Siam Chiang Mai

by Grant Wills
Siam Chiang Mai. The Rose of the North.

Chiang Mai is Thailand's 2nd largest city and the center of culture and arts in Thailand. Chiang Mai celebrated its 700th year anniversary about 7 or 8 years ago. Siam Chiang Mai is the Home of adventure Tourism in the far North of Thailand. Chiang Mai was the capital of Siam for many years, being serviced from the south by river barge on the Mai Ping River. The large morning markets are still situated by the Mai Ping. All the main Consulates are still in Chiang Mai, with the British Consulate taking up a large block. The British had considerable influence here in the 1800s and early 1900s, helping the Thai Government set up the mail, railway and transport infrastructure. Thailand means FREELAND. Thailand was never colonized as they had a very astute King who did his schooling in Europe, When the British and French started encroaching on Thailand he summoned the respective consoles to his Palace and put forth the proposition that went something like this, We have (the Kings personal army) 5000 battle trained elephants with full body armour, you have cannon. Your cannon will take out some of my elephants but the other 4000 will trample you to death, we also have a massive army of foot solders that will mop up any survivors. To the British consul he said as a peace offering I will give you all the land on the other side of the mountains bordering Burma. As for Thailand at this time of history it was very hard to service (because of the mountain range). To the French he said something along the same lines but offering them all the land on the other side of the Mekong river. Both Governments looked at the logistics of the situation and accepted the proposition. Thailand has always maintained large armed forces as it was surrounded by hostile Countries who over the last 1000 years or so have each at one time or another ruled the whole Area. During the cold war America supported Thailand to the hilt with planes, tanks, equipment and training. During the Vietnam War the Americans had many bases here, Airport bases at Uban Thani etc. Then came Air America (but that's a whole story on its own) with arms for drug deals, CIA backing of the Hill tribe Drug Lord Armies, as in the CIA's mind they were the bastion against Russian and Chinese communist forces. Many of the treaties put in place in the cold war with the Shan people etc of Burma are still in place today and ratified by each incoming Prime Minister.

Thailand was the launching pad for the secret War in Loa, Cambodia and of course Vietnam. That all said explains why the Thai's are such a happy care free people, they have never had there spirit broken and don't have the undercurrent of hate that you see in a lot of the old French and British colonies. Thailand is a sub Tropical paradise, with plenty of lush rain forests, rivers and lakes. The mountains of the north run down to the flatlands and ocean. Chiang Mai is 11 or so hours by train from Bangkok or 1 hour by plane, It has its own International Air port, so depending on were you are coming from you can fly straight into Chiang Mai. If you take the train from Bangkok the overnight sleeper is a good idea (book a bottom bunk) you get on the train, they serve dinner, make up the beds and you wake up in the morning for breakfast coming into Chiang Mai all for the price of dinner back home. Thailand is a safe pace to travel; I have travelled back and forth from New Zealand for many years making 20 or more return trips with out ever having any thing stolen or the like. Getting over 16,000,000 tourists a year, tourism is its no one $ earner surpassing the rice crop for export $s. From Chiang Mai you can book and plan small excursions into the unknown ha (Burma, Laos and China) with return air tickets from as little as $50 - $150 or you can book on a over land cross river execution to Laos. Traveling up to Chiang Kong and then across the river to Loa.
http://thai-smile.blogspot.com/2007/10/siam-chiang-mai.html

Discover the Perfect Vacation in Hong Kong and China

Spending yearly vacation in a fantastic country would be the dream of every vacationer. But, for an enjoyable vacation, an effective plan must be devised, which should include everything vital to make a vacation memorable. In other words, you should ask yourself a number of questions before devising an effective plan for vacation, such as which destination would you like to go for vacation, what are the activities you are planning during your vacation, whether you are interested in exploring new places or culture of a place, or would you like to enjoy adventure trips, and so on. However, it would be quite confusing for a common man to plan a vacation. Here comes the importance of tour agents. No matter what your tastes are, they will take all steps to make your vacation an enjoyable as well as a wonderful experience.

With umpteen destinations to choose from, one of the best destinations preferred by most of the people across the globe is Hong Kong/China destination. China is the world's third largest country, with great cultural and ethnic diversities. As per the records of the World Tourism Organization, China is the fifth most popular tourist destination in the world, and is estimated to become the first in the next 15 years.

In addition to being home to the Great Wall - one of the Seven Wonders of the World, China has to its credit a continuum of tourist attractions, with 23 provinces, four municipalities, five autonomous region, and two administrative regions. Beijing - the capital city of China - comes with such renowned attractions as Temple of Heaven Park, the Summer Palace, and the Imperial Palace Museum within the Forbidden City, which in turn is the world's largest palace complex. Along with cities such as Macau, Shanghai, and Lhasa - Hong Kong is also one of the much famed tourist places in China.

Now we will discuss some of the top attractions in the city of Hong Kong. The city boasts of such a great number of attractions that it takes months to explore all of them. Just few among the Hong Kong attractions are the peak tower with Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum and rooftop observation area; Man Mo Temple; Wong Tai Sin Temple, an ancient shrine famed for its fortune-tellers; the Bank of China Tower, one of the tallest building in the world that is noted for its architecture; the Avenue of Stars, which is graced and illuminated with tons of twinkling lights; the Clock Tower - one of the oldest landmarks that is situated on the site of the old Kowloon Station; Hong Kong Park, featuring a 1400 sq mt conservatory, air-conditioned sports center, and Olympic Square; and Statue Square, a popular pedestrian in the central district. Equally important are such attractions of Hong Kong as Hong Kong Disneyland, Central District that is home to many government buildings, Ladies Market, Repulse Bay, and Mongkok that is much favored for its teaming activities.

