Travel Bangkok In Luxury For First-Time Visitors

Bangkok is one of the most frequently visited cities on the planet. This hotbed of tourism is located in the kingdom of Thailand, the world’s 50th largest country in area, but ranked 28th in the world in terms of population. There are incredible luxury hotels in Bangkok at incredible prices, owing to local economic conditions and usual exchange rates. The city also boasts some awesome activities (apart from shopping!), like temples to visit, awesome nightlife, Thai kickboxing or Muay Thai, as well as the famous Thai massage – a decadent experience that your muscles will never forget! We look in this article at where to go, what to do and the best Bangkok hotels to stay at in Thailand.

If you have come to Thailand for the shopping, the shopping, and the shopping, then Siam is the district you’ll want to stay in. Quite central, and with an excellent public transport system, Siam is home to shopping boutiques, cinemas, bowling alleys and plenty of karaoke bars and booths. If you are after a dose of authentic Thai in Siam though, try Jim Thompson House. Despite the Western style name, it actually consists of several Thai teak houses, actual antiques, set in beautiful tropical gardens. Jim Thompson was an American who did a lot to promote Thai silk in the West. The Erawan shrine also offers a moment of peace in one of the world’s biggest cities, and has a genuine Thai feeling.

If you are staying in Siam, the Siam City Hotel is a great choice for an individual four star experience. It offers luxury with affordability, like so many hotels in Bangkok. There are hundreds of rooms spread over two separate towers, with a plush and sumptuous interior. As well as the standard hotel fare of a spa, business facilities and a health club, Siam City Hotel has an art gallery in-house, and a cafe style bakery on the grounds, if you don’t need the pressure of five-star gourmet cooking!

Shangri-La Bangkok is the first choice of thousands of travelers every year who are looking to experience the luxury of a five-star hotel in Bangkok at the price of a decent meal in their own home in the West. Shangri-La Bangkok has made luxury and quality their selling points. Free of extras, odds and ends, the hotel focuses on the decadence and luxury of your experience. It is set in lush tropical gardens, and has gorgeously appointed rooms featuring ethereal Thai silk, local artwork and serene color schemes. Shangri-La Bangkok also offers serviced apartments for longer term visitors to the city. They are located only a few blocks south of Siam Square. There are so many hotels in Bangkok Thailand, and the city’s official website lists Shangri-La Bangkok in their top ten hotels in the city.

Muay Thai is renowned as one of the world’s most effective martial arts, and the practitioners are incredibly honed, skilled and lightning-fast units. If you are staying in Bangkok, seeing a Muay Thai match is a must…even for the pacifists among you! Be amazed simply by the boxer’s physical perfection and their absolute control over their bodies.

Then once you have imagined all of the bruises on yourself, you can be refreshed and remoulded into a new person with a Thai massage. This massage discipline is a truly invigorating experience. It focuses on energy meridians, circulation and pressure points along with traditional Swedish massage (ordinary Western muscle manipulation). It is known as the lazy person’s yoga – all of the benefits of yoga, without even standing up, let alone buying a mat!

Bangkok is a truly unique experience, and deserves so much more than the stopover it usually is. Stay in luxury hotels in Bangkok for a fraction of the cost of Western ones, and experience uniquely Asian, yet world-famous experiences.

Bookmaker Online Poker

Online Poker is currently one of the most popular activities within the online gaming industry. Millions of players around the world start to look at online poker rooms under a new light, specially after noticing that every year the final tables at the world poker tournaments count more and more online players.

Online Poker is, without a doubt, the greatest training ground for poker champions from all over. Even the former champions are now looking for online poker rooms to keep their skills sharp and remain competitive.

BookMaker Online Poker gives you the opportunity to enjoy online poker games with real players from all around the world. BookMaker Online Poker offers Hold’em and Omaha games with a great variety of table limits for you to choose from, all of them providing a true multiplayer poker experience that will make you feel like you’re playing in a Vegas card room.

You can play free and real money games in a variety of tables, offering different limits and various poker games. BookMaker Online Poker welcomes you to the experience of real online poker action, that you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home. Play Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, 7 Card Stud and much more.

Sign up today with BookMaker Online Poker be part of the greatest poker experience on the Internet:

Play free or real money poker games.

Find all your favorite poker games and variations and join thousands of players from around the world.

Enjoy poker games around the clock. Our poker tables are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Take advantage of regular bonuses, special promotions and events throughout the year.

