list, at least exchange a special gift, see the wedding pictures on your digital camera, relax in a hot tub for two or anything else that will make the honeymoon night more memorable than sleeping.

Locations For Honeymoon

2007-09-23T20:23:00.000-07:00

Take a break from the juggling act that is wedding planning and consider a few honeymoon locations for your break from the world with your new spouse. Nailing down a choice from the many honeymoon locations around the world can give you something to look forward to once the wedding is over. While you may wish to travel overseas, the almighty dollar may be saying that you should stick to honeymoon locations closer to home to save money. The vast array of cities, landscapes, activities, food and things to do are what make United States-based honeymoon locations a great idea. The only thing you and your intended have to decide where to go based on the weather and both of your interests.
Getting married in the winter has its advantages like the fact that there are many honeymoon locations which offer skiing packages. If you are fond of the cold, powdery white stuff, Aspen, Colorado has some great skiing opportunities as well as other cold weather sports. In addition, the nightlife is hopping during the ski season and there are several spas perfect for pampering.
All of the Great Lakes offer opportunities for sailing, swimming, fishing, water skiing, jet skiing and more. If you want a place where it is just warm enough for some favorite summer outdoor activities but cool enough for comfort, the Great Lakes are great honeymoon locations.White water rafting along the Colorado River, a dude ranch in Montana or even a train trip in the New England area offer cool summertime pursuits that just might fit into your perspective of great honeymoon locations.
Sharing a love of museums and other cultural arts arenas are part of the glory of marriage and should be considered when trying to choose honeymoon locations. There are excellent museums in some of the larger cities like San Francisco, Houston, and New York. You and your intended can create an itinerary based on one city and just choose a hotel and plan activities based around your accommodations.Touring houses haunted by ghosts can be just as fun as visiting famous battle re-enactments near Gettysberg. Choosing from many honeymoon locations could be as easy as meshing shared interests and letting your available budget dictate how far or where you and your new spouse can go. It does not matter where you live in this country as there will always be accommodating honeymoon locations to suit your needs.

Bangkok : Wat Phrakaew

2007-09-23T02:20:00.000-07:00

Wat Phrakaew (with the Emerald Buddha) and the Royal Grand Palace, are easily the most visited tourist sites in Bangkok. The complex was built during the Rattanakosin area (Bangkok), but incorporates various older architectural styles. Visitors are guided first to the Wat Phrakaew compound, and when exiting this compound enter the Royal Palace compound. Ideally one would need from 4-6 hours (with some drink stops) to cover the most important parts at leisure.Wat Arun or the 'temple of dawn' is located on the Thonburi site of the Chao Phraya river. It was once home to the Emerald Buddha. The major prang was built in the beginning of the 19th century, in what can be called Khmer-Thai style.Wat Traimit, Temple of the Golden Buddha, houses a 5 and a half ton Buddha image, which was only discovered some 50 years ago, having been plastered to avoid detection.

Images of Phanom Rung and Muang Tam, Thailand

2007-09-23T02:19:00.002-07:00

Prasaat Phanom Rung and Muang Tam are located in Buriram.Prasaat Phanom Rung is one of the most significant Khmer monuments in Thailand. It was built in the 10th-13th century A.D. Phanom Rung was a Hindu Saivite (Shiva) monastery. Sculptures also present images of Vishnu. A processional way leads through Naga bridges to the main sanctuary. Lintels, pediments depict the Hindu Gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, with also scenes of the Ramayana. The most famous lintel (Vishnu Anantasayin) depicts Vishnu reclining on the back of the Naga King Ananta. This lintel disappeared for many years outside the country, but was recently returned.The setting of Phanom Rung is quite scenic, with views of the countryside all around. The site is probably the most visited Khmer monument in Thailand. If you want it quieter, be sure to arrive before 10 A.M.Muang Tam ('low city') is located nearby, and is worth a visit all by itself. Around its main structure, five 'brick' towers and ponds with lotus flowers are present. There is not much supervision and school children seem to use the area as a playing ground.

