Best offer of the month

Red leaves of maple trees carpeting entire mountain sides, valleys and forest floor this time of the year pull in thousands of visitors to Phu Kradung National Park in Loei. However, there is another place nearby _ Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary _ that offers easier access and a more spectacular profusion of maples and flowers of virtually every shade imaginable.

Loei is 558 kilometres northeast of Bangkok, and the sanctuary with its thick cover of red rhododendrons, wild flowers and orchids is vibrant with colours in the cool season.

Phu Luang was the start of our exploratory tour of attractions located off Highway 203, which connects the districts of Phu Rua and Dan Sai, marked by several stops interspersed with treks along nature trails.

Actually in Phu Rua district you see decorative plants and flowers sold in pots by local vendors along the highway all time of the year. In fact the length of the road as it cuts through the district looks like a long flower belt. You can buy the flowers at half the price they are sold in Bangkok.

Off Highway 203 is a local road leading to Phu Rua National Park that has tourist bungalows as well as an area where visitors can pitch tents. The road is in good condition and the park is also a popular picnic spot for locals. One road sign pointing to the park is conspicuous by its prominent thermometer, as if needing to tell visitors to Phu Rua that here they can enjoy cool breeze all year round.

West of the park on the road to Dan Sai sits one of the district’s popular landmarks, Phra That Si Song Rak, a pagoda built in the Ayutthaya period as mark of goodwill between the rulers of Ayutthaya and Lan Xang, now part of Laos. Not far from the temple is the Phi Ta Khon Museum at Phonchai Temple where you can learn the origins of the province’s annual Phi Ta Khon ghost mask festival held in the month of June or July and how the masks and dresses used in the festival are made.

Driving back to Loei town, if you have spare time, check out the scenery at Huay Krathing reservoir, vast and noted for its quiet ambience, where locals like to go to relax and enjoy fishing.

2009 is coming to an end and for our final assignment we were tasked to blog about our favorite travel moments from this past year. It was a difficult choice, but thumbing through the thousands of pictures I took this year brought back many fond memories. Anyway, without further ado, here are my 2009 highlights:

Number 1: Kanto Matsuri

Finally, the highlight of my year was the Kanto Matsuri held in Akita City over the first week of August. I had read about it beforehand, but I was really impressed when I saw it in person. The energy and skill of the participants was amazing, and the sheer number of lanterns, literally hundreds of them, was an awesome sight to see.

Number 2: Hanafubuki at Shinjuku Gyoen

We did some extensive cherry blossom coverage this year and I saw lots of beautiful sakura all over the country. But the best was towards the end of the season as I was checking out Shinjuku Gyoen. Most of the blossoms around the park had already fallen, but as I was about to exit at the Sendagaya Gate the wind picked up and treated me to the most amazing hanafubuki (cherry blossom blizzard) I’ve ever seen.

Number 3: Iriomote Swimming Hole

This summer, while on a kayak trip down a mangrove lined river on Iriomote Island, we discovered a small swimming hole literally in the middle of the jungle, a few hundred meters hike up a small stream from the larger, brackish river. The cool water was a refreshing relief and it was one of those unexpected discoveries that make travelling fun.

Number 4: Hokutosei Night Train

While not usually the most economical way to travel, night trains are a unique experience that are a neat way to do some long distance travel. The Hokutosei night train from Tokyo to Sapporo is one of the best ones I’ve taken so far and really renewed my interest in the genre. One day I’m hoping to check out the coveted Cassiopeia, but that probably won’t be for a while.

Number 5: Sumo Wrestling

We started off 2009 with a trip to Ryogoku to see the first Sumo tournament of the year. We had some pretty good seats and were able to see the matches from up close. Afterwards we headed to a nice chanko nabe restaurant owned by former wrestlers who sang for the restaurant’s patrons.

Number 6: Taketomi Island

Taketomi Island is another Okinawan Island and part of the Yaeyama Chain. The village on the small island has maintained its traditional Ryukyu (the old kingdom of Okinawa) look and feel with stone walls and white sand roads patrolled by water buffalo drawn carts. It’d love to come back and spend a few days on the island soaking up the sun and relaxing on its beaches.

Number 7: Nebuta Matsuri

The Nebuta Matsuri in Aomori City has spectacular floats that are basically giant paper lanterns. They’re each followed by giant drums, dozens of musicians playing flutes and chappa cymbals, and legions of haneto dancers. Anyone can participate in the parade as a dancer and it looks like a lot of fun.

Number 8: Kabira Bay

Kabira Bay, down on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture, is in my opinion one of the most beautiful beach scenes in Japan. The bay is used for pearl cultivation so unfortunately you can’t swim in the water, but glass bottom boats provide tours of the bay’s coral environment.

Number 9: Nagaoka Fireworks

Next up is the Nagaoka Fireworks in Niigata Prefecture. This fireworks extravaganza is routinely ranked one of the top fireworks shows in Japan and features sanjakudama starmines, whose shells are nearly a meter in diameter; phoenix starmines, that explode twice; and well over 20,000 other fireworks. The picture doesn’t really do it justice, as the fireworks cover almost two kilometers of the riverbank and it was just too big to fit it all into the shot.

Number 10: Kinugawa Mazes

First off on my list are the two fence mazes in Kinugawa Onsen near Nikko. Both the Grand Maze Palladium and the Ninja Trick Maze at Nikko Edomura were a ton of fun. Edomura also got some other fun things to see and watch, such as ninja shows and a gruesome wax museum, which are fun for the whole family.

Well that’s it for this year. 2009 was filled with amazing trips and I look forward to seeing what 2010 has to offer. I hope you’ve enjoyed the blog and I’ll see you again next year!

