Thursday, October 10, 2013

Koh Chang Beaches.

Koh Chang.
Mountainous Koh Chang is a natural paradise and the second largest island in Thailand. It is situated in Trat National Marine Park which is made up of 47 islands including Koh Kood, the 4th largest island in Thailand. We recommend island boat cruises, elephant trekking in the mountains or just relaxing on the beach, by stunning waterfalls and swimming holes. This really is a dreamy, laid back tropical island ideal for families, groups and couples.
Just a four hour drive from Bangkok, Koh Chang is a cheaper alternative to Phuket, Samui and other popular beach destination in Thailand and is a great destination to explore, from fire dancing on White Sand beach to the lively Lonely Beach scene, to Koh Mak for scuba diving and you must discover Koh Kood on the Cambodian border, a virgin island. With accommodation to suit every budget from simple beach side bungalows to 5 star luxury hotels Koh Chang is a place you will fall in love with. Explore Koh Chang, a bit of traditional Thailand away from the tourist traps.

Mae Sot, Northern Thailand’s gateway to Myanmar.

Mae Sot, Northern Thailand’s gateway to Myanmar.
Mae Sot is a border town 5 km from the border with Myanmar and is located in Tak Province around 600 Km from Bangkok. The area around Mae Sot boasts some of the most pristine and rugged mountains and dense tropical jungles in Thailand with a huge variety of wildlife preserves, rivers, hot springs, waterfalls and national parks.

Places to visit include the famous natural hot springs at Mae Kasa just a short 15km drive from Mae Sot. A great place for walking around to take in the sights and picnic areas.

Phra Charoen Waterfall located about 25 km from Mae Sot is a beautiful waterfall featuring 97 steps with a trail leading you through lush tropical jungle.

Tarawak Waterfall, part of the Ti Lor Sor waterfalls is also is a great place with winding trails and various spots to rest and have a picnic.

Highland Farm Gibbon and wildlife sanctuary takes in and cares for rescued mistreated, abandoned and sick gibbons and is set in beautiful surroundings a lot of which was replanted by the owners. This is a wonderful place to meet with and learn about the gibbons and local wildlife preservation. The sanctuary also takes care of rescued bears, birds, monkeys and foxes.

Temples of Thai and Burmese style are varied and numerous around the area. Close to the border with Myanmar there is a Buddhist temple with the huge reclining Buddha. Continue down and a short drive away you will discover a pagoda and Buddha’s footprint.

Rim Moei Border market runs along the Thai side of the Thai Mayanmar border Moie River and is filled with all kinds of goods from Myanmar, Thailand and China. Products include rubies and many other precious gemstones from Myanmar and other contraband and is a main trading place for bulk traders there. A very interesting place to visit. For a small fee and passport in hand you can cross into Myanmar for the day over the Friendship Bridge which connects Thailand with the Myanmar border town of Myawaddy.

Mae Sot Market in the centre of town offers an amazing cultural mix of Thai/Burmese products including locally made handicrafts and textiles by the local hill tribes, frogs, turtles, eels
(usually live), chicken, beef, pork, vegetables and many small jade and gem shops.

As well as the rich natural beauty of the area there are many different traditional Thai customs of the local northern hill tribes living the quiet rural lifestyle, in particular the Karen and Hmong tribes. With these qualities Mae Sot and Tak Province offers truly amazing experiences for travellers who want to see and contact with nature, the local people and traditional Thai culture.

Mae Sot is largely unknown to the majority of visitors to Thailand but will continue to develop due to it being one of the only two land border crossings and is the main trade gateway into Myanmar which is gradually opening its doors to the world after decades of isolation. There are numerous domestic and international NGOs based in the area to help cope with the thousands of refugees displaced by the years of internal conflict.

For those who want to get involved with volunteer work there are several local projects and outreach programs that need all the help they can get whether it be actual volunteer work or donations for the many orphans and refugee children and families.
Several projects are being planned in the area to improve the general living conditions and education of the poorest local communities with a focus on saving and restoring local traditions and customs, wildlife conservation, environmental protection awareness, whilst at the same time offering visitors a truly rich and rewarding experience watch this space.

