Travel Journals

Known as the world’s largest public art event, the “EU Herd of Cows” sculpture exhibition opened on Thursday in Bangkok by Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Commission Dr. Friedrich Hamburger and Bangkok Governor Apiral Kosayothin at Emporium Shopping Complex.

Made of polyester, these 28 colourful life-size cow sculptures were created to represent 27EU member states and the European Union. Apart from promoting the presence of the EU in the world community, the event is part of the Europe Day celebration falling on May 9th. The sculpture exhibition also has other functions not necessarily political.

Dr.Hamburger said that it’s not only about trade, rules, regulations and treaties. It can also mean fun..Sanuk!!! Read the rest of this entry »

Alaska, the largest state of the 50, is crammed full of beautiful flora, landscape, and tourist hot spots. One affordable way to see it all is on an Alaska RV trip. Whether it’s the towering mountains of Denali National Park, the city life of Anchorage, or the electrifying Aurora Borealis that draws your attention, a motor home tour of the Land of the Midnight Sun is perhaps the easiest, most comfortable way to see the sights. So what does Alaska have to offer the motor home traveler? That’s a very broad question.

First off, why travel in a motor home or RV? Motor homes provide comfort and convenience for long distance traveling. No hotel rooms must be purchased, and it spares those of us that are spoiled from having to camp out in a tent while visiting the parks. If you don’t own your own motor home, RV’s can be rented from many companies located in the many cities of Alaska. Make sure you reserve one early, though. Motor homes tend to sell out during the peak summer season. Once the motor home situation has been solved, you’re ready to tour.

Alaska has over 15 national parks, monuments, and preserves. Each park contains many hiking, biking, and driving trails. These parks provide the perfect opportunity to observe the landscape, wildlife, and flora. The world renowned Denali National Park lies in the heart of the Alaskan mainland. Denali is home to the 20,300 foot high Mt. McKinley, the United States highest mountain peak. The park houses many grizzly bears, caribou, and moose. Other parks, such as Glacier Bay, Wrangell St. Elias, and Kenai fjords, all surround Denali, making the heartland of Alaska an appealing area to hiking enthusiasts.

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San Pedro is the major commerce center of Ambergris Caye Belize. It is a major world tourist destination and has the largest concentration of tourist facilities and accommodations in Belize. Everything from hotels to dive shops provides everything you need to enjoy this beautiful Caribbean island. The year round population of 4000 will double during the peak tourist season but you not see crowded beaches and facilities.

The town consists of small colored houses on sand streets immediately adjacent to the clear blue sea. Sea breezes and trade winds provide all the cooling necessary. Small hotels, guest houses and condos are spread throughout the town. Most common modern conveniences are readily available. You have the choice of very modest to top of the line accommodations most of which are a few steps from the beach.

If you want a laid back comfortable shorts and tees Caribbean vacation at a fairly modest price then San Pedro Town is the spot. Many people feel the fishing, snorkeling and diving could not be better anywhere. If you are a type A personality then we suggest that you look elsewhere. The locals are mostly Mexican but speak English fairly well. The North end of Ambergris Caye is separated from Mexico by a narrow channel that was reportedly dug by the Mayan’s hundreds of years ago. Read the rest of this entry »

Traveling to the Philippines can be one of the most self-rewarding vacations you can take this year. Whether it is by yourself or a friend or significant other, the getaway of your dreams may be tucked away in the thousands of islands that make up this pacific gem. While my travels were limited to myself and a significant other, traveling there alone may be just the ticket you’re after. I could bless the Philippines with songs of praise about its tasty foods, rich diversity, and complete affordability as far as a vacation hotspot should go; I must also address and immediately dispel any and all rumors about traveling there either alone or in a group.

The Philippines, like most south Asian countries, has a HUGE and insanely profitable sex tourism industry. An assumption made of most foreigners traveling to the Philippines is that they are there to soak up a piece of that industry. Whatever your intentions, don’t let me belay you. If it is earthly pleasures you’re after you can jump ship at Manila and never step a foot farther. If, however, you’re seeking more than just the fruit of the flesh, take a tip from me and spend exactly one day in the tourist district of Manila. Two days at most but no longer than you need to be. While Manila is a HUGE and wonderful sprawling metropolis of diversion and food, you must (imperative stressed) get out of the city and move to the areas in the countryside which offer more fun with different activities at much cheaper rates.

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It your idea of a holiday is centered on fun & relaxation then the Finger Lakes is very much the place you’ve being looking for. Finger Lakes derives its name for the fact that it is formed by the presence of 7 lakes and 4 other little bodies of water all of which are long in length, similar to those of a finger. The 2 principal lakes, Cuyuga Lake & Seneca Lake are steeply deep.

For different families, lake holidaying can mean different things. Finger lake for most will mean the chance to relax near water bodies, to enjoy waterscapes and take part in the many water sports activities which a trend of sorts. But Finger lake has its share of history & culture too that is equally interesting and enjoyable.

Activities at Finger Lakes

There are so many different things to do at this place that putting then in here will not be possible, we can only draw an outline for you. The onus lies on a family, as they are the ones who will decide as to what kind of holiday they’d like to have. You want a holiday that’s based on history, sport activities or simple relaxation.

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Fiscal policy will play a more important role than monetary measures in stimulating Thailand’s economy next year, according to Kasikorn Research Center.

So, another key mission of the government is to accelerate restoring private-sector confidence so that the private spending returns to play a key role in driving the Thai economy, said KRC.

Khao Lak sub-district in Phang Nga province was one of the most seriously affected areas when the tsunami hit the Andaman coastal provinces on Boxing Day three years ago.

Three years after the nightmarish tsunami, tourism in Khao Lak is apparently back to normal. Holiday makers enjoying sunbathing are becoming a common sight again.

According to Prasert Chanphon-ngarm, Chairman of the Tourism Business Association of Phang Nga, the number of foreign tourists in 2007 doubled compared to 2006. In fact, Khao Lak is hosting as many tourists as it did before the tsunami hit.
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This painting depicts memories of 63-year-old Vann Nath from his days of captivity under the Khmer Rouge. Prisoners were confined to a metal bar. Almost everyday prisoners died. Their corpses were not taken away immediately. Those still alive had to sleep and eat alongside the bodies, knowing the same thing could happen to them.

As the painter Vann Nath can well portray the ill-fated detainees as he was among those confined to a metal bar.
Vann Nath is one of seven survivors- three of which are still alive today- of the dreadful Khmer Rouge’s secret prison where 14,000 men, women and children were interrogated, tortured and executed during 1975 and 1979.
Vann Nath was tortured and nearly killed. Fortunately, his painting skills saved his life, as he was put to work painting and sculpting portraits of the regime’s leader, Polpot.
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Whoever comes across this city market of Nonthaburi province, just 15 kilometres south of Bangkok, might be very surprised to see traditional tricycles standing out in roads crowded with modern cars.

Thavee Peungjab , a rider of atraditional tricycle for more than 20 years, said the tricycle was his life companion. Each day he earned around 800 baht, which was enough to feed all members of his family.
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Thousands of young people recently turned up on the first day of applications for a singing contest named “The Star”.

Many of them were seen arriving at the venue before dawn, willing to wait several hours before the registration counter was opened at 9 o’clock in the morning.

Young people sitting or even lying in a long queue has a common sight at registration venues of new-star-search contests like The Star, Academy Fantasia, Dutchie Boys and Girls, to name just a few.
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