Prasat Hin Phimai, Phimai, Nakhon Ratchasima

2007-09-23T02:18:00.000-07:00

Prasat Phimai is located in Phimai, Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat) province, about 5 hours by bus from Bangkok.Phimai has a pleasant location, with the river Moon flowing with many branches around the town.Construction of Prasat Phimai took place between the 11th-13th centuries A.D. The grounds of Prasat Phimai are spacious and well kept. The principal tower (prang) is surrounded by galleries on all sites. Since it is a Hindu sanctuary, the reliefs at Prasat Hin Phimai depict the Ramayana, the story of Vishnu who took on the manifestation of Rama, in order to defeat the enemy of the Dhamma.Phimai houses also a very interesting National Museum, where many of the lintels, found at Prasat Phimai and surrounding temples, are being displayed, some in stunning beauty after restoration.Close to the city center is a giant banyan tree, situated in a pond. The single tree rather looks like a giant forest.

Languages of Thailand

2007-09-20T22:22:00.000-07:00

Kingdom of Thailand, Muang Thai or Prathet Thai. 64,865,523. Population includes 45,815,000 or 93.5% Daic languages, 1,037,650 or 2% Austro-Asiatic languages, 1,009,500 or 2% Austronesian languages, 533,500 or 1% Tibeto-Burman languages, 100,000 or 0.2% Hmong-Mien languages (1991 J. Matisoff). National or official language: Thai. Literacy rate: 89%. Also includes Burmese, Japanese, Kayan (150), Lao, Sinhala, Tai Daeng, Tamil, Urdu, Vietnamese. Information mainly from F. Lebar, G. Hickey, J. Musgrave 1964; H.C. Purnell 1970; W. Smalley 1976; S. Wurm and S. Hattori 1981; J. Matisoff 1991, J. Matisoff et al. 1996; P. Prachakij-karacak 1995. Blind population: 210,000 (1982 WCE). Deaf institutions: 22. The number of languages listed for Thailand is 74. Of those, all are living languages.

History of Thailand,land of smile

2007-09-20T22:15:00.000-07:00

The country's official name was Siam (Thai: สยาม; IPA: [saˈjaːm], RTGS: Sayam origin unknown) until June 24, 1939.[1] It was again called Siam between 1945 and May 11, 1949, when it was once more changed by official proclamation. The word Thai (ไทย) is not as commonly believed to be derived from the word Thai (ไท) meaning "freedom" in the Thai language however it is the name of an ethnic group from the central planes.

The history of Thailand begins with the migration of the Thais from their ancestral home in southern China into mainland southeast Asia around the 10th century AD. Prior to this Mon, Khmer and Malay kingdoms ruled the region. The Thais established their own states starting with Sukhothai and then Ayutthaya kingdom. These states fought each other and were under constant threat from the Khmers, Burma and Vietnam. Much later, the European colonial powers threatened in the 19th and early 20th centuries, but Thailand survived as the only Southeast Asian state to avoid colonial rule. After the end of the absolute monarchy in 1932, Thailand endured sixty years of almost permanent military rule before the establishment of a democratic system.
The region known today as Thailand has been inhabited by human beings since the paleolithic period (about 500,000 - 10,000 years ago). Due to its geographical location, Thai culture has always been greatly influenced by India and China as well as the neighboring cultures of Southeast Asia. However, the first Thai or Siamese state is traditionally considered to be the Buddhist kingdom of Sukhothai, which was founded in 1238, followed by the decline and fall of the Khmer empire in the 13th - 15th century AD.
A century later, Sukhothai's power was overshadowed by the larger Siamese kingdom of Ayutthaya, established in the mid-14th century. After the sack of Angkor by the Siamese armies in 1431, much of the Khmer court and its Hindu customs were brought to Ayuthaya, and Khmer customs and rituals were adopted into the courtly culture of Siam.
After Ayuthaya fell in 1767 to the Burmese, Thonburi was the capital of Thailand for a brief period under King Taksin the Great. The current (Ratthanakosin) era of Thai history began in 1782 following the establishment of Bangkok as capital of the Chakri dynasty under King Rama I the Great.
European powers began travelling to Thailand in the 16th century. Despite European pressure, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been colonised by a European country. The two main reasons for this is that Thailand had a long succession of very able rulers in the 1800s and that it was able to exploit the rivalry and tension between the French and the British. As a result, the country remained as a buffer state between parts of Southeast Asia that were colonised by the two European colonial powers. Despite this, Western influence led to many reforms in the 19th century and major concessions to British trading interests. This included the loss of the three predominantly ethnic Malay southern provinces, which later became Malaysia's three northern states. However, another ethnic Malay province named Pattani, now subdivided further into four smaller districts, has remained as Siamese territory to this day.
In 1932, a bloodless revolution resulted in a new constitutional monarchy. During the war, Thailand was allied with Japan. Yet after the war, it became an ally of the United States. Thailand then went through a series of coups d'état, but eventually progressed towards democracy in the 1980s.
In 1997, Thailand was hit with the Asian financial crisis and the Thai baht for a short time peaked at 56 baht to the U.S. dollar compared to about 25 baht to the dollar before 1997. Since then the baht has regained most of its strength and as of May 23, 2007, is valued at 33 baht to the US dollar.
The official calendar in Thailand is based on Eastern version of the Buddhist Era, which is 543 years ahead of the Gregorian (western) calendar. For example, the year AD 2007 is called 2550 BE in Thailand.

