Tuesday, August 26, 2008

CALL OF THE WILD

Pai, The pastoral town in Mae Hong Son province nestled in the northern mountains of Thailand, has become a base came for eco-explorers of all ages, with trekking and staying over at hill-tribe villages, whitewater rafting and mountain biking being some of the most attractive options. Close to this town are waterfalls and rolling green hills. And the town itself offers of classes in everything from Reiki to traditional massage to various New Age disciplines. A favourite haunt for young travelers, Pai is slowly moving more up market thanks to its new airport.

Friday, August 15, 2008

FROMMER'S THAILAND

You'll never fall into the tourist traps when you travel with Frommer's. It's like having a friend show you around, taking you to the places locals like best. Our expert authors have already gone everywhere you might go--they've done the legwork for you, and they're not afraid to tell it like it is, saving you time and money. No other series offers candid reviews of so many hotels and restaurants in all price ranges. Every Frommer's Travel Guide is up-to-date, with exact prices for everything, dozens of color maps, and exciting coverage of sports, shopping, and nightlife. You'd be lost without us! Frommer's holds the key to worry-free travel in this exotic land, with valuable cultural insights, the latest trip-planning advice, detailed maps, and smart tips on language, local customs, and getting around. You'll find honest, in-depth reviews of luxury beach resorts, high-tech business hotels, intimate inns, and simple guest houses and bungalows, all based on recent personal inspections. We'll show you spectacular beaches, waterfalls, floating markets, majestic temples, ancient ruins, national parks, palaces, and traditional villages. We'll lead you to amazing restaurants, and even take you elephant trekking in the Northern Hills. You'll also rely on us to guide you through the confusing, bustling, but intriguing city of Bangkok (our author, who lived there while writing this guide, knows it intimately, and discovered all sorts of hidden surprises). With Frommer's in hand, you'll experience all the wonder of Thailand!
From the Back CoverFrommer's. The best trips start here. Experience a place the way the locals do. Enjoy the best it has to offer.
The best beaches, temples, and wilderness treks—plus advice on volunteering at elephant camps and taking Thai cooking classes. Outspoken opinions on what's worth your time and what's not. Exact prices, so you can plan the perfect trip whatever your budget. Off-the-beaten-path experiences and undiscovered gems, plus new takes on top attractions.

TRAVELERS' TALES THAILAND : TRUE STORIES

Winner of the Lowell Thomas Award for Best Travel Book, this newly designed collection paints a unique portrait of a complex and captivating land. One contributor lives as a monk for a month, gaining an inside look at monastic life. Another discovers Bangkok’s riverine pleasures, a world away from its car-choked streets. Yet another finds refuge as the houseguest of an isolated tribesman. Through these engaging personal stories, readers witness how Thailand satisfies just about any traveler’s hunger for the exotic, the beautiful, the thrillingly different. Writers include Pico Iyer, Norman Lewis, Diane Summers, Simon Winchester, Ian Buruma, Thalia Zepatos, and Tim Ward. “The breadth and color of the collective portrait [the contributors] provide of Thailand is remarkable.” — Los Angeles Times
The publisher, O'Reilly and Associates
Travelers' Tales is a new kind of travel anthology, marrying the best of the guidebook and travel literature. Thailand is the first book in this series: a wonderful collection of place-specific tales previously scattered far and wide. Veteran travel writers James O'Reilly and Larry Habegger read hundreds of stories to select those that best capture the experience of Thailand. Thailand, one of the most intriguing travel destinations of the nineties, should satisfy just about any traveler's hunger for the exotic, the beautiful, the thrillingly different. A country of contrasts, Thailand is a microcosm of all that is right and wrong with tourism, including the traveler's role as pilgrim, adventurer, and consumer. As the editors write in the Preface: "The world is not our private zoo or theme park; we need to be better prepared before we go, so that we might become honored guests and not vilified intruders." To give readers a taste of this country and its people, the book is organized into five sections: "Essence of Thailand" contains stories that reflect some essential character of the landscape, the people, or the traveler's experience of the country. "Some Things to Do" has accounts of particular places and activities that previous travelers have found worthwhile. "Going Your Own Way" contains experiences that are farther off the tourist track, relayed by an author who interacted more intimately with the local people or was willing to travel farther afield. "In the Shadows" explores the darker side of Thailand; so that visitors might be aware of the complexities beyond the cheerful face presented to tourists. "The Last Word" has one last magical moment, to remind the reader just why Thailand is worth visiting. There is perhaps no better way to prepare for a trip, or to vicariously experience another country, than to listen to those who have gone before; Travelers' Tales Thailand brings the best of those voices together for the first time in "Essence of Thailand"; "Some Things to Do"; "Going Your Own Way"; "In the Shadows"; and "The Last Word." Awarded the "Best Travel Book" gold medal from the Society of American Travel Writers. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. See more.

Friday, August 8, 2008

BEACHES & BAY IN PHUKET (2)

Hat Patong Phuket’s most developed beach offers numerous leisure, sporting, shopping and recreational options along its 3 km. crescent bay. In addition to its daytime attractions, Patong is also known for its vibrant nightlife among which seafood restaurants prominently feature.

Hat Karon & Kata Both beaches are impressive, peaceful and eminently suitable for swimming, snorkelling, windsurfing and sunbathing.

Hat Nai Han This white sandy beach fronts a shallow lagoon between rocky headlands. Conditions for swimming, windsurfing, sailing and sunbathing are all excellent. Hat Rawai The palm-fringed beach is best known for its village of “Sea Gypsies”, formerly a nomadic fishing minority believed to be of Melanesian descent.