Paradee Speedboat Links Samed to Thai Gulf Resorts

New 660 HP, five-seat “Fountain” whizzes guests 9 km to the Ban Phe pier in a scorching 10 minutes, while cruises to Pattaya, Koh Chang and a 4.5-hour cruise to Hua Hin are also available.

Paradee on Samet island, has added a 660 HP five-seat Fountain speed boat to its fleet. The Fountain covers the 9-km distance from Ban Phe pier to the luxury resort's floating jetty in about 10 minutes.

The Fountain is available for guests who want, on request, to transfer quickly between Samed and Pattaya, Koh Chang and even across the Gulf of Thailand to Hua Hin, a journey of about 4.5 hours. The service is only offered in calm weather conditions.

The Paradee has also added the 12-metre four-seat, one-bedroom 280 HP Sea Ray luxury yacht cruiser to its fleet. The Sea Ray will be used for daytrips to islands in the Khao Laem Ya Mu Koh Samed marine national park.

Paradee General Manager, Ms Dymphna Brennan, said: "Paradee guests want to relax. But when they want to move, some want to move quickly. Adding the Fountain and the Sea Ray gives Paradee guests more day trip and transfer options."

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by Jour ~ Wednesday, February 28, 2007 0 comments

For our next adventure...

We've booked our flights for a trip to Spain and Morocco from March 31 to April 11. Finally, someplace warm! And it's about time we ventured out of Europe.We will be in southern Spain during Holy Week (Semana Santa), which is celebrated with processions, big floats with saints on top, and penitents wearing crazy pointy hoods. I am so very excited about the timing of this - I've long wanted to

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by Jour ~ Tuesday, February 27, 2007 0 comments

The Khao Sai Dao Waterfall Thailand Travel

The Khao Sai Dao Waterfall is best know as a wildlife sanctuary, but many people neglect the actual falls themselves. Those who do take the time to see them, leave with a feeling of awe for this spectacular natural area. The waterfall, in addition to the paristine fotest, make this natural park a have for the animals that call it home.

Location The Khao Sai Dao Waterfall

The Khao Sai Dao Wildlife Sanctuary is located near Amphoe Pong Nam Ron, Amphoe Makham and Amphoe Kaeng Hang Maeo. The two highest peaks in the ares are Khao Soi Dao Nua at 1675 meters. For tourist information, you should contact the Wildlife Sanctuary Office in Amphoe Pong Nam Ron

Highlights The Khao Sai Dao Waterfall Thailand Travel

Namtok Khao Soi Dao: is a fertile, sixteen-level waterfall that flows year round. From the
parking lot you can see the first level of the waterfall. However, if you want to see the
others, which is recommended, you will have to place up your shoes and walk.
The most notable levels are nine and ten. These are particularly stunning because
he water collects in pools at the base before falling to the levels below.

Namtok Khao Soi Dao

The best time to visit is during the rainy season, but beware of the leeches. That is one souvenir that is better left at the park.
While in Khao Soi Dao, you will have the opportunity to see many species of birds and butterflies. The best place to see the birds is in the area around the waterfall, while the butterflies prefer to settle in the many ponds scattered around the park.
On your trek, there is a two and a half-kilometer route where tourists can study the indigenous plants and animals by way of information markers. These signs serve not only to educate, but also to lead your way through the forest. As a result, guides are not need in this area of the forest.

How to Get there The Khao Sai Dao Waterfall

From Chanthaburi take Highway 317. After passing Amphoe Pong Nam Ron, turn at Kilometer Marker number 22. lf you find yourself at the Patong Marker, you have passed your turn off. Turn left at the Kilometer Marker and drive for approximately four kilometers until you reach the Wildlife Sanctuary. The entire trip is about seventy kilometers.

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by Jour ~ Monday, February 26, 2007 0 comments

Sunday in London

Sunday morning we had a full English breakfast in the restaurant of our hotel. It was quite good, but not super-fabulous. We checked out (despite having very strong thoughts of staying another night), left our bags behind the counter, and set off for another day's exploring. Unfortunately, the blue sky and sunshine were no more, so the pictures aren't as pretty. But at least it didn't rain on

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by Jour ~ Thursday, February 22, 2007 0 comments

Pattaya Music Festival in Thailand 2007

Pattaya Music Festival 2007 ,16 Mar 2007 - 18 Mar 2007 Place Pattaya, Chon Buri Pattaya Music Festival Beach, Chonburi.Without a doubt the biggest musical event any year, the Pattaya Music Festival features every possible type of music and musicians and bands at the forefront of the Thai music industry. Jazz, rock, hip-hop – it’s all there! Not to be missed if you are a music fan.Meet and Greet many Thai and International artists, spend your weekend with the musical pleasure!

