Tag: Thailand

Hua Hin Elephant Camp

Hua Hin remained a tiny coastal town with pretty beaches and relatively no noise as compared to Thailand’s all famous Pattaya. It was found by King Prajadhipok in the 1920s who decided to make it sort of a royal getaway town. The king who was so taken up by the quiet beauty of the town built Klai Kangwon literally meaning far from worries in Hua Hin in 1928. From 2007 it has become the official residence of the current king and is not open to the public.

As a Kingdom of Thailand it has many traditions that they still hold on to and its vibrant culture and history makes a colourful spectacle for any tourist. From ancient times elephants have played an important role in Thailand. Used mainly for transport, they had the ability to carry heavy loads and also travel across varied terrains without much difficulty.

Like the rest of the world, with modernization this means of travel was discarded for automobiles. However, during ceremonies one can still witness elephants take their place. 60kms west from the town of Hua Hin is the beautiful Pala-U waterfalls, located just 3 kms away from this is the Hua Hin Elephant Camp.

Once you arrive here you are introduced to the majestic creatures and even allowed to feed them bananas. Then you can get on atop the elephants and go for a ride as they lumber ahead guided by experienced mahouts. While the mahout will be seated right ahead on the neck of the elephant, you will have a wooden bench to accommodate yourself. It is important that all riders pay heed to the advice of the mahout as elephants are animals that when disturbed or frightened can go on a rampage. As part of your ride you will be given the opportunity of watching the elephants finish their morning ritual of bathing, carrying lumber and also ride back to camp where lunch awaits you.

Being the vacation site for royalty means there are plenty of Hua Hin hotels available in the region. If you would like to be treated like royalty and pampered in luxury, then check out Anantara Hua Hin Thailand Resort. It is a popular hotel Hua Hin has to offer and lets you truly enjoy your stay.

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Emerald Pool in Krabi

Although Thailand may be well known for its numerous cultural and historical attractions, there are several lesser known attractions, more like well kept secrets that any traveller will be thrilled to explore and one such place is Emerald Pool in Krabi. Be sure to book a Trang resort close to regional attractions and Krabi resorts such as Anantara Si Kao Thailand are ideal in this regard. As an interesting Eco-tourism place, Emerald Pool in Krabi can be reached by taking a drive from Ao Nang in Krabi. With its beautiful green aquamarine waters, the pool and its surroundings are bound to be a treat for nature lovers and Bird Watchers.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Explore Bangkok Like Never Before

Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, is one of the most colourful and vibrant cities in the world. One of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, Bangkok offers visitors a chance to enjoy the mystical charm of the exotic oriental culture of Thailand, while also providing a host of other ways to have a truly memorable experience. Bangkok is home to a wide range of recreational and leisure attractions, making it a rather exciting destination.

Bangkok is known for having its own culture and people often come up with a variety of theories on how Bangkok can be best explore, but one of the most adventurous and authentic ways to discover the true soul of Bangkok is by embarking on an urban adventure, which lasts just one day! This type of travel experience is sure to show you a side of Bangkok you never knew existed.

Since most people fail to capture the true spirit of Bangkok due to time constraints, urban adventures allows you to experience the true soul of Bangkok in a matter of hours. There are many tour agencies that offer urban tours and adventures in Bangkok, so you don’t need to waste time looking for a tour guide. One of the most popular and unique ways of exploring Bangkok is by bike. Cycling through the busy streets of Bangkok while making stops at some of its most iconic landmarks will surely deliver an authentic Bangkok experience. Tuk tuk adventures are also very popular amongst tourists of Bangkok. Tuk tuks are the simplified three-wheeled version of a regular taxi, which is a common mode of transport. These adventures stop at ancient and historic temples, bustling markets, and street-side restaurants, letting you interact with the local culture. Urban adventures at dusk takes place through the many restaurants and eateries serving delicious meals, and long tail boat rides down the Chao Phraya River and its canals are also excellent and efficient form of discovering Bangkok.

A luxury Bangkok hotel with a contemporary design and tranquil ambience is the Metropolitan Bangkok. Belonging to the COMO Group of Hotels and Resorts, this 5 star hotel offers accommodation in 171 luxuriously furnished rooms and suites, along with a range of extravagant services and amenities. The hotel is located in close proximity to Bangkok’s shopping and nightlife districts making it a convenient and comfortable Bangkok luxury hotel.

Beauty and Piety in the heart of South Thailand

Situated in the Surat Thani Province, in the South of Thailand, is the ancient city of Chaiya. The name Chaiya is attributed to many different legends and stories. Some say that it is derived from the Malay word ‘Cahaya’ by which it was once known. Others say that it is a breakdown of the name Srivijaya, as the city of Chaiya was the capital city during the Srivijaya rule during the 5th – 13th century. Some go so far as to say that during the ruling period of Srivijaya, Chaiya was the royal capital city. However many scholars disagrees with this fact to this date due to the non availability of factual evidence.

