Thai Shock

I remember how naive I was before I went to Thailand. Firstly, I knew nothing then of Southeast Asia and Thai cuisine had not yet caught on in Japan or the States. I was an exchange student protected in Japan, ready for a real adventure. The ultimate goal was the island of Koh Samui (which bore the slogan it ain't what it used to be but it's still worth it). That slogan probably lasted thirty years before the last hopeful backpacker had to admit it's now Club Med beach to beach.

Still, I did many things on that island; I caught a beautiful and big bright green tropical fish that we had for dinner. I discovered the durian Mecca of Southeast Asia in the village of Surat Mai, I chased down and with a rock killed a chicken that we made into curry, and I went to the most fantastic seafood restaurant of my life there.

But this anecdote is not about Koh Samui and the famous night boat to Sura Thani. It's more about Bangkok. You see, I distinctly remember us as a bunch of ignorant college kids in Hong Kong the night before we were to depart to Bangkok. We were eating in an outdoor market/restaurant and everything- the glasses, the chopsticks, the plates, were, well, just plain filthy and unsanitary. As was the concrete beneath our feet. Everything stunk too.

One of friends knowingly remarked, Just wait until we get to Thailand. You ain't seen nothing yet! It was very anti-climatic of him to say that though. Bangkok (twenty years ago, mind you) was indeed poor, polluted, and crowded, it was also very clean, colorful, and the people were energetic and happy. Buddhas were at every corner, and everyone was grinning. I fell in love with a world that deep in my subconscious I had been longing for. The only problem was that it was February and it was HOT! I remember as I was nearly about to pass out at a temple a middle aged macho guy coming up to me and proudly saying, My country is hot! That voice still echoes in my mind as surely as he has grown old.

The Top 5 Holiday Destinations

The heap of anguish caused by the claustrophobic city life can only be eradicated when you take a stride down the blue beaches of Australia or relax at the foot of Christ De Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. When life demands too much and you want to escape from this mundane world, take a flight to one of your desired destinations and spend the holiday there with your loved ones. Give yourself a chance to enjoy the gorgeous Greek Island, scintillating Cuba or the magical Thailand. The unparalleled exquisiteness of the five top destinations below is alluring visitors to feast on the amazing beauty.

1. Australia - Whitsunday Islands

The spectacular scene of Australia has made it the suitable holiday destination for people from all over the world. The very thought of the coral reefs, lush rainforests and the amazingly warm ocean water would chill you up and you won't be able to resist the charm of holidaying in this country. Whitsunday coasts and islands seem to have been naturally tailored to quench your need of getting lost in the soothing greens and serene blue of the water. The Islands are centrally located on the Queensland Coast where almost all flights have been given access. The airport is about 40 minutes away from the Airlie Beach and leisure can be enjoyed to the full extent. Apart from this Island particularly, Australia is encompassing within itself a wide array of holiday zones. The Gold Coasts, Hunter Valley, Sunshine coast, the wonderful Sydney and so on. At Whitsunday, you will get the opportunity to select resorts and hotels of your choice. The availability of the peaceful ambience, spas, swimming pools, gardens and other amenities will vary with the denomination of the accommodation you choose. The exciting Great Barrier Reef, the stunning beauty of the Proserpine River and the luxury yachts are bound to drive you ecstatic. Holiday packages to this Island will seem to be incomplete, as you will fall in love with Whitsunday forever.

2. Brazil - Rio de Janeiro

It may be the outstanding color of its beaches or the magical sound produced by the forests that has made the creation of samba music possible in Rio de Janeiro. The high-spirited people of this state make Brazil one of the liveliest places on earth. Those of you who are fond of sports must take your family to this city to enjoy the essence of sports and sporting spirit. The intense cultural life of ravishing Rio includes mind-blowing music and heart throbbing belly dances. The state is the pride of Brazilians for it includes within it, theaters, clubs, museums, beaches, gardens, forests, lagoons and the memorabilia of the World War II. Winter is full of events and it would the best time to take a flight to Rio and give your life a new refreshing turn. Hotels and inns are available at your fingertips, which you can reserve even via the Internet.

3. Greek Islands

If you are a travel freak then you must spend your next holiday at the Greek Islands, which are about 22 in number. Mykonos would take you down the memory lanes with the windmills turning the pages of history. Affordable hotels and excellent services are designed to make your visit very pleasurable. Naxos is the island of churches, Venetian castles and homes just opposite to the nightlife culture that Rhodes can give. Lesvos is a perfect destination to soothe your tired mind and eyes. Wildlife, restaurants, spas and greenery can cheer you up for the rest of the hectic year ahead. Most of the islands here are breathtaking and you can zoom through the clouds directly or can halt in mainland Greece and then move ahead. Accommodation places are always ample, just prior booking is essential.

4. Cuba

Vigorous salsa, mind-blowing architecture, exciting tropical beaches and the swashbuckling nightlife can be the most apt phrases to describe Cuba - the dream destination for most people. Relaxation coupled with luxury is going to make your holiday in Cuba one of the most memorable experiences. This unique and safe Caribbean Island has got a historic importance of its own. Fishing or sailing in a tranquil ambience can reinvigorate you to your fullest. The journey to Cuba would revitalize you, shedding all the lethargic loads that you had been carrying so far. Your stride through the Las Terrazas will enable you to relish the flora and fauna. The coffee at a famous Cafetal restaurant would make you nostalgic, and sips at the Darquiri cocktail at Tropicana Cabaret are definitely an enchanting experience. Ecological tours of the Western Cuba can also be a sumptuous and momentous moment for you. If you are looking for cheap eats and lodging, you can find it at this top holiday destination.