Amazing Thailand package promoted through Thai Restaurants in Midwest and Eastern US

2007-09-20T22:07:00.001-07:00

NEW YORK, NY, September 1, 2007. Building on the ever-growing popularity of Thai cuisine and culture in the United States, The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) today announced the launch of its Amazing Thailand Packages promotion, a unique program to encourage Americans to experience the wonders of Thailand first-hand. By partnering with hundreds of leading Thai restaurants throughout United States, TAT has created an amazing collection of travel and tourism packages, designed to provide American tourists with an easy, exciting way to travel to Thailand for the first time. The program, which will be promoted in fine Thai restaurants throughout the Midwest and Eastern United States from September 1, 2007 through August 31, 2008, is part of TAT’s initiative to attract 14.8 million international visitors to Thailand in 2007, and 15.7 million in 2008. Guests of participating Thai restaurants will be presented with information about the Amazing Thailand Packages program, along with the many special travel and tour programs available; restaurant staff will provide helpful tips and recommendations, and will even assist guests with travel arrangements. The unique tourism experiences of the Amazing Thailand Packages promotion are specially designed by five leading Asian tour operators; Pacific Holidays, Nature Expedition International, East Quest Inc, Epiculinary, and China Silk Tours. All of these world-class travel specialists have a long history of arranging tourism packages in Thailand, and consistently earn the highest customer service marks. Each of the packages is specially designed to suit every traveler’s budget and preferences, ranging from a traditional tour of Bangkok to an all-inclusive culinary tour of Thailand. “Thai cuisine and culture are very popular in the United States, and become more so every day. Clearly, there is strong interest among Americans in learning more about, and enjoying, the cultural and natural beauty of Thailand,” said Bangornrat Shinaprayoon, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (New York). “The goal of the Amazing Thailand Packages program is to help Americans take the step from simply enjoying Thai cuisine in a restaurant, to experiencing firsthand the joys of Thai culture in Thailand.” Added Shinaprayoon: “Working with select Thai restaurants enables us to connect directly with American travelers who likely have an interest in visiting Thailand. Next time you visit a participating Thai restaurant, enjoy your food, explore package literature and choose the trip that appeals most to you. We promise, you’ll come back from Thailand with memories that will last a lifetime.”

