A Return to Koh Chang

For those of you living outside Thailand, Koh Chang is on the eastern coastline of Thailand, is in the province of Trat, and is the largest of all of the eastern islands.

It is probably only in the last five or six years that the island has been attracting international tourists. However, tourism has certainly now taken off, and Koh Chang is attracting a complete cross section of tourists. On this visit, amongst others, I met backpackers from Latvia and Israel, restauranteurs visiting from Italy, and a couple who clearly had more than a few bob in the bank.

The hotel industry, and the locals, have done well to provide accommodation for such a large range of tourists. I actually heard from a “local”; he was actually from Wales a long time ago, that room rates range from a tad under B500 (US$1=35.5Baht) per night all the way up to B35,000!

Having decided to go to Koh Chang for a long weekend on my birthday; I am one of the lucky ones whose birthday always falls on a public holiday (October 23rd, the memorial day of Rama V, otherwise known as King Chulalongkorn Day), I headed to Ekamai bus station.

This time I selected the correct bus company, Chedchai Tours, bought my B275 one way ticket to Trat. Cherchai Tours have the blue and white buses. Do not take the blue and white buses with the red paint job. The latter stop everywhere and anywhere, and generally take up to two hours longer than Cherdchai Tours!

Five hours later, I was dropped off in a small town near to Trat, where you are met by the friendly people from “Orange Taxi”, who mainly run, surprise, surprise, orange pick ups. They provide you with your transportation to and from the ferry to Koh Chang, and also the return ferry ticket as well.

The ferry ride is excellent, offering an outstanding view as you arrive on Koh Chang. There you are met by a bevy of pick ups, which take you, and nine other fellow passengers per pick up, to approximately where you want to go. On this occasion, I was heading to White Sands beach, which is the first of many beaches on the western coast of the island.

Dropped off at the Paloma Resort, I was met by my “friend”, Khun Oy, who took me to her bar for a few beers, some local food, and of, course, a few games of pool! I have been told that the Paloma offers first-rate accommodation, but I prefer to stay at the small bungalows that still exist on Koh Chang, despite the construction of more modern hotel/resort complexes. A reasonable bungalow, with air-con, cable T.V., and hot/cold shower costs around B750 per night.

Koh Chang offers a complete range of activities. Island hopping, fishing, diving, snorkeling, and kayak trips, elephant trekking, guided walks to some fairly impressive waterfalls, chilling out on beautiful beaches, to name a few!

My activity of choice this time was the off road ATV’s, or All Terrain Vehicles. Brilliant fun, providing a reasonable adrenalin rush, and also offering some superb views. ATV Tours can be found at Chai Chet, near to Klong Prao beach. Apologies to ATV Tours, but I have lost your number! However, their leaflets can be found all over Koh Chang.

If gastronomy is one of your favorite pastimes, then Koh Chang will not disappoint you. You name the food style, you can find it there! My favorite place to eat is called “Thai & Isaan Food”. It may have a more formal name, but that was all I could translate from the sign outside the “restaurant”. Don’t expect comfortable surroundings from three shop-houses combined into one large eatery. However, the food is outstanding, has Thai, and loosely translated English menus, and is exceptionally reasonable priced. Sufficient for five people, we chose sweet & sour snapper, prawn green curry, an incredibly spicy Isaan yam (salad), vegetables, and much more. With a couple of large bottles of “beer Leo”, the cost was just around B700.

The eatery can be found on the southern side of White Sands beach, going up the slope, with KCTV (Koh Chang TV) on the left, “Thai & Isaan Food” is another twenty-five meters on the opposite side of the road. Happy eating!

As usual, a big hello to my friends at the Thailand Web Zone, www.thailandwebzone.com, which is a new Thai social networking and Thailand community site. Share information in Thai forums and Thailand articles, meet people, share photos, music and video, find & submit information on Thailand travel. Make new friends from all over the world! For those readers who have not visited TWZ, go have a look now!

A Journey Through Cambodia

Cambodia. Known as The Heart of Darkness, it is one of the most heavily land mined countries in the world. With its history of genocide and war, it is not the first place that people think of traveling to when planning a vacation. However Cambodia is a country that has a lot to offer the adventurous traveler. Less crowded than Thailand, its neighbor to the west, it has everything a tourist could want.

Temples, beaches, jungle, culture and nightlife; it will keep you busy for weeks on end.

