Bangkok, or the City of Angels, is a favorite stopover destination for many thousands of air travelers every year. It is famed for its historical temples and its male oriented nightlife, as the song from Chess, the musical, implies. But what are the options for women travelers if you find yourself with a day and a night to spare in this vibrant city?
[b]Bangkok Dinner Cruises[/b]
A lot depends on whether this is your first visit or unmistakably you first time in Asia. If so then you need to get a real flavor of the city by visiting some if its famed temples, historical sights and shopping opportunities.
If your time is tiny to a 24-48 hour stopover the best way to do this is by taking two half day tours – a morning tour of the Grand Palace with its famed Emerald Buddha and an afternoon boat trip down the Chao Phraya River on a customary rice barge. There are many similar tours ready and can be booked whether from your hotel or the plethora of tour operators scattered along the main streets. These tours commonly last around 4 hours, giving you time to rest before taking on more of Bangkok‘s interesting sights and sounds (and shops.)
The Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha
The Grand Palace, a old home of the Thai Royal house has been portrayed in many a Hollywood movie and is breathtakingly beautiful, with its Golden Cheidi, Pantheon of the Chakri Kings and Eight Colored Towers. In the palace grounds is the Wat Phra Kaew temple, which houses the much revered Emerald Buddha, thought about to be the protector of the kingdom and is the holiest Buddhist site in the country.
Make sure you have your camera with you and dress respectfully. You can be refused entry if you are wearing slip on sandals, shorts or sleeveless tops, as the Grand Palace has a definite dress code policy. Should you be refused entry then go over the road to the many tourist shops and they will rent out shoes etc, or you can buy cheap clothing to cover up any offending parts! The same applies for men, no sandals, vests or shorts.
If you have time, then walk around the corner to Wat Po, Bangkok‘s oldest temple with its huge reclining Buddha – a great photo opportunity. It is also the home of the famed Thai massage school, where on a longer stay you can take their policy in Thai massage, a Wat Po massage certificate is one of the most widely respected in the world.
A Rice Barge on the Chao Phraya River
An afternoon boat trip, setting off from the River City involved on the banks of the Chao Phraya gives you a great opportunity to see some of Bangkok‘s historical monuments in the shortest space of time, whilst giving you an authentic slice of Bangkok life, weaving in between the many houses along the city’s klongs (waterways) and passing some of the marvelous temples together with the magical Wat Arun – Temple of Dawn, the most photographed temple in Bangkok. The tour will take you up river by long tail boat and you will return on the more sedate rice barge, where you will get the opportunity to sample some of Thailand’s yummy spicy cuisine. Be warned, the long tail boats can go at quite a pace, especially if your pilot is intent on racing other boats up river!
Shop Til U Drop
Following our 24 hour stopover theme this then leaves you plenty of time in the evening to examine Bangkok‘s many shopping malls and markets. Shopping in the city can continue until late into the night with most shopping malls conclusion around 9pm but smaller market and markets will remain open longer, especially in tourist areas.
Depending on your taste then a trip to the tourist night market in Patpong is an experience. You might have to run the gauntlet of touts try to entice you into the many girlie bars in this area, but this can be fun if you are a first time visitor to Bangkok, as you get the opportunity to taste its more infamous side. For a quieter, more sedate Vip night market try the Suan Lam Night Bazaar, near Lumpini Park. There are also many eateries here and if you are lucky you can take in some live music.
Some of the best of the shopping malls are The Siam Paragon and Central World Shopping Complex. Or, if you prefer a more upmarket option then Gaysorn Plaza and The Emporium are at the exclusive end, with their world noted fashion house stores. The Siam Paragon also houses a huge aquarium, which is also worth a visit. If it’s Thai silk you are after then visit one of the exclusive Jim Thompson market or the favorite Thai chain called Naraya Phand, which is noted for Thai handicrafts.
If you are fortunate adequate to have your visit co-incide with a weekend, then the Chauchak weekend market by Mo Chit Skytrain middle point is a “must see”. With over 15,000 stalls, this market is view to be the largest in the world. Prices are economy here than the shopping malls and this market sells all things imaginable, from straightforward cotton T-shirt to exotic pets and plants.