Travel in Italy: free guide of Verona for families

2007-09-19T21:29:00.000-07:00

Verona, or Veronia, was a city of the Euganei, who were obliged to cede it to the Cenomani (550 BC). Flashbooking is a growing cheap hostel in Verona and hotels directory specializing in budget accommodation for independent travellers, students, backpackers, families and all the ones that travel on a pocket.With the conquest of the Valley of the Po the Veronese territory became Roman (about 300 BC). Verona became a Roman colonia in 89 BC, and then a municipium in 49 BC; Verona had the franchise in 59.Flashbooking is becoming a recognized source of information and services for who loves creating a trip by him/herself and book bed nights securely online. Verona is a city and provincial capital in Veneto, Northern Italy. Those who love travelling light, those with a sense for adventure, those who love flexibility in their trips, those who like meeting locals and travelling slow and low... those are Flashbooking happy travellers!The ancient town and the center of the modern city are in a loop of the Adige River near Lake Garda. Flashbooking provides a large selection of cheap or low cost reservation offers in Verona where there are plenty of low cost solutions for backpackers in budget youth hostels, bed and breakfast Verona, family run guesthouses, cheap hotel deals.Because of this position, the areas saw regular floodings until 1956, when the Mori-Torbole tunnel was constructed, providing 500 cubic meters of discharge from the Adige river to the Lake Garda in case of flood danger. In general, Flashbooking guides have been written for giving the essential information about the most visited cities in the world and in particular for any traveller or first-time visitor.The tunnel reduced the risk of floodings from once every seventy years to once every two centuries.For a short visit, a week-end, a city break, these free pocket guides are useful printable and downloadable tools available online.Flashbooking cheap lodging solutions are all available for online bookings and divided by Countries. Travellers have free access to the updated list of Europe hostels and budget hotels, North and South America hostels, Caribbean and Central America hostels as well as for Asia cheap accommodations, Oceania youth hostels and Africa hostels.Flashbooking policy tends to privilege small and family-run hotels in order to promote an alternative tourism respectful of cultures and different societies.Having the reservation final price is also convenient as it does give the transparency our users pretend while booking. Having the final total amount of your booking means you do not have to worry about other extra surprises!So mates, we are looking forward to finding you THE budget accommodation in Verona, that meets your needs and pocket for your next trip!

Steel Hunting Blades and Other Options Available to Hunters and Fishermen

2007-09-19T21:13:00.000-07:00

Hunting knives, tactical knives and pocket knives are the type of tools that every hunter needs at some point or another. When it comes time to prepare your game for transport off the mountain or to take care of some camping basics like cutting or chopping, it is important to have a sturdy, reliable hunting knife that you can count on to last for several hunting seasons. If the tactical knife or pocket knife is perpetually dull or flimsy it is very unlikely that you will enjoy your time hunting and may in fact result in a lack-luster hunting season. That is why it is important to make sure to always have the right blade on you at all times, and to choose the right blade. Many people do not know that there is more than one blade type, when really there are three main blades that a person can choose from, depending on their individual needs. Drop Point Blade Hunting KnivesThe drop point blade is the most popular type of tactical knife blade on the market today. The drop point has a sharp curve to the blade and it is forged of a thick, durable steel blade that can stand up to just about anything. The edge of the drop point blade makes it one of the most utilitarian of the three knives mentioned here. It can be used to jab or point as well as slice, and it is very useful for efficiently skinning game after it has been killed. Clip Point Blade Hunting KnivesThe clip point blade is another one of the more popular types of hunting knives out there. Although the clip point is not nearly as popular as the drop point blade, the clip point blade is made of thinner steel and the blade is flat, with a point to it. The clip point blade is perfect for skinning game as well, but the clip point blade is also perfect for other uses that are not related to hunting, like cutting ropes or branches or other things of that nature. The clip point blade is a useful knives for hunters to have, and is one of the most commonly used and carried types of hunting blades out there. The Skinning KnifeSkinning knives are other popular hunting knives, although they are not nearly as multipurpose as some of the other tactical knives on the market. Skinning knives are just for that, removing the skin of a game animal from the meat. Skinning takes a certain type of blade in order for the meat to be as well preserved as possible. If you find that you lose a lot of your game during the skinning process, you may want to consider purchasing a skinning knife in addition to a more tactical blade. Having reliable hunting knives is an important element of successful hunting, whether you are a big game hunter, waterfowl hunter or fisherman. By knowing the various blade types available you can determine which best fits your needs and your use level. Remember that there is more to a knife than the style of its handle or its price. The craftsmanship and style of the blade are the fundamental elements that will make the hunting knife a valuable addition to your hunting equipment.

Camping First Aid Kits: Don't Leave Home Without One!