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Saturday, July 6, 2013

Chatuchak Weekend Market - Bangkok

Chatuchak Weekend Market
The Chatuchak Market (JJ) is one of the world’s largest weekend markets.
It covers an area of almost 30 Acres, is divided into 28 different sections & contains more than 15.000 booths selling goods from all over Thailand. You can imagine my face when I stepped out of the BTS train and saw this huge market…jaw dropping. The Chatuchak Market is a very popular shopping destination for Thais but has also become very popular with tourists. Thais from all over the country come here to buy goods for their local shop. Each day, about 200.000 visitors come here (30 % tourists). You can pretty much find everything there, from books to antiques to live animals and plants.

Yes, Chatuchak Makret sounds like a true shopper’s delight. For me, it was much less than that; not only am I not a fan of huge gatherings, but also the entire area was simply too large. As soon as we stepped out of the BTS train, the crowds started showing up. The way from the BTS station to the entrance of the market was maybe only 100 meters, yet it took us almost 15 minutes to get there. Viewing the market from above (from the bridge from the BTS station to the market area) still made it all quite clear but as soon as we were down in the crowd, our orientation got lost. I suggest that you go with the flow, because otherwise you’re just going to struggle. They’ll lead you somewhere anyway.

TIPS.

Chances of getting lost in the crowd are high. If you’re there with a friend, make sure you conclude a meeting point before.

Wear comfy shoes; you’ll walk a lot.

Drink, drink, drink…you’ll sweat like a pig so keep your water level high!

FACTS.

Opening hours: Wednesday-Thursday (Plants & Flowers) 6.00 am – 6.00 pm. Friday (Wholesale day) 6.00 am – 6.00 pm. Saturday-Sunday (Miscellaneous) 6.00 am – 6.00 pm.

How to get there: Skytrain (BTS) to Mo Chit station; take exit no. 1 and follow the crowd.

What to find there: Ah well, you’ve 30 Acres of pretty much everything you need (or don’t need).
 

Friday, July 5, 2013

VIETNAM - the timeless charm

54 ethnic groups of Vietnam - the Dao ethnic group

Dao people originally came from China, immigrating between the 12th or 13th century and the early 20th century. They claim themselves descendants of Ban House (Ban vuong), a famous and holy legendary personality.

Dao communities cultivate swidden fields, rocky hollows, and wet -rice paddies. These cultivation activities play a dominant role among different groups and areas. Dao Quan Trang (white trousers) people, Dao Ao Dai (long tunic) and Dao Thanh Y (blue clothes) specialize in wet-rice cultivation. Dao Do (Red Dao) people mostly cultivate in rocky hollows. Other Dao groups are nomadic, others are settled agriculturists. Popular crops are rice, corn and vegetables, such as gourds, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes. They raise buffaloes, cows, pigs, chickens, horses, goats in the middle regions of mountains and highland areas.

Cotton farming and weaving are popular among the Dao groups. They prefer garments dyed indigo. Most village wards have forge kilns serving for farming tools repairing. In some places, people make matchlock and flint-lock rifles and cast-iron bullets. The silversmith trade, handed down through generations, mostly produces necklaces, earrings, rings, silvers chains, and betel nut boxes.

Dao Do (Red Dao) and Dao Tien (Coin or Money) groups are well-known makers of traditional paper. The paper is used when writing history, story and song books, when making petitions, when sending money for funeral services, and on other occasions. Other Dao groups are noted for pressing certain fruits to extract oils which they use to illuminate their lamps. Sugarcane is also refined.

Dao religious beliefs include traditional practices and agricultural rituals mixed with elements of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. Ban vuong is considered the earliest ancestor of the Dao people, so he is worshiped together with the ancestors of the family. In Dao tradition, all grown-up men must pass an initiation rite, cap sac, which expresses the traits of Taoism and the ancient rituals.

Dao people use the lunar calendar for all of their activities.

Sunday, June 30, 2013

MISS THAILAND 2013

MISS THAILAND

Phra Maha Chedi Chai Mongkol

This is Phra Maha Chedi Chai Mongkol. Located at Wat Pha Nam Thip Thep Wararam. Tambon Pha Nam Yoi district Phok Tuesday. Distance from downtown about 80 am ET, there is a great big pagoda weirdly The contemporary art between the Central and the East are a mix between Phra Pathom Chedi and Phra That Phanom.

YAK - Guardian Angel

YAK - Guardian Angel

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Wednesday, June 26, 2013