Sunday, September 5, 2010

Bankok - Thailand Hot Spots

By: Milan Matchev



(ArticlesBase SC #47132)


Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - Bankok - Thailand Hot Spots



BANKOK - SOME FACTS


If you visit any destination in South East Asia, it may be imperative that you pass through Bangkok. Bangkok has a strange nature of evoking extreme sense of likes and dislikes amongst visitors. A few seem to loathe it while many others swear that it is the most wonderful, fascinating and exciting places on earth. Actually, Bangkok tends to be what a particular visitor wants it to be. Bangkok is a picture post-card haven with beautiful pagodas, pagodas and some of the world's finest hotels. Bangkok's renowned for it's nightlife in the Orient with an opportunity to savor some of world's most unique cuisines. Bangkok is a favorite and best shopping destination in South East Asia.


Bangkok inhabitants are known as Thais and their friendly ways would flatter the snootiest traveler. Bangkok is all in all, a load of fun and games and a great way to enjoy a civilized vacation. Thailand's history emerges from the Bronze Age, whereas Bangkok, the capital is a young city founded in 1782. With a population of around 6 million, 50% of them are under 30. Bangkok lies on the banks of the river "Chao Phraya", a wonderful working waterway full of sampans, wide variety of boats and rice barges.


Bangkok is a beautiful mix of the old and the new, the modern and the ancient evident from its skyline that comprises of Buddhist temples (wats), luxury hotels, high-rise office buildings and shopping malls making it a kaleidoscope. Under the thin veneer of new found Western influence you will find that the Thais are not devoid of traditional values. The sights of ubiquitous street food sellers, monks on morning begging rounds and women stringing jasmine blossoms on thread near wats will display the cultural heritage of Thailand that is not lost in the arc lights of modernity.


MAJOR ATTRACTIONS IN BANKOK


Bangkok is packed with more attractions per square mile than any other city in the world. Despite the crowds, the architecture and the attractions are worth the effort to travel and see. On the top of the list would be Wat Phra Khao and the Grand Palace for sightseeing for half a day. This can include the National Museum and the Wat Pho. Chinatown, Bangkok's major attractions has a unique traditional life untouched by modern civilization and could be fascinating. Historical sites like Rattanakosin Island (central point when Bangkok was founded) are also worth visiting. The main symbolic places of Bangkok are Wat Arun on the Chao Phraya River.


Cross the Chao Phraya to reach Thonburi and you can tour the klongs to appreciate the heritage and culture of the country of Thailand. The Vimanmek Palace, restored by Queen Sirikit, made of golden teak emphasizes the exquisite taste and oriental splendor of ancient Thai royal life.


TOURING AROUND BANKOK


The easier way to explore the country would be put up base in Bangkok and explore the region by using the interesting and unusual daytrips.


Ayutthaya & Bang Pa-In: This probably is the most popular day trip from Bangkok and takes you to visit the Ayutthaya (A-you-ta-ya), the previous and old capital of Thailand, about 50 miles north of Bangkok, the current capital. Ayutthaya has served as the second capital of the Kingdom of Siam for over 400 years. Travellers in the past have described the glittering palaces, temples and Buddhist images depicting it as one of the most beautiful cities on the planet. In an unfortunate event the Burmese burned the glories of this city in 1767. In Ayutthaya, you could hire a tuk tuk along with an English-speaking guide to take you around the celebrated temples (cost could be in the range of 250 bahts). You can also hire a long-tail boat for cruising the 12-mile Chao Phraya River trip that ends at the king's summer palace at Bang Pa-In (300 bahts).


Many such trips are available to be taken. Bangkok never ceases to amaze and so giving an approximate time frame of the trip becomes difficult. You could get there, relax, and see for yourself what Bangkok has to offer. May be you could go back when you have more time, or to see the rest of it. The magnetism of Bangkok is such that despite having been there many a time, travelers tend to come back.


To ensure your vacation recipe is complete, add in that special sprinkle of a Thailand vacation rental. Book Thailand Vacation Rentals matching your criteria. These vacation rentals are presented by their owners or managers.


About the Author


Find vacation home rentals in Thailand with http://www.thailand-vacationrentals.com - comprehensive directory of independently owned vacation rental properties. Every Thailand vacation home for rent features direct contact for the property owner/agent along with photos, property amenities and services, rates and much more.






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Top 10 Reasons Why you Should Book a Holiday to Malta

By: Edward Penza




Malta is a small island state in Europe, in the middle of the Mediterranean and is a popular holiday destination for many Europeans, mostly from the U.K., Germany, Italy, France and Holland. Tourists visit the island for various reasons and the island offers a variety of facets that will be of interest for most types of travellers. This article provides you with the top 10 reasons why booking Malta holidays is a great idea, not only for next summer’s holiday season but all year round!