Entering Cambodia by bus from Thailand, you will instantly feel the difference between the two countries. The smooth paved tarmac from Bangkok gives way to bumpy dirt roads with giant potholes. You suddenly feel as though you are in the Wild West of South East Asia.

The rough ride is worth the bruises though. Once you arrive at Seam Reap to see the countries main attraction, Angkor Wat you will forget all about your suffering. Built in the 12 century by the Khmer Empire it has endured centuries of rain and war.

Mother nature has almost swallowed it up as trees and vegetation grow right through some of the temples floors and walls. Great efforts have been made in restoration over the years and many temples have been restored to their original grandeur. The Main Temple of Angkor Wat is in pristine condition and is a breathtaking sight to see. Its three main towers jut into the air as high as 66 meters (215 ft) from its 1 square km base.  The fascinating temple of Ta Prom has been left in its original state with vines and roots twisting through the complex as trees rise through its roof.

One can spend days exploring the temples of Angkor. 108 buildings cover 500 acres of land. You can hire a tuk tuk or rent a bicycle to move you through the grounds with ease and take you to the outer temples. Whether you walk up to the top of the main temple of Angkor Wat, take a hot air balloon ride over the ruins or sit high on Bakheng Hill to watch sunset over the complex, you will be mesmerized by its scope and beauty.

Once you have had your fill of temples, it is time to head to the country’s capitol Phnom Penh. Take a stroll along the waterfront of the Mekong River and check out the grand Royal Palace. Try some fried insects at the Central Market or head over to street 51 to party the night away at The Heart of Darkness Bar.

The most compelling and profoundly moving sight in Phnom Pen is the Toul Sleng Museum. Not for the faint of heart, this former school building is a reminder of just how cruel the human race can be. It was here that Pol Pot’s army held prisoners and tortured them until they gave names of family and friends who in turn were arrested. People were detained for the simple reason of being a scholar, a teacher, and a student. Anyone who posed a threat to the Khmer Rouge was rounded up and killed. 2 Million people were murdered during Pol Pots reign and the Toul Sleng museum documents this crime in great detail.

Many people were taken from Toul Sleng to the Killing Fields, 15 km outside of Phnom Penh. It was here that the worst atrocities of the time occurred. Men, women and children were lined up and murdered here by the thousands. A large monument housing the skulls of the victims stands in the centre of it all, honoring the people who gave their life.

It is a devastating place to visit, but as with everything in life, without the knowledge of history, we cannot learn from our past. As difficult as it is to see, it does an honor to the people to have their memory preserved and have their stories told.

The Killing Fields are situated on a beautiful sight. Farmland and forests surround the property and it is a gentle reminder when you hear children playing nearby, that life does go on.

After such an emotional ordeal, a good place to go and clear your mind is Sihanoukville. Cambodia’s beach town is chill and relaxing. Local children play in the warm water and girls walk by selling fruit and seafood. Take a snorkeling trip out to the islands or eat at one of the many restaurants. Its beautiful beaches are lined with grassy huts and lush vegetation.

After you have had your fill of sun and sand head to Kampot to cool down. This quiet town on the Kampong Bay River is a nice change of pace from the bustling Sihanoukville. Enjoy a Tiger Beer at one of the restaurants on the water, or walk through the quiet streets to see the colonial architecture.

You can book a day trip to Bokor Hill from Kampot. A former French Hill Station, it sits high in the Elephant Mountains overlooking the Bay of Thailand. It is an eerie feeling walking around the abandoned Casino, but you can imagine the grandeur that it once was. A guided walk through the jungle to the waterfall is an added adventure to the already harrowing truck ride up the mountain.

Visiting Cambodia is a magical travel. The people are friendly and welcoming, its temples are the best in the world and its beaches rival anywhere. Backpackers and tourists are quickly discovering this hidden gem and it is a bargain to travel through. For as little as $4 per night you can stay in a clean and comfortable room. Don’t waste time though; this unspoiled destination won’t last long.

A Visit to Japans Hot Springs

WHAT comes to your mind when you think of Japan? Majestic Mount Fuji? The speeding bullet train? The megalopolis Tokyo? There is more to the land of the rising sun than those famous tourist attractions. Whether for medicinal purposes or for relaxation, millions annually visit onsens—the hot springs of Japan. During one recent year, an estimated 140 million people checked in at a hot-spring inn or hotel in Japan. But what makes these spas so popular?

