Travel to Thailand

By: Andy Burrows

Phuket's natural beauty, thriving international community and pristine beaches set it apart fro Thailand’s other resorts. Even after the tsunami of 2004, the communities consolidated efforts have succeeded in holding on to almost all of the former clout as a tourist hub. The tourist industry here is second to none, and visitors are always well catered for, no matter their preferences or background.

Adventure sports

Adventure sports are top-notch in Phuket, and due to the island's status as one of Asia's top tourist destinations, the offerings and equipment are first rate as well. The adrenaline sports of Phuket are all about getting a new perspective on things. Nothing affords this better than perching on the back of an elephant and traipsing through the jungle or taking a plunge under the care of Thailand's only licensed bungee jump operator. There's also a shooting range on the island and it's possible to join guided ATV tours headed to remote beaches and into the hills on the island's interior. Less jostling go-kart rides can be taken in most of the major towns.

Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre

The Gibbon Fund is found on the Royal Reserve on the same land as the Bang Pae Waterfall. This project takes domesticated gibbons and makes every effort to reintroduce them into the wild. To date, three families have been successfully grafted back into their natural environment, and lucky visitors can catch sight of these primates among the trees.

Water sports

The beaches at Phuket are world-renown for their clear and calm Andaman waters. Visitors arriving on the island have the opportunity to enjoy water-related sports and activity which are central to a stay in Phuket. Diving and snorkelling present a wonderful vantage point on the underwater environment. To take in the vistas directly above sea level, there are mooring areas all over the island with the possibilities of sailing lessons, dinner cruises, fishing expeditions and kayaking. Those who wish to raise themselves high above the water can gain a new perspective on the island while parasailing.

Island hopping

The Thai islands of the Andaman Sea are known around the world for their beauty and glamour. A couple of them have been featured in James Bond films, with another having appeared in the Hollywood film, The Beach. Boats can be chartered to every one of the islands in the archipelago, and some of them offer modern amenities and accommodation, while others remain remote and relatively untouched. Some of the most staggering views can be found around these more primitive islands and can be comfortably enjoyed from the boat, some of which are sleeper-equipped. Islands like Phi Phi have plenty of accommodation to offer guests.

Waterfalls

The three major waterfalls of Phuket are all worthy of their own daytrip. Ton Sai is a picturesque waterfall surrounded by palm trees. Kathu Waterfall is located farther inland and many visitors choose to stop here and enjoy a picnic or a swim in its cool pools. Bang Pae Waterfall sits on the land of the Gibbon Fund and visitors to this stretch of land can enjoy the scenic waterfall along with the added possibility of catching sight of a gibbon in its natural surroundings.

Eating out

What better reason to travel to Thailand than to enjoy the endless supply of Thai food? The
abundance of fresh seafood only enhances this draw in Phuket, where the tourist scene rolls out a full menu of possibilities ranging from Thai favourites to international specialties. Quality dishes can be found at the food stalls and small restaurants as well as at the resorts and five-star hotels. The most authentic food is found away from the beaches.

Shopping

While Phuket's shopping scene is as exhaustive as the markets in Bangkok, there are still plenty of opportunities for bargain shoppers, antique hunters and more mainstream shoppers seeking souvenirs. Leather goods, ceramics, jewellery and clothing are in steady supply. It's even possible to get fitted by a tailor and have some clothes custom-made during your stay.

Thai kick boxing

Muay Thai is Thailand's contribution to the martial arts scene. This form of kick boxing has been developed and honed in Thailand for centuries, recognised today for its highly effective moves. Exhibitions take place in Phuket Town every Friday night. Meanwhile, those who wish to study Muay Thai will find training gyms located in Phuket as well as at Rawai and Chalong.

Temples

There are a few Buddhist temples, or wats, on the island. Most of them are easily accessed from the main roads, and local taxi drivers will readily know them all. Shoes should be removed and shoulders and knees covered before entering a Thai temple. Some of the well-reputed temples include Pra Nahng Sahng, Pra Tong, Put Jaw, Jui Tui and Sanjao Sam San. Wat Chalong is probably the most popular with tourists, with its many murals, unusual design and modern pagodas.

