Holidays to Krabi

Krabi is one of the most beautiful beach resorts in Thailand. It has clear waters and glorious sandy beaches framed by incredible limestone scenery. Less commercialised than other Thai resorts and amazing natural scenery mean Krabi is an ideal retreat, however, there are plenty of local bars and restaurants to enjoy when you are feeling sociable. As with all of the Thai resorts, you can combine your holidays in Krabi with other destinations in Thailand.

During your holidays to Krabi you will see the landscape around Krabi featuring rubber tree plantations and mangrove swamps. Fossilized shells, more than 60 million years old, are found along the coast.

While on holidays to Krabi, the beaches, below steep cliffs, are idyllic. Hat Nang is tucked into a bay, but there are others, even more spectacular, stretching around Phang Nga bay. Hat Re Lai is surrounded by towering rocks and tapers off into a coral reef. In Holidays to Krabi, Khao Phanom Bencha National Park culminates at 1,397 m (4,583 ft), providing a watershed for Krabi province. It incorporates 80 coastal isles and is largely moist evergreen forest. The fauna includes wild pigs, panthers, black bears, mouse deer, langurs, gibbons and hornbills. Just 350 m from the park headquarters, Huai To waterfall is 70 to 80 m (230-262 ft) high and cascades over 11 levels into a clear pool. A 2-km hike from the headquarters, Khao Phueng cave has spectacular stalactites and stalagmites in interesting formations.

During your holidays to Krabi you will find Thai food can be so spicy that it's tempting to gulp a glass of cold water to put out the fire. Resist that urge! A few mouthfuls of plain rice are much more effective. And say mai phet, "not hot", when ordering, if you want the cook to go easy on the chillies. There are many more subtle flavours that characterize Thai cuisine, notably lemon grass, coconut milk, coriander, garlic, ginger and mint. In Holidays to Krabi the local seafood is a major attraction: hor mok pla is a fish curry with vegetables and coconut milk. Pla preow wan is fish in sweet-and-sour sauce. In most of the country, boiled rice is the mainstay.

Like elsewhere, shopping is enjoyable during your holidays in Krabi. Thai crafts and souvenirs, fabrics and jewellery are among the world's most attractive and appealing. Thai silk is justly famous, but the quality of what you are offered varies. Pottery runs from the simplest pot to the most elegant figurines. Look for teak salad bowls and wood-carvings, and lacquerware from miniature dishes to furniture.

You'll be offered precious and semi-precious stones from amethysts to zircons, rough or cut and polished, but you either have to know the business or trust the merchant. On holidays to Krabi knowledge is also essential if you're going to buy antiques, for the counterfeits are convincing. And a very big complication: it's forbidden to export genuine Thai antiquities without special permission.

Thailand - The Peaceable Kingdom

Back in 1939 the Kingdom of Siam changed its name to Thailand, the "land of the free" means. While the king is still in place and generally popular, the government is now a constitutional monarchy. The country is one of the finest and most interesting in Asia, and certainly one of the most enjoyable holiday for families.

Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, one of the busiest airports and most modern in the world and serves as a gateway to the wonders ofrest of the country. For a family or group visiting on holiday, almost every location is easily accessible and offers accommodations from the rustic to the luxurious.

Outside of Bangkok, in the southwest of Thailand, the number one tourist destination is Phuket, with a well-established tourist industry and myriad hotels, resorts and private housing geared to the needs of families. The coastline is dotted with caves, coves and rugged tropical islands, and is a center for yachting and sailing.

Further south, Krabi is still a relatively untouched area, where you can go island hopping to some of the approximately 200 small islands off the coast, many of which are uninhabited. The opportunities for scuba diving, snorkeling and just exploring are endless, as the water is pure, shallow and indescribably welcoming.

Among the tropical island resorts, Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand is the ultimate "blue sky, blue sea, white sand, green mountain" scenario. Koh Samui is among the best locations for luxury resorts and tropical living in high style. The many smaller islands scattered around also offer unparalleled delights for snorkeling and scuba diving aficionados.

The oldest and possibly the most peaceful and relaxing tourist area is Hua Hin, where the bustle and nightlife of other resorts is muted, and you can rent a Chevy from a roadside business (near the Burger King and Starbucks!) and take your own private tour.

Rio De Janeiro - Vacation in Copacabana See

Copacabana is located in Rio de Janeiro famous for its natural setting like the popular 4 kilometer beach. It is a perfect place for walking tours because of its democratic neighborhood. The place remains as a few travel bargains from beaches, hotels and other attractions nearby.