Being a devout Buddhist nation, the Chaiya city too has its share of Buddhist temples and monasteries. Certain inscriptions found in and around the area speak of the erection of three stupas by the Srivijaya King. It is thought that Wat Phra Borom That is one of them.

This temple is an excellent example of Srivijaya influence on architectural style and religious buildings and is thought to have been constructed over 1200 years ago. It is at the centre of a compound which houses several other Buddha images and Buddhist sculptures as well as the remains of two other stupas.
As far as history and architecture are concerned, the Wat Phra Borom That in Chaiya is an important, historical and cultural place to visit that attracts its fair share of visitors each year.

The surrounding area of Southern Thailand offers some of the most exquisite locations for a relaxing vacation and a Chaweng Hotel would be an ideal central location from which to base your-self to take in the splendor of this part of Thailand. More specifically a stay at a Koh Samui Resort which will ensure that you have the very best of what South Thailand has to offer including its pristine beaches and calming palm fringed ambiance.

A stay at a place such as Anantara Lawana Resort & Spa Koh Samui will provide you with a comfortable and luxurious service and amenities that will make your holiday a perfect one.

Water sports to explore in Hong Kong

When you think of Honk Kong many a time it is the business suits that come to mind; hardly ever the swim suits! But venture a little further outside the bustling city and you will discover treasures beyond your wildest imaginations. You will see things that will awe you and do things that will leave a permanent tattoo in your memory. This nation boasts one of the most exquisite coastlines. With perfectly pristine shores, it is almost haven for every imaginable water sport. So dip in or delve in and experience the time of your life.

The world of water sports available for you to indulge in is enormous and in Honk Kong you find it all; ranging from the most famous to the rarest. Among the many names, kayaking is something you would hear more often than not. There are some fantastic places to kayak throughout Honk Kong. Sai Kung is perfect for adventure lovers and then there is the Double Haven in the north east and also Lantau. Then there is the very popular sport of wind surfing but this is more season specific and taken up best in the autumn and winter months. And for those of you interested in exploring a literal underwater Eden, diving and snorkeling is the best sport to take up. There is absolutely stunning scenery under the Ocean of Honk Kong; and that’s not all, there are also plenty of fish, corals and even a number of islands with some excellent terrain. The all time favorite wakeboarding is another one of the must-do’s in Honk Kong. Almost every bit of water here in Honk Kong is almost perfect for this sport; you can also enjoy the edge of competition if you want by taking part in the Wake board open championships that take place in the month August every year.Kite surfing and jet skiing are also in this very long list; it just cannot get better in beautiful Honk Kong.

Wind down in the Cosmo Hotel Mongkok, the most popular hotel in Kowloon. Amongst all the Mongkok hotels only in the Cosmo, you will experience sheer luxury and will be treated like true royalty.

Top 5 Attractions in Koh Samui

Koh Samui is a beautiful tourist destination and finding a centrally situated hotel in Samui is crucial if you desire to explore the region to the fullest, thus a Koh Samui resort such as Anantara Lawana Resort & Spa Koh Samui makes for a good choice. While there is a multitude of places and things to explore in the island, there are several attractions that demand any traveller’s visit. Visit Big Buddha and its charming beach renowned as a fascinating attraction in Samui. Hin Ta and HinYai, Lamai Beach, Na Muang Waterfalls, Nathon, Mummy Monk at Wat Kunaram, South of Lamai and the popularly known Angthong Marine National Park are other must visit places of interest.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Experiencing Thrilling Scuba Diving in Koh Samui

If you are looking for an unforgettable adventure beneath the waves where exotic creatures of the deep swim and lurk about in their own world, then scuba diving in Koh Samui is just the thing for you! An easy way to experience such excursions is by staying at a Koh Samui resort by the coast which offers diving such as Anantara Lawana Resort & Spa Koh Samui. This Chaweng hotel also has an affiliated Diving School where you can not only get diving certification, but head off on dive tours as well. The crystal clear waters surrounding the island are teeming with marine and coral life and provide both beginners and seasoned divers with hours of exciting exploration. You will come across a range of fish species and mackerel, whale sharks, yellowtails, tuna, silver fish and barracudas are among the marine life that inhabit these waters. Make sure to keep such sites as the Ang Thong National Marine Park, Coral Cove, Green Rock and Sail Rock in mind when in search of diving hotspots around Koh Samui and prepare for an adventure of a lifetime!