Check out Bookmaker Sportsbook and Casino at Bookmaker Sportsbook and Casino

Bookmaker sportsbook accepts US players and other players from all over the world. They have outstanding quality games and a easy way of accepting money deposits. They are one of the best rated sportsbooks right now with an A+ rating.

International Travel: Sights To See

Some of the world’s best places to see outside the USA are listed below.
First Australia is the global tourist’s favorite for its beautiful beaches, cosmopolitan cities, Great Barrier Reef, vast outback countryside, adventure sports and unique wildlife. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth are Australia’s largest cities, where most holiday makers arrive. In Australia, you can go scuba diving in the Indian or Pacific Oceans, watch cricket, play beach volleyball or go bungee jumping. Experience the wildlife of Australia like koalas and the ubiquitous kangaroo. On a trip to Australia you can learn about the native Aborigine people.

China is not be missed. Sights worth seeing are the historic palaces of the Forbidden City in Beijing, modern cities of Shanghai and Hong Kong, the sandy expanses of the Gobi Desert, the Terracotta Warriors of Xian and the Great Wall of China. Don’t miss the rare Giant Pandas in the forest, try delicious Chinese cuisine, and bargain for traditional Chinese silks, which were transported by camel caravan along the famous Silk Route from ancient India. Travel to Tibet, the rooftop of the world. [URL="http://www.etravelforum.com"]Travel Forum[/URL]

Thailand is one of the most visited tourist destinations in South Asia. Famous for its tropical beaches, pleasant climate, Buddhist pagodas, and friendly people, Thailand is a popular destination for honeymooners, surfers, and backpackers in search of an exotic holiday. The vibrant city of Bangkok, the beaches at Phuket, Pattaya and Ko Samui and the temples at Ayuthaya and Chiang Mai, are popular tourist destinations in Thailand. Thai Cuisine is another delicious attraction that draws tourists to this beach country.

Italy is famous for its art and architecture, its museums and historic cities, sunny Mediterranean climate and Italian food and wine. Italy has many attractions these include Vatican City; the Forum, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, churches, museums, cafes and restaurants in Rome; the canals and Piazza San Marco in Venice; the Renaissance art and architecture of Florence and Naples; the historic cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum; the fashion capital of Milan, and the scenic Amalfi coastline. Rome is a destination with many attractions for lovers of art, culture and beauty.

Argentina is a beautiful country in South America, with graceful colonial buildings, the rolling pampas grasslands, pleasant climate and warm people. Attractions of Argentina include the cobbled streets, restaurants and café’s of Buenos Aires, the colonial architecture of Cordoba, the beaches at Mar del Plata, the expansive pampas grasslands and the stunning Iguazu Waterfall surrounded by tropical rainforest.

The spectacular scenery of New Zealand includes lovely beaches, thick forest, rolling hills, steep fiords, bubbling geysers and volcanic mountain peaks. New Zealand’s unique wildlife such as the Kiwi, the native Maori culture and the opportunities for adventure sports makes New Zealand one of the world’s best travel destinations.

Kenya is located in East Africa, at the base of the horn of Africa. Its capital is Nairobi. It is known as the birthplace of humanity, Kenya is famous for its magnificent wildlife sanctuaries, ancient Swahili culture, beaches and coral reefs. Amboseli, Masai Mara, Tsavo and Mt Kenya National Parks are worth seeing on your trip to Kenya. The busy city of Nairobi, the Rift Valley landscape and Lake Magadi are a must on your travel itinerary. http://www.etravelforum.com

Texas Holdem Strategy Top Starting Hands

Play From Any Position Play Mid to Late PositionPlay in Late Position OnlyIf you are just beginning to play poker, playing these hands at the recommended positions will help you always be in a safe position before the flop. As your game progresses, you will be able to add more hands to this list and know how to play them in specific situations. If you are just beginning to play cards, I would suggest playing for nickels and dimes at home or for free at an online poker site. Poker websites are nice because you get to see many more hands per hour than you do at home.Some goods sites to play for free are UltimateBet and PartyPoker.com. Remember, the more you practice at anything, the better you get.

For more articles about poker visit Texas Holdem Strategy.

How to make a birdfeeder with a plastic soda bottle

The cheapest birdfeeder you can hang out for the birds is one you made yourself!