2007-09-19T21:07:00.001-07:00

"Be Prepared" - That's the motto of the Boy Scouts. And as an Eagle Scout, former Junior Assistant Scoutmaster, and camp staff employee, I can tell you: when you're outdoors, you MUST be prepared for every contingency! That's why the experienced outdoor types (like myself) will tell you: whenever you head outside for camping, hiking, or wilderness adventures, you had better take a camping first aid kit.I know your first reaction: Grab the first aid kit you have at home. But that won't do. Why? Well, when is the last time you saw a home first aid kit with splints for broken bones, or suction cups and a surgical knife for treating snakebite? The simple fact: you need a good camping first aid kit, not a regular home first aid kit, because you need the special supplies that come in an outdoor or camping first aid kit.Which reminds me: if you have a child enrolled in the Boy or Girl Scouts program, one of the coolest (and practical) gifts that you can give them is a good first aid kit. Ditto for someone who is in to wilderness excursions or survival camping. These kits have been known to save lives - and that's not marketing hype.Of course, good camping first aid kits should be well-stocked. For sure it should contain more than just antiseptic towelettes, burn cream and band-aids! These kits should include such things as a variety of bandages (including some for bandaging large wounds), adhesive tape, finger and leg splints, ace bandages, tweezers, scissors, snake bite kit, vinyl gloves - and also a comprehensive first aid guide.The first aid guide, by the way is critical. It contains vital information on the proper treatment for wounds, handling poisoning cases, burns, animal bites, broken bones, drowning, treatment of the unconscious - many topics. If the guide supplied in your kit is not very good, buy a separate guide and keep it with your kit.A good practice: Purchase a large, metal fishing tackle box, and stock it with the items that you will need. This makes a great camping first aid kit for a family or scout troop.Here are some other things to stock in your first aid kit: pain and fever reducers (like Tylenol or aspirin), a pre-paid cellular phone, water purification tablets, emergency matches (in a waterproof case), thermal blankets, and a handheld GPS device. You will not find some of these items in most pre-stocked first aid kits, so you will need to buy them separately and add them to yours.One final note: once you have your kit assembled, make sure to inspect the contents at least once or twice a year. Remove any expired medicines, and replace any supplies that have gone beyond their shelf-life or that have been opened or damaged (opened or damaged items are no longer sterile). And as you use the supplies, make a note to buy replacements. You don't want to wait until you are in an the middle of nowhere, in the midst of a medical emergency, to find out that you are missing something!

Mountain biking on adventure tour

2007-09-18T21:34:00.000-07:00

People who love sports usually can't resist mountain biking. The sport is considered to be most adventurous and also provides an amazing back country experience. The tour is enjoyable especially if you have taken good experience in bike riding.
If you have already had a pedaling experience on an exercise bike, you would enjoy your tour. It is time to carry some maps and go ahead with your challenging expedition. The outdoor game will get you acquainted with the nature and also help you stay fit and also in good shape. You would simply love racing down the mountain. It may seem to be a dangerous game but the thrill would allure towards it to experience more.
North America has some of the best locations for mountain biking. If you have already decided to go for mountain biking, you should follow certain tips in order to make sure that you remain safe during the whole journey. You need to get into the game with caution.
a) You should always carry good reliable and accurate location maps so as to avoid confusion. Maps prove to be a good source of relief and help during any kind of inconvenience and confusion during the journey. b) It is extremely important to check the fuel tank and air pressure in your car tyres. Also check if the clutch plates, brakes, gears, engines are working well and arranged in good order. c) A valid license will let you enjoy the trip. It is a proof of your valuable experience in this field. d) There are certain essential skills you require to possess. You need to get familiar with "technical single track" if you are keen on riding. This kind of a tour is usually meant for experience holding mountain bikers who possess the skills to handle things such as light turns, obstacle -strewn paths, stream crossings and rock ledges. e) Your bikes should possess a good low-gear ratio like the 22x3 or bottom gear such as 24x28. Make sure that your rental bike is equipped with front suspension. Some of these bikes come with full-suspensions and shocks in front and rear that can assist you in your rugged ride so that you can ride with comfort and safety. f) Don't forget to carry at least two sets of bike clothing such as padded bike shorts and some synthetic or wool jerseys with good quality gloves and helmet.

