Exotic Thailand - Tips and Customs

Credit: Floating market in Bangkok  - CYeong


A friend of mine who is a photographer recently came back from a holiday in Bangkok and he has kindly given his blessing to use some of the pictures he took during his Thailand tour. They are some interesting shots of tourist spots that most visitors would not like to miss when they are in Thailand where most of the people are Buddhists.

Some of the wonderful pictures he took include the floating market in Bangkok which is a perennial favourite with a lot of foreign tourists. By the way, Bangkok with its many canals is also known as the "Venice of the East". 

Credit: Kanchanaburi War Cemetery - CYeong


The Kanchanaburi War Cemetery and the famous Bridge on the Kwai River (remember this war movie?) are also interesting pictures which bring back nostalgic feelings, especially for those who have connections with the soldiers and others who lost their lives during the war.

If Thailand is going to be your next holiday destination, travel writer Christopher Snyder has some useful tips and customs for you to follow when you are rubbing shoulders with the gentle and friendly Thai folks.

Credit: Bridge on the River Kwai - CYeong

Credit: Elephant Ride - CYeong



Travel Tips and Customs in Thailand

By Christopher Snyder

After living in Bangkok for over a year I have learned many things about the Thai People that I wanted to share with other foreigners living or vacationing here should know. 

The first thing you have to accept is that eastern culture is different. The people in the east are less emotional and more polite and while they know westerners are different, they often are uncomfortable when we stray from their norms. 

The things I found to be important are listed below in order of importance:

1. Be Polite - Thai people hold being polite above all else. Their very language has politeness built into it. If you follow what is considered "common courtesy" you will be fine.

2. Thai King - The Thai People Love their King, King Rama IX. Never show any type of disrespect to him.

3. Be Quiet - Loud people are considered impolite. Speak softly and do not laugh loudly. Of course there are the common places such as bars that being loud is appropriate.

4. Watch where you walk - The side walks in Bangkok are uneven and full of obstacles, pay attention. Oh, the streets have many stray dogs; the dogs are not aggressive but do leave landmines on the sidewalks.

5. Taxi drivers (enough said) - Most taxi drivers are fine. Generally, it is always better to use the metered taxis. Tuktuks are always more expensive and with Bangkok traffic you could be breathing in a lot of smog on the way. If you are going a significant distance negotiate...

6. Body Odor - Thai people almost never smell badly and they find it offensive if others do.

7. Movie Theater - After the advertising and right before the movie a tribute to the Thai King Comes on and everyone stands in respect.

Following these tips will allow you to have more fun in your stay in Bangkok, allowing the locals to be more comfortable with you and give you a better understanding of how things functions in Thailand.


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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Snyder

Update - Be forewarned:  Just in case you noticed a similar article including photos on some other blogs, you can be sure it's the work of some scrappers. This site carries the original article and pictures. Where we use the work of others, we credit them.

Wonders in the Land of Oz

By M Witt

A holiday itinerary to Down Under (that's Australia, mate) that takes in the major cities will mean advanced planning on your part, especially if you are seeking budget rates at hotels.

Be it in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, Perth or Darwin, smart budget travellers will first check out travel and tourism websites for the right information, make their bookings before flying off to the Land of Oz.

There are a number of such holiday websites on the Internet for you to consider and make price comparisons and other information you may need before your trip.

Cheaperthanhotels.com.au is one such website that have the information if you're looking for cheap accomodation in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, Perth and Darwin. They offer advance discount contract rates, so you save money and secure your hotel reservations. So how about an Australian adventure that will remain as fond memories?

The Australian continent offers a remarkable landscape. If you are travelling to see some of the great Australian tourist locations you will not be disappointed.

Queensland

The Gold Coast

The Great Barrier Reef is one location you will not want to miss. When you think of lazy holidays on sunny beaches, Queensland's regions such as the Gold Coast - a holiday spot of wonderful contrasts - and Whitsundays come to mind. Surfers' Paradise is a favourite for many who are looking for an enjoyable time on its famous beach. In these places you will find the perfect clime and seaside towns that give you the experience of relaxed Australian culture at its best.

Known as the Sunshine State, Queensland offers a rich, diverse experience for vacation trippers. From pristine beaches to lush rainforest wonderlands, you can consider it an ultimate holiday destination. The state capital Brisbane is the third largest city in Australia.