Before you start, gather the 4 things you will make your feeder out of. First, save a big soda bottle, one with a big lid will be easier to fill. Second, raid the kitchen drawers for a nice length of string or wire to hang your feeder with. Third, dig out a long, unused pencil for perches for the birds. Fourth, if you have a problem with squirrels or live in a rainy area, you should also save a metal pie dish from your recycling too.

The steps to making your new feeder are as follows:

1. Prepare the bottle by removing the label. Rinse out and dry the bottle really well and let it drip dry upside down to get the last of the water out of it.

2. Cut a small hole about the size of a nickel (1″ across) on either side of the bottle just above the mold line near the bottom of the bottle. These will be the holes the birds will put their heads in to get the seed.

3. Poke a hole a little smaller than the diameter of the pencil just below the feeding holes.

4. Push the pencil through the smaller holes to make a bird perch on either side of the feeder. Make sure the pencil sticks out at least an inch and a half on either side. If the pencil isn’t long enough, you can use a straight stick from outside or a dowel.

5. Tie the string tightly around the neck of the bottle and put a loop in the string to hang it.

6. Fill the feeder with a funnel or a piece of paper wrapped around into a cone shape and hang the feeder near a tree or bush. The bush provides an area of safety for the birds as they approach the feeder.

7. If you want to provide some protection from rain and squirrels, take the metal pie dish and poke a hole in the middle of it. Push the hanging string up through the hole so the pan hangs upside-down over the feeder like a little umbrella when you hang the feeder. This will provide a roof to keep the seed dry and help make it harder for the squirrels to climb down on it.

Once you have created your home-made birdfeeder, filled it with seeds, and hung it out for the birds, sit back and enjoy the show. Your feeder can also be a great gift for someone else who adores bird watching.

Every time you fill the feeder, be sure to wash it out thoroughly to prevent dirty and bacteria from building up. Let it dry all the way before you fill it again.

You can relax and be proud with the knowledge that you have not only saved money, but you have also helped the environment by creating something useful from disposable and recyclable materials.

Travel destinations in Thailand – Part 2

Kanchanaburi should be on everyone’s must-see list when in Thailand.

Close enough to Bangkok to be an easy day trip, Kanchanaburi is a quaint little town packed with history. It was here that, in WWII, the Japanese army forced its Allied prisoners to build the Bridge on the River Kwai, part of the Death Railway that joined Thailand and Burma and was used to transport supplies to Japanese soldiers in Burma. More than 100,000 Allied soldiers died building the railway.

Visitors can walk across the bridge, but be careful – it’s usually crowded and the gaping holes on the sides are best avoided. A tourist train still uses the bridge but travels really slowly so walkers will get plenty of warning. If you’re lucky there may be elephants (closely watched by their Thai masters) you can feed on the other side. If you want to ride one, elephant trekking tours are available at various places around town.

A WWII cemetery not far from the bridge contains the graves of the Allied soldiers who died on the railway. Some were still teenagers; it’s a heartbreaking place that will move even the hardest heart.

Also near Kanchanaburi is Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua, known to visitors as Tiger Temple. Buddhist monks raise tigers here, protecting them from poachers in the wild. Visitors are permitted to pat the tigers under close supervision and the temple is a popular tourist attraction. No bright colours are allowed though, as they can inflame the tigers. The monks are firm on this point – I turned up wearing a red and orange t-shirt and was denied entry.

The Jeath War museum is also worth a visit. This features a comprehensive history of the town and the war.

The scenery in and around Kanchanaburi is stunning and there are plenty of outdoor activities on offer. Kayaking, golf, you name it.

Kanchanaburi is about 150km from Bangkok. Buses leave Bangkok at regular intervals every day, and take two hours to get to Kanchanaburi. Local trains run between the two places, but these are third-class trains that don’t make for the most comfortable journey.

You could also get a taxi from Bangkok, but this is by far the most expensive option. If you’ve got money to burn, though, it is the fastest way.

However you choose to get here, Kanchanaburi is a charming little town that’s definitely worth a visit. I did it as a day trip from Bangkok but for those who want to stay, there’s accommodation galore at reasonable prices.

Where to be at When in Thailand

What follows is various information about some of the most popular tourist destinations in Thailand, as well as a number of other places. I have tried to give a summary of information about each area, as well as mention some of the most interesting things to do there, basically listing all of the sort of info that I think may be useful in making the vacation worthwhile.First of all,communicating is a huge concern in this part of the world, so, here are a few common terminologies for you to start off…..