1. Pang-ung Maehongsorn

2. Pai Maehongsorn

3. Doi Aangkang Chaingmai

4. Huinamdang Chaingmai

5. Doimaesalong Chaingrai

6. Phutubberg Phetchaboon

7. Phushefa Chaingrai

8. Thungdokbuatong Maehongsorn

9. Phukadung Lei

10. Doi Inthanon Chaingmai

One in Top 10 bars of the world to see

            Gazebo, Bangkok nightclub features spacious indoor and outdoor bar area with a complex design the middle East. Is your bar restaurant and club will want to take with you throughout Thailand. Main Bar 3 bands perform in the night in large open air roof.There ’s beautiful breezy fresh air and shelter if it rains-with Spectaclar views that do not fail to impress Nightclubs open late, with DJs best of Bangkok .Relax back benches cushioned sofa and elegant a style seats in an outdoor setting without you or someone you come with, you will forgot.

To Adventure Travel in style. Man brain to relax the same style as the “fighting Sarika Adventure Point ” Nakornnayok Province, Thailand. They have experienced about adventure eco-oriented activities for more than 10 years,with that theme last minute. “Just to get him to the forest. Until the day we were to die. If you fear too difficult for yourlife! Do not walk us. ” Drive steadily through the pretty views. Of forest paths and visit the open orchard of the villagers. The fruit of the various names such as Durian Maprag sweet orange, pomelo, lemon flavors are luscious frame it. And natural close, with various wood species and island cataract beautiful river bend.

I’ve heard somebody mentioned there’s nothing in Pai, Maehongson, Thailand….But on the other side, I found it’s peaceful and wonderful…

So it seems like nothing in Pai but as the matter of fact…It is such a heaven to me…Wish I’ve been there again.

Here’s little information about Pai…

Pai is a small community, embraced by rolling mountains and enveloped in natural setting that is fresh and beautiful. The atmosphere is clean, pure, quiet and warmly welcoming. The different ethnic groups, religious beliefs and languages of the people of plains and the people of the mountains have blended together here to form a unique set of cultural traditions.

The citizens of Pai live their lives with a spirit of generosity and a sense of community, always ready to give someone a helping hand. Yet at the same time, the remoteness of the region makes travel to and from Pai difficult. Many people would rather not come and risk their chances in such an isolated place. However, many other people entrust their luck to fate in this very spot, and others dream of having just one chance in their lives to come and experience the summit of the north of Thailand.

One of favorite cold season trends is the boot tucked into a pair of women’s jeans. It’s sleek, it’s adroit, it’s comfortable when you wear, but it takes some major twisting and shoving to try to get your jeans from bunching out of your boot. Then when you bend or sit down they jeans come WAY out so then you have to shove them back in throughout the day and so on. So everthing basic ,you can do is wear the tightest denim possible and hope it looks as good as Kate Moss, Cameron Diaz and other chic celebrities in their sophisticated denim-boot look. 

Krabi is the perfect getaway destination at the Andaman Sea with stunning limestone cliffs, beautiful beaches like Ao Nang and Railay and more than 130 islands including the most famous – Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta. Enjoy relaxing days at one of the tropical hotels and resorts available and visit the natural beauty of waterfalls and caves and other attractions. The more active ones can try some rock climbing, sailing, kayaking, diving and snorkeling or just spend a day or two for island hopping. Krabi has everything on offer for a fantastic and unforgettable holiday experience.

Swim with Dolphins at Oasis Sea World

OASIS

Just before Laem Sing beach is the Oasis Sea World which attracts visitors who wish to swim with dolphins and delight in watching the exciting dolphin shows.

OASIS

Laem Sing is only 3 km from Oasis sea world where they have an entertaining dolphin show every hour. The dolphins are mainly those accidentally caught in fisherman’s nets in the Gulf of Thailand. Trained by Thai experts, they are now capable of showing off their high degree of ability. There are five shows daily.

Entry fee & show is priced at B180 per person.
Swimming with Dolphins is B400 per person extra.
This includes the small tourist surcharge.
Taxi drop off and pick up service available.
Nice souvenir shop with jewelery & chanthaburi gems
Thai Food Restuarant & refreshments

You can swim with the dolphins in a separate pool after each show for up to a whole hour.

OASIS

Swimming with dolphins is something most people dream of doing, but somehow only a few actually pursue this dream. Most people seem to think that it’s impossible to find dolphins in the wild or just don’t have sufficient funds to travel around the globe, hoping to find a pod of wild dolphins and then get close enough to actually swim with those dolphins. Others might feel that they would have to share the intimacy of the dolphin encounter with hundreds of other people in a small wading pool and thus only get to spend a few seconds with these friendly sea mammals without any real contact.

Although this may be true in the massive over crowded Sea World parks and aqua parks in the USA, the Bahamas, Mexico or other busy tourist locations, this “swim with dolphins” dream can easily be turned into reality at Oasis Sea World in the picturesque costal town of Laem Sing in Chanthaburi province, Eastern Thailand.

To swim with dolphins at Oasis Sea World, especialy for groups, it is advised to make a reservation 1 day in advance. This is easiest done by just visiting oasis sea world the day before as they may ask for a deposit payment.

Dolphin Show and Dolphin Swimming Times
Oasis sea world is open 7 days a week from 09:00 till 18:00

Show times

09:00 – 09:35 , 11:00 – 11:35 , 13:00 – 13:35 , 15:00 – 15:35 , 17:00 – 17:35

Swimming with dolphins times

09:45 , 11:45 , 13:45 , 15:45

You can also make online bookings here swimwithdolphinsthailand.com