Restaurants and Bars
After your shopping trip you many want to sample some of the many restaurants and bars. Food is in any place in Bangkok, all hours of the day and night – eating seems to be the Thai national pastime. Some good eateries can be found around the shopping mall areas of Siam square (Siam Paragon), Sukhumvit (The Emporium) and Chidlom (Central World) so pick your area and then do a bit of reading up. noted bars and nightclubs with a more exclusive feel contain Sukhumvit’s Bed supper Club, with, as its name suggests, beds suspended from the walls. This marvelous designer lounge has an all white interior and plays funk and techno music. The Q Bar, also in Sukhumvit is themed around a New York style club and plays the newest sounds from the west. Instead, you may be concerned in sampling some Thai culture with a formal Dinner and Thai customary dance show; this can be booked straight through a tour operator.
Extra Time
If you have more time to spare then a visit to Jim Thompson’s House near the National Stadium skytrain stop is a good way to taste some customary Thai architecture and learn more about the father of the Thai silk commerce and his mysterious disappearance in the Malaysian jungle in 1967. There is a lovely quiet café here where you can sit and enjoy the garden. Then of policy there are the myriad of Thai spa’s – take in a Thai massage before your ongoing flight and pamper yourself with some herbal beauty treatments, all at a fraction of the cost of back home.
Bangkok is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city, rich in history. Whilst a short stop over is nowhere near adequate time to take in all its temples, cultural sites and shopping opportunities, some of these suggestions will give you a taster for your return trip next time!
One Night In Bangkok – Recommendations For Women Travelers
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Cost of living in Costa Rica…”how much can you well save?”
One thing that I have always stressed about Costa Rica has always been the cost of living. It doesn’t always mean a lot if you can’t couple it with all of the other good things but it has been recommend that I assess an wage of 00 per month and its commensurate expenditures in the States with the same amount in Costa Rica. My friend says that he thinks that this alone will increase my firm by 25%…well, I disagree with that part of the equation but here goes: ( and please keep in mind that I am well out of touch with expenditures in the States )
For purposes of simplicity , it is assumed that the allocation and expenditures are for two habitancy living in a home of almost 1500 sq. Feet …the couple being of group protection age and retired…the home is paid for, there is no debt and the state of home is a midpoint :
Laguna Phuket Resort
1. Utilities: 0
2. Insurance…car and homeowners: 0
3. Food: 0-500
4. Medical insurance: 0
5. Medical costs…doctor and medicine: 0
6. Homeowner taxes: 0
7. State and federal taxes: 0
8. Clothing: 0
9. Entertainment: 0
10. Gasoline and car expenses: 0
11. Misc. : 0
What is the Real Cost of Living in Costa Rica?
Guess I should have stopped…already well over 00 per month. Obviously the above was Stateside costs.
Here is Costa Rica:
1. Utilities: 0 (this is higher than general but assuming that gringos will not cut back on many things. Also includes internet)
2. Insurance: most do not have any insurance but am factoring in
3. Food: 0…this is high but includes virtually unlimited fruits, vegetables, fish and chicken
4. Medical insurance: 0
5. Medical costs: doctor and medicine 0 …this includes the equivalent doctor visits and medication
6. Homeowner taxes:
7. State and federal taxes: probably zero
8. Clothing: 0
9. Entertainment: same costs but will go twice as far…0…a good meal here will set you back -7 apiece.
10. Gasoline and car expense: almost the same but you will probably not drive as far…mechanics bills are less but gas is slightly higher. Cars are more costly but much less to care for. 0 and this amount will give you adequate funds to explore almost weekly.
11. Misc. 0
Total is under 00 and there are numerous ways to cut back.
Here is also a list of expenditures that are certainly not mandatory but probably will be utilized by most gringos:
-Maid service…clean house once weekly for 4-6 hours:
-Lawn service/gardner: -20 per day…most base tools are machete, weed whacker and -possibly lawn more.
-Rebuilt starter for car: -10 for labor and cost only for parts (estimated at )
-Delivery aid from uptown Grecia to house (13-14 minutes away) :
-Taxi aid for same:
-Bus for same: $.50
-Bus from here to by hand Antonio, pacific side (3 hr. Plus drive…)
-Dentist charge for fixing chipped tooth (good as new..) …cavity …
-Dog grooming:
-Dvd rental: same movies, same potential -3 per two nights.