Baht – 1). The unit of currency in Thailand.

2). The unit used in measuring the weight of gold in Thailand.

Khao Sarn – It is the name of the main road in the backpacker infested neighbourhood of Bangkok, but did you know that in Thai it actually means “un-husked rice”.

Ko – Thai for island.

Kop khun – Thai for thank you!

Ta – Thai for port or pier.

Teeruk- Thai for darling.

Wat – Thai for temple.

The cities elaborated with different places and events here include:Bangkok , Phuket, Pattaya, Ko Samui , Chang Mai, Udon Thani, Cha am All the above

locations have airports except for pattaya and cha am (there’s one in Hua hin)

Bangkok

Bangkok is truly a city that never sleeps, a city with a real energy that can induce you in, take a firm hold of you and in some cases, refuse to let go! Bangkok is not a city of endless tourist attractions and must see museums, but a city you visit to feel the vibe. Bangkok has an energy seldom found elsewhere.To the uninitiated, it can appear to be another big, drab grey city but if you persevere, exploring the city can be a rewarding experience.

Before you decide to go all out on the exploring stuff, I am sure its agreeable to get a suitable accommodation. Some of the Hotels/resorts giving best value for oney can be found here As far as attractions and interesting things to see and do in Bangkok go, there are a handful. The old part of town, that is the area down near the river, not far from the Khao San Road area, is where you’ll find a lot of the more culturally and historically significant building and temples. That is one part of the city that is actually quite pretty. For many the highlight of the area is the Grand Palace (Wat Pra Kaew), the most culturally important of all of Thailand’s 40,000+ Buddhist temples. The dress code for entry is strictly enforced – you shouldn’t wear anything to brief or a sleeveless shirt.Sort of over and behind the Grand Palace is Wat Po, which is preferable to the Grand Palace. The other major temple in this area is Wat Arun, most probably the most photographed temple, or for that matter, location, in all of Bangkok. Wat Arun is the fascinating temple just over the Chao Praya River from the Grand Palace and Wat Po.The tallest building in Bangkok is the Baiyoke 2 Tower which towers above everything else. It’s located a few hundred metres up from the Central World Plaza in a busy parks of the Pratunam Market. The tower soars around 300 metres into the sky and from the top, on a clear day at least, you get good views of Bangkok There’s a somewhat dated but still interesting

SNAKE FARM right in the heart of the city. Located on Rama 4 Road, within the Red Cross compound, it features a show that is presented in both English and Thai.Also in the Lumpini area is one of the city’s two major Thai boxing stadiums, Lumpini Stadium. Rather than go for ringside seats, I think it is a lot more fun to sit up in the main stand with the Thais and watch them gambling. Heaps of fun!The Ancient City, known as Meuang Boran in Thai, located a fair distance from the centre of Bangkok, is another excellent attraction, in fact the word excellent really doesn’t do it justice. It truly is a photographer’s dream. There are a number of different companies offering dinner cruises on the Chao Praya river. Some of the deals are for a buffet dinner and some are a la carte.

Pros: The Thai capital is less about tourist attractions – although there are many, but more about the vibe. Friendly people who are easily excited like to have fun – and their attitude and zest for life can be infectious.

Cons: It’s a drab, grey city with awful traffic problems. It is also home to many people who prey on tourists with various scams. You won’t get hit on the head, but you might get tricked out of your money.

The Bottom Line: Worth a few days of your time!

Phuket

It was the beautiful island of Phuket that first lured me to the Kingdom Of Thailand. In fact when I first moved to Thailand my plan was to go to Phuket and secure a job teaching English down there but for whatever reason, it never happened and I ended up in Bangkok.Phuket is one of the world’s premier beach holiday destinations and ranks alongside the French Riviera, the Mediterranean and Hawaii as places where people will happily endure up to 24 hours discomfort on a plane for the promise of the quintessential beach holiday.