Promthep Cape

Promthep Cape has been widely photographed over the years, mostly for its spectacular scenery and beautiful sunsets. It's also worth a visit to take a look at the peculiar shrine which locals adorn with miniature elephants as a means of making merit. There's also a statue that was built in honour of the Thai prince who modernised the country's navigational methods and founded a maritime school in the 19th century.
About the Author
Andy Burrows is an Asian travel specialist who writes about online travelling. He recommends; http://www.1stopphuket.com/ and http://www.1stopphuket.com/what_to_see/island/

Published At: www.Isnare.com

By: Peter R Stewart

A Krabi Holiday at the Pimalai Resort and Spa Koh Lanta, Krabi really begins at Krabi pier after your long international flight when you catch the hotel’s cruiser that will take you to Lanta Yai.

After a short but comfortable trip of around 50 minutes you will arrive to find a waiting buggy at the pier. This will gently wind its way up the hill, stopping to allow you to enjoy the view.

Pimalai is spectacular and the view of Ba Kan Tiang Bay is simply amazing, and you will already be glad you have picked this hotel in Krabi for your Thai Holidays, and that will be even before properly arriving!!.

Reception at the Pimalai is behind a small lilly filled pool with fountains, you will find reception and a cold towel, a cool refreshing drink and a garland of jasmine will greet you, before you will be escorted to your accommodation

Luxury is the keyword here which is why the Pimalai has a reputation as one of the top resorts and spas to be found in Thailand, and absolutely right for a Thailand Honeymoon.

There is a variety of accommodation available from the superior rooms in sixteen clusters of two storey buildings, each room has 48 square metres of living space, followed by the Deluxe Rooms with views of Ba Kan Tiang Bay and has more than 70 square metres of living space.

There are a number of one bedroom suites, and these Pavilion Suites have 110 square metres of living space, and then there are the two bedroom Pavilion Suites measuring 170 square metres.

Finally the luxury extends to one, two, and three bedroomed Beach Villas , the two and three bedroom villas having their own infinity pool.

All accommodation units are beautifully furnished with the TV/DVD/CD systems you would expect in a world class resort.

When it comes to eating the main restaurant the Ban Pimalai offrers breakfast lunch and dinner overlooking the infinity pool and the bay, and you can choose Thai or western.

Spice and Rice restaurant is very elegant and air-conditioned, offering Thai cuisine.

The Rak Talay Bar & restaurant is open from before lunch to almost midnight and offers everything from snacks, pizzas, to grilled seafood.

As you would expect there is a pool bar and a lobby bar, and food in the restaurants is good, plus the fact there is enough variety not to let you get bored

It is fair to say that the prices for food and drink in the hotel are high, but then you expect that when you are in a top five star Thai hotel. If this is a problem to you there is a nearby solution in the beach restaurant Same Same but Different, or the Baan Lanta, and the laid back Why Not Bar all within walking distance of the hotel.

The Spa is a great experience, not to be missed and is especially geared to couples which is one of the reasons it is such a great place for a Thailand Honeymoon.

Some people might find the Pimalai too isolated, but it really is a Thai Krabi Holiday Paradise. The staff are helpful, and friendly if you are friendly. Some people seem to get a status attack when they go to luxury hotels, and then complain the staff are not obliging, and wonder why!!

If you ar interested in more reviews about Thai Hotels go to http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com/categories/Far-East-Hotels/Thailand/
About the Author
Peter Stewart writes about in Kenya Safaris as well as Worldwide Vacation Spots He also recommends Travel Tennis a great Game to play on Holiday.

Published At: www.Isnare.com

The city meets this demand admirably with a plethora of venues dedicated to satisfying the needs of the hungry and thirsty. A large number of establishments are aimed specifically at tourists, while others continue to provide the same fare to the same Thai clientele that they always have.