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by Jour ~ Wednesday, February 21, 2007 0 comments

Saturday in London 2

After lunch we headed out to check out some museums. Along the way, we passed a couple good photo opportunities for my websites, including an architecturally interesting Mormon church: and a Christian Science Reading Room (below). The book in the window is Science and Health with a Key to the Scriptures by the founder Mary Baker Eddy, the main text of Christian Science besides the Bible.

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by Jour ~ Tuesday, February 20, 2007 0 comments

Songkran Water Festival in Thailand

Songkran Festival Thailand's most celebrated festival is the Songkran Festival. It starts April 13 and lasts between 3 and 10 days, depending on where you are in Thailand. The word Songkran is from the Sanskrit meaning the beginning of a new Solar Year, but nowadays Thailand celebrates the New Year on 31 December.

Songkran Festival 13 April 2007 to 15 April 2007

The Thai people celebrate this festival with water. Everyone gets soaking wet and since it is the hottest season of the year, the custom is quite refreshing. Songkran is a Public Spring Cleaning Day, supported by the religious belief that anything old and useless must be thrown away or it will bring bad luck to the owner.

Songkran Festival 13 April 2007 to 15 April 2007

During the afternoon of the 13th, Buddha images are bathed as part of the ceremony. Young people pour scented water into the hands of elders and parents as a mark of respect while seeking the blessing of the older people. In ancient days, old people were actually given a bath and clothed in new apparel presented by the young folks as a token of respect for the New Year.

Songkran Festival 13 April 2007 to 15 April 2007

Until recently Thailand was almost entirely an agricultural society and this has been a perfect time to take break from the business of earning a living. The rice harvest is in, and replanting has to await the coming of the rains.

Songkran Festival 13 April 2007 to 15 April 2007

It is an old belief that the Nagas or mythical serpents brought on rain by spouting water from the seas. The more they spouted, the more rain there would be. So, one might believe that the Songkran customs of throwing water is actually a rain-making idea, but it seems that the Thais don't really bother about way they celebrate Songkran - they just do it for having a great time!.Regardless, Songkran is an interesting festival to observe and is still the focus of a great deal of fun.

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by Jour ~ Monday, February 19, 2007 0 comments

Saturday in London 1

We had a fantastic time in London over the weekend. The transportation went amazingly smoothly for the UK, the hotel was great, the sights were interesting and different (only one church!), and the food was delicious. We explored two big museums, visited Harrods, saw a movie in Leicester Square, ate at Wagamama twice, and celebrated Chinese New Year with about a million other people. We are sorry

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by Jour ~ 0 comments

Full Moon Party Koh Phangan in Thailand

Koh Phangan is a very special place, there are few places in this world where you can live out your desert island dreams of palm trees and white sand beaches, and still have a blinding night out at a rocking party every month.

With the global notoriety that the Full Moon Party Koh Phangan Thailand has gained as being one of the biggest and best beach bashes in the world, we get more than our fair share of hedonists gracing our shores. Each year the scene here grows with the ever-increasing number of party faithful that return, bringing their mates and spreading the vibe.

Haad Rin is home to the Full Moon Party and also houses about 3-5000 rather mad people; it is the island's nightlife capital and has Koh Phangan's biggest concentration of beach clubs that collectively put on the ultimate travellers get together.

There are over 12 major sound systems running the length of Had Rin beach, catering for 8000 to 12,000 punters in low season, 15,000 to 20,000 in high season and up to 30,000 at New Year. Within this transient crowd of party animals some highly talented DJ's pass through, banging out their wares to the raging lunar explorers that have landed on planet party.

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by Jour ~ Sunday, February 18, 2007 0 comments

2007 Thailand Chinatown Festival

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is celebrated on the first day of the First Moon of the Chinese lunar calendar and this year it falls on February 18. It is regarded as the most important celebration in the Chinese calendar.

