International

Like Another World – Discovering Thailand’s Travel Treasures

- Admin

Mention the word “treasure” and you’ll probably think of pirates and jewels spilling out of a treasure chest. But treasure can mean all different kinds of things to different people and we’re here to tell you about some of the travel treasures of the glorious country of Thailand. Boasting silky sand beaches and clear blue waters, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d stepped off your flight and into utopia.

Krabi
The film “The Beach,” which starred heart-throb Leonardo DiCaprio, presented the kind of paradise that you can only ever dream of… or can you? The good news is that this paradise location does exist; and the even better news is that it’s in Thailand. The film was shot in the Phi Phi Islands, which are just off the mainland of the Krabi region. The beaches of Ao Nang make the destination a must-visit location, even if you just want to step on the soft, golden sand, take a few photos and return home telling your friends and family you’ve set foot on the same shores as the one and only Leo himself!

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Image by chee.hong, used under CC 2.0
Phuket
The first thing you’ll notice about Phuket is that, for an island, it’s pretty vast in size, stretching for 49 sun-kissed kilometers! The island offers marvelous deep sea diving and beaches of the highest caliber, just right for sleeping off any excesses from the night before in the clubs of Patong Town. If you wish to explore the province of Phuket, you can take a plane to the island, and then make your way to the Big Buddha. Thailand has built this statue at quite some cost –the fact that the statue is made of Burmese alabaster has placed a few Thai bahts on the bill – but with little complaint from the citizens.

Khao Lak
In Khao Lak, which is situated in the south-west of Thailand and looks onto the Andaman Sea, it’s all about the beaches! This series of beaches lies about 70 kilometers north of gorgeous Phuket, and you can even organize a day trip out to Phuket, or vice versa. The location of the island allows you to also explore the national park of Khao Lak, where you’ll encounter 1,000 meter high hills, sea cliffs, even more beaches, estuaries, waterfalls and valleys. This park really is that beautiful, and you can also come across wildlife such as monkeys, drongos and, if you’re lucky (although you’d want to keep your distance, obviously!) Asiatic bears.

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Image by Salid, used under CC 2.0
Thailand is a privileged country to enjoy such jewels as these, and it’s very little surprise that so many people come flocking to the country each year, either for a taste of the sun or to explore some of the national parks and cultural offerings. Whatever you come here to see or do, there’s nothing to prevent you from coming back if you don’t cram it all in the first time!

Four Fascinating Historical Facts about Tenerife

- Admin

At this moment in time, Tenerife is an admired and approved destination among numerous travellers wanting to escape daily life in search of sun, sea, and sand. The biggest of the Canary Islands is also home to nearly half the region’s residents, but it wasn’t always this way.Tenerife was uninhabited until around 200BC when cave dwellers known as Guanches settled here. For over a millennium, these natives were isolated from the outside world until the Spanish arrived in the 15th century.

From then until the present day, Tenerife has been a part of Spain, which is heavily reflected in the island’s culture and cuisine. But what other facts are there about the island’s fascinating past?

1. The word “Tinerfe” refers to one of the original Guanche monarchs
Although the word “Tinerfe” closely resembles the island’s name and can be seen on various buildings and businesses, it is actually honouring one of the original Guanche monarchs.

Tinerfe had nine children and after his death, each one received a “menceyatos” or municipality on the island to rule over. While Tenerife now consists of 31 municipalities, they are divided up in much the same way.

2. It took two years for Spain to complete its conquest
Military leader Javier Alonso Luis Fernández de Lugo along with around 2,200 soldiers sailed to the shores of Tenerife at the end of 1493 to begin Spain’s conquest of the island. However, the last of the defending Guanches did not surrender until late December 1495.

In addition to fatal injuries suffered in battle, the Guanches also succumbed to various diseases that the Spanish brought over, as the natives had little natural immunity or resistance.