Phuket is an island connected to the Thai mainland by a bridge, and is located about 1,000 km from Bangkok There are many beaches around the island province of Phuket but by far and away the most developed is Patong Beach. Patong Beach is tourist central where all of the nations of the world come together. Here you will find far, far, far more Indian and Italian restaurants than you will Thai restaurants, proving just how touristed Patong place has become.Patong is the nightlife capital of the island, not that much different to Pattaya, only smaller. For Phuket nightlife, Patong is the centre.South of Patpong Beach is Karon Beach, my favourite of Phuket’s beaches. 3 km of soft white sand lead gently down to the beautiful Andaman Sea. While accommodation prices have moved in a similar manner to those at Patong, the prices at Karon are more attractive than Patong.South of Karon Beach is Kata Beach, a somewhat smaller beach that is NOT a private beach for Club Med as some people believe.This, like Karon, is another really lovely beach and a great place to wile away the days and baste yourself under the hot Thai sun.Accommodation and restaurants are a little cheaper there than the other beaches. It is certainly much quieter and less hustle and bustle than Patong. .

There are many day trip options available from Phuket.Two of these in particular are well worthwhile. The first recommended day trip is the one that takes you to Phanga Bay and the so called James Bond Island. The second day trip that is well worthwhile is over to the small paradise like island, Phi Phi.

Pros: Beautiful, diverse island with a little something for most people. Some beautiful beaches. Some SUPERB day trips available including Phi Phi Island and Phanga Bay.

Cons:Phuket isn’t cheap. A lot of very jaded Thais work the Phuket tourist scene. Local transport is far too expensive. Food prices, especially some of the restaurants in big hotels targeting Westerners, are expensive.

The Bottom Line: If you want a comfortable beach holiday with Western comforts, Phuket is the place for you.

Pattaya

Nowhere on earth can you find such a well developed tourism industry where sex is such a big part of it, as you can in Pattaya. It is located 150 km south east of Bangkok.Once you’ve reached Pattaya you’ll have to find somewhere to stay and if there is one area where Pattaya really excels in a huge choice of very affordable accommodation, like the Dusit Resort, the Marriott and the Sheraton. But it is in the mid-range where Pattaya accommodation represents the best value for money.There are a few beaches in the Pattaya area. The first and most popular beach is Pattaya beach. Over the hill to the south is Jomtien Beach which is very popular with Thais, especially at the weekend, and to the north of Pattaya are Nagleua and Wongamart beaches, both of which are popular with older Europeans, particularly German speakers (meaning not just Germany, but Austria and Switzerland too.)Naglua Beach, just north of Pattaya Beach: Pattaya Beach. Well, what can I say? It’s your typical crescent shaped beach, perhaps 3 km long, and is one of those beaches that is just long enough that you can walk from one end to the other without taking a break and without getting bored or tired.There are numerous fishing vessels moored relatively close to the beach and while one understands that they have a living to make, they can be quite an eyesore. Over the hill from Pattaya, is Jomtien Beach, a nicer beach than Pattaya Beach, and a quieter area.Being next to the sea and home to a lot of fisherman, the seafood is obviously pretty good in Pattaya although I have to say that I much prefer Hua Hin for good, inexpensive seafood.

The sun sets at Pattaya: There is a reasonable shopping centre in Pattaya called Royal Plaza and another mediocre one called Mikes Department Store. On the top floor of Royal Plaza is a cinema multiplex, various amusement and fair style games and a Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum. It’s a good place to spend an hour wandering around in air-conditioned comfort away from the heat.

Pros: Close to Bangkok and therefore both cheap and easy to get to. Very reasonably priced accommodation and easy to get around. Good level of English due to high tourist numbers. Most reasonably priced of the popular Thai beaches. Good seafood as well as many very good, reasonably priced restaurants.

Cons: Prostitutes are everywhere – though this will appeal to some. Beaches are far from the best in Thailand. The British lager louts as well as the Russians have discovered Pattaya – and there can be some tension at times as some people consume way too much alcohol – and prove they can’t handle it by getting into fights.

The Bottom Line: It really depends on what you want in a holiday but frankly, if you are not interested in going on a holiday and meeting a local to have as your travel companion, amongst other things, Pattaya may not be for you. While reasonably priced, the beach really is nothing special at all. Still, there is a very pleasant atmosphere about Pattaya.

Ko Samui

Ko Samui, once known as an affordable destination and a backpacker’s paradise, is the second largest island in Thailand. You can reach Ko Samui on Thai Airways in a flight that is a little under an hour.There are several flights between Bangkok and Samui every day. You can reach the island overland by travelling by Bangkok to Surat Thani by road and then taking a boat across.Samui is dominated by two beaches, Chaweng Beach which is the largest and most popular beach and Lamai Beach which is a few kilometres south and also very popular, although perhaps a little quieter as it is smaller and has less places to stay than the heavily developed Chaweng. There are other locations all over the island including Big Buddha and Bophut The infrastructure on Samui is still coming along and for many that it is one of the big appeals about the place.