Onsen History

The Japanese have enjoyed bathing in geothermal waters for many centuries. Writings dating back to the eighth century C.E. mention the use of hot springs. Evidently, the 16th-century feudal lord Takeda Shingen championed the medicinal value of mineral springs. After battles, he and his samurai warriors bathed in hot springs to help heal sword wounds, broken bones, cuts, and bruises. The waters were also useful for relieving stress and for preparing the men for the next battle.

Of course, bathing would place the samurai in a vulnerable position—that of being unarmed in the event of a surprise attack. To overcome this problem, Takeda Shingen made use of a group of remote and secluded springs, which later came to be known as Shingen’s hidden baths. Interestingly, these same springs are now used by professional athletes, including sumo wrestlers and baseball players, in the belief that the waters can reinvigorate their bodies for future sporting endeavors.

Unique Geographic Features

Japan’s geographic features are particularly suited for thermal springs. Studding the surface of the archipelago are some 245 volcanoes, 86 of which are active. These volcanoes stand as a sobering reminder of events taking place deep beneath the surface of the earth. What do we find there?

The Japanese islands are situated on top of converging lithospheric plates, or slabs of crust. Magma, molten rock, is believed to be generated along the point of convergence of these gigantic plates. Located directly above—and functioning as visible outlets—are the volcanoes. This geothermal zone also serves as the fountainhead of heat to the underground springs. Interacting with magma or hot rocks, the groundwater is warmed and absorbs minerals, resulting in ideal conditions for onsens to be born. It is for good reason that the book The Hot Springs of Japan notes: “No country in the world is so blessed with natural hot springs as Japan.” Indeed, a 1998 study lists 2,839 hot springs in the land.

Japan’s hot springs come in a variety of styles, sizes, shapes, and colors. In an effort to classify the therapeutic value of the springs, the Japanese Environment Agency has organized them into nine chemical categories. The names given to hot springs often refer to their characteristics. For instance, springs rich in iron may make your towel turn reddish-orange. Hence, the word “red” is incorporated into their names. Springs with a high saline content are named salt baths. And how about taking a dip in an eel bath? Granted, this may not sound appealing. But do not worry. Eels are not really found in these springs. The name was chosen because when people emerge from these springs, their skin feels as slimy as that of an eel—a result of the alkalinity of the waters.

Amid Beautiful Settings

Soaking in thermal waters amid such beautiful settings as mountains, valleys, rivers, the seashore, and the plains makes for a uniquely pleasant experience and leaves an impression that will not be easily forgotten. Because many of Japan’s hot springs are located outdoors, bathers have a clear view of great natural beauty. The ceiling above is the deep-blue sky, while the surrounding mountains serve as walls. The sounds coming from this “outdoor room” can be a choir of birds singing in the morning or the melody of a gently flowing brook. Really, there seems to be no end to the appealing features of the hot springs.

Does bathing under a waterfall interest you? This experience can be yours. Cascading waters give you a massage and add another dimension to bathing Japanese-style. It is also possible to bathe in a cave, where hot mineral waters bubble forth from the deep recesses of rock formations. Some springs are located on the beach, with a perfect view of the sunset, whereas others are nestled alongside rivers.

No matter what the location or type of hot spring chosen, one thing is certain: If you bathe in volcanically heated springs, you will experience, if for but a moment, relief from the stress of daily living. You will emerge truly refreshed and perhaps a little closer to the Japanese life-style. So if you have an opportunity to visit this part of the world, by all means enjoy the onsens the hot springs of Japan!

Amazing Facts About Israel and Israel Tourism

Not too many people realize or appreciate how amazing Israel and Israel Tourism are. Why do I combine the terms together? Let me use just a few facts and figures to explain my point, which literally speak volumes.

Who would ever have imagined that a tiny country, against all odds and seen as an event without precedent in world history, that the people of Israel would return to their ancestral homeland, revive an ancient language (Hebrew) and establish a nation in an area of the world surrounded by hostile neighbors bent on its destruction and in a constant state of war since its founding?!

Although no bigger than the size of the state of New Jersey, do not let its size deceive you. Despite its “small” size, it is a modern, highly developed and advanced society, having a strong economy, formidable army, rich in history and culture.