2007 Thailand Chinatown Festival

Chinese New Year, which signifies the turning over of a new leaf, is a time for family reunion and thanksgiving. The celebration is traditionally highlighted with a religious ceremony given in honor of Heaven and Earth, the gods of the household and the family ancestors. The sacrifice to the ancestors, the most vital ritual of all, unites the living family members with those who have passed away. All members of the family return home and join the important family meal, a most significant feast, on New Year's Eve. This is a time for the Chinese to congratulate each other on having passed through another year, a time to finish out the old, and to welcome in the New Year.

2007 Thailand Chinatown Festival

In Thailand, this festival is celebrated nationwide, not only among Chinese immigrants and their families, but by Thais, too. Major venues are in Bangkok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Pattaya, Hat Yai, Phuket and Chiang Mai.

2007 Thailand Chinatown Festival

On this joyous occasion of HM King Bhumibol’s 80th Birthday Anniversary in the year 2007, China will offer a pair of stone carved lions (2.5 metres high and weighting a total of 5 tons) as a gift to the government of Thailand and bring the famous troupes of Chinese Art and Culture from 8 cities and provinces; Beijing, Shandong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Sichuan, Shanghai, Heilongjiang, and Inner Mongolia to join the celebration held at the Chinatown of Bangkok, Hat Yai, Phuket, and Nakhon Sawan

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by Jour ~ Friday, February 16, 2007 0 comments

The 11th Anniversary of Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony

13-15 February 2007
Venue: Pak Meng Beach, Trang Province

The 11th Anniversary of Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony Thailand Travel

Trang, about 828 km. south of Bangkok, has become well known to the world because of its Group Underwater Wedding that has been held for 10 consecutive years.

The 11th Anniversary of Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony

This year, the event celebrates its eleventh year from 13 to 15 February 2007 at Pak Meng Beach – one of the province’s best-known sand beaches in a peaceful atmosphere and the aligned Ko Meng as its background.

The 11th Anniversary of Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony

The event is aimed to further promote the truly spectacular natural seaside and marine resources with the warm atmosphere of love giving to each other under the concept of “Romantic Destination”, as well as the beauty of a symbolic flower of the province named “Si-Trang”, whose pale violet blossoms in season are pleasantly ubiquitous everywhere.

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by Jour ~ Monday, February 12, 2007 0 comments

The 5th Abseiling Wedding Ceremony in Thailand

13-14 February 2007
Venue: Ban Pha-Ngam Resort, Nadi County, Prachin Buri

Ban Pha-Ngam Resort Abseiling Wedding Ceremony

Prachin Buri Provice (135 km east of Bangkok) is another attractive place for a weekend holiday. Come and experience the sea of morning fog and the beautiful mountain scenery along the world heritage route. Apart from its magnificent landscape and famous adventurous activities, the province provides a unique wedding ceremony in which brides and grooms abseiling down from a cliff to exchange the wedding rings and get their marriage certificates.

Abseiling Wedding Ceremony

The Abseiling Wedding Ceremony will be held annually on Valentine’s Day at Ban Pha-Ngam Resort, Prachin Buri.

Abseiling Wedding Ceremony

On 13 February, which will be the first adventurous lesson for the bride and groom, who will get into the first and only giant swing in Thailand to show their true love. When the groom starts swinging, the bride will toss her wedding bouquet to a lucky person among the witness crowd.

Abseiling Wedding Ceremony

On 14 February, the couples will have their impressive moment of the wedding ceremony. They will tie the knot and abseil down the cliff of Weruwan waterfall, Thab Lan National Park. While descending, there will be a period of phototaking. The couples will stop to have a shoot of their memorable day of life. After that they will abseil down to the point where the County Chief is waiting for them with their marriage certificates.

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by Jour ~ Thursday, February 8, 2007 0 comments

A lovely day in Oxford

I like living in Oxford most days, but today has been one of those days when I feel really happy to be here and realize how much I'll miss it when we leave. So I thought I'd better record it for posterity. It's bloody cold out today, but the sun is shining beautifully. I was running late for German this morning so I took a city bus for the first time in awhile, and it was such a smooth and quick

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by Jour ~ Tuesday, February 6, 2007 0 comments

A Cultural Exhibition At Saranrom Park

22 December 2006-14 April 2007
Venue: Saranrom Park, on the corner of Sanam Chai Road and Charoen Krung Road, Bangkok.

A Cultural Exhibition At Saranrom Park

Saranrom Park is Bangkok’s first royal botanical garden. It was ordered to be established by King Rama IV (1851-1868), but was started and finished in the reign of King Rama V (1868-1910). The park is a picturesque European garden and well located in the heart of the city. At the main entrance on Charoen Krung Road stands the elegant cast iron gate from Europe with the graceful Roman-style fountain adjacent to it.