3. Tenerife survived a famous attack from the British
Even though Horatio Nelson was one of Great Britain’s finest military leaders, he failed to conquer the island in 1797. In fact, the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife was where a musket ball hit him in his right arm, which later had to be amputated.

To commemorate this victory, Castle Negrillo close to the Parque Maritimo César Manrique hosts an annual re-enactment on 25th July. As you would expect, Nelson always loses.

4. Tenerife was a tourist destination before the 20th century
After a period of stability, Tenerife warmly welcomed visitors to its shores and by the 1890s it was a popular holiday destination. While visitors typically stayed around Santa Cruz and Puero de la Cruz, the whole island embraced the idea of tourism.

However, Tenerife soon entered yet another turbulent period and growth was hampered when the Spanish Civil War began in 1936. After General Francisco Franco was installed as leader of a dictatorship, several of his opponents in Tenerife fled to Cuba and Latin America.

But today, there are no signs of turmoil or trouble and Tenerife has firmly established itself as a thoroughly charming and captivating destination.

Images by Tony Hisgett and Jörg Lange used under the Creative Commons license.

Five Must-do Things for Your Trip to Thailand

- Admin

A vacation to Thailand is a great way to relax and enjoy some of the finest beaches and natural wonders the world has to offer, while also learning about and experiencing a new culture that is made-up of great cuisine, beautiful art and religious monuments, as well as kind and generous people. While your time in Thailand is bound to present you with a great time no matter what you decide to do, here are five things that you won’t want to miss out on when planning your next trip.

1 Krabi

1. The beaches of Krabi
If you’ve seen a poster advertising the scenic spots of Thailand, odds are you were drawn towards the stunning beaches of Krabi, whose limestone cliffs and caves provide the ultimate seaside atmosphere for any beach goer. Whether you’re interested in water sports and rock climbing, or simply want to sip cocktails, swim, and take in the rays, the beaches of Tham Phra Nang, Railay, and Koh Hong are some of the area’s best.

2 Grand Palace

2. The Grand Palace
The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew are the main attraction that must not be missed while spending time in the vibrant capital city of Bangkok. The Grand Palace was finished in the late 19th-century and features an eclectic mix of elegant European architecture, and traditional Thai artworks and design. The attached grounds of Wat Phra Kaew is home to the Emerald Buddha, and the temple is considered to be the most important religious site for Thai Buddhists.

3 Erawan Falls

3. Erawan Falls and the Bridge on the River Kwai
Located just outside the sleeping jungle village of Kanchanaburi, Erawan Falls and the Death Railway (made famous by the film the Bridge on the River Kwai) provide visitors with a natural wonder and a historic site. The multi-tiered falls are some of the finest in the country and feature wonderful swimming holes, natural rock slides and crystal clear waters. The railway is an emotionally powerful site, where many forced labourers and POWs lost their lives working under the Japanese military in WWII.

4 Chiang Mai

4. Chiang Mai
The capital of the north of Thailand, Chiang Mai sits in the foothills and is a quaint and picturesque town that has ancient city walls and is surrounded by mountain jungle and rainforest. If anyone is looking to spend a little time outdoors, you’ll find great trekking, elephant sanctuaries, and rafting just a short drive from the center of town (which you can access through tours). Be sure to also try out some of the north’s famous street food.

5 Sukhothai

5. Sukhothai
One of the ancient capitals of the Kingdom of Siam, Sukhothai came of age in the 13th and 14th century, and today features a vast variety of relics that are the best examples of the era’s architecture and style. From massive sculptures of Buddha to ancient temples, a bike ride through these grounds will make you feel as if you’ve travelled back in time.
Wherever you decide to head to in Thailand, there are plenty of great sites to see and natural wonders to explore, all of which will add up to an extremely special experience.

Images by Nicolas Vollmer , Thomas Jaehnel , Ian Armstorng , xiquinhosilva and Brian Fagan used under the Creative Commons License.