Your Guide To Finding A Cheap African Safari Tour

2007-09-18T21:29:00.000-07:00

Grabbing the best deal on a cheap African safari tour means doing a little homework particularly if you are a first time visitor to this mighty continent.
If you are visiting Africa for the first time, then taking an organized group tour is the ideal way to get your first taste of all it has to offer.
It will also save you a bundle in money and frustration!
Why Travel With A Group?
Unless you are a seasoned traveller to Africa, travelling with a group and having tour guides at your disposal means you'll avoid running foul of unforseen harm which could come your way if you travel alone.
Africa can be a volatile place, not just in the wilds of the jungles but politically so if you intend going back at a later date, then getting a feel for the landscape on tour can give you some great initial experience of the country.
Avoiding Peak Season
Planning your trip well in advance is suggested. If you are working on a strict budget, then a cheap African safari tour during the low season makes a lot of sense.
Yes, you'll more than likely need an umbrella but confining your trip to the wet season also means you'll get great discounts. Avoiding the crowds is another big benefit.
The wet seasons can be a little hard to judge but if you plan to travel outside the December-March and July-September periods you should generally be able to find yourself a good deal on a group trip.
Confining your trip to a designated place or country is also likely to help you cut down on the overall cost of your holiday.
Some countries may be a little more expensive than others. For example, Botswana, despite all it has to offer the visitor in the shape of flora and fauna attractions, could possibly leave your hip pocket a little light on by the time you're ready to head home.
On the other hand, Kenya can be a little more attractive for the price conscious visitor and may appeal more as a cheap African safari tour destination. In the end, it's up to you and where you'd prefer to travel.

Exploring the Beauty of Holland

2007-09-18T21:24:00.000-07:00

Holland is a beautiful country that will delight any tourist lucky enough to visit. No trip to Holland would be complete without a stop in Amsterdam. You'll also want to tour some of Holland's famous gardens and take a trip on one of their many cycling routes so you can explore the lovely countryside.
Start your tour of Holland in Amsterdam, a beautiful city that blends both the old and the new together. You'll want to visit the Anne Frank House in the center of the city. This museum is where Anne Frank hid for two years. Here, you'll also see her original diary on display. This moving exhibition shouldn't be missed.
You'll also want to stop by the Van Gogh Museum. This museum contains the world's largest collection of paintings by Vincent van Gogh. Here you'll find over 200 of his paintings, along with approximately 500 of his drawings. The museum also has a large collection of letters written by the artist.
While you're in Amsterdam, be a true tourist and stop by a wooden shoe factory. Although these famous shoes are worn usually only on special occasions, you'll want to try some yourself. They also make terrific souvenirs for your friends back home.
Definitely plan to visit the Vondelpark Open Air Theater. During the summer, this park is a busy place, featuring musical performances, activities for children, and workshops. You'll want to research before you arrive to find out if anything special will be happening at the park while you're there.
Of course you'll want to explore the beautiful countryside of Holland. Consider taking one of their cycling paths to see the sights. Holland has an extensive system of bicycle paths, both within the cities and throughout the countryside. You can take a short day trip or plan to take a longer trip that lasts several days so you can really explore the sights.
Regardless of how you travel around the country, you'll want to pay special attention to the beautiful windmills. Holland has hundreds of windmills dotting the countryside. These windmills are often very old and incredibly beautiful.
To truly do something unique and memorable in Holland, research the Erfgoed Logies. You can spend the night in some of the cultural heritage buildings scattered around Holland. Your choices include a medieval castle, a manor house nestled in a forest, a corn mill, and even a convent. The prices for these stays include breakfast the next morning. Why simply visit Holland when you can truly experience it?
The beauty of Holland is legendary. Many artists have captured it over the years, and you'll want to explore this fascinating country yourself. But be warned, you just may fall in love with this unique country and want to stay forever.