Hong Kong also offers excellent opportunities to enjoy a range of activities. Taking a helicopter ride, riding the peak tram, riding the cable car, riding the century-old tram, and taking a harbor cruise are just few among them. In addition, superb facilities are made available to enjoy exciting and interesting sport activities like sedan chair race, horse racing, swimming, and wind surfing. Also, worth mentioning is the night life in Hong Kong, with its British as well as Irish themed bars, dance clubs, and modern bars offering live music shows and fun. Nightlife in Hong Kong is mainly spread throughout three areas in Kowloon: cocktail bars in Tsim Sha Tsui, pubs on the Ashley Road, and clubs on the Prat and Chatham Roads. Apart from this, Hong Kong boasts of a chain of music clubs and theaters, each of them ensuring fun and entertainment in a relaxing environment.

Above all, Hong Kong hosts a great number of festivals and events, such as Chinese New Year; Birthday of Che Kung, dedicated to Che Kung - the general of the Sung Dynasty; Spring Lantern Festival; and Hong Kong International Film Festival, which is to honor Asian film festivals as well as eminent film makers. Also, great is the gastronomy of Hong Kong. Hong Kong's hall mark is perhaps its world-class cuisine, covering regional, English, continental, and western. An array of restaurants, pubs, bars, and eateries can be seen here.

So what all to dream? Just plan your vacation with us and feel relaxed. All you have to do is to logon to our website and share your interests and likes and dislikes with us.

http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/discover-the-perfect-vacation-in-hong-kong-and-china-200182.html

International Travel: Sights To See

by David Smith
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.

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.
www.etravelforum.com

Bangkok Spas and Health

Thailand enjoys a world-wide reputation for its tranquil spas and retreats. In Bangkok, the traditional arts of Thai massage, a rather vigorous but highly invigorating experience, have been combined with a series of modern, holistic treatments such as body wraps, facials and mud-baths to give a visitor to one of Bangkok’s many spas a soothing and relaxing experience; the perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

There is a large choice of spas and retreats around Bangkok, which range from the brief but refreshing short-stop treatment to the complete and utter luxury of a full day’s pampering. Most of the high-end hotels such as the Oriental, Holiday Inn, Dusit and the Marriot all contain their own in-house spas. Also, there are a number of world-class private spas dotted around the city, the most notable of these being the Mandara and Aspara Spas.

A perfect blend of ancient Eastern traditional treatments with the more modern, Western approach, these spas in Bangkok are simply wonderful. All the stresses and strains of modern life will be scrubbed, massaged and cleaned away, leaving you feeling like a new person.

The Ananda Spa, (tel: +66 (0) 2 255-7200) located next to the President Solitaire Serviced Apartments on Sukhumvit lane 11 allows guests to escape the busy streets of Bangkok and enter another world. The spa has a number of private rooms which all contain Jacuzzis, showers and relaxation areas. The spa offers a huge range of spa treatments at competitive prices.

The Divana Spa,(tel: +66 (0) 2 661 6784) a notable name in Bangkok spas treatment, has recently opened a new spa and wellbeing centre called ‘DVN’ on Sukhumwit lane 35, opposite the Emporium Department Store and very close to the Prmophong BTS Station. Placed in a two-storey Thai house and surrounded by lush tropical gardens, the centre contains nine private couple rooms and 17 treatment beds. Each room has its own design and theme. The spa offers a wide range of treatments all designed to relieve stress and relax visitors.
The Mandara brand is a well-known name to spa users. Their unique blend of Eastern and Western techniques is sure to soothe even the most stressed out of visitors. The Mandara Spas ’ signature treatment is performed by two therapists working together in perfect harmony for the ultimate massage. The Mandara Spa has outlets in the Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel (tel: + 66 (0) 2 261 9000), the Royal Sheraton Hotel and the Bangkok Marriot Resort and Spa (tel: + 66 (0) 2 476 0022).

The Aspara Spa at the Hotel Plaza Athenee (tel: +66 (0) 2 650 8800) offers four separate ‘Couple Spa Packages’. For just 5,800 baht, a couple can enjoy a full range of treatments in a perfect romantic day together.

The Orientist Spas is a unique and exclusive place where visitors can truly relax and escape the stress and strain of modern life. The Spa uses traditional Thai herbs and techniques to give visitors the full benefit of thousands of years’ experience. The Orientist Spa has two branches; one is at 69 Phaholyothin Road, Soi 6 (tel: + 66 (0) 2 278 2240). The other is 1111/148 Lad Phrao Road, Chantatakrasem, Chatuchak (tel: + 66 (0) 2 513 7605).

Spa I Am is a haven of peace and relaxation within the heart of bustling Bangkok. Its 26 private rooms are all fitted out with Jacuzzis, saunas and steam rooms. There is a beauty salon on hand to ensure you look as good as you feel. Spa I Am is based on Ladprao 18, Bangkok (tel: +66 (0) 2 938 4888).

Another popular form of cleansing that has taken root in Bangkok over the past few years is detoxification. Always popular in the East, but now being practised by health-nuts and party-goers alike, these techniques aim to rid the body of toxins over a relatively short period. Places like the Rasayana Retreat and Hydro Health over a selection of different programmes that range from one day to a month.

As advantageous as all the luxury and tranquility of these spas and retreats are, a visitor to Bangkok should not neglect the more rustic and down to earth relaxation on offer on the streets of Bangkok. There are often small and friendly massage venues dotted around, which offer one or two hours of massage for a very small fee. Also, exercise and relaxation can easily be found in Bangkok’s parks and temples.

If you cannot make it to the Bangkok spas there are plenty more provided in the beach resorts as well as Chiang Mai which has an abundance of good value spas.

http://thai-smile.blogspot.com/2007/08/bangkok-spas-and-health.html