5. Thailand

Thailand gains prominence as one of the hottest tourist sports for the sky kissing mountains, green meadows, multi-colored orchids, fascinating native handcrafts, coupled with the tropical climate. The country is well known for the hospitality, and the local food is also superb to taste. For the active traveler, this can be the ideal spot to spend the holidays. Travel packages booked earlier can make your journey to this place an interesting one. Bangkok is the main gateway to Thailand where the international airport is situated. The religion followed in this country is Buddhism and everywhere place you visit, you are going to find information pertaining to Lord Buddha. The elephant conservation center, wildlife sanctuaries, Thai crafts and the fruit carving are simply wonderful. The capital Bangkok is of great prominence due to the natural beauty that it ensembles. Makha Puja, Flower festival, Pattya festival and the Sonkran festivals attract throngs of visitors every year to this country. For a cool escape, the southern beaches are a definite hot spot and are not to be missed, Phuket having the biggest tourism numbers followed by Koh Samui.

Top 5 Hotel Deals in Thailand

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Thailand has been a popular destination for Australians for many years. This is hardly surprising given the great value for money and the variety of tourist attractions on offer. Planning a budget holiday can be as easy as opening up the weekend newspapers we will see dozens of holiday package deals advertised each and every week. Put these deals together with the proper travel insurance and you have the perfect package.

A hotel deals in Thailand can change from week to week but there are some consistently good packages offered which we will cover here. You should always check with your travel agent to make sure that the deals are still current, and to make sure that any special conditions will not impede your plans.

So, rather than looking at individual hotels, we will choose five regions or cities which consistently offer the best options.

Bangkok. The majority of reviews for the Lebua at State Tower consistently state that this is one of the better quality hotels in Bangkok, with great facilities and good value for money. Standing at 59 stories high, the views are simply amazing and the rooftop bar is a special feature. This hotel is always worth a look.

Bangkok. Another hotel worth your attention is the Centara Grand at Centralworld. Previous guests are simply in love with this hotel rating it as fantastic. Make sure you check it out.

Phuket. The Woraburi Phuket Resort and Spa is a popular hotel in Phuket, for which visitors have only the highest praise, especially of the staff. Many previous visitors advise you to request a pool access room which have stunning views and easy access to swimming facilities. You won't have to worry about making a holiday insurance claim while staying here!

Phuket. The Deevana Patong Resort & Spa at Patong Beach is often rated as absolutely perfect and great value for money. The only advice that seems worthy of note is to avoid rooms at the back of the resort, and if you can afford it, upgrade to a deluxe room with private spa. It costs only a little bit extra and is well worth it.

Koh Samui. Le Paradise Boutique Resort and Spa is one of the highest rated hotels in this region. It has beautiful bungalows which overlook the startlingly white sandy beaches and has been rated as the best value for money resort in Thailand. This is very high praise at the resort lives up to this expectation.

Pattaya. The Mariott Resorts and Spa is arguably one of the most popular and famous hotels in Thailand. It is not exactly budget accommodation, in fact it has been suggested that the prices are little too steep, but it still retains the image of a tropical paradise that welcomes visitors into its quiet oasis.

Thailand is owed world-class tourist destination with hundreds of fine hotels to choose from. No matter what your budget or individual requirements, you are certain to find a hollow package to meet your needs.

Four Helpful Thailand Travel Tips

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Thailand still evokes an exotic image in the minds of most travellers. After you have organised your travel insurance, you can set about the exciting task of planning your journey. And there is plenty to plan for. Despite the eruptions of the past few months, the only political trouble occurred in the main streets of the capital, Bangkok. Travellers who have returned from their Thailand holidays have commented that outside the capital, life went on as normal and tourists were able to enjoy the luxury and relaxation they were looking for.

Happily, many of the more exciting parts of Thailand are outside the capital anyway, so even if you feel a little unsafe you can rest assured that the majority of the country is stable, happy, and ready to accept tourists from anywhere!

With so many places to choose from however, it is often difficult to know which destinations to include on your itinerary. So, with that in mind, let's take a look at four top tips to help you plan your trip.

The best time to visit Thailand is any time except the rainy season from July to October. The monsoonal season which dominates the weather over that period doesn't mean it is impossible to visit Thailand at that time it just means that you will have to get used to short bursts of heavy rain at any time of the day. Apart from that, you will find the weather in Thailand is good although it can be extremely hot in summer. Most tourists tend to travel between November and February when it is at its coolest.
Customs regulations are very strict in Thailand and any breaches are treated harshly. Make sure you check with your travel agent to make sure you're not carrying too many cigarettes, wine or spirits. When it comes to drugs, Thailand is notoriously harsh and you will no doubt be aware of the death penalties which have been handed down to anyone involved in the narcotics trade.
When you travel to any new country it is always exciting to explore the culture and to see how other people go about their daily lives. Although this is welcomed in Thailand, make sure you are respectful of some of their closely held beliefs. The royal family is held in very high esteem by all Thais, so you should never criticise the monarchy. Images of the Buddha are also treated as sacred no matter where they are situated in or how big they are. Buddhist monks are also treated with great respect and should not be touched under any circumstances. Also, don't forget to take off your shoes when visiting someone's home or a temple.
One of the quirky things you should be aware of is the Thai treatment of the head and feet. The head is sacrosanct in Thai culture so you should avoid patting anyone on the head, including children. As opposed to this never use your feet to point at anything and never allow the palms of your feet to point towards an image of the Buddha.

If you bear these tips in mind you will enjoy your hollow even more, and once again that figure to organise your holiday insurance well in advance.