10. Language and money in Malta





The Maltese have their own language (‘Maltese’) but the country has two official languages, with the second official language being English. Malta was under British rule for 160 years, gaining independence in 1964, but leaving the Maltese with a relatively strong knowledge of the English language, although Maltese is much more widely spoken and is the mother tongue for the vast majority of Maltese. For English speaking tourists this means that communication is almost no problem, which is definitely a benefit when on holiday. Although at the moment the Maltese Lira is still the only valid currency, the Euro will be introduced on January 1st, 2008 and many retailers in tourist areas already accept Euros for cash payment.





9. Sports and leisure activities during your Malta holidays





Malta is a great location for a variety of sports, including hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, para gliding, wind surfing and yachting. Plenty of activities to keep you entertained, no matter the time of year. Most materials needed for these sports are available for low-priced rent and there are various locations on the islands where these sports can be exercised. Gozo is a particularly popular location for rock climbing, thanks to its steep cliffs, and mountain biking thanks to its quiet roads and excellent hill climbs.





Events, such as pop concerts and theatre shows, but also historical re-enactments such as In Guardia are popular among both tourists and locals and provide great entertainment for the whole family. Are you a fan of watching sports? Don’t worry about missing any big matches or events – satellite reception is widely used by the more popular pubs and there are plenty of appetizers and beer around to enjoy your favourite sports.





8. Getting around in Malta is easy and cheap!





Don’t you hate it when you go for a holiday and it takes you ages to get to the beach or to visit a few cities, museums? Don’t you hate it when it takes a whole day to take one excursion, when you waste so much time on travelling from place to place which makes you wonder whether it was even worth the hassle? If your answer is yes, then Malta is definitely the holiday destination for you. It takes less than an hour to get from one side to the island to the other and there’s such a high concentration of places of interest, beaches, holiday resorts and places for entertainment (restaurants, clubs, cinemas etc.), you’ll wish you’d have known about Malta earlier!





A lot of tourists decide to visit Malta a second time and sometimes more, simply for the reason that there’s just so much to do and to see, and it takes so little money and time to get around and spend quality holiday time.





7. Gozo offers a peaceful setting for your Malta holidays





Malta is not just about Malta. Yes, that’s right, The Republic of Malta also covers Gozo, which is Malta’s sister island and is said to be the island that Malta used to be a long time ago – rural, quiet and untouched. Gozo is a great place for a peaceful (family or couples) holidays, with beautiful beaches and countryside views. Visit the capital Victoria, with its Citadel in the centre – a fortified part of the village which used to offer the inhabitants of Gozo shelter against foreign invaders, similar to Mdina’s surrounding walls on the main island Malta. The seaside town of Xlendi is a popular tourist destination, offering a beautiful view of its bay surrounded by high cliffs. Ramla l-Hamla and San Blas Bay are beautiful beaches to go for a swim, one being larger and busier, the other being more secluded and more difficult to get to (steep hill descent) but much worth the effort.





As of recent, a shuttle bus service is available, taking you straight from the airport to the ferries in the Northern most tip of the island of Malta, making arrangements for a Gozo holiday a little easier to plan for.





6. Malta has a rich culture and heritage





Throughout the ages, the Maltese islands have seen various foreign rulers coming and going, and leaving behind their stamps on Maltese culture. As a result, Malta is soaked in culture and heritage and offers a large number of cultural and historical sites in very short distances from each other, making Malta a unique place in the world map of culture and heritage. Both in the Maltese language and culture remnants of Phoenician, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs, Turks, French and English invaders can still be found today and this melting pot of cultures is of interest to many tourists visiting the Maltese islands on holiday.





5. Good quality hotels and accommodation





Good quality hotels and self-catering apartments are widely available at very reasonable prices. Package deals are usually the way to go, but booked separately the cost versus quality of accommodation is very good. The main areas for holiday resorts are St. Julian’s, Bugibba/Qawra, and Sliema, which are all situated in the Northern part of Malta. Accommodation in St. Julian’s is recommended if you enjoy spending your nights going out but, being close to the nightlife hub of Malta, is not advisable for couples and family who are looking for peace and serenity. For those travellers, places like Mellieha and St. Paul’s Bay are much better places to stay.





4. Malta is an all year round destination





A flight from London to Malta takes less than three hours, but the difference in climate is huge. Mild winters and warm summers with an average temperature of 32C means excellent weather for both hot summer holidays as well as great holiday weather in winter, to escape from the cold back home. There are plenty of activities to keep you entertained all year round and for example hiking is a popular way of spending days out in the countryside in winter, enjoying the scenery and serenity. Most cultural and historical hotspots are open all year round, and although open air clubs don’t open during the winter months, nightlife in Malta goes on throughout the whole year.