Just for your information:

Israel is the only democratic nation in the region.

It has the largest number of scientists and technicians in the world.

An instrument to detect breast cancer, an ingestible video camera and a device that helps the heart pump blood are all Israeli innovations.

Israel has found ways to make the desert bloom, which includes a drip irrigation system designed to assist agricultural development in arid regions of the world, as well as raising fish in the desert,

Israel has the distinguished honor of specializing in immigrant absorption. Since its founding in 1948 Israel has successfully absorbed over three million Jews from all over the world. Israel took in almost 1 million Jews expelled from Arab and other Islamic countries from 1948 – 1960 without leaving them in “refugee camps”. No other country has ever resettled as high a percentage of refugees to total population.

A record 3.03 million people visited Israel in 2008. According to the Tourism Ministry, Israel is anticipating over 5,000,000 visitors by the year 2020.

Israel is a fascinating country. I am not saying this simply because I live here. I can not think of any modern day country in the world today that has accomplished so much in such a short span of time not only for its own people but for the sake of mankind as well. Transforming a desolate, malaria infested desert into a blooming, thriving and prosperous nation is, to put it mildly, nothing but a miracle!

Israel is a country full of amazing and dramatic contrasts. Israel’s western coast consists of beautiful “French Riviera” – style Mediterranean beaches. From the heights of Mt. Hermon in the north, Israel’s “Swiss Alps” in the Golan Heights, one descends to the lowest point on earth in the world – the Dead Sea – which happens to be one of 28 finalists in the New 7 Wonders of Nature competition.

Jerusalem’s Old City, which was reunited in June of 1967 in the most amazing and spectacular military operation of its kind in history, is the “heart and soul” as well as the spiritual center of the Jewish people. This is the place where King David ruled over the Jewish nation over 3000 years ago. This is the place where King Solomon build his majestic Temple, which if it stood today, for which Jews pray every day that we will merit that a third and final Temple be built to hail in the Messianic period, would have been regarded as The Wonder of the the World. As it states in the Babylonian Talmud: God bestowed on the world ten measures of beauty. Nine measures He gave to Jerusalem and one He gave to the rest of the world – Tractate Sukkah: 51-b.

In addition, the British, who were the temporary caretakers of the Holy Land prior to Israel’s declaration of Independence in 1948, recognized the uniqueness and holiness of Jerusalem. The legacy they left behind, which is still in effect to this very day, insists that all building, both public and private, be required to use Jerusalem stone facing.

On the other hand, just an hour a way, in the Tel Aviv area, you will find a world of skyscrapers, high-tech industries, modern, international airport and Israel’s diamond exchange, everything reminiscent of a highly developed industrialized society.

So, if you are looking for an incredible adventure, full of wonderful, meaningful and memorable experiences, Israel definitely is the place to be. You owe it, at least once in a lifetime, to yourself as well as to your family. Who knows, perhaps after your visit here your life may never be the same.

Beautiful Beaches

Beaches, the meeting between sea and land, they have an unique of mysterious nature. From there you can get your mind opened, that earth is very wide, beautiful, fun and spooky. Many words you can say about beaches. For your realize, many tourist come to countries, just to enjoy the beaches, feeling the sun and sand.

We are very lucky that our land located in tropical zone, great weather almost happened every month. Because of that, it attracting many tourist to come to sunbathing on our beaches. As you know our most famous beach is kuta beach, it has left many memories for tourists who came there. And also other beaches around bali, many international competition and activities have held there, from surfing competition, volleyball competition and international artist concert.

For us (hindus) beach is very sacred place, we believe it guarding us from disaster, so we have many processing or ceremony on beach. A message for beach traveller, please respect and keep your attitude while on the beach.

By it`s sand, beaches in Bali categorized into two beaches, they are white sand and black sand. Then, what are the best beaches in Bali? here are most visited:

– Kuta Beach @ Kuta

– Dreeamland Beach @ Bukit

– Nusa Dua Beach @ Nusa Dua

– Sanur Beach @ Sanur

– Uluwatu Beach @ Uluwatu

– Jimbaran Beach @ Jimbaran

– Medewi Beach @ Negara

I am sure that you know and have been one of them right? if not, prepare yourself to be part of our hospitality, enjoy the beautiful nature attraction here. have a nice travelling!

Just simple visit balitravelandtourism.com to get full information