Discount Airfare From UK To The Philippines: World Travel Made Easy

2007-09-18T21:15:00.000-07:00

For the past few years, the Philippine government has been striving very hard to improve the tourism industry in the country. This is why there are more companies now that are offering discount airfare from UK to the Philippines in an effort to attract more tourists into the country.
The Philippines actually has a lot of beautiful scenic spots that are very attractive to local and international tourists alike. Some of these natural wonders are the Mayon Volcano, which has the most perfectly shaped cone in the world, the Banaue Rice Terraces, and the underground rivers of Palawan. The more than 7,000 islands of the Philippines also offer several world-class beaches where you can go scuba diving, snorkeling and windsurfing.
You don't need to spend a lot on your Philippine getaway, as the local prices of pretty much everything are lower than in other places. This is one of the reasons why tourists love visiting this Southeast Asian country. However, if you manage to get discount airfare from UK to the Philippines, you will have even more money saved, and you can do so much more during your tropical vacation.
The Philippines is quite a distance away from the United Kingdom and if you want to travel between the two places, the regular airfare will prove to be quite expensive. Unless you are among the privileged few who do not need to worry about staying within a budget, it would be very helpful to look for discount airfare from UK to the Philippines to help lessen your financial burden.
Discount airfare from UK to the Philippines is not hard to find at all. All you have to do is go online and type in "discount airfare UK to Philippines" and just wait for the results. Thousands of websites will appear, all claming to offer discount airfare from the UK to the Philippines.
Not all of these sites will really give you the tickets at the prices displayed. Many sites actually have hidden fees and taxes that need to be computed as well. The cost of the discount airfare from UK to the Philippines can actually be more than $100 higher than the price displayed on the websites.
You can also get discount airfare from UK to the Philippines by contacting the airline companies directly. You will have more chances of getting discount airfare from UK to the Philippines if you inquire with your airline company. Philippine Airlines also actually has many regular flights from Europe, and getting discount airfare from UK to the Philippines on this local airline will be quite easy.
Better discount airfares from UK to the Philippines are available during the rainy months of June to November, when not that many people are clamoring for tickets to the country. If you are able to set your departure for a weekday like Tuesday or Wednesday, you will also have an easier time finding discount airfare from the UK to the Philippines.

Ladakh adventure tour activities

2007-09-18T21:14:00.000-07:00

Ladakh is world famous for excellent adventure opportunities within its' picturesque landscape and awesome, rugged beauty. Some of the famous activities include river rafting, trekking and mountaineering.
Here are some of these activities in detail in order to provide you the picture of actual enjoyment and amazing excitement when indulging into these activities in ladakh.
a) Trekking: Trekking possibilities in Ladakh may include short, day long walks up and down mountain slopes in order to visit some of the beautiful and out of the slight villages known famously as 'monastic settlements'. You may also enjoy breath taking beauty of the Lunar Mountainscape. The trek initiating from Lamayuru in the Indus valley towards Darcha in Lahoul across Zanskar would take only three weeks. Most of the routes especially meant for trekking cross the Zanskar range and separates the Indus Valley from Zanskar. Some of the most popular treks include the following: a) The ten-day Markha Valley trek. b) The eleven-day Lamayuru-Padum traverse c) The Stock-Khangri round trek. You may hire horses and ponies to enjoy rides. Tents and other camping gear are also preferred. You need to carry a good quality pair of trekking boots, warm socks, warm and waterproof clothes, sunglasses and hats, warm sleeping bags and first aid kit. b) Mountain climbing in Ladakh: The best-suited time for mountain climbing in Ladakh is during June to September. This is due to the extreme cold and heavy snowfall in the region during winters. Tourists love to visit Nun-Kun Massif of the great Himalayas figures. This is because it provides comfortable accessibility to the base camps. c) Yak safari in Ladakh: Yak is one of the local animals of this cold desert. This is also referred to as the largest animal found in Ladakh. Yak safari is one of the most adventurous events here. d) Cycling in Ladakh: If you are looking forward to do cycling in Ladakh, you need to be equipped with alertness, activity and accuracy. This will help you tred on the saddle and wheel through the rough and zigzagged roads of Ladakh. The place is known to provide amazing opportunities for a cycling enthusiast who wants to experience cycling through the highest mountain range that exists in this world. e) Jeep safari in Ladakh: Jeep safari in Ladakh is the most comfortable and fastest mode to explore the real beauty of this place and to interact with the locals here.

