Travel Thailand A Farang Fashion Faux Pas

I arrived in Bankok in April, knowing it would be hot, but was knocked out by the average 106° weather. After a chaotic trip to my guesthouse, through the most amazing traffic, I collapsed on the bed in nothing but my birthday suit. Prior to arriving in Thailand, I had researched what to pack. I wanted to bring comfortable clothing, but also pieces that would be appropriate for the various wats or temples I planned to visit.

To Thais, being sabai jai means having a contented heart, referring to a calm disposition. Foreigners or farang are thought to behave in a contradictory manner, being easily frustrated and exhibiting a quick temper or jai rawn. I promised myself that I would blend in to my new surroundings and maintain an inward tranquility so prized in the Land of Smiles.

On my second day in Bankok I was headed to the former Thai capital Ayutthaya and the Royal summer palace, Bang Pa-In. Forgetting all of my carefully selected couture, I threw on the coolest pieces I had. Dressed in a sleeveless tank and black cotton skirt that hit above my knee, off I went. That was the end of my inner and outer tranquility.

As soon as I stepped on the bus, I became acutely aware that I had forgotten the dress code, but it was too late. My seatmate was an impeccably dressed British woman who looked appalled by my very presence. She avoided conversation and eye contact with me, and we rode to Ayutthaya in silence.

Unable to fully enjoy the Buddha statues and architecture that spanned centuries, I was consumed by the thought that I was offending past and present Thais. I was especially distracted when all my bare bits were in the company of monks. Overheated, sweaty and blotchy red, we headed to our next stop, Bang Pa-In the colonial-style summer digs for the Royal Family. We were told that clothing would be provided to cover knees and shoulders if we weren't dressed appropriately. I should have taken the offer. Instead I looked in my bag and grabbed a black sundress that I had stashed at the last minute. A frilly flamenco looking number, I looked ready for the stage than a stroll through a revered Thai attraction.

I was pleased with my find, and our Thai guide, always polite, said I looked fine. Off I went, and perhaps overly confident due to my modest attire, instead of opting for the covered golf carts, I joined the rest of the walking tour. I now understood how asphalt feels in the blistering sun. Trying to stay conscious, every so often I would sneak into a stream of water coming out of the sprinklers to keep the expertly manicure lawn looking green. How I envied that lawn.

Eventually I had to retreat from the walking tour and seek some shade. I looked up and saw two chic young Thai women in jeans and cardigans under a lovely umbrella. They were pointing and giggling. I must have looked a site, a large overheated, beet red woman in a formal black dress. I found out later that like Western culture, black is worn for funerals and can be considered bad luck. It was certainly bad luck for me.

I had become the traveler I vowed not to be, but now I knew better. The next day, wearing modest attire, I smugly hopped off the water taxi and headed for the gates of the Grand Palace complex. Unexpectedly, the clothing police directed me to a long line up of farang waiting to enter a small white building. On my turn a woman handed me a pair of socks. I put on the socks, slipped my sandals on and away I went. I walked toward the inner entrance of the Grand Palace but guards stopped me again, pointed at my feet, and gestured back the way I came. I wheeled around and was starting to get impatient, hot and frustrated. My jai rawn was showing up already, my second day in Thailand! As I trundled back in the hot sun, I watched smiling, perfectly poised Thai women dressed head to toe in warm looking clothing. I was so envious of their composure!

Back at the trailer, the attendants looked apologetic and handed me a pair of sport sandals. By the time I made it back to the entrance, I was sweating in the socks, long pants and modest shirt. After a few minutes I was again starting to overheat. I clicked a few photos and rushed towards the wrong exit. At first I thought I wouldn't be let out, but when I kept exclaiming "mai sabai" the guards knew I wasn't well and quickly let me pass. Embarrassed, I revived myself with ice cream and water.

Eventually, I began to adapt. Once I simply stopped to watch how Thais dealt with the heat, instead of trying to recall what I had read, I caught on to loose cotton clothing, and was much more savvy about sun exposure. In Thailand, the state of tranquility or sabai jai transcends physical appearances. It is intertwined with religion and philosophy, and to think I could attain something so intangible overnight was ridiculous. I needed to release the hold on what I thought I knew, in order to find my contented heart.

10 Ways to Beat the Heat in Thailand:

It's hot in Thailand all year round, but if you're affected by extreme heat here are some things to consider when visiting the Land of Smiles:

1. Although Songkran or Thai New Year is fun to experience, you may want to avoid Thailand in April. It's the warmest time of year, with little escape from the blistering sun. I had to miss certain attractions in Bangkok because I simply couldn't function in the extreme heat.

2. Keep hydrated. Buy lots of bottled water and be diligent about replenishing every hour.

3. Bring hydration packets with you. I met a woman from California who gave me this tip for my next trip to Thailand. You can pick up these packets at sports stores or drugstores and are usually used by athletes.

4. Make sure to bring loose, light colored clothing made from natural fibers like linen or cotton. Sport sandals are a must if you plan on visiting the Grand Palace in Bangkok, as well as a few modest pieces to cover shoulders and knees.

5. As soon as you arrive, buy an umbrella to keep the sun off. They're cheap and work well to keep you shaded. They look pretty too!

6. Stay near or on the water. The Chao Praya River in Bangkok, or escape to an island. It's much cooler.

7. Avoid too much sun and wear sun block. If you do get a sunburn, try a first aid vitamin E ointment. It worked wonders on my burned shoulders.

8. Wear a hat if you don't plan on using an umbrella.

9. Get up with the monks and do most of your sightseeing early in the morning.

10. Enjoy the spicy and delicious Thai food! The spice tends to make to salivate and perspire which cools you off and quenches your thirst.