A Cultural Exhibition At Saranrom Park

On the auspicious occasion of HM King Bhumibol’s Accession to the Throne and his 80th Birthday Anniversary, Saranrom Park is now holding a cultural exhibition which opens to public for free. The aims of this exhibition are to perpetuate Thai Art and Culture, as well as to promote tourism. There is also an exhibition about our devoted King and his royal projects. Let’s take pleasure in viewing the exhibition to appreciate his kindness to our nation.

A Cultural Exhibition At Saranrom Park

Thai art and Thai music admirers cannot miss traditional dances and folk music from five regions, for example, Khon, Nang Talung, and Manora. The demonstrations of local wisdom products from communities in Bangkok are available daily from 15.00 to 17.30 and from 18.00 to 20.30. Interested persons are welcome to participate in practicing their skills.

A Cultural Exhibition At Saranrom Park

In addition, for those who are fond of Thai architecture, the park provides models of traditional Thai-style houses displaying Thais’ ways of life from every region. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 19.00 to 20.00, the amazing light and sound shows, performing arts, and a musical fountain showing our great respect and loyalty to the beloved King will be presented to you.

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by Jour ~ Monday, February 5, 2007 0 comments

Chatuchak Market in Bangkok, Thailand

It would be no exaggeration to say that hardly any especially Bangkok doesn't know Chatuchak Market. This is The Worlds Biggest Weekend Market selling practically everything under the sun, from the smallest nails, to foods, trendy fashions, antiques intricate wooden carvings, masks from far-off lands, adorable fluffy dogs, colorful fish of every hue and singing birds. You can find all this and more at amazing Chatuchak market. There are almost 9,000 individual booths overflowing with every imaginable type of wares to catch your fancy. Once inside the market, you will be catch up in a world of bursting crowds and stalls stretching as far as the eye can see.

Chatuchak Market in Bangkok, Thailand

If you are thinking of decorating your home, searching for that perfect piece of furniture or decoration, be it antique, modern, Thai or Western? Or perhaps a lovinly created ethnic handicraft to brighten up your space? Ceramic products, whether they be tea cups, coffee mugs, pots, traditional Thai Benjarong or ceramic dolls. Well, come to Chatuchak Market and chances are you won't go home empty-handed.

Feeling a little hot and weary from your journey ?

A bit hoarse from all that bargaining ? Then its time to seek out some cool, refreshing drinks or something light and tasty to re-charge your batteries before another round of shopping. Chatuchak Market has and endless selection of food and drinks, ranging from small beverage stalls on almost every soi or corner , iced refreshments, noodles, rice and curries, rice with roast pork, chicken rice and Thai-style fast foods.

Chatuchak Market in Bangkok, Thailand

Apart from bringing together interesting products from all corners of Thailand. We want to tell you that Chatuchak Market is also a wonderful place to pick-up curious objects from far-off land, too.

Chatuchak Market in Bangkok, Thailand

Enjoy the unique salesmanship tactics employed by the different vendors, who rely on shouting, making odd noises, playing music and even wearing outlandish dress, to capture the attention of passing shoppers.

The Real Chaem Chatuchak Market in Bangkok, Thailand

The real charm of the Chatuchak Mattel lies in the fact that you can-and should-bargain with each stall you are interested in. Whether you will snare a bargain or not is a test of your own negotiating skills. So, don' t be surprised if the same goods bought by you and your friends from the same shop carry different prices.

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by Jour ~ Friday, February 2, 2007 0 comments

David on Bern

This post is by our guest blogger David, Mr. Sacred Destinations.Fortunately there isn't much to tell about my afternoon alone in Bern. I say fortunately as one of my goals of the Swiss vacation was to have at least one day of taking it easy. This was just the opportunity I was looking for, although I didn't anticipate going it alone. Seeing Holly off at the train station was a little sad as we

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by Jour ~ 0 comments