Copacabana Beach
Copacabana Beach is one of the world's popular beaches located at the center of Rio de Janeiro. It is the home of Rio's New Year celebration and the liveliest beaches with over 2 million visitors every year. The beach is located in front of the wavy mosaics on Avenida Atlantica. The 4 kilometer beach is lined with bars, restaurants, shops and hotels.

Copacabana Beach has been the official venue for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. The government also raised volleyball and football tournaments during the hottest days at the beach. A half an hour fireworks festival is another great attraction at Copacabana Beach.

Hotel Copacabana Palace
Hotel Copacabana Palace is one of the glamorous hotels in the world. It has played a major part on Rio de Janeiro's social and cultural life. The hotel is located on Copacabana Beach that welcomes the rich and famous since 1923.

The place offers 222 rooms and suites such as the Deluxe City View Rooms, Junior Suites, Penthouse Suites, Deluxe Beach View Rooms and Pool & Ocean View Suites. There are 147 rooms in the main building; 76 bedrooms and 71 suites. Each is perfectly designed with elegant furniture and artworks for a more elegant ambiance.

Diners can enjoy the two finest restaurants inside the hotel namely the Cipriani Restaurant and The Pergula Restaurant. A piano bar is available for sophisticated meetings. It offers an array of beverages and tobaccos with a pianist playing every night.

Forte de Copacabana
Forte de Copacabana is a military fort built in 1908 on the eve of World War I. The place has powerful cannon exhibits. Its wall has a 12 m thick that protects the 305mm cannon. Today the place becomes a cultural center that welcomes visitors who want to take pictures of the Copacabana Beach, Arpoador Park, Leblon and Ipanema. One of the highlights of Forte de Copacabana is the fireworks cascade during New Year's Eve.

Fisherman's Corner
Fisherman's Corner is the place where the actual catching of fish takes place. It is located right next to Forte de Copacabana. It is an interesting sight where most fisherman practices their trade Just at sunrise.

Bairro Peixoto
Bairro Peixoto is presented to a reference point of the small square, a 4-storey high-rise Art Deco. This site is an attractive architecture that maintains a small town feel in the middle of Copacabana.

Lido
Lido Palace is located between Copacabana and Princess Isabel Avenue. The site offers a neo-classical buildings and Art Nouveau, the Brazilian recalls the golden age of prosperity. Most of the buildings have been adapted as a business andlanguage school. It is also a place for famous mermaid statues and legendary nightlife of bars and clubs. This includes the Boite Holiday, Cicciolina, Frank's Bar, Scotch Bar, Niko's, Pussycat and Baccara.

Barata Ribeiro 200
Barata Ribeiro 200 is a few blocks away from beachside mansion. It has dozens of tiny cheap apartments inhabited with different kinds of people. The place became famous because of the popular play named after it in 70's period.

Millions of people fall in love in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro. The high concentration of hotels and tourist attractions made it more inviting. Places to see in Copacabana offers fun and comfort for every guest.

Eco-Tourism on a Malaysian Lake As Non-Business

Let's face it. If you want to be genuine, which is what Eco-tourism claims to be, it can't be formulaic. The style, service, and activities should all happen naturally. Sometimes there are unexpected gaps. At least as often there are unexpected pleasures and discoveries.

This is Suka Suka, a family run "retreat" on the edge of Tasik (lake) Cenderoh, the oldest reservoir in Malaysia. There are no signs, there's barely a website, and the owner doesn't care much about business. He's a highly intelligent escapee from the urban rat race, (in this case Kuala Lumpur) doing his own thing in some charming, peaceful boondocks outside the charming, historic town of Kuala Kangsar in Perak state 3 hours from the dreaded capital city.

I went there for a short-term escape and to practice my Malay, which you can't do in Kuala Lumpur because everyone there wants to speak English at you. I found myself ensconced in a traditional Malay house on the lake's edge feeling very much welcome and at home. Owner Aziz was happy to take time telling me all about his retreat, his village, his country and his philosophy. In Malay or English it flowed nicely and was the first time since I came to Malaysia that I got to experience village life. The rest of the time he was working almost single-handed on reconstructing his Malay houses and creating a new branch of his retreat. The older branch is on an isolated island in the lake about a 10-minute boat ride away.

With my hoary beard and 40 years' experience in the eco-tourism business, I could tell him all the things he needed to fix. Don't send a guest out on the lake or into the village on his own without a map; he'll get lost. Try not to lock him out of his room after he returns exhausted from getting lost. Make sure the fan works, the mosquito net is whole, or have some mosquito repellent for sale. And trim the lower branches so guests can see the beautiful lake views they are blocking.