-Coffee, whole bean, you brew…one kilo (2.2 pounds) .50
-One pair, mens trifocals (yes, lineless) with exam, top potential frames… 5. Superb aid and quality.
-Many items are the same cost as in the States as they are imported. A six pack of Dr. Pepper, for example is probably about the same cost. On the other hand, good potential beef from -Argentina or local (remember, I said Good potential or equivalent) is about half of the cost If you know where to shop.
-Vehicles cost more, primarily because of the customs duty and taxes. Form the same car as in the States or Canada will cost a minimum of 50% more.
-Gas is almost the equivalent of per gallon.
You can have your own furniture designed for a fraction of what a prefab piece would cost “back home”. If you have pictures of a style you like, bring it with you. The country here is not big on inventories and virtually all things is institution made.
Favorite things to do that don’t cost much…
Sunday drives (or any other day… Hey, you are retired) spend all day driving straight through five microclimates and topographies that vary from (as examples) volcanoes, waterfalls, huge canyons and valleys, cooler mountain weather, cloud forests, and agricultural land…total distance driven less than 100 miles…cost with lunch for two: less than
Gardening..technically you could spend a fair amount of money (still probably less than 20% of what you would spend in the States though) although most that live here make do with cuttings and “borrowings” from neighbors and maybe a exiguous “midnight gardening”. You can almost watch the plants, flowers and trees grow daily and the differences from one season to the next are astounding. We have two trees that (and remember please, we are in the mountains!) that have grown well 8-12 feet in nine months…one is a hardwood, the other is unknown.
Drive to the ocean… From here to the beach only 1 ½ hours straight through the mountains on one of the most scenic drives in the country. See crocodiles, macaws, parrots , monkeys… All in an afternoon. Stop at one or two of the roadside stands and pick up fresh fruit for a song.
When you explore you will explore places that will become your favorites and you will keep going back…some of ours are : the topiary at Zarcero (check out guidebooks or one line for details ) … Laguna Hule, which is a lake almost in the middle of nowhere just face of Bajos del Toro which is a cloud forest just a few minutes drive from Sarchi. It is a great drive and extraordinary place to spend an hour or two over coffee or snacks and enjoy the surroundings…the lake is viewed from above and boats of any kind are not allowed there. almost like Switzerland…the ferry from Puntarenas to whether Playa Naranjo and Pacquera and in in the middle of offers well dozens of small, White Sand Beaches which are almost always secluded…find a boat for rent, go snorkeling or fishing…the area is astonishing and almost deserted. ( you can drive your car onto the ferry and then drive once you reach the peninsula). You will fast make your own favorites and there is well no way that all of them can be exhausted.
The farmers’ markets (the outdoor ones) ordinarily held on Friday or Saturday are always jammed as fresh fruits and vegetables from all over the area are displayed. Sometimes fish, coffee, meats and other treats are ready as well.
Rainy season offers superb opportunities to relax…mainly because not a lot else gets done outdoors. If you have a metal roof you may have issue hearing over the sound! Get used to it…because it is part of Costa Rica and the culture. When the rain stops the sounds you hear are the plants and flowers growing.
If you don’t think that you can afford Costa Rica or you think that you may not be able to adapt…think about your alternatives. For Rhonda and I , the alternatives to being here are not acceptable. If you have reservations or if you don’t think you can adapt here…come down and see if you can…or if you can’t. Ask questions, keep studying and reading.
For more facts on Costa Rica please visit us at http://www.cr-home.com
Pura vida,
Randy and all of us at Cr Home
What is the Real Cost of Living in Costa Rica?
Friends Link : หัวหิน Dinner Cruise
June 7th, 2011 in
Phuket Resort | tags:
Living |
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Thailand is rich in festivals and in all honesty is not a time of year when you can not find a festival to enjoy, but here are some of the most popular festivals in Thailand during the year.
[b]Kanchanaburi[/b]
Earlier this year the month of January offers the Chiang Mai Winter Fair in Chiang Mai and the River of Kings Festival of Bangkok. May Chiang offers Winter Fair, musical entertainment, competitions and even beauty pageants, and the River of Kings Festival is a bit 'more formalwith a theatrical production tells the story of Thailand.