Nearby Samui is Ko Phangnan and not far from Ko Phangnan is Ko Tao. Ko Phangnan is where a lot of the backpackers end up these days, a smaller island that is a short boat ride north of Samui. There is nothing on this page at this stage as I have never been there. It happens to be the home of the Full Moon Party when everyone parties all night and gets silly on dope and all sorts of other illicit and dangerous substances – not really my idea of fun but many seem to have a real blast there. Ko Tao is said to be one of the best places in Thailand for diving, although again, I have never been there.

Pros: Nice beaches. Has a nice atmosphere, not too quiet but not too developed. Still affordable – but for how much longer?

Cons: Getting there from Bangkok is a little pricey. Too many backpackers arguing over who has paid the least for this or that.

The Bottom Line: A nice alternative to Phuket. It is not as developed as Phuket, which may or may not be to your taste.

Chiang Mai

Tourism is a huge part of the local economy and the city of Chiang Mai is set up very well for visitors. Accommodation is available in all price ranges, though there are not that many flash places in the centre of the city. If you are looking for lots of 5 star options, you won’t have anything like the range of properties that are available to you in Bangkok.In Chiang Mai there is heaps to see and do. The city itself is pleasant with a lot of temples and there are a couple of very impressive temples outside the city including Doi Suthep which to me is probably the most impressive temple complex I have ever visited. It is in my mind a MUST visit attraction if you make it up to Chiang Mai. Another of the popular trips is to Doi Inthanon, which is the highest point in Thailand.

First of all, the weather is much more pleasant, it is cooler (though this depends on the time of year), has less pollution and at night it was genuinely cool. Secondly, the food up in Chiang Mai is a little different to what is available in Bangkok. Apart from the khao soi, sort of crispy noodles in a mild curry. The people in Chiang Mai are noticeably friendlier, more polite and generally a whole lo nicer than people from any other part of the country.The north of Thailand, of which Chiang Mai is the centre, has done a much better job preserving the culture of the country, and indeed the region, than any other parts of the country and Chiang Mai is THE place to go to celebrate the major Thai festivals like Songkran and Loy Kratong.It is ironic that it took 7 years living in Thailand before I made it to Chiang Mai for the first time. It is something I want to fix and an extended stay up there is well in order! I have only spent two days up there and thus my report on that part of the country is relatively short.

Pros: Very well set up for tourism, affordable, pleasant people, pleasant environment and heaps to see and do! It is much more a cultural visit than is Bangkok.

Cons:I can’t think of any but some might consider it a bit quiet compared to Bangkok.

The Bottom Line: Very much worth visiting!

UDON THANI

Another 100 or so kilometres up the road from Khon Kaen is Udon Thani, a smaller provincial capital which has proven to be popular with Westerners in recent years and even has a thriving farang bar scene. The city of Udon doesn’t have any major tourist attractions, or at least none that I am aware of. The provinces attractions are well outside the provincial capital and include national parks and Ban Chiang, a site where a lot of old fossils and relics were found and a spot said to be of archaeological significance. A friend who has visited was not that impressed but that said, I have not been there myself. In downtown Udon there is a large shopping centre with a greater vibrancy than any of the other shopping centres in the major centres of Udon. Here you will see far more Westerners than anywhere else in Isaan, some are tourists and some are locally based. I guess most make it to Udon with their teeruk.This shopping centre is where many of the more well to do Udonites venture at the weekend and I cannot imagine what they think of establishments opening that target farangs directly, bars and restaurants.Food in Udon Thani is very good. Westerners rave about the Irish Clock, a small Irish bar which I have yet to try. There is also a very, very good Italian restaurant called Roma Piccolo which is superb. It is located a bit outside the city centre, out on the road past Big C. It is well worth going out of your way for!