3. Malta offers a great nightlife to complement your daily activities





Nights out on the town are a ton of fun, since Malta hosts a true clubbing hub that goes by the name of Paceville (St. Julian’s) and which offers a large number of clubs which are situated literally door to door and which play different genres of music to suit everyone’s tastes. Open air clubs, however, are what makes clubbing in Malta rather special. Spending your warm summer nights dancing to the latest club and trance anthems or smooth R&B and hiphop beats under the stars is just something else and a must do on your holiday to Malta.





2. Malta holidays now come with cheap flights





That’s right – low cost airlines have found Malta and offer dirt cheap flights to the island outside of the high season and regular cheap flights in summer. These airlines offer flights departing from a select number of places in Europe, such as London, Dublin, Barcelona, Oslo, Stockholm, Pisa (Italy) and Bremen (Germany). Look for airlines the likes of Ryanair, Norwegian Air Shuttle and Clickair, but don’t forget to check Malta’s national airline Air Malta, which regularly offers low cost flights to a much larger number of European destinations.





1. Malta holidays offer more than any other Mediterranean destination





You could say that the top reason for visiting Malta is a combination of all other reasons listed above: There are a lot of different things you can do during your holiday in Malta and you’ll never be bored if you get the right info. Baking in the sun on the beach is great for relaxation after a long year of work or school, but most people would prefer adding a little variety to the time they spend on holiday. So if you’d like to go somewhere else besides the beach, why not visit on the many places of interest around the island? Visit the old capital city of Mdina, for example, surrounded by bastions and oozing with history and an ambiance you’ll never forget. Why not take a trip to sister island Gozo, with its serene country views and attractions such as the Azure Window, a rock formation sculpted by the sea.





Evenings will never be boring when you know where to go. There is plenty of choice when it comes to dining out, as quality restaurants can be found in most parts of the island. Wine bars and pubs are also popular in Malta and provide quality wines and both local and international lagers, beers and various popular brands of liquor. There’s plenty of opportunity for clubbing and open air clubs and parties are a must see if clubbing is your ideal night out.





About the Author


Edward Penza is the editor and owner of the Malta travel guide Guide to Malta.net and passionately enjoys writing about Malta and the Maltese.

(ArticlesBase SC #250227)


Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - Top 10 Reasons Why you Should Book a Holiday to Malta





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Types of Holiday Reps

By: Tobay Dytham Swifft




Overseas/Holiday Reps are also known as Customer Services Rep, Resort Rep and Overseas Rep depending on the tour operator you work for but they all basically have the same role. To be a successful overseas rep, you must be outgoing, enjoy meeting and interacting with new people and embrace new experiences and cultures. It is also important that you have excellent sales skills as well as an energetic approach as it can be a very busy but very rewarding job.



The role will often include meeting customers at the airport, presenting them with information that is useful and accurate, holding welcome meetings, visiting hotels on a regular basis to offer guidance and support, displaying high levels of customer service and resolving any problems in a calm and collective manner. Other aspects of the job include guiding excursions, carrying out health and safety checks on the hotel/s and completion of paperwork.



Club Reps



There are many different names for this type of rep, young person's rep, Club 18-30, Escapades Rep, 2wenty's Rep, Club Freestyle Rep However, they are all essentially the same. A young person's rep is a person that ensures that groups of men and women aged between 18 to 35 have the time of their life on holiday. By applying to become this type of rep you will be sent to the liveliest and busiest resorts. The main responsibilities of a club rep are almost identical to that of a holiday rep.



However, in addition to these daily esponsibilities they must also organise the evening entertainment such as pool parties, bar/pub crawls, party nights and beach parties. And while you guests are sleeping you will need to be up early to perform your daily responsibilities such as holding welcome events and dealing with customer complaints.



Entertainment Reps



An entertainment rep is a very demanding role and you will also be expected to join in a wide range of other activities to assist the overseas reps. During the day, you will be making yourself known to the customers, helping everyone join in the fun and presenting a full and varied programme of family focused activities. During the night, you will be on centre stage performing a wide variety of shows to provide the evenings entertainment. From performing in West End style productions such as Frankenstein and variety shows to hosting TV game shows to keep the children entertained.



For this role you will ideally have a talent or keen interest in dancing, singing or performing although it is not essential.



Children's Reps



These will often perform a similar role to that of the entertainment rep with their focus mainly one the younger children. They are often in charge of kids clubs providing a welcomed break for parents while at the same time, organising games, challenges and activities for young children to ensure they enjoy every minute of their holiday. This role requires a number of key skills. For example you must enjoy working with children and have the patience to deal with children. Their parents will only want to leave their children in your hands if they feel you are confident and capable in your role.