February of the offer is further subject to Chiang Mai Flower Festival with flowers complete with floats and Bangkok China Town Festival, which celebrates the Chinese New Year.
As the season begins to turn, determines March ASEAN Barred Ground Where Festival, where the owners come together from all over the country khwan dove Muang Park in Yala province, compete and display their pigeonsPrices.
April celebrates the Thai New Year Festival in Pattaya, followed by the Songkran Festival, which takes place in Germany, but it is particularly colorful in Khao San Road, Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
May is a particularly festive month with the Royal Ploughing Ceremony in Bangkok, which celebrates the beginning of the rice season and planning for Visakha Bucha, celebrated a religious festival of the Buddha and Yasothon Rocket Festival in Germany, the largest number of awardsexplosive rockets. It is an eye and ear opening of the festival certainly suitable children and adults.
July brings the popular Candle Festival of Tung Sri Muang, Muang District, Ubon Ratchathani province. Visitors will find large, beautiful, candles displayed and presented to the local temple.
Celebrates birthday in August at the national level of Her Majesty the Queen.
September is the famous Phuket Vegetarian Festival (famous for the bloody show people impaled on a numberobjects and not for the faint of heart) and much less bloody race Phichit River Nan.
October with the wax castle festival celebrated all over the country but most spectacularly in Sakon Nakhon, the Chon Buri Buffalo Race Festival and the procession of illuminated boats along the Mekong.
November begins the rush hours from National celebrated another month with the Loy Krathong festival, the Surin Elephant Roundup, the riverWeek Kwai Bridge in Kanchanaburi and Phimai Festival.
December concluded the year with a national celebration of the birthday of the King and Phuket King's Cup Regatta.
Festivals in Thailand are scheduled according to the lunar calendar. Check the exact dates of the festival, before you make your hotel reservation and travel plans.
Thailand Festival – the best time to visit Thailand and enjoy its famous festival
Related : Koh Lanta Koh Chang เกาะเสม็ด
In most people’s view, Thailand is a distant exotic image that tends to be an enviable dream rather than fond memories. Assuming you are lucky sufficient to afford to tour to Thailand, planning your trip thought about goes without saying. Firstly, you need to decide what type of holiday you want to have in Thailand, or what parts of Thailand you would like to visit, before you book your flights and holiday room in Thailand.
[b]Krabi Sightseeing[/b]
There have been political problems in new years, which occured mainly in Bangkok but don’t let that put you off travelling to Bangkok or Thailand in general. If you want to touch the city sights, and rich Thai culture, then you will need to visit Bangkok for a long weekend or maybe even one week. If you want to relax and enjoy sunshine, then you may wish to visit the luxury beach resorts of Koh Samui, Phuket or Krabi.
There is a so much to do and see in Thailand, but here a 5 tips for you to think before you book your flights and holiday room in Thailand:
1. When to Visit Thailand:
It is best to try and avoid the rainy season from July to October, although Thailand can be hot during summer time. The peak season tends to be November and February, but this is when the costs are higher.
2. Be Vigilent:
The Thai Authorities are very accurate in Thailand and any breaches are punished severely. Before you travel, check with your tour agent or embassy as to what you can and cannot take into Thailand, especially in respect of cigarettes, alcohol and medicines. It goes without saying to avoid any involvement with drugs, and the Authorities in Thailand inflict death penalties to drugs offender’s.
3. Culture:
Make sure you touch the culture of Thailand. You may wish to relax on the beaches all day, but when you have travelled so far it would be a shame not to take some time out and search for and touch at least a diminutive Thai culture which is on offer. You may want to visit a small around town and one of the many monarchies. You will see Buddhist monks, who you will need to treat with great respect.
4. Treatments:
If you do visit Thailand, be sure to pamper yourself. No matter which resort you are staying in, there will be no shortage of places to have massages and the Thai Massage should not be missed.
5. Head and Feet:
As part of the Thai culture, they have views about the head and feet and believe these parts of the body are sacrosanct. You must therefore never touch anything on the head and if you are sitting down, never allow the soles of your feet to point towards an image Buddha.
5 Tips For Your Next Holiday In Thailand
Tags : Dewa Koh Chang
January 25th, 2011 in
Krabi | tags:
holiday,
Thailand |
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