New South Wales

Sydney's Opera House


NSW is Australia’s most diverse state. The state capital, Sydney, is the country’s largest and most cosmopolitan city and it boasts the world famous Opera House which is a sight to behold. It is one of five World Heritage sites. The vibrancy of Sydney with its spectacular beauty will stretch your imagination. From shopping to dining and other activities catering to all your desires will leave you breathless in Sydney.

Like the other Australian states, NSW can boast its own sparkling beaches stretching from north to south, a vast, colourful outback, Australia’s highest mountain offering every type of snow sport, and meandering waterways.

Victoria

Yarra River, Melbourne

In size Victoria is a small state but it has some of the best sightseeing and most fascinating places in the country. There are surprises everywhere. Melbourne, the state capital, is a great place for those who love food and wine - a paradise for the connoisseur. It is an exciting, multi-cultural city with a rich heritage and culture. There are great sporting, fashion and cultural events. Be the adventurous type and discover the eclectic boutiques in the city.

Discover the beauty and diversity of Victoria's regions - From towering rainforests, ski resorts and endless golden bays, to craggy ocean cliffs, rolling green hills and red sandy deserts. Victoria was the main attraction for thousands of gold prospectors in the mid-19th century because of its goldfields, and today the gold mining towns are modern cities.

South Australia

Shades of autumn - Adelaide Hills


The state is wine country. South Australia carries on the tradition of more 160 years of winemaking that began in 1841 when the first vintage was recorded in the Adelaide Hills.

From Shiraz in the Barossa, Riesling in the Clare Valley to the big reds of the Coonawarra, it's a great sparkling journey across some of the most famous wine regions in the world. Adelaide itself is a vibrant southern city with great cultural events going on and shopping buffs will not be short of places to go.

Kangaroo Island

One of the best places to be is Kangaroo Island which is just a "stone's throw away" from the coast of South Australia. The island is seven times the size of Singapore. This unique place is a microcosm of different landscapes and environments, with desert dunes, stunning beaches, forests, and farmlands.

Kangaroo Island was voted top tourism and environment island in the world by National Geographic Traveler magazine for its natural attractions and sensitivity to the environment.

Western Australia

For the authentic Australian experience visit Perth, Australia's western gateway and the capital of Western Australia. It's a great place to start your holiday. Perth City has an easygoing lifestyle. Experience the beauty of Swan River and the inner-city parks and get that easy, peaceful feeling like having a cold beer on a sunny afternoon at an open-air pub.

In WA, as in all the other states, fantastic beaches abound and amazing marine adventures are just waiting for you. For entertainment and other activities, there's plenty of nightlife, bustling markets, inner-city parks and outdoor dining.

Western Australia's history is tied to the ocean. It is a land of great contrasts. The state boasts a rugged and beautiful Outback - from the vast open Nullarbor plains to the colourful marine wonderland of Ningaloo Reef. It's the best of both worlds.

Swan River with Perth's skyline in the background


Tasmania

Tasmania is a green island of wild, mountainous and beautiful landscapes, separated from mainland Australia by the 240 kilometres (150 miles) stretch of Bass Strait. Hobart, its capital, enjoys a busy arts scene, thanks to its creative arts community. The city folks are friendly displaying a relaxed lifestyle. Settled in 1804, the town grew rapidly as the clearing house for British and Irish convicts. Its place on the Derwent River became the perfect protected deepwater harbour, and now every December and January it welcomes weary and exultant contenders from the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

Hobart, Tasmania 

Northern Territory

The Northern Territory is a land that is full of surprises - from the lush rainforests of Kakadu and Katherine to the arid red plains of the Red Centre in Alice Springs and the great rock, Uluru (Ayers Rock). Darwin, the state capital, enjoys influences that are as much Asian as they are western with dozens of nationalities sharing an easy-going lifestyle.

The Uluru (Ayers Rock) in Northern Territory

The state is one of the most sparsely populated regions, spanning more than 1.4 million square kilometres from the centre to the northerly coast of the Australian continent. It's a place where ancient woodlands meet sandy beaches and escarpments tower above lush billabongs. If you are a photography buff, you will not want to miss some great shots while watching the sunsets and the storms that are something of a local pastime.

Cool time at the Lichfield National Park, Northern Territory

How to deal with jet lag

 by Trevor Johnson

Jet lag is an awkward side effect of jet travel when you cross too many time zones for your body's liking. Face it, most of us have enough problems when we shift just an hour to daylight savings. Follow these tips on avoiding jet lag to help reduce the effects.

