Goa - not the one we know ...

Its the Goa season. But this is the Goa that I have not seen. One hour from Panjim, the scenery,and the colours changes . Not beaches, but hills . The blues become green. Not parties,but solitude...Its beautiful, green and quiet . At Chorla Ghats , the wildnest resort is nestled between the borders of Karnataka , Maharashtra and Goa .



We chanced on this resort when we were desperate to get away from the corporate life. It was an overnight decision that made us book our tickets and make good our escape . It was replete with treks , looking for waterfalls,scouting for small snakes and a bit of bird watching.


Or you can just drink and sleep and rest all those blues .As fugitives, we sought refuge in nature, before getting back to the Goa,which we all know ...
Getting there This part of Goa is nestled in the Chorla Ghats which is in the karnataka-maharashtra-goa border .Its in the Swapnagandha valley . Its equidistant from panjim -65 kms or from Belgaum -60 kms .

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by Jour ~ Saturday, December 30, 2006 0 comments

Switzerland 12/18: Zürich in the Daylight

Breakfast was included at our Zürich hotel and it was really fun. They had not only the standard continental fare - croissants, bread, jam, cereal, coffee, juice - but also fresh eggs that you boiled yourself and fresh oranges to squeeze in a juicer yourself. We had a great time and it was delicious. After breakfast we packed up, checked out, and left our bags with the front desk so we could go

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by Jour ~ Friday, December 29, 2006 0 comments

Mini Light and Sound Show of Akha Hilltribes

November 25 December 30, January 27, 2007, February 24, and March 31.
Venue: Chiang Rai province Thailand Travel

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Northern Office, Region 2 with the cooperation of the Hill Tribes Aid and Development Center, Chiang Rai, will present a series of mini light and sound shows called “Akha Khon Phu Khao” at the Hill Tribes Aid and Development Center, Mae Chan district, Chiang Rai province.

Mini Light and Sound Show of Akha Hilltribes

The Akha Khon Phu Khao mini light and sound show has been shown every year since 1999. This year there will be five rounds of the show: on November 25, December 30, January 27, 2007, February 24, and March 31. The admission price of 300 baht includes dinner.

Mini Light and Sound Show of Akha Hilltribes Thailand Travel

The show presents the way of life and culture of the Akha, one of the hill tribes that live in the north of Thailand. The actors are the hill tribe people who live at the Hill Tribes Aid and Development Center. The shows help to earn more funds to support the activities of the center and to conserve the way of life of the hill tribe people.

source : thaiwaysmagazine.com

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by Jour ~ Thursday, December 28, 2006 0 comments

The Hundredth Anniversary of Bangkhunprom Palace

28 December 2006
Venue: Bangkhunprom Palace, Samsen Road, Bangkok

On 28 December, H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside over the centenary of Bangkhunprom Palace. The celebration will be held at Bangkhunprom Palace, which is now the Bank of Thailand Museum.

Hundredth Anniversary of Bangkhunprom Palace Thailand Travel

In the celebration, the songs written by Prince Baripatra, the original owner of the palace, will be played, alternating with the history telling of the prince and the palace.

Hundredth Anniversary of Bangkhunprom Palace Thailand Travel

There will be demonstrations of Thai desserts and Thai crafts, and competitions of fruit carving and ancient Thai food cooking. In addition, there will be orchid and bonsai booths, since Bangkhunprom
Palace, in the past, was also famous for its orchid. On that day all executives and staffs of the museum will dress up in traditional Thai costumes.(Prince Baripatra Sukhumbhand was a son of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) and Queen Sukhumala Marasri.

source:thaiwaysmagazine.com

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by Jour ~ Tuesday, December 26, 2006 0 comments

Switzerland 12/17: Heathrow to Basel to Zurich

Our trip to Switzerland for the pre-holidays was wonderful and very festive. It was mighty cold - below freezing the entire time - but it never snowed. That was okay, though, as we had some blue-sky days in the cities and we still got to enjoy the snow during our day in the Alps. Thanks to good old Heathrow Airport our trip didn't begin very smoothly, although it could have been much

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by Jour ~ 0 comments

Dolphin Watching and Seagull Tracing

Dolphin Watching November-February and Seagull Tracing November-May

Venue: Chachoengsao Province and Samut Prakan Province

Once a year, you can witness the miracle of season change from the rainy season to winter close to Bangkok by spending your morning at Bang Pa Kong watching dolphins, “colour of the sea”, in Chachoengsao Province and the evening observing flocks of seagulls, “colour of the sky”, in Samut Prakan Province.