Jane Arnold is a freelance writer and travel buff. She has spent time in Europe and North America, and most recently traveled to South East Asia. You can read more of her travel stories at http://www.girlyside.com/girlyside.html The website is a girl's guide to health, beauty, love and leisure. Sign up for the free newsletter at http://www.girlyside.com/newsletter.html

[tags]Travel, Thailand, Thai, sun, heat, culture[/tags]

Travel To Ayutthaya Kingdom, Thailand - Insider Tip To See The Most At The Least Cost

Exotic destinations are plentiful in Asia, and where you have a keen sense of history, and wish to observe a glimpse of the glorious and mystique eras of the past, nothing can be more exciting and informative than the notable ruins of the Ayutthaya kingdom of Thailand.

Thailand, the great land of smiles holds more than great food and sunshine, and perhaps this destination called Ayutthaya is the best kept secret about Thailand.

We are not talking about the beautiful beaches that normally describe Thailand, or the night spots of bawdy entertaintment that hogs the beach scene, not even the exotic meals where you can eat various insects and bugs including crickets, worms and roaches!

We are talking about the notable ruins of the Ayutthaya Kingdom of Thailand.

When I first heard of the Ayutthaya kingdom, this question just struck me: " Aren't these almost similar to the Angkor Wat of Kampuchea?"

Be prepared to be surprised!

Having visited the famous Angkor Wat, the Ayutthaya kingdom greatly surprises with its difference.

Set at the conjunction of the Lopburi, Pasak and Chao Phraya Rivers, the beautiful ancient city of Ayutthaya, was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong and was Thailand's capital for 417 years, of what was then known as Siam.

Over the next 417 years it was ruled by 33 kings of different dynasties and repelled 23 Burmese invasions, before the Burmese finally succeeded in razing it to the ground.

The most important place to visit is the BUDDHA HEAD at Wat Mahatat.

Just in case you do not know, against a backdrop of temples that stood the test of time and the ravages of the weather, the Buddha Head wat or temple has a most intriguing facet of nature intervowing with the partial statue of the Enlightened One - The Buddha.

Why is this place a must to visit?

Here you can see many headless buddha statutes and one particular shrine where a the famous Boddhis tree, with roots seeking to spread over a wall of slate, and mostly exposed yet firmly entrenched, as if telling us a story of peace and stability against a world of uncertainties, interwoving its roots to cover a statutue of the revered Buddha, seeking to leave uncovered the face of the Enlightened One.

What a spectacular sight!

The uncovered face of the Great Buddha radiates a feeling of tremendous peace and warmth, of tranquility and of purpose.

It is a sense of inner calmness that smoothens the unrest within the inner chambers of the heart, so that irregardless of your religion, you will instantly recognises the holiness of the moment, the reverence of the Buddha...and you will leave the place carrying the same sense of wonder and awe that will linger with you forever.

Now, as this is the best kept secret of visiting Thailand, how did I squeeze the most out of a tight budget in terms of money and time to see the most of the Ayutthaya Kingdom?

First, plan your tour. Get a map of the Ayutthaya kingdom and write down your destinations you would like to visit.

Secondly, the first priority is to visit Wat Mahatat - the Buddha Head. This will allow you more time to enjoy the sights and scenes of this great kingdom as you bask in the glorious ruins.

Thirdly,engage the services of your local cab driver. You can get a very decent package that you personally designed. Give him your destinations, and he will fix with you the entire package tour price.

And as a bonus, my local cab driver spoke only a smattering of English. So he took along his college-going daughter to provide the interpretation and who acted as an honorary guide. Be prepared to pay her entrance fee if you do get a guide, but then most sites do not require an interpreter to be along with you.

Now, if you ever think of visiting Thailand, just remember that apart from the beaches, the night live, the entertaintment scence, the good food and the shopping at Paragon Mall, there is a best kept secret, and that is the notable ruins of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. You must not miss this when you travel to Thailand.

YS Koh works hard and believes in making travel and sightseeing a priority in her quest to learn more of the world. With extensive experience in capturing special moments on her camera, she has established the website " Visit The Notable Ruins of The Ayutthaya Kingdom, Thailand" at http://www.ayutthaya.best-travelogue.info where you can see the Buddha Head, refer to maps and lesser known tourist information that will make your visit a truly memorable one.

[tags]ruins of Ayutthaya Kingdom, Thailand, Wat Mahatat, Buddha Head, headless buddha statutes, Buddha[/tags]

Shopping In Thailand

My holiday to Thailand was truly an amazing experience. Among the many countless other joys and wonders, Thailand was a great place to shop and Bangkok in particular, where the variety of retail outlets and goods is surprising. I could find genuine name-brand products on sale in department stores for half as much as back home. Even more there are bargains in more down-to-earth places in form of open market stalls that leave you awestruck.

With the excellent exchange rates, and amazing discounts, I could find everything that I wanted and that too at exceptional prices. From sophisticated air-conditioned shopping malls to sweaty markets under canvas, to roadside vendors. There's so much, that one can literally shop till one drops. Thailand is recognized as one of the world's leading gems and jewelry centers and I shopped for some great collection of jewelry. Bangkok's Chinatown or the nearby Ban Mo Jewelry Street should be checked out for exquisite jewelry.

Bangkok is the capital of shopping malls, open - air markets, road - side vendors, charming side street antique shops and art galleries. And best of all, Thai handicrafts, the most famous of which is Thai silk. Markets sprawl the streets, even the rivers, of every town in Thailand, so I was never far away from a good buy. A visit to the floating market at Damnoen Saduak, just outside of Bangkok was an unusual experience and I returned with designer clothes, jewelry, pirated DVDs and CDs to tacky, but essential, souvenirs.