Not all these tips are relevant for every trip, especially if you're traveling on business at short notice, but at least some of them should be useful for you.

1. Adjust your sleep time

Start helping your body clock to adjust to the new time zone by changing the times that you go to sleep at night and awaken in the morning. You'll start to become accustomed to the new times. Make the adjustment about an hour each night.

2. Set your watch

As soon as you board your flight, set your watch to the new time. We look at our watches an amazingly high amount of times, so adjusting the time as soon as possible will help your mind realize that it's changing clocks.

3. Drink water. Lots of it

Sure, you can ask the stewardess for water but they have hundreds of other passengers to look after as well. Buy a bottle of water once you've passed through airport control and drink plenty of water during your flight.

4. Say no to coffee and alcohol

They both act as dehydrators. So they'll help to dry up your body even more than the flight already does. Soft drinks or water are to be preferred.

5. Get some rest on the flight

Depending on how enthusiastic the cabin staff are, this may be easier said than done. And if that child behind you rocks your seat once more, then that's another story. If you get the option, a window seat or one in the center of a block of seats will minimize the number of people who need to ask you to move out of their way. Noise canceling headphones aren't standard issue on many flights, so if you are a regular traveler then treat yourself to a set. They really do cut down the disturbance of engine noise.

6. Go walkabout occasionally

OK, this is at odds with getting rest. But sitting down for hours on end isn't a good idea either. Walk up and down the aisles a few times. Not so much that you're pacing them but certainly go for this exercise a few times on a long flight. Just be certain not to time your expedition for meal or drinks or duty free services.

7. Adjust to your new time zone on the plane

If it's daytime at your destination, stay awake. If it's night where you are going, get some sleep. You can catch up on the in flight entertainment when you've got a bigger screen and better sound. Start adjusting as soon as you can.

8. Keep adjusting at your destination

Even if you've been on a plane for hours and hours. The sooner you start adjusting, the better. So if you arrive in the dead of night, get to sleep. A dose of melatonin may help here - it's a natural sleeping aid that's already produced by your body.

About The Author: Trevor Johnson - Get more help on how to cope with jet lag including various jet lag remedies at http://www.squidoo.com/copewithjetlag

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Ready To Get Wild In Australia? Visit Sydney's Taronga Zoo

When there is a trip to the beautiful city of Sydney, there needs to be a plan of things that you will want to see and do on a regular basis. These things will be more than enough to fill up your time while in the city. One of the stops that you need to make sure that you visit will be the Taronga Zoo Sydney.

When you head to the zoo, make sure that you check out some of the various fun features that you can take part in such as you and three of your family members are able to get close to such animals as koala bears and owls. This will be well worth the price to this exhibit.

Your family will be ecstatic as a result of being able to get up close and personal with some of the more exotic animals on the planet. This will allow them to feel like they are close to nature and as a result are able to have a better feel for the surrounding nature and elements that are around them.

Conservation is the most important aspect that needs to be addressed when it comes to the purpose of the zoo.

While many zoos are looking at just showing the animals of the world, the Taronga Zoo Sydney, is focused on ensuring that these animals are able to continue to be enjoyed. There are a lot of different advantages that are able to be enjoyed by visitors both young and old.

If you are a lover of nature and looking for a way that you are able to photograph this beauty in its purest form, then the zoo offers people the opportunity to take lessons in photography in order to capture all of nature in its glory and beauty.

There are also programs and lectures that you child will be able to take a part in to learn about many animals that they may have never even heard of before. This can give them a lot to talk about when they get back home to talk with their friends.

While the zoo is a rather large place to explore, it is a wise decision that you take a day or two to fully explore the zoo and see all that it has to offer the visitor.

There is too much beauty and wonderfulness that is associated with the zoo to see it all in a single day. This is a trip that many people will want to make on a regular basis in order to get the full experience of the zoo.

The Taronga Zoo Sydney affords a person the chance to get closer to the animals than many of the zoos in the area or the rest of the world all together. While you cannot pet a wild tiger, you are able to get close to some of the less harmful animals that are in the immediate area.

The next time that you and the family are looking for a fun place to head in order to have a fun filled adventure, consider a trip to the Taronga Zoo Sydney and see all that the zoo has to offer its guest that come into their own wild kingdom, this will be well worth the price of admission.

About the Author: Fraser Brown is an experienced writer that is actually a Sydney Accommodation expert and is specially well known for concentrating on Sydney vacation and information ventures