First Location

The mouth of the Bang-Pa-Kong River
From the end of October to February each year, people can go out into the sea with a local fisherman to the food chain area abundant with small shrimps and fishes, and eel catfishes, to find out the answer why dolphins only eat half of an eel catfish and why its head is left over. Species found there are Irrawaddy and Humpback Dolphins. Other interesting activities are watching birds of over 50 species and studying local fishermen’s way of life in their biggest snapper farm.

Second Location

Bang Pa In Seaside Resort
Bang Pa In Seaside Resort, located in Bang Pu Mai District, Muang County, Samut Prakan Province, is a significant bird-watching place near to Bangkok. It has many kinds of bird there but the one that brings reputation to Bang Pa In is the seagull. Seagulls nest and lay their eggs around the lakes in Tibet and Mongolia in summer (which is the rainy season in Thailand).

Dolphin Watching and Seagull Tracing

And when the babies are strong enough, seagulls, young and old, will fly over the Indian Ocean and get to the Gulf of Thailand around early November. They will live here until they mate. After reproduction in around April-May, they will fly back to Tibet and Mongolia.

Dolphin Watching and Seagull Tracing Thailand Travel

After watching the birds, just walk into Suk Jai Pavilion where you can find a fresh seafood restaurant. On Saturday from 5-9 pm. you can enjoy the dancing and Thai classical music during your meal. Just for an additional 50 baht you can take the floor.

For more information, please contact: Resort Service Office, Military Quartermaster Corps.

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by Jour ~ Monday, December 25, 2006 0 comments

Indian countryside

There is nothing more beautiful in the world than Indian countryside . Sharath and I discovered this on our anniversary when we decided to become vagabonds for a day and give in to our wanderlust

So we drove around karnataka,without a destination in our minds ,running past fields and plantations, stopping by woods and lakes , and pausing by to take a moment around small hillocks to see what we are missing in life ....

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by Jour ~ Sunday, December 24, 2006 0 comments

Mangrove Park Opens in Cha-am

Border Patrol Police Bureau, Mrigadayavan Palace Foundation and Huay Sai Study Centre plan to open the Bt400 million Princess Sirindhom International Environment Park in Cha-Am next April. The Park will feature eco-tourism trips through mangroves to see rare birds and fish.

Border Patrol Police Bureau officer, Somjet Imsopom, said the park was 80% completed. Construction, which began in 2004, is scheduled to be finished in time for HRH Princess Sirindhorn's birthday in 2007.

Visitors

Visitors will be Thai 70% and the balance foreigners. Last year, around 300,000 people visited Mrigadayavan Palace, which is considered good performance. The park will offer several activities highlighting enerdy conservation, such as an eight-station energy centre, to introduce alternative energy sources including solar, water and wind power.

An environment camp brings in professors from science and technology schools to provide information on related issues. The park offers an electric car to visit Mrigadayavan Palace, buit by King Rama VI.

By Boat

Boats are provided for a 7-km sail and cycles for a 9-km ride through a coastal mangrove forest, where visitors can plant mangroves or rare trees. Due to damage from previous trespassers, authorities are planting more trees to restore the area. Mr Somjet said the trees have grown from one to five inches in diameter.

Mr Somjet said Thailand's Department of Fisheries is helping to plant artificial coral about 6-km off the coast along a 2 -km stretch to give visitors a place to fish. The Harbour Department is also investing in a sea wall.

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by Jour ~ Friday, December 22, 2006 0 comments

TCT Support Boutique Camping

OSMEP’s “ Natural Camping Park ” project gets Tourism Council of Thailand ’s backing for the kingdom’s version of caravans.

TCT support boutique camping

Tourism Council of Thailand agreed to support “ Natural Camping Park ”, a project initiated by the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion in cooperation with the Department of Natural Parks, Wildlife and Plants.

TCT support boutique camping

Ms Chutima Wongvibulsin, assistant to the director of TCT, said that OSMEP had presented the project to the TCT committee last month, adding that the concept of “boutique camping” was adapted from Australian caravans. It will use natural parks with service areas under the DNP’s umbrella, excluding those with sensitive locations.

TCT support boutique camping

The project is targeting quality tourists, and has already started at Khao Khiao Natural Park with the signing of an agreement with Excite Resort. Meanwhile, a feasibility survey for the next step of this project is being carried out by TCT on Chang island in Trat province.

TCT support boutique camping

Ms Chutima added that for small and medium-size entrepreneurs to qualify for this boutique camping project, they must be involved in the service sector, have at least two years experiences in the tourism or related business and be efficient in accommodation management.

TCT support boutique camping

OSMEP’s general policy states it can financially support the SMEs with 25-30 percent of their total registered capital, in the form of a joint venture, and the support will be terminated after three to five years.