It was really obvious now why Thailand is famous as being a great destination for the serious shopper. Whatever you are looking for, there's bound to be an outlet in Thailand. For more information on this pls. visit: http://www.stayresthailand.com/shopping.html

[tags]Thailand Shopping, shopping in thailand[/tags]

Thailand - The Land Of Smiles And Cheap Travel

Thailand is known as the land of smiles, which is amazing considering the traffic jams in Bangkok. For budget travelers, Thailand simply can't beat on price alone.

Thailand

Thailand is an odd mix of contrasts. It can be extremely stressful while trying to get around in Bangkok and gloriously relaxing while laying on practically any of the beaches that populate the coast of the country. Regardless of the situation, the Thais have a habit and custom or smiling regardless of what you ask or how you ask it.

Beaches

The beaches of Thailand need no introduction. Used as the setting for hundreds of movies, they come in a variety of styles. The beaches of Phuket and Phi Phi fall along the lines of traditional beach resort areas like you might find in a place such as Cancun, Mexico or Tamarindo, Costa Rica. On the other end of the scale, you can find more rustic beach areas in places like the island of Ko Chang where you'll have a few beach bungalows, a couple of bars and one or two stores. If you're looking for a little of both styles, just ask around.

Da North

Infatuated with the beach life, many people fail to head up country when in Thailand. This is a mistake as the north is the host to such locations as the city of Chang Mai, the Summer Palace of the King of Thailand and interesting little villages. For the outdoor enthusiasts, rafting, hiking and mountain biking are very popular and widely available.

Prices

If you're on a budget, Thailand is a perfect travel destination. For some reason, flights to Thailand are particularly cheap with my recent flight on Korean Airlines running roughly $650 round trip. Once in country, your money will go a long, long way.

I think a note of caution is need at this point. Please beware. If you decide to take a trip to Thailand, you won't want to come back to your native country. You will, however, definitely come back to Thailand!

Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of travel journals. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com to read more articles about Thailand travel and Adventure Travel.

[tags]thailand, phi phi, ko change, phuket, beaches, chang mai, land of smiles, cancun, tamarindo[/tags]

The King Rama VII Museum - Dedicated To The Last Absolute Monarch Of Thailand

The King Rama VII Museum on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue is dedicated to King Prajadhipok, the last absolute monarch in Thailand. King Rama VII (1893 – 1941) or King Prajadhipok succeeded to the throne in 1925 and reigned through a tumultuous period in Thai history till his abdication on 2 March 1935.

The old building housing the museum was designed by French- Swiss architect Charles Beguelin during the reign of King Rama V and completed in the reign of King Rama VI. A fashionable Western tailor first occupied the building. The subsequent tenants were drastically different, a construction material company and later the Department of Public Works.

King Rama VII Museum was opened in 7 December 2002 and gives an insight into the life and times of King Prajadhipok. To start your tour, proceed upstairs and follow the directions for a chronological display of the biography of King Rama VII.

Start your tour with the video clip on the genealogy of the Chakri kings. Born in 1893, the year of the French blockade of the Chao Phraya, King Rama VII succeeded to the throne in 1925 after the death of his brother King Rama VI or King Vajiravudh.

Continue your tour of the King Rama VII Museum and view the displays on the young prince's early education in Thailand. He went on to study at Eton and attended military training at the Woolwich Military Academy and later the French staff college.

Displayed in the King Rama VII Museum are personal effects of King Rama VII. These include his pencil box from London when he was a student and an account book kept by the Thai embassy in London on the young prince's study expenses.

His early exposure to the West made him a firm believer in education, science, public administration and foreign languages. He saw the trend in political development and even tried to prepare for it. But he knew the kingdom was not ready.

A reluctant monarch, King Rama VII needed to restore confidence in the monarchy. He realized the need for political reform as the days of absolute monarchy were numbered. With a well-intended desire for reform, he was contemplating democracy. A copy of the draft constitution prepared under his the direction is on display at the King Rama VII Museum.

But time was not on his side. There was a growing force of nationalism in the early 1920s with the new liberalism from the intellectuals and Western educated Thais. This political awakening was fired by the crisis of economic depression of 1930 that culminated in the coup on 24 July 1932.

King Rama VII Museum depicts the life of King Prajadhipok, the last absolute monarch or the first constitutional monarch depending on one's point of view. It captures the life of a much- enlightened king pressured by the political events of his time and caught in the powerful forces of history over which he had no control.

For a map to the King Rama VII Museum.

The King Rama VII Museum is one of the historical treasures covered in Tour Bangkok Legacies a historical travel site on people, places and events that left their mark in the landscape of Bangkok. The author Eric Lim, a free-lance writer, lives in Bangkok Thailand.

[tags]King Rama VII Museum, King Rama VII, King Prajadhipok, Bangkok museums, Bangkok legacy[/tags]

Teatime In Thailand - A Visit To The Tea Plantations Of Mae Salong

During my visit to Thailand in November 2004, I traveled through the scenic Yunnanese village of Mae Salong, located in the mountains of the Golden Triangle. Mae Salong is a very unique and important place, not only because of its historical origins but also as the one of the most important tea growing regions in Thailand. Many of the villagers trace their ancestry to members of Chinese Nationalist party who fled China, resettling in nothern Thailand during the communist takeover in late 1940's. Strolling around the small town, you'll find the Chinese influence very strong with most of the shops and many of the homes decorated with Chinese ornamentation and with many of the inhabitants speaking Mandarin.

Tea is king here; the surrounding countryside is covered by a green carpet of tea, as far as the eye can see. Small tea tasting rooms are scattered throughout the small village of Mae Salong selling so many different grades of tea including green oolong, which seems to be the crème de la crème of the tea world. The largest tea plantations are located just outside of town and are well worth a visit. Ms. Ming, the gracious owner of Mae Salong Villa (the hotel where I stayed) explained to me about the origins of the tea industry and about the different grades of tea leaves sold commercially. It seems that the Mae Salong Chinese community has maintained very close ties with Taiwan, which remained a stronghold of the Chinese nationalist party after the Communists took over mainland China.