But he didn't ask, and I was happy with the place just as it was. Getting lost was a good excuse to chat with the villagers, who were happy to point me or motorbike me back where I belonged. Walking alone through the village was how I met the village kids who took my hand and placed it gently to their foreheads in a heart-warming gesture of respect And a walk in the mid-day heat is a great way to prepare for a totally relaxing afternoon nap.

Along with building and creating, the owners raise some fish in cages in the lake. Mother Ashia makes some tantalizing Malay food, and son Azam much prefers English to chatting in Malay. In between relaxing and meditating, there are things to do - kayaks to paddle, bikes to peddle, forests and a 500-year old town to explore.

But Suka Suka is mostly the personality of its owners, and if eco-tourism is supposed to be completely natural, this is the way it should be.

Some Further Encouragement for Travelers --

The state of Perak is full of spectacular limestone cliffs and forests and has a fascinating history as the center of a rich tin industry which fortunately collapsed before it could destroy the scenery. Scattered around are small ghost towns with the remains of old colonial arcade architecture that flourished with the tin business.

The nearby town Kuala Kangsar is, like many places in Malaysia, a gem little known to the outside world. Chock-a-block with beautifully maintained colonial buildings, gardens and lawns, it has a museum of memorabilia of the current sultan, a most admirable fellow who graduated as a barrister from the London Inns of Court and was a star hockey player and very handsome young lad as well.

The Best Natural Features of Yorkshire

When travelling to Yorkshire, whether you're there for business or pleasure, you'll want to look around and see everything that there is to see. The area is quite beautiful, and most people are captivated not by what people have constructed but by the natural features that Yorkshire has to offer. If you enjoy the beauty of nature, there are many places you'll want to take a look at. Walking is a big pastime there, too, so whether you want to take a short stroll for a couple of hours, or want to take a much longer hike, you'll have options. More than one thousand square miles of park are just waiting for you, and the coastline goes on for more than one hundred and thirty miles. There is always somewhere for a person to walk, and there is always a beautiful and breathtaking view to be enjoyed. Dales and moorlands will abound on these walks, and there will be man-made beauty to enjoy, too. The hills and cliffs are out there, too, for the casual observer and for the person who wants to climb them. For experienced walkers, there are many long walks that they can take and enjoy.

If you want to walk all day, you'll be able to do that, and you'll see some of the most glorious countryside while you're doing it. Whether you want to see rugged cliffs or the beauty of the ocean you can have a look, and you can walk along them or just sit and take in their beauty.

If you decide that you want to see something more man-made you can also look at the villages and quaint small towns that are in Yorkshire. They fit into the landscape very well and they are designed to look as though they belong there, unlike some larger towns where the natural beauty seems to have disappeared so that a town could be built. It's much better when the beauty of the natural surroundings is not disturbed when people build. If it's kept in line with what nature has provided as much as possible, it looks more beautiful and does not destroy the look of what is around it. Many of these towns and villages make great bases from which to explore the beauty of Yorkshire. Many will have great amenities and well as a fine Yorkshire hotel to stay in. If cliffs and beaches aren't for you, and you've seen all the villages or aren't interested in man-made offerings, there are miles and miles of moorlands and dales that you can stroll through and enjoy.

Climbing Thailand - An Introduction

A great combination especially when they all meet in Thailand. Owing to plentiful climbs, in a truly exotic location, Thailand is fast gaining a reputation as a can't-miss climbing destination. The exchange rate is favorable with many of the major currencies and living expenses are cheap compared to Western prices.

Locations

There are two main climbing areas. One located in the northwest, just outside of the city of Chang Mai which is the second largest city in Thailand. Visit the local climbing shops to inquire about how and where to start. The area has over 100 climbs with a good portion of them at easier grades (for Thailand). No beaches here but the climate, in high season (Nov.-April), can be cooler than further south.

The second major area is at Railay beach. Located in southern Thailand, near to Krabi Town, it enjoys a location on the fabulous Andaman Sea. The Railay area has an East and West beach plus Tonsai beach. Accessible only by boat, it's 20 minutes via longtail boat from Krabi Town to East Railay. From Au Nong, it's about 10 minutes to West Railay and Tonsai.

No vehicular traffic and a remote feel keeps the scene somewhat low-key. You won't find any of the 'cheese' that some other Thailand hotspots are famous for.