Top nature adventure travel tips worldwide

2007-09-18T21:10:00.000-07:00

A nature adventure travel will provide you the best of entertainment and excitement. However, you need to choose the destination carefully. The destination should suit your specific taste, budget and requirements. This will make your nature adventure trip enjoyable and memorable. Here is a list of some of the top nature adventure tour destinations in the world. Study these carefully and plan your adventure tour accordingly.
a) Madagascar: When it comes to wildlife, this place comes in the top list. It is a prize-winning destination to all those who want to experience the best of nature adventure travel tour. You would be able to see different kinds of frogs, lemur and chameleon. b) Great Barrier Reef: This place witnesses around 1.8 million visitors each year. The place is referred to as world heritage site which is the largest structure on earth built by living organisms and desenes its place within the top ten rankings of adventure sites in this world. c) Polar Bear Trek: Polar Bear Trek is considered to be a great predator. You would be pleased to see this amazing animal within its natural habitat. There are very few of then left these days due to the global warming threat and constant change in the climate. This is the biggest bear available in this world. d) Tiger safari: You can enjoy tiger safari via sitting on the back of an elephant in one of the India's National Park. The experience is awesome. e) Whale watching: This would prove to be a great experience for you. You would be able to communicate with the animal via good whistles and squeaks. f) Wildebeest Migration: You should definitely try this one if you want to experience the true taste of an adventure travel. This is considered to be the biggest mass migrations across the globe. You would be able to see predators such as the hyena, lion, crocodile and cheetah feasting while the migration takes place through their territory. g) Swim with wild Dolphins: Dolphins are beautiful creatures. Having an opportunity to swim with them is real adventure. People who had an experience in this kind of an event; usually like to come back to the place to experience the thrill once more. Dolphins enjoy human company and you would love the company of this wonderful animal.
All the natural adventure options mentioned above will provide you the best of enjoyment and thrill.

Adventure tours in India

2007-09-18T21:08:00.001-07:00

India has always been known widely for its rich heritage, diverse culture and amazing sight seeing options. However, only few people know that the country also provides excellent options for adventure tours. India has gained immense prominence as a major adventure destination over the past few years. People all over the world are attracted to this country for adventure activities. Here tourists find amazing opportunities to opt from adventure tour activities.
You can enjoy the mighty Himalayas and the trans-Himalayan zones in the north. The Thar Desert in the west and the Nilgiri and Palani hill in the South are outstanding.
It is very easy to plan an adventure tour to India can prove to be extremely easy and comfortable if you know about the amazing options and are equipped with vital knowledge.
If you are really an adventure lover, you cannot afford to neglect the diversity an Indian adventure tour will offer you. You would love to indulge yourself in white water river rafting along the Ganges in the Uttaranchal region. This activity is very common among adventure lovers. These Ganges offers about thirteen amazing and thrilling rapids. Kaudiyala to Rishikesh, you can easily enjoy the beautiful sights that would welcome you throughout your trip. If you are a beginner, you can enjoy and have fun via taking instructions from a guide. You would find a great number of rivers that initiates from the upper Himalayas. The rafting trip will prove to be amazingly exciting for you.
Another option is to enjoy trekking in the Himalayas. This will let you enjoy the majesty of true India.
Here you can visit to exotic Himalayan trekking regions of the country that include the following places:
a) Garhwal b) Kumaon c) Uttaranchal d) Zanskar e) Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir f) Kullu valley in Himanchal Pradesh g) Nilgiri Hills h) Palani Hills
The best option is to plan for a Jeep safari. This kind of adventure will let you have a glance at the remote and hidden destinations, caravan routes. You would also be able to visit the forbidden regions in the Himalayas.
Visit the cold Ladakh deserts, the Massive Deserts of Thar in Rajasthan and you would get an opportunity to mingle with the local people in these regions. Himalayan biking would also prove to be the best adventurous experience for you.