Cha Am

About 25 km north of Hua Hin on the way to Bangkok is Cha Am, a beach that curiously you’ll read much less about in the guides and brochures than Hua Hin, but which at the weekend seems to be almost as busy, if not busier than its more well-known neighbour, Hua Hin itself.Cha Am is a long beach which is very popular with Thais and becoming increasingly popular with Westerners. It is very popular with Bangkok Thais, as well as upcountry Thais, who flock their in droves at the weekend.The big advantage of Cha Am over Hua Hin is that generally speaking, Cha Am attracts Thai tourists who are a bit more sensitive to price than Westerners. That means that things are cheaper. So, if you are sensitive to price, then Cha Am offers you nice Thai beach resort at very reasonable prices.

Pros:Cheaper than Hua Hin, especially in the case of lower end accommodation.

Cons:The beach really is not that special.

The Bottom Line: An alternative to Hua Hin.

Ko Samet

Ko Samet is located about 200 km from Bangkok and as the word “Ko” designates, it is an island. If you’re coming from Bangkok you will need to make your way to Bahn Pe where most of the ferries leave the mainland from, bound for Ko Samet, or Samet Island as it should technically be called in English.Ko Samet can be reached from Bangkok in about four hours and there are a couple of different ways of getting there. Once at Bahn Pe, you take a boat over to the mainland. There are a number of different piers with ferry boats going to the different bays on the island – so you need to know which part of the island you wish to go to.Samet is small in size and there is very little industry on it apart from tourism, fishing and basic services offered for both tourists and the island’s residents.With this in mind, a lot of what is sold on the island has to be brought over from the mainland and this means the prices of basic goods can be much higher on the island than on the mainland.Samet can get quite busy at the weekend, especially long weekends, when Bangkokians escape the madness of the capital and rooms can be hard to come by. Samet is one of few places in Thailand I would not head to without making a reservation first as there is only a limited number of places to stay, and there are even less in Bahn Pe, on the mainland.

Pros: Not too far from Bangkok and relatively easy to get to. Beautiful beaches on a paradise island. Low level of development – comparatively.

Cons: Not a huge amount to do there – but some would consider that a bonus. Accommodation is expensive for what you get. It can get busy during the high season and the beach can get over run.

The Bottom Line: Paradise is only four hours from Bangkok. A little pricey given the poor infrastructure but a nice place that appeals to some, and not to others.

Should travelers explore their home country first or travel abroad as often as they can?

My early memories of childhood holidays are climbing Snowdon in Wales, camping in the New Forest and swimming on beaches in Cornwall all in the UK, all an easy drive from home. All great experiences, and I’m sure they made me the person I am today. However, my son at age three has already eaten croissants and crepes in France, fed Kangaroos and Koalas in Australia, walked deserted black beaches and rain forests in New Zealand, viewed the rim of the grand canyon from a helicopter and seen monument valley. OK, he probably won’t remember all the fantastic experiences he has had, but you can guarantee that it can only have a positive effect on his personal development.

I was brought up to appreciate my home country holidays, however I always craved destinations beyond the UK, and by age ten I already had a dream and ambition about visiting New Zealand, eight years later this dream came true, and i truly caught the travel bug. When I met my husband he had never visited outside of Europe, I set to change his opinion of saying close to home as well.

Ten years later, and some of the destinations we have visited are Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Bangkok, Bali, Singapore, France, Norway, and the Canadian Rockies. We are now living in the USA for a few years.

We make a real effort to experience the culture and country as well as see the sights of any destination, and for this reason we will opt for Bed and Breakfast accommodation, get out of the car at more than just the standard tourist hot spots. We also believe in giving new adventures a try. Hang gliding in Queenstown, New Zealand, a 10 course gourmet dinner in a french chateau, and an elephant trek in Bali. I have also realized a lifelong ambition of galloping up a deserted beach on a horse whilst in New Zealand.

Don’t get me wrong, the UK has a lot to offer, and since moving to the USA I have craved off peak weekends in cosy cottage locations in Dartmoor and Devon and the simplicity that a week away in the UK offers. Also, with a toddler, traveling to more distant destinations can be a challenge. However, the excitement and experiences gained by traveling the world are unrivaled, and I would happily live out of a suitcase on the road for two weeks to experience the wonders of the world.

The Kuan Yu Shrine, Bangkok – the warrior god on the Chao Ph

The Kuan Yu Shrine is dedicated to the ancient Chinese god of war, a legacy of the early Chinese immigrants who settled in the village of Bangkok during the Ayutthaya era.

Located on the Thonburi bank of the Chao Phraya, the shrine is just behind the Princess Mother Memorial Park, near the twin Memorial and Phra Pok Klao Bridges. From a comparison with old pictures, it’s apparent that the old shrine has been completely renovated.