The tea industry got a kick-start when some choice tea plants were carried over from Taiwan and planted in the hills of Mae Salong. Ming's husband owns one the major tea plantations in the area but as Ms. Ming explained to me, there is more money to be made in the tourism business these days as the tea business is very labor intensive and the profit margins are small.

Bus Goldberg is a seasoned world traveler and the director of Calypso Island Tours, a travel company that specializes in botanical adventures and nature tours to such diverse destinations as Costa Rica, Thailand and the Caribbean. He also maintains his own travel blog, Calypso Island Chronicles

[tags]Thailand, Trevel Thailand, tea, oolong tea[/tags]

Ko Chang, Thailand - Water Festival Of Loi Kathong

Thailand is a land of enchanting and exotic tastes for foreign visitors as I was to learn when I experienced the Water Festival of Loi Kathong on the island of Ko Chang.

Ko Chang

In October 2003, the travel bug seriously bit me. The symptoms led me to sell my business, pack a small backpack with necessary items and roll into Los Angeles International Airport with a major credit card and an attitude. A few days later, I was in Thailand and headed for the island of Ko Chang, located close to the border with Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand.

Ko Chang is a heavily forested island with little towns full of beach huts. This is what I was exactly what I was after. Spending days lounging in the sun and contemplating my navel. Unfortunately, I soon experienced the local bacteria, which was not what I was after.

Since I had rented my beach hut for a week with payment in advance, the family running the place looked me upon favorably. They took pity on me and I was soon growing fat on Tom Yom Kung and other soups and curries. After four days, I had finally kicked the bug and felt halfway human. This was good news as it was the night of the full moon water festival.

I had heard of full moon festivals in Thailand. For hard partying tourists, this was apparently the night the big beach parties happened. In Ko Chang, it was a little different as the night was tailored to the actual Thais, not tourist.

The Loi Kathong Festival happens every full moon. Offerings are given to appease the water spirits. These offerings come in the form of banana leaf bowls with flowers, fruit, candles and incense. The candles and incense are lit and everyone heads down the beach and starts putting them in the water. It is one of the more amazing light shows you will ever see and beats Las Vegas hands down. Thousands, and I mean thousands, of little lights bobbing on the surface of the smooth ocean.

After the bowls comes one of the most visually amazing things I've ever seen. Everyone is familiar with the paper lanterns used in Asia. Typically, they come in the form of a rectangle form with a bamboo or light wire frame. Very popular with college students since they are cheap and look better than a bare light bulb.

For the festival, Thais would take these paper lanterns and close off the top. They would then affix a small this paper plate to the bottom with a candle on it. Light the candle, wait for the heat to do its work and they had an instant hot air balloon. Once the lanterns could float, you simply let go and off the slowly went over the ocean. It was a sight to see as there were thousands of them floating over the water.

As the festival wound down, the ocean had been transformed. The air was full of gracefully floating lanterns while the water itself was dotted with slowly bobbing points of light.

If you intend to travel to Thailand, make sure you schedule your trip around a full moon. It is a scene you'll never forget.

Rick Chapo is with http://www.nomadjournals.com - makers of travel journals. Writing journals are great travel accessories and travel gifts for him or her. Visit http://www.nomadjournaltrips.com for more travel articles.

[tags]thailand, ko chang, tom yom kung, full moon festivals, water festival, loi kathong, thai, thais[/tags]

Kamthieng House - The Lanna Legacy In Bangkok

Kamthieng House, a traditional Lanna home in the grounds of the Siam Society in Soi Asoke Bangkok, preserves the old Lanna architecture and culture from northern Thailand.

"A million rice fields"

The Lanna (a million rice fields) Kingdom is an old 13th century kingdom in northern Thailand, started by King Mengrai in 1259 who established his capital in Chiang Mai in 1291.

Captured by the Burmese in 1550s, retaken by King Taksin in 1774, Chiang Mai became a vassal of Thailand until the reign of King Rama V when it came under direct rule.

From this kingdom grew a society with a distinctive culture and language along with its own traditions and customs, rituals and festivals.

The family home on the Ping River

One such Lanna family steeped in these traditions were descendants of a prince from Yunnan in Southern China who migrated to northern Thailand. The matriarch Mae Nai Saed, a great granddaughter of the prince, built the original Kamthieng House in 1848 on the banks of the Ping River in Chiang Mai.

In a matriarchal society, the Lanna women are heads of households, own property and have rights of inheritance. The family home was owned by three generations of descendants, Mae Nai Thip, Mae Kamthieng and Mae Kim Haw who lived in the house till 1963.

Making of a museum

The timber house, with its characteristic "Kalae" or 'V' shaped wooden carving at the apex of the gable, is regarded as one of the rare examples of traditional Lanna architecture and art. To preserve Lanna culture for future generations, Mae Nai Haw donated the house to the Siam Society as an ethnological museum.

In memory of her mother Mae Kamthieng, the museum was named Kamthieng House.

It took two years to plan, dismantle and move the old house from Chiang Mai to be reassembled in the grounds of the Siam Society in Bangkok. The Asia Foundation and John D Rockefeller Foundation funded the project.

On 21 November 1966, His Majesty King Bhumipol Adulyadej officially opened Kamthieng House.

Lanna culture

A tour of Kamthieng House gives the visitor an insight to the Lanna lifestyle, rituals, beliefs, family life, culture, art and architecture.

Lanna society practices animism, a belief in the presence of spirits in natural objects and phenomena. Special rituals are performed to appease these spirits before any family or communal activity. The Naga serpent is symbolic of water vital for rice cultivation, the rice goddess influences the rice crop, a staple food and the buffalo spirit affects the beast of burden working the fields.