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by Jour ~ Friday, December 15, 2006 0 comments

14th Chiang Rai Food Festival , Thailand Travel

20-24 December 2006

Venue: The ground at the foot of the Mae Fah Luang Bridge, Chiang Rai Province

Chiang Rai Food Festival , Thailand Travel

In this cool season, Chiang Rai, Thailand Travel a neighbouring province of Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand, turns more beautiful with colourful flowers in their full bloom and the refreshing atmosphere of its verdant mountains. To discover other interesting aspects of the province, you are recommended to go to the 14th Chiang Rai Food Festival.

Chiang Rai Food Festival , Thailand Travel

The Chiang Rai Restaurant and Food Shop Club is scheduled to hold the 14th Chiang Rai, Thailand Travel Food Festival at the ground at the foot of the Mae Fah Luang Bridge from 20 to 24 December 2006, 17.00-24.00 hrs.

Highlights of the fair

- 60 booths selling foods that are certified by the CFGT (Clean Food Good Taste) standard
- booths publicizing tourism in the north
- health products of the traditional Thai medicine
- competitions of fruit carving and cooking
- the Lanna cultural performances

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by Jour ~ Thursday, December 14, 2006 0 comments

Dok Mai Mueang Nao (Temperate Flowers) Fair , Thailand travel

30 Dec 2006 till 2 Jan 2007.
Venue: Phu Ruea District, Loei province, Thailand

Dok Mai Mueang Nao

It celebrates the rich diversity of plants and flowers of Phu Ruea district, Thailand travel focusing on temperate-zone specimens, which are at their best during this cool period. Along the Loei – Lom Sak road and the area around Phu Ruea District Office are decorated with small gardens and beautiful displays of flowers,Thailand travel especially the yellow-colour flowers.

Dok Mai Mueang Nao

The fair features floral floats parade in the morning, stalls selling OTOP products of Phu Ruea, flowers decoration contests, ornamental flower garden contests, and the sales of decorative plants, flowers and agricultural produce.

Dok Mai Mueang Nao Phu Ruea Thailand Travel

This year the Phu Ruea District will create a landmark of its own district, that is the biggest flower basket in Thailand and the largest Christmas plant field in Thailand. Anyway, the flower festival in Phu Reua actually starts from November till January.

Source : thaiwaysmagazine.com

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by Jour ~ Wednesday, December 13, 2006 0 comments

Amazing Mae Salong Tea, Sakura and Tribal Food Fair

28 December 2006 - 2 January 2007
Venue: The Heroes Monument, Doi Mae Salong, Mae Fah Luang County, Chiang Rai Province The annual fair of "Mae Salong Tea, Sakura and Tribal Food" will be held in late December 2006 at the Heroes Monument, Mae Salong, Mae Fah Luang County, Chiang Rai Thailand Travel Province.


In the cool season of each year, the fair is held to promote the area's pristine natural attractions, unique art and culture. During the fair, many interesting activities are prepared to welcome all visitors such as tea exhibition, teashop contest, "Bai Cha" (tea leaves) Beauty Contest, singing contest as well as tribal food and a simulation of tribal festivities.

Doi Mae Salong Thailand Travel was once well known for the former residences of Kuomintang Chinese 93rd army division. Nowadays, the area becomes a large village which holds a tea plantation as the main industry.

Hilltribe people

The U-Long tea, which is considered as one of the best teas, is available here. Every year, there are many Thai and foreign tourists coming to taste the tea. From early to the end of January, a section of the mountain route that leads uphill to the peak of Doi Mae Salong is covered with the pink blossoms of Nang Phaya Sua Khrong or Tigress Flowers, a Thai variety of sakura (cherry blossoms).

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by Jour ~ Sunday, December 10, 2006 0 comments

Samuis Library opens January

Bo Phut beach front resort features duplex accommodation and a red pool with rates starting at Bt8,400.

Bo Phut beachfront resort

The Library, a new 26-duplex unit resort is opening in Samui in January

The U-shape hotel sits on approximately four rai, or 6,400 sqm, of land with 50 metres of Bo Phut beach front.

Accommodation Bo Phut beachfront resort Thailand Travel

Rooms are equipped with 42 plasma TVs and DVD players, online PCs and a Jacuzzi in the suite and tub in the studio. The resort commands a 270-degree sea-view fitness centre located next to its red swimming pool.

The Library

The Library’s soft opening is scheduled for 2 January to 28 February. Room nights are priced at Bt10,500 for the suite and Bt8,400 for the studio. High season prices are Bt12,000 for and Bt9,600 respectively.

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by Jour ~ Friday, December 8, 2006 0 comments

Koh Lanta Thailand Travel

Koh Lanta is located in the south of the Krabi Province. This popular tourist destination can be reached by boat or you may have your car take there by fairy there. Despite all of the tourist traffic, the locals still retain the their traditional lifestyle.