The present Kuan Yu Shrine is in an octagonal pavilion under a pagoda roof with a praetorian guard of dragons, the symbol of the emperor, strength and wisdom. Dragons glide down the roof, coil round the pillars within the shrine and the ornamental lamppost outside.

Kuan Yu, an ancient Chinese general in the 2nd and 3rd centuries, played a pivotal role in the civil wars among the warring kingdoms of China. The best-known general in Chinese history, he is immortalized in the Chinese classic Romance of the Three Kingdoms, an epic tale spanning 113 years and 120 chapters!

Set in a tumultuous period in Chinese history (168 – 280 AD), the tale covers the disintegration of the empire, the rise and fall of dynasties, constant wars before final reunification.

Renowned for his courage, integrity, loyalty and righteousness, Kuan Yu was elevated to a deity after his death and the Kuan Yu Shrine became an institution in Chinese culture.

Owing to his military prowess, he is popularly known in the West as the God of War or the Warrior God. With his flowing black beard, the red-faced Kuan Yu, brandishing a deadly kuan tao, is a fearsome figure.

The kuan tao, a broad sword at the end of a long shaft, is similar to the medieval halberd, which has an axe and a pike instead.

However the Chinese worship him for his other virtues. For his loyalty, integrity and sense of justice for the common man, he is the God of Righteousness. For his financial acumen, merchants and traders worship him as the God of Commerce and Wealth.

For the ethnic Chinese in Bangkok, Kuan Yu has been their protector as they went about their daily lives for generations. As one of the five Tiger Generals in the Three Kingdoms, he is known in Thai as Jao Pho Seua, or the Tiger Guardian Spirit.

The little courtyard leading to the Kuan Yu Shrine has a traditional Thai spirit house near the entrance and a little Chinese pagoda at the far end. A group of old men sit around a table at the side chatting in their native Teo Chiew, a southern Chinese dialect.

In this harmonious blend of culture, the warrior god in the Kuan Yu Shrine stands sentinel on the Chao Phraya River, the guardian spirit of the common man.

The Kuan Yu Shrine is one of the numerous Bangkok Shrines in the city.

About the Author

The Kuan Yu Shrine first appeared in Tour Bangkok Legacies, a historical travel site on people, places and events that shaped the landscape of Bangkok. The author Eric Lim, a free-lance writer, lives in Bangkok, Thailand.

Visit Thailand – The Land Of Buddha

Thailand is the perfect tourist destination for nature lovers, shopping lovers and for the followers of Buddhism. Thailand is all these teemed together and much more. Situated in the heart of South East Asia, Thailand has some of the best Buddhist temples, which offer peace, serenity and tranquility.

The Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha

The temples and monasteries of Thailand date back to a few hundred years. The Emerald Buddha Temple is one of the most sacred sites in Thailand and requires visitors to be properly dressed before they can enter the holy place. The Jade statue of the Lord, which is elevated off the ground is a visual treat for visitiors. This temple occupies just one corner of the court of the grand Palace.

Magnificent Bangkok

You must be out of your mind, if you visit Thailand and leave without visiting Bangkok. The capital of Thailand has everything that a tourist can dream of. Shopping plazas, Temples, Museums, Hotels offering exquisite Thai food, Islands, Beaches, Tall high-rises and a sprawling nightlife, Bangkok has it all. Be it the largest building in the world to be made of Teak wood, in Vinmanmek Teak Mansion, or the 46 meter long statue of reclining Buddha in the Wat Pho temple, you will never ceased to be stunned by the beauty of Thailand.

Shopping enthusiasts can head off to Siam Square, which is one of the most popular shopper’s destinations in Thailand. Ma Boon Krong and Siam Center are two of the biggest shopping centers here. You can spend an entire day here and yet comeback unsatisfied. There are so many restaurants, theatres and shops to keep you busy. Thailand also has cheap roadside shopping opportunities for tourists who do not wish to blow away much money on shopping.

For Nature Lovers

Nature lovers can head straight to the Ko Chang national park that has many activities. Apart from the wildlife, tourists can also pursue diving, snorkeling or elephant riding over here. The place usually overflows with tourists all the time. Beach lovers can head off to Pataya, which is a pretty serene beach. It is located just 150 kms away from Bangkok.

Go discover Thailand!!

Next Page »