The Climbing

Climbing ranges from directly off the beach, to fantastic, fully bolted, multi-pitch climbs back in the jungle. There are a variety of guidebooks available and it would be wise to read at least one of these to learn about the climbs and the fixed gear. The environment here is harsh on metal, so knowing which bolts are best to clip, is very good for your health.

There are numerous climbing shops around and you can hire a guide for a half day or a week or more. It may be best to spend some time walking around the crags to see the guides in action. They're easy to spot as they are usually the ones shouting directions. Some are quieter than others. Choose one that fits your style. Gear is usually included when you hire a guide but it's also available for rent for those who travel light.

Climbing grades start at 6a, (5.10 YDS). Below this, there are only a handful of climbs and most are getting a bit polished due to their popularity. No need for a natural gear rack. This is pure sport climbing fun, with a mix of bolts and natural thread runners.

West Railay (sunset side) is the most upscale, including some truly fantastic homes for rent at The Railay Beach Club. East Railay is more middle-of-the-road, where you will find lots of mid-priced accommodations. Tonsai is popular with the budget backpacker, with super cheap bamboo huts up the hillside. You can walk around to every beach. Tonsai is the furthest; about 20 minutes walk from East Railay.

What else to do

There are plenty of activities to fill your rest days. Sea kayaks are available for rent and most will include snorkeling gear. West Railay and Phranang beach are the best for swimming and sunbathing. For those with more energy, there are a few hikes worth taking, including one to a hidden lagoon. Don't do this hike in the rain though. The red clay soil turns into slick plastic when wet and the hike down is quite steep. Longtail boats are available for hire to visit the many beautiful islands in the area. Island trips usually include lunch and snorkeling gear.

When to go

The high season runs from mid November to the end of April. Prices are higher during this time and are reduced as much as half in the low season. Low season starts in May and is generally rainier, but you can always find some time to climb regardless of the month. The summer (May-September) may even be cooler than the high season (November to April). Climbing in the early morning is best during the hottest months, followed by a relaxing afternoon.

If climbing is your passion and you enjoy a relaxed atmosphere in an exotic locale. Then, Thailand must be on your to-do list. Another plus - the food is certainly as delicious as the climbing!

Vilano Beach - North Florida's Best Kept Secret

As Spring brightens into Summer, it's not unusual to see a stream of luggage-laden cars rolling down Interstate 95 for some fun in the sun. Each year sees thousands on thousands of tourists heading to Florida, maybe for a trip to Disney World or any of the Atlantic Coast's beautiful beaches. Others may opt for a more cultural experience with a vacation in St. Augustine. While Old City offers a charm and high level of hospitality that is definitely unmatched, she hides a secret that is certain to charm visitors into an extended stay. Just a short drive from the central business and tourist district is beautiful Vilano Beach.

Once a luxury destination for the well-to-do of the early twentieth century, Vilano Beach sits on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, two miles from St. Augustine and near the Tolomato River. Where the area once boasted a large Mediterranean villa resort for sun-hungry northern tourists, Vilano stands today as a vibrant residential beach community, yet there is still much for visitors to enjoy in between sightseeing in St. Augustine and Jacksonville.

The prime advantage to spending time in Vilano Beach as opposed to central and southern Florida destinations is...well, the beach! Unlike Daytona and Cocoa Beach, the crowds aren't quite as large, leaving you with more breathing and sunbathing room. The temperatures maintain a year-round warmth as well, so there's never a bad time to spread out the blanket and sit for a spell.

And food? The Vilano area happens to boast some of the best seafood restaurants in the region. Get your fill of local catch and raw bar specialties at favorites like Salt Water Cowboys, Cap's on the Water, Kingfish Grill, and The Reef. You'll enjoy an unspoiled waterfront view as you dine, and if you come at the right time you may get to try the tastiest delicacies from the Florida waters - succulent tiger shrimp, wahoo, and even alligator tail!

If you want the excitement of a Florida vacation without the sensation of feeling packing in with other out-of-towners, Vilano Beach offers a few lodging alternatives to the skyscraper beach hotels of Daytona. You will find some hotels along A1A and near the waterways, but Vilano is best known for their comfortable vacation rentals. This is the perfect solution for an extended Florida vacation which gives you good access to St. Augustine, Jacksonville, Daytona, and Orlando. The possibilities for day trips are endless, but Vilano offers so much serenity you may just want to stay here.

The next time you think Florida, think Vilano Beach for a relaxing trip you'll never forget.