As this role specifically deals with young children there are often stricter requirements when applying for this role. You should ensure that you check with the operator as to what these requirements are. Many will often require at least 6 months experience of professional childcare and/or a childcare qualification at NVQ 2. Alternatively, you may be eligible if you hold qualifications such as BTEC National Diploma in Childhood Studies. You will need to check the requirements of the tour company you want to join.



A transfer rep is somebody who mainly accompanies holiday makers to and from the airport and hotels. A transfer rep is normally the first person the holiday maker sees to represent the tour company so must always be friendly and approachable as they are the face of the company. During the coach trips to the resorts you will be responsible for conducting a welcome talk that includes details of basic information about the resort, which drop offs you will be going to and how long the trip will last plus most importantly about when their welcome meeting will be conducted.



Transfer reps must also ensure that the guests are booked into their accommodation and that they are dropped off and the correct resort. In the event that the departure flight is delayed it is the responsibility of the transfer rep to keep the customers informed of any developments. As with the role of overseas rep the transfer rep may also act as a guide on excursions.

About the Author


If you are interest in becoming a holiday rep and passing the holiday rep selection process please click here Become a Holiday Rep

(ArticlesBase SC #561726)


Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - Types of Holiday Reps





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Interesting Facts About Sri Lanka

By: Derek Both



Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - Interesting Facts About Sri Lanka



Sometimes the best part about going on holiday is finding out new things about countries you may never have been to before. When embarking on Sri Lanka travel you are bound to find out plenty of new things because it is such an interesting and different place to visit.



Not many people are aware of the fact that Sri Lanka is the world's largest tea exporter. This means that you don't have to worry about finding a good cup of tea whilst on Sri Lanka travel.



The Sri Lankan flag is the only one in the world to recognise different religious groups. The yellow border and pipul leaves symbolise Buddhism which is the main religion in the country. As well as this the green and saffron bands represent the country's Muslim and Hindu Tamil communities.



Something you are likely to come across while on Sri Lanka travel is hoppers. This is a popular Sri Lankan snack that is enjoyed by both residents and tourists. They are similar to pancakes and are usually served with egg or honey and yoghurt. The most common meal is a spicy curry served with rice and a small side dish of vegetables. If you don't like spicy foods there are also plenty of milder curries available.



Another thing you are likely to find when on Sri Lanka travel is that people don't tend to say thank you. Instead they will just smile so don't think that they are being rude as this is just they way that they do things. However, women should be careful not to smile too much in public because it is considered to flirting.



Something important to consider is that to most people around the world nodding your head up and down means yes and moving it back and forth means no. It is the complete opposite in Sri Lanka so try to remember this when talking to local residents.



92 percent of people living in the country are literate which means that they boast the highest literacy rate in the whole of South Asia.



About the Author


Travel Collection offer a selection of package tour holidays to destinations all around the world. sri lanka travel has all the information you need to help you select the destination and package holiday that is right for you.
Submitted by search engine consultants at http://www.webrepairservices.co.uk

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Swimming With False Orcas

By: Ben




The giant eyes looked into mine and I gasped.  Then they disappeared into the murky water and surfaced next to my dad and brother.  None of us could believe the amazing experience we had just shared.


At three o’clock on a sunny afternoon, a small fishing boat pulled up to the back of Viamiti, the 130 foot sail boat on which my family and I were living. Leaving from Academy Bay off the island of Santa Cruz in the Galapagos, the plan was to go offshore for a 3 hour fishing trip.  Our captain, Felix, provided all the fishing equipment.  We motored 2 miles out of the bay to a large underwater drop off where big fish such as wahoo and tuna come to feed.  The boat was set up for trawling, which is when the line and bait drag behind a moving boat.  After twenty minutes of watching the shore shrink behind us, we put the two lines out, one in my dad’s hands and the other in my brother’s. 


Since fishing is a game of patience everyone was daydreaming in silence.  Almost immediately the peace was shattered by our guide, Luis.   His finger shot forward as he shouted “whale!” and we all sprang to our feet.  Two days earlier Luis had been adamant that seeing a whale in these waters was unlikely, so nobody was more surprised than he was. Whales were everywhere, surfacing for air.  Luis suggested that we get in the water, and as I was thinking that he was crazy he took off his shirt and grabbed a mask.   We entered the water with our clothes and a borrowed mask because it was all we had.  Knowing that the ocean floor was over 3000 feet below us we were a bit reluctant to get in.  When we did the cold temperature shocked us. 


 


About the Author


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