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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Bangkok Water Parks a fun-filled day out

A modern Bangkok Luxury Hotel, the Metropolitan Bangkok is one of the best places to stay while visiting Bangkok. The elegant and vibrant atmosphere and the friendly staff make this Luxury Bangkok Hotel one of the most preferred hotels available. Bangkok offers many family attractions to its visitors. Among these theme parks and major parks top the lists.

On the roof top of Mall Department Store the Fantasia Lagoon is located attracting all mall shoppers as well as non shoppers. With whirlpools and massive waterslides people of every age can be seen enjoying. Another mall roof top water park is the Leoland Water Park, located on the top of the Central City Bangna shopping mall. Tube rides, sun beds and water rides are the major excitement areas highlighted in this park. Siam Park is another huge water park in Bangkok which features a wide range of water activities as well as other non water entertainment facilities likes parks, a zoo, a botanical garden etc. Your days in Bangkok won’t be boring at all with all these exciting locations to visit.

Things to do in Sathorn

Much like the rest of the province of Bangkok in a commercial sense, the district of Sathorn in Thailand is full of high rise buildings, entrepreneurial ventures and industrial activity. However, for those who want a taste of traditional Thai ways of life, the village of Thonburi across the Chao Praya River is an ideal location. The tilt hooded rickety abodes that sit along the Khlongs or canals, the long tail boat rides and merchants moving to and fro in barges can be experienced in an atmosphere unseen in other parts of Bangkok.

The land of Siam as it is referred to in ancient chronicles has been a strong Buddhist nation, hence pagodas, shrines and temples are a common sight in any district. The unique shape of the Wat Yan Nawa temple in Sathorn makes it well worth a visit. The temple is designed in the style of a Chinese Junk or sailing vessel and serves the purpose of reminding the younger generations of the olden day mode of transportation as well.

Further in line with its Buddhist roots, the largest park cum gardens is named after the birth place of Buddha; Lumbini. The Lumpini Park, with a slight local twist given to the name is an all in one leisure hub, where some stroll lazily with their iPod humming to them, some cycle vigorously, others engage in aerobics classes and some practice Tai Chi.

For the food connoisseurs there are some fabulous dining experiences in store as well. The Vertigo and Moon Bar is sky high on the 61st floor of the Banyan Tree hotel building. Unlike the name suggests, if you suffer from vertigo the dizzy height and open air atmosphere might be overwhelming.

A luxury hotel group would find Sathorn a lucrative commune to operate from due to the set up. The fine vacationing atmosphere in Sathorn makes tourism an unavoidable aspect of the city therefore it is no surprise that many an award winning hotel is located in the vicinity. Thus, you will find that the COMO hotels and resorts are a remarkable alternative to home while you are in Sathorn.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Great Getaway

Experience a beach without hordes of foreigners and the noise and bustle that goes with it. Bang Saen beach 85 km south of Bangkok, a sleepy town during the week but full of locals getting away from hectic city life during weekends is one such place. Easily reached from Sukhumvit Road Bangkok’s main thoroughfare, Thais find it a convenient place to take a break.

In addition to the wide swath of sand, the palm tree lined boulevard along the beach provides plenty of space to take a walk enhanced with nice views over the water. Swimming and wave riding is as popular as banana boat rides and surfing the waves on rubber rings that can be rented at site. Watching beach volleyball matches, viewing intriguing sand sculptures by local and foreign artists, flying kites, walking on the boardwalk to enjoy fishing or just gazing out to sea, taking a ride on a fishing boat or viewing sunsets are other activities that can be enjoyed on the beach from time to time. Renting a beach umbrella and a deck chair under the palm trees to people-watch is another way to spend a relaxing day. Another great reason to visit Bang Saen beach is to see the Bang Saen Speed Festival in November when some of the fastest cars around can be seen whizzing on the roads along the beach. This is also the time when some of the best seafood is available in the city. The beach is also a popular destination in April when Thais come to enjoy Songkran and splash each other with water.

In addition to the fun activities, beach front restaurants, lively bars and informal eating places under umbrellas serve scrumptious fried fish, crab and papaya salad, fruit, steamed fish cakes and all manner of Thai delicacies and beverages at great prices. Go to Bang Saen and experience a beach where Thais congregate and which is geared to wholesome family fun. Even the nightlife is different here. It caters to Thai day trippers and overnight visitors. Bar hopping listening to Thai pop can also be a fun activity.

COMO hotels and resorts are committed to providing luxury vacationing in a sustainable manner. The award winning hotel collection of this luxury hotel group offers a beautifully designed range of urban hotels, island getaways, adventure retreats and a wellness resort in well selected locations around the world. They are known for their cool and contemporary designs blending both eastern and western elements, light filled interiors finished with natural materials, specially prepared menus with wellness in mind and holistic Asian inspired spa treatments for body and soul.