Being an agricultural society there's a deep respect for nature and the need to be in harmony with the elements. Ancestral worship is also practiced as seen from the family ancestral altar in the guest hall of the main house.

Weaving, a traditional Lanna craft is evident from the beautiful embroidered fabrics in the bedroom, where elaborately carved wooden lintels are installed above the doors to protect the occupants. Talismans and amulets are also popular forms of protection for individuals and homes.

The exhibits displayed reflect family and community life, combining traditional displays with film clips to illustrate cultural activities and recorded ritual chants in the background to simulate realism.

Kamthieng House is a museum dedicated to preserving a lifestyle from a culture that's almost 800 years old, providing an interesting study in a traditional society that's fast disappearing.

Kamthieng House is one of the historical treasures covered in Tour Bangkok Legacies a historical travel site on people, places and events that left their mark in the landscape of Bangkok. The author Eric Lim, a free-lance writer, lives in Bangkok Thailand.

[tags]Kamthieng House, Siam Society, Lanna culture, Thai culture, Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand[/tags]

Living Abroad The Top 3 Reasons To Emigrate From The U.K. To An Overseas Paradise

Talk to most British citizens and you will soon find that many would gladly move overseas to live in paradise if you gave them just half a chance! Of course no one seems to actually act on this whim - but in this article we take a look at the top 3 reasons why there seems to be such an overwhelming desire to quit the U.K!

1) The weather! Yes, you guessed it, top of the list is the climate. Britons are famed for talking about, and more appropriately, moaning about the weather. And they have every reason to moan!

The UK enjoys very little sunshine, lots of wind and rain, and for 60% of the year temperatures tend to be uncomfortably cold. British winters are harsh, and lengthy. The fact that the UK is firmly in the Northern part of Europe also leads to very dark winters. "Seasonally adjusted disorder" (appropriately named SAD!) is a common disorder which spreads depression among many British citizens for over half the year from September to March. Scientists have shown that it is caused by low light levels and short hours of daylight. Many people don't even know that they suffer from it, they just presume that their depression is caused by other factors. Now on sale (at premium UK prices) are special fluorescent lights to assist people due to the fact that the UK doesn't get much sunshine!

All of these explanations are of course of no consequence or consolation to UK citizens. Bad, unpredictable weather will always be a fact of life for people who choose to live in Britain and that is a fact! The ideal weather according to most Brits, is warm sunny days, no wind or rain, and a predictable climate that's not too hot but that never gets too cold. This ideal climate cannot be found in Britain and so the weather remains the top reason why many would emigrate!

2)High Taxes! Predictably, number two on the list is the unrelenting and almost ridiculous level of tax that British people must endure. Not content with taking an arguably fair share of peoples' salary at source, the UK government seems very intent on getting British people to pay a lot more all over again in stealth taxes.

Petrol (gasoline) prices are an obvious example where stealth taxation has gone completely out of control. The typical price for a gallon of petrol in the UK is around £4 (or US$7.20) It is the same petrol that U.S. citizens pay barely $2 a gallon for. Indeed $2 is simply the price that it should be, but in Britain the Government sees it fit to add 200%+ of tax to this global base-price. There is no getting around this... if you buy petrol in the UK you must cough up this very large amount of extra cash every time you fill up.

In addition, to illustrate the fact that British stealth taxes are hiked to the max, a growing number of Brits now travel to France or Holland just to buy their weekly groceries! All this energy and hassle to get around UK taxation, is it worth it? You bet it is... that's because the savings can by enormous due to the high levels of UK import duties on everything from textiles to just a simple bottle of wine.

The only way to be free from these terrible burdens and escape these taxes forever, is to leave the UK for good!

3) Transport. Getting around this relatively small country is by all accounts, a nightmare. In fact you would have thought that the benefits of a small island (i.e. shorter distances and therefore less expensive building costs for roads and railways) would mean that transport would be of the highest quality. Not so. The UK fails almost completely. Public transport in the form of Rail and Bus services is expensive, of poor quality and makes the word "inconvenient" sound like the understatement of the century!

For those without a car, getting around really is a very frustrating and unpleasant day-to-day hassle. In suburbs and out of major cities, public transport services are virtually incompetently run, shutting down in the early evening and only giving sparse cover in less populated areas. It is not uncommon for people to abandon their travel plans altogether for fear of getting 'stranded' at their destination! Pensioners and single parents fair particularly badly.

Is it any wonder that the poor person waiting for 45 minutes at a bus stop in freezing wintry weather is dreaming of a life in paradise far away from the UK!

Jack Miles, founding author of "The Complete Guide To Emigrating from the U.K. to Paradise", wrote the Guide to help people in the UK escape to a stress-free life in a stunning location. The guide shows subscribers how to enjoy a life in paradise even on modest means. How to eat well and live well for next to nothing. It reveals the secret shortlist of Golden Location -- the few hidden places where you really can have it all for peanuts. Plus information on property prices, exchange rates, car and motorbike purchases, basic living expenses and more. The guide is dynamically updated, using first-hand information prepared by a number of on-location reporters.

Jack recently appeared live on CNBC to answer viewers' questions about emigrating. Afterwards he commented "The latest release is quite an eye-opener. For anyone looking to escape to a better lifestyle, "The Complete Guide to Emigrating from the U.K. to Paradise" is all you could wish for."

For more about the guide and living abroad, please visit: http://livinginparadise.co.uk

[tags]living abroad, overseas, emigrate, move abroad, job in spain, living in australia, thailand property[/tags]

Botanical Gardens Of Northern Thailand (Part 2)

Northern Thailand has many attractions that would be of interest to horticultural and botanical enthusiasts. Just outside of Chiang Mai, Thailand's 2nd largest city and the gateway to the northern provinces, are two outstanding botanical gardens - Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden and Bhubing Palace and Garden, one of the estates of the royal family. The best time to go is immediately after the end of the rainy season in early November, when many flowers are in bloom.

Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden

Located in Mae Sa Valley, a popular mountain resort area just 45 minutes - 1 hour drive from Chiang Mai, Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden at 960 hectares (2,372 acres) is by far the largest and most important Botanical Garden in Thailand. If you're a botanical enthusiast, no trip to Thailand is complete unless you schedule at last a day or two visiting this fascinating facility. As there is so much ground to cover here, I suggest you stay at one of the fine mountain lodges near the Garden in Mae Sa Valley as opposed to staying in Chiang Mai.

Opened in 1993, this garden were created as a botanical research center and for visitors who wanted learn more about the plants and flowers of Thailand. Believe me, QSBG is huge. When I visited these gardens about 2 years ago, I did not have enough time to thoroughly tour the property, maybe next time. There are a number of interesting botanical walking trails that crisscross and circle the hilly property featuring prominent displays of tropical plants and flowers. One route will introduce you to Thai plants and local medicinal herbs, another route features climbers and vines. Or perhaps, you would like to take a hike to a small waterfall, on the way you'll pass by the Thai Rock garden. This trail ends up at the Thai Orchid Nursery, which is home to over 350 native orchid species. Although, I did not have enough time to explore any of these trails, I am told each trail takes 40-60 minutes to complete.

While I was there, I visited the glasshouse conservatory, which houses the rainforest exhibit. Complete with an electrically powered artificial waterfall, this exhibit features many of the plants that thrive in the rainforest – gingers, anthuriums, ferns, cycads, impatiens, begonias and other species. There are a series of temperature-controlled greenhouses located on the hillside, each featuring a different grouping or category of plants and flowers. One of the greenhouses features an amazing collection of begonias; another one features mostly Thai medicinal plants and herbs. The most unusual and exotic plant that I encountered there was the Bat Plant (Tacca chantrieri), which is indigenous to Southeast Asia. The greenhouse exhibit featuring an eclectic variety of water lilies and lotuses was most impressive. Check out the stark contrast between the very unique and austere marble planters and the large black pots (see picture). Factoid - The water lotus is a sacred plant in the Buddhist religion.

Bhubing Palace and Gardens

Bhubing Palace and Garden is the winter residence for the Royal family. When her Royal Highness, Queen Sirikit, makes her seasonal visits to Northern Thailand to work on any number of community projects, she always returns to Bhubing Place to rest up. In addition, the Royal Family often entertain visiting dignitaries on this huge estate, which is located in very close proximity to the magnificent Doi Suthep Temple and Pagoda.

The Gardens on this estate are absolutely breathtaking and you can tell a lot of attention to minutiae was involved in the overall design and concept. The landscaping and design will definitely knock you out! Queen Sirikit is a real horticultural enthusiast and her favorite flowers are roses; you'll definitely want to check out the Queen's Royal Rose Garden, which features many exotic cultivars. In addition, there's a lovely Fern Garden and a small Water Reservoir, which is surrounded with landscaped beds of temperate flowering plants. I'll say one thing about the Royal Family (especially the King and the Queen), they truly are very cultured people and have very refined tastes. The traditional architecture and décor on this royal estate reflects their genuine appreciation of Thai history and culture. Of course, it helps to be very wealthy to be able to build such a beautiful estate as the Bhubing Palace. A wonderful place for photography, Bhubing Palace and Gardens is open to the public from April to December.

Bus Goldberg is a seasoned world traveler and the director of Calypso Island Tours, a travel company that specializes in botanical adventures and nature tours to such diverse destinations as Costa Rica, Thailand and the Caribbean. He also maintains his own travel blog, Calypso Island Chronicles

[tags]Thailand travel, Botancial Gardens, Thailand, travel[/tags]

Coping With Thailand's Tightened Visa Regulations

It is the end of an era in Thailand. Political changes occur rapidly in SE Asia. Nowhere is that more evident than inside the Land of Smiles. In the wake of the John Karr / JonBenet Ramsey fiasco, Thailand has tightened restrictions on Tourism Visas and stymied the lives of tens of thousands of travelers. Officials claim the two are not connected.

For many years now, backpackers have flocked to Thailand. It's tropical climate, gentle citizens, inviting beaches and ease of travel beckon youthful exuberance. Over time, many of us have matured to suitcases and still less-stylish travelers followed suit.

During these Golden Years of Thai travel visitors form 39 countries could enter the Kingdom of Thailand for thirty days without obtaining a visa before their arrival. Those staying on longer would simply make a border run, cross out of the country and return, often within minutes. Whish! Stamp! Boom! They had another thirty days.

Currently details of the new regulations are as clear as mud in an unlit cave. It appears starting October 1, 2006, travelers such as myself will be able to make a maximum of two border runs. We receive thirty days on arrival. Then, we receive thirty days each for the two reentries. After that we may not enter Thailand again for ninety days. In other words, after ninety days in, we must leave for ninety days. Whish! Stamp! Stamp! Out!

The tourism industry will suffer! From taxi drivers and guest houses, to massage schools and laundry services, the impact will be felt. I imagine a Tuk Tuk driver will look up this January and think, "Hey, where'd everybody go?" I like to believe the cumulative economic loss will be more than the Kingdom fathoms and policies will loosen again over time. I also still hang a Christmas stocking up for myself.

Alongside Thais, how are long-term travelers being affected by the changes? If you think the inconvenience to individuals is negligible, consider the following. Here are some examples.

Donald Wood – UK
"My sister and her family were to spend February in Thailand with me. They have canceled their trip. Why? Because, I'll be out for ninety days by then."