For lunch, fast food lovers will find the City Grill restaurant on Walking street a good call, with its excellent selection of burgers, hot dogs and similar fare, while Bob's BBQ & Grill makes some pretty awesome Wagon Wheel burgers and tasty barbecued ribs. In addition, a branch of the famous chain Subway is located on Pattaya Klang road and sells the usual impressive selection of hearty sandwich creations.

For a lunch with a distinctly English flavour, Pat’s restaurant on soi 3 is well -known for its fish and chips, pie and chips and Sunday roasts, while the Queen Victoria Inn on soi 6 has favourites like shepherd's pie, ploughman's lunch and Cumberland sausage with mash.

Come sunset, hunger will be creeping up on you again and it’ll be time to find an evening dining destination. The selection in this category is a good deal wider than that of lunchtime venues, with many establishments only opening their doors for evening business including many Thai eateries of the roadside variety.

The stalls of Thai food vendors are ideal places at which to find cheap and authentic local cuisine. As long as you don’t mind the absence of competent English speakers and the grit and grime of the roadside setting, these stalls are great places to enjoy an evening meal.

If you still want Thai food but in a more pleasant environment, then Somsak on soi 1 offer authentic cuisine at affordable prices, while Baan Thai on Central road presents a nouvelle cuisine approach to Thai food (and its prices reflect this). For dining alongside live performances, head for PIC Kitchen on soi 5 or Adam & Eve’s at Sabai Jai Village, Sukumvit road.

International options in Pattaya are plentiful and include French, Belgian, German, English, Italian, Mexican, Japanese and Indian. While international establishments are invariably run by Thai staff, the proprietors are generally foreign and on hand to oversee operations.

Pattaya has a good selection of French eateries among which is Mon Ami Pierrot on Walking street and Au Bon Coin on soi 5 (the latter having the better reputation of the two). At Klein Vlaanderen on the Pattaya 2nd road customers can enjoy authentic Belgian cuisine, as they can at Patrick's Belgian situated at the Diana Arcade. Italian food is best enjoyed at either Duilio's on Central road or at Little Italy situated opposite the Royal Garden Plaza. Pattaya’s finest restaurants

For a good curry of the Indian variety, Ali Baba on Central road or Sher E Punjab on Beach road should fit the bill, while Yamato on soi Yamato is a safe bet for Japanese cuisine. Daidomon at Big C and the Royal Garden Plaza also offer Japanese food although they have a chain-restaurant feel. Finally, if it’s tacos and chili you are after try out the Mexican cuisine at either the Tequila Reef on soi 7 or the Blue Parrot on soi 2.

After dinner, the appeal of an ice cold beer or wine cooler at one of Pattaya’s watering holes may well encourage you to set off in search of the best spot at which to enjoy a pleasant drink. Depending on the kind of character you are after, you may want to take advantage of the city’s abundant girly-bar selection, a booming scene which dominates the main drinking area known as Walking street.

It is however possible to avoid the venues associated with this scene. Kilkenny's Irish Pub, for example, is a great little place to enjoy a drink with likeminded individuals, as is the Bamboo Bar on Walking street. On Beach road, the Hard Rock Café, Hopf Brew House and Rosie O'Grady's offer pleasant ambiences with no skin trade associations. For a pub with a traditional English atmosphere and beverages to match, try the Queen Victoria Inn on soi 6 of the Pattaya 2nd road, while Shenanigans, located on the same road, is a cheery Irish style venue.

To be entirely sure of avoiding the riff-raff and not having to be accosted by flirtatious young Thai ladies, visitors are advised to seek out the bars at the city’s respectable hotels such as the All Seasons on Pattaya 2nd road, Sheraton in Pattaya Hill, Royal Orchid Resort in North Pattaya and Marriot on Beach road. Best Pattaya bars While these venues are unlikely to raise the roof, they do offer quiet and upmarket settings where drinks may be pricey but the atmosphere is anything but cheap.

These hotels and others of a similar rating all have their own restaurants and it’s worthwhile considering enjoying a high quality meal of either Thai or international food in one of their dining suites before retiring for a relaxing drink in the bar.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/exotic-locations-articles/pattaya-the-best-of-the-citys-wining-and-dining-scene-224611.html