Location Koh Lanta Thailand Travel

Koh Lanta is located in the province of Krabi. There are two main islands, Koh Lanta Noi and Koh Lanta YaiThailand Travel. However, there are also fifty-two other islands that rarely see visitors. The majority of the tourist attractions are on Koh Lanta Yai Thailand Travel.

Highlights Koh Lanta Thailand Travel

The Saladan Pier: The Saladan Pier is the center of transport in Koh Lanta. This is where the Chao Fa is located. From here, you can arrange for trips to Koh Lanta Noi.

Koh Lanta Thailand Travel

The Beaches: The beaches on Koh Lanta Yai are mostly on the western side. This makes watching the sunset convenient. Each beach offers accommodations of different styles and prices.

Koh Lanta Thailand Travel

Mu Koh Lanta Marine National Park: Mu Koh Lanta Marine National Park is located in Koh Lanta Yai. It covers a cape and has a small hill at the end. There is a path to the lighthouse where you see spectacular sunsets.

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by Jour ~ Thursday, December 7, 2006 0 comments

Wine Tasting in Thailand

Inspired by the movie Sideways, Bangkok recorder took a road trip to the wineries of Khao Yai to marvel at the mountainous countryside, knock back some wine, and crash our rental car.

A Wine tasting trip to Kao Yai National Park Thailand Travel

As you probably noticed the first time you ordered wine in Thailand, a bottle is often more expensive than a bountiful dinner. Stupendously high taxes ensure that anything more than the house red or white usually stays down in the cellar.

A Wine tasting trip to Kao Yai National Park Thailand Travel

Unscrupulous importing methods and over-zealous domestic tax inspection have created an unlevel playing field for Thai wines. The kingdom’s general wine consumption had been rising steadily until the economic crash of ninety-seven turned everyone back onto whisky. However, in the last few years, Thailand has been rekindling its love of wine, and even making some decent vino itself.

A Wine tasting trip to Kao Yai National Park Thailand Travel

Traditionally, grapes used for wine-making have only been grown between the 30th and 50th parallels in the northern and southern hemispheres. However, Thailand has managed to produce wine in a narrow band in the north between the 14th and 18th parallels. Years of research, testing and development have pushed the boundaries of viticulture, and given us ‘New Latitude Wines’.

A Wine tasting trip to Kao Yai National Park

To borrow a verdict from Sideways' Miles Raymond, the general consensus on Thai wine so far, has been: “quaffable, but uh... far from transcendent.” However, this view is definitely changing as Thai wine-making comes of age. The country's grape wine industry is still in the early stages: the first wine grape vines were only planted in Loei Province in 1991. However, Khao Yai followed two years later and is now expanding to become the home of Thai wine. The region has always been a popular weekend getaway for Bangkokers, lying a neighbourly 150km away.

A Wine tasting trip to Kao Yai National Park

We hopped in a rental from Lumpini Car Rent for 1000 THB-a-day and hit the open road. The drive to Khao Yai is surprisingly pleasant and straight-forward, taking less than two hours. Just don’t forget to bring a car adaptor for your iPod, unless you are uncommonly keen on ‘Country FM’.

A Wine tasting trip to Kao Yai National Park

The GranMonte Family Vineyard in Khao Yai’s Asoke Valley was first on our trail. Stepping out of the car into a serene vineyard flanked with mountains after several weeks trapped in Bangkok was quite a shock to the system. GranMonte’s home cooking style restaurant, Vin Cotto, acts as a great decompression chamber from the city.

A Wine tasting trip to Kao Yai National Park

The food and warm service are better than most places in Bangkok, and you can take in the scenery of Khao Yai Park’s Thailand Travel mountain range as you try the various wines. The prevailing opinion is that GranMonte produces the best white wine in Thailand.

A Wine tasting trip to Kao Yai National Park

It’s 2004 Kirimaya Chenin Blanc has a toasty, nutty scent and goes very well with Vin Cotto’s duck salad. It seems extraordinary that the vineyard began as an idea for GranMonte’s CEO, Khun Visooth Lohitnavy, just ten years ago. It’s all in the grapes, according to Khun Visooth: “The winemaker can only make good wine from good grapes. He can also make bad wine from good grapes if he is lousy.” The vineyard hosts a Wine Festival in October and a Harvest Festival in February, where you can join in picking the grapes before a judging of the best picks.

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by Jour ~ Sunday, December 3, 2006 0 comments

Leiden

On Saturday, we squeezed in a day trip out of Amsterdam to Leiden. We wanted to see another part of the Netherlands than just Amsterdam, and it turned out to be one of the nicest experiences of the trip.Both Haarlem and Leiden make easy day trips and David left it up to me; I chose Leiden because I knew it has a few old churches and some Pilgrim history, but mainly we went to wander around. It

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by Jour ~ Friday, December 1, 2006 0 comments