Kelly Laidlaw – USA
"I paid for a one month TEFL Course and two months 'volunteer' teacher training on Samui next year. That's three months total. I lose days from each 30 day allotment, because I have to do my visa border runs on weekend (to not miss class). This is what I'm left with. I leap into Thailand the day before class starts and sprint for Samui. Then, I fly out the day after I finish teaching/graduate. Perhaps a prospective school can interview me in the Tuk Tuk on the way to the airport."

Claude DeVosjoli – France
"I had many plans for my six months– sure to travel, but more. I'm always doing something. Mahout training, an expansive meditation experience, maybe I learn to cook Thai. And, there's trekking, Muay Thai courses… There's so much to do here. Now I can do only half. Half lose my francs. It's so hard to choose."

Barry Anderson – Australia
"Funny thing is Burma (a.k.a. Myanmar) lost business because of the Thai regs. I wanted to hop over there bouts for a week mid-November. Can't now. That would use up one of my precious two visa runs early. Don't wanna torch thirteen days I figure."

Kathy Taylor – Canada
"I sold my home to come to SE Asia for a couple years. The thinking was I would maintain a small apartment in Chiang Mai, take some classes, travel around a bit and have a place to nest and write in between. Now when I travel to other countries it will go lock, stock and barrel, along with my tourism dollars for many months."

Alan McLawrie – UK
"I'm currently taking classes to learn to speak Thai. I'll miss the third level now. Of course, I'll be off in Vietnam not able to practice what I just learned anyway. Also, I volunteer at a dog rescue and will miss the pups. I'm financially independent, yet too young to meet the 50 year old requirement for a Retirement Visa here. Officials actually said this new law will stop bad people and not hurt good people. Well, if financially successful, charitable volunteers who study their culture are bad guys, send me to the front of the line."

Anita Kroll – USA
"This change is a bit of a pickle for me. I have a three month course this spring. So, in December when my 90 is up, I have to leave Thailand for almost four months, not three. I'll need the whole next lot of ninety days to cover my class time. The course starts in late April and I'm out in December. I wish there had been more notice before the government changed things, though in retrospect I did not have to pay in advance."

As you see there are dozens of ways Thailand's new policies will cause little inconveniences. But, how little are they? You see, I am Anita. I am Alan. I am Kathy, Barry, Kelly, Donald and even Claude DeVosjoli. All these issues occurred for just one peaceful gal who simply loves Thailand. What else do these issues have in common? That's easy. They take money away (Whish!) from the Kingdom of Thailand and its citizens.

Nola L. Kelsey is the author of Bitch Unleashed: The Harsh Realities of Goin' Country and coauthor of the scathing political satire Keeping the Masses Down. To read more of Kelsey's work, visit her rarely up-to-date website at: http://www.nolakelsey.com

[tags]Thailand, Asia, travel, tourism, visa, changes, visas, lonely planet, guides, book, Nola Kelsey, SE[/tags]

Young Female, Traveling Alone - India

Embarking on a Holy Adventure

I had a strong grip on the seat in front of mine. I could have felt my stomach shrinking in fear and moving upward, toward my chest.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are experiencing some turbulence. Please keep your seat belts fastened until the seatbelt sign is off," announced the pilot.

I looked around. I was the only female in the vicinity. The Indian men kept staring at me. They had been looking since I got on the plane. The look was intense, and I almost felt it penetrating my skin. The cabin looked run-down. The empty luggage storage bins hung wide-open, flapping in the air. There was water dripping from a rusty spot above a right-side window, and the seat below was missing. My seat kept shaking and so was the one onto which I was hanging.

"Turbulence only," said the Indian man sitting on my left side.

He probably sensed my fear. I was afraid the plane would not survive through such strong air turbulence.

The plane hit a deep air hole and abruptly descended a few meters. I felt hopeless.

The aircraft stabilized a few minutes later. The seatbelt lights turned off. I let go of the chair in front and leaned back. I felt the sweat dripping down my chin. I tried to relax.

The flight attendants moved around quickly, distributing bread rolls and small white lunch boxes to the passengers.

"Is this a vegetarian meal?" I asked the stewardess who had handed it to me.

"There is no vegetarian meal on plane." I opened the box, and I smelled the rotten meat. I lost my appetite.

"Can I have a glass of water?"

"Wait, please." She came back ten minutes later and handed me the water.

Half an hour later, we landed in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. The Indian men rushed outside the plane, pushing me out of the way. I had no choice but to move with the flow. I walked along the corridor and entered the waiting room.

I sat down. Two young Western guys came to sit next to me.

"Are you traveling alone?" asked one of them.

"Yes, but right now I wish I had a travel companion," I said.

"You can hang out with us."

Rick and Johan were friends. Johan was Swedish and Rick was a Kiwi (New Zealander). They met in Sweden. Rick had been away from home for five years. They looked tired. Big dark circles surrounded their eyes.

"We partied late last night in Bangkok," Johan said. The plane was two hours late, and there was no sign that it would take off soon.

Many Indian men stood by the information desk. I approached the desk.

"Do you know what time the plane will leave?" I asked one of the men standing up next to the desk.

"Sorry, Madame, don't know," he said. "The plane time two hours ago." I found it funny the way he wiggled his head while talking to me. He shook it fast from side to side.

I sat down. An hour later, the Indian men rushed inside the plane, pushing again along the way. This time I sat next to Rick and Johan. We arrived late at night in Calcutta and we shared a pre-paid taxi to Sudder Street, the backpackers' district.

It felt like a different world—a world after a war. The buildings were run-down. Some had broken windows, and huge dirty spots covered the outside walls. There were garbage piles on the side of the road. I could smell it.

The streets were quiet at night. A cow moved nonchalantly along the street. A few metal busses with no window glass were parked along the side. They looked abandoned.

"It's not as bad as I imagined," I said out loud.

"You seem to be picking yourself up quickly," Rick said.

The three of us looked around in shock.

"Sudder Street flooded," said the driver. "A lot of water…Two weeks raining," he continued. "I know good hotel."

Johan, Rick, and I looked at each other in disbelief.

"No, you bring us to Sudder Street now," I told him firmly.

It looked like a scam: he would probably bring us to some expensive hotel where he could collect commission.

Sudder Street was not flooded. It took us an hour to find a decent open guesthouse. Inside the guesthouse, I looked at three rooms and chose the cleanest of the three. I settled for two hundred rupees.

I suddenly started regretting leaving Southeast Asia. In Bangkok, for two hundred rupees, I would have had a clean room with air-conditioning.

I couldn't fall sleep. For the remainder of the night, I tossed and turned in bed.

I got off the bed early the next morning and took a cold shower. I felt my skin itching. I started inspecting my room. There were a couple black roaches running around. The walls were dirty, and there were a few small blood spots on top of the bed. As I approached to take a closer look at the wall, I saw a couple of tiny white worm-like insects wandering around in my bed. I packed my backpack and went down the stairs.

"You told me no bedbugs," I told the guy at the reception.

"No bedbugs in guesthouse, Madame. We are clean people." He wiggled his head.

"Come and I show you the bedbugs," I told him.

He followed me into the room and I showed him the small insects wandering the bed.

"Maybe one…or two," He said.

He gave me another room with a TV and more bedbugs for 250 rupees. I took it, as I realized all the rooms were the same.

I ordered the train ticket to Delhi with the guesthouse. I was going to leave the following evening. I left a note for Rick and Johan, and I went out in the city.

In the Streets of India

Sudder Street looked so much different in the daylight. A few tobacco stores opened for business. On the left side, a couple of rickshaw drivers were lying down, sleeping inside their rickshaws, waiting for passengers. Not far away from them, a cow sat chewing from a pile of garbage. Further down, a couple of men were lying down on bamboo sheets, sleeping. They must have been really poor. A couple of cars crossed each other in the streets, barely missing each other.

I tried to make my way through the busy street, passing a few Indians on the way.

"Rupees, Madame, please?" A woman walked toward me, begging for money. She carried a baby in her hands. A couple of children followed her.

"Rupees, Madame?"

I searched my bag and gave them small change. They continued walking along.

"Rupees, Madame, please?"

"I gave you some, now go away, please." They still followed me.

I entered a small restaurant at the corner of the street. I sat down and ordered tea and toast.

A few Westerners sat down in the restaurant. They looked rested and calm. I wished I felt that way. I lacked sleep and felt rather anxious.

A blond girl quietly sat at the table in front of me, reading a book. She looked beautiful in her blue Salwar Kameez suit. I thought of buying one too.

The restaurant looked filthy. The waiter brought me breakfast. He cleaned my table. No matter how hard he cleaned it, it was still dirty. I quickly ate and went back onto Sudder Street. It was hot. I thought of buying a bottle of water.

"No good water, Madame," said a young boy passing by. I took the bottle of water I bought from the tobacco shop and looked at it.

"What's wrong with it?" I asked.

"This water bad name," he explained.

It was another scam to make a few extra rupees. The bottles have been refilled with tap water. As a traveler, the number one survival rule in Asia was to neither drink the tap water nor eat the uncooked fruits or vegetables washed in it.

I threw away the bottle and bought a different brand. The bottle was sealed properly. It was safe to drink it.

The weather started to get hot. The air was polluted. I had hard time breathing.

I went inside the market and roamed around, searching for clothes to buy. I had the impression the Indian men's eyes followed me everywhere I went, watching me.

"Madame, you need help? I show you nice store." The Indian man started walking along with me.

"I will find the stores myself, thank you," I told him.

"Madame, you want to buy?" said another Indian man as I approached his store.

I bought a red Salwar Kameez suit and put it on. I thought of buying a Bindi, the red dot the Indian women wear between their eyes.

"Madame, need help?" The salesman asked.

"I need a Bindi."

"I give you beautiful Bindi." He took out a bunch of small packets of Bindis of different colors and shapes. He chose one, took it out, and placed it on my forehead.

"Beautiful, Madame." He smiled.

I bought a small pack.

Back in the streets, I noticed I was being stared at less than before. It must have been the Indian attire.

The traffic was chaotic: cars going in all directions, their horns honking. To my amazement the cars didn't collide.

"Why do they use the horns so much?" I asked myself.

A strange vehicle passed in front of me: a two-seat and two-wheel rickshaw dragged by a tiny Indian man. Two women sat behind him. On the other side of the street, a few Indian men waited by the bus stop. They wore white pajama-like clothes and slippers.

I walked along the sidewalk through the slums of Calcutta. There were blue tents set up all along the sidewalk, and many families found shelter underneath them. I tried to look inside a tent. I could only see colorful, ripped clothes hanged in front of the tent. A woman washed her skinny naked children. As I got closer to them, they started begging me for money. I gave away some change. As other families saw me, they came closer. I found myself surrounded by tens of people begging for money. I threw some rupees in the air, and as they tried to pick the money up I ran away.

I suddenly got dizzy. I felt exhausted and confused. I scanned the images in front of my eyes, but I had a hard time realizing what was happening. This was not the reality I knew. There was too much chaos and too much poverty all around.

The above is an excerpt from my book 'Young Female, Traveling Alone.' To find out more, please visit my website: http://www.neo-hippy.com

I am a computer engineer, living in Montreal, Canada. In November 2001, I took an assignment to work in Sweden, where I lived as an expatriate until July 2003. I then left my job in Sweden to embark on a seven-month backpacking journey through Asia/Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia and India. During this time, I became accustomed to the "traveler mentality" and learned to survive on the road.

[tags]India, young female travel alone, Asia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia[/tags]