It is impossible to visit Thailand without first dropping off at Bangkok. And it is impossible to enjoy Bangkok without paying attention to a handful of useful tips that would not save you time and money but also some headaches.
Bangkok is a bustling city. No doubt about that. But it is a city that seemed to have been created by a sadistic urban planner who is bent on confusing tourists. It is a labyrinth of sorts. And in it, it is easy to watch your I'm-on-a-vacation mood fizzle away with confusion, disappointment, and the stress of getting lost. So with that, our first tip is for you to get a map.
It's not expensive. For a few baht, you can buy yourself a map. But don’t just buy any other map, buy one that has English translations as well as Thai names on it. It will also better if you familiarize yourself with what's written on the map, especially if you are planning to stay for a week or more.
When shopping, learn how to exercise good bartering. Thais know if you are a foreigner in the city. And sadly, they also know how much you will be paying on an item. A good rule of thumb when shopping in Bangkok is to haggle, but do it very nicely. Chip off as much as 40% off the original price and you could get the price you could happily pay for. If the price is disagreeable, by all means, walk away and go to the next vendor. There is a good chance that you will be offered the last selling price when you do.
Bring with you plenty of water. It's a no-brainer but for a generally humid country like Thailand, it pays to bring with you your own supply of liquids. Fortunately, there are always plenty of Bangkok stores that have refreshments ready on their fridge. Only buy those that are sealed. Oh, by the way, drinking fluids the Bangkok way could be a bit quirky for new comers. They drink them straight from a small plastic bag with straw. Try it. It's fun, not to mention very convenient.
Beware of scammers. We are all familiar with the 'don’t talk to strangers' stuff, but once you get into Bangkok, you would always wish that someone would help you with the directions. Good thing is, there are always those Thais who are willing to help. Unfortunately, not all of them are out there to give you just a few directions. Be careful of those who approach you in the street. You would not want to hop from one gem shop to another if that's not where you want to go.
Organize your tour. For lesser headaches, it will do you good to prepare your tour beforehand. This will allow you to go to the places that you intend to visit.
Use the MRT and BTS, regularly. No matter how appealing tuk-tuks, canal boats and motorbikes are, it is always better to stick with the underground train and the Skytrain. Get as much pass as you need.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
The Envy of the World
Every country has a culture. When we think of “culture” we think of the exotic dress and rituals of ancient China or Japan. Or we might think of England or Scotland with their quirky approach to food, dress and customs. Or we might think of the music of Africa or the Caribbean or the alluring appeal of South America. As Americans we are endlessly fascinated with the cultures of the world.
But something we don’t always realize is that the American culture itself is the envy of the world for it’s excitement, it’s fun and the diversity that makes living in America such a pleasure. Yes, America does indeed have a culture and it is a culture that is unlike anything else in the world. But it is a culture we see having a huge influence on other cultures around the world. Because in the countries of Asia, South America, Australia and even the Middle East you see people, especially young people, emulating how Americans look, talk, eat and view the world. To be sure, culture may be America’s greatest export.
Perhaps the one area where we see the greatest copying of our culture is in the area of sports. Americans love of sports reflects our admiration of people who are competitive and people who are winners. Because if anything, Americans think of themselves as winners. And the world sees that and says, “That is how I want to be too.”
Music too has become a part of our culture that is so vibrant, so dynamic and so exciting that each musical movement that starts here sweeps the world. When Rock and Roll began to dominate American culture, we could not contain it’s influence within our borders. Instead it spread like a virus all around the globe. Before long it wasn’t just Americans that were singing “I wish they all could be California girls”. That wonderful and very American song was being sung in every culture from Berlin to Baghdad and from Paris, France to Pretoria, South Africa.
There are so many interesting and fun parts of American culture that have caught on worldwide that it’s sometimes impossible to separate popular culture of the world from the American origins that set those trends in motion. The internet has only accelerated that process. Even in closed or restrictive societies like Iran and China, because young people can get access to videos, news feeds, popular television, movies and music from America over the internet, they too become addicted to want to be part of “all things American”.
Besides the various genres of culture such as clothes, music, movies and sports, there is a certain “attitude” that speaks to the world. It is an attitude that is distinctively American. There is a cockiness, a self assured bravado, an almost obnoxious assurance that we are universally liked and that we will always be universally successful that appeals to those outside our culture that find themselves wanting to be like us.
And why shouldn’t we carry a certain amount of attitude with us wherever we go? Americans are outgoing and friendly because that is the nature of our country. Will Roger’s trait that he “never met a man he didn’t like” is very much a down home American trait. That attitude is a natural outgrowth of the spirit of cooperation and good will that is how America ticks.
While in some of our more urban cities, that spirit becomes sophisticated and street wise, it comes out especially in times of crisis. They say in some of the biggest emergencies of recent history including 911 and Katrina, in the heart of the horror, the people did not panic but quietly went about helping each other. If anything screams out “American”, it is that kind of attitude.
We can be proud of our culture because it is so uniquely us. And we can be proud that others envy us and want to adopt our music, our styles and even our attitudes. In the right kind of way, it is how we really do go about “exporting America” as the whole world looks on and begins to be infected by this wonderful culture and this infectious “attitude” that is what it means to be “an American”.
But something we don’t always realize is that the American culture itself is the envy of the world for it’s excitement, it’s fun and the diversity that makes living in America such a pleasure. Yes, America does indeed have a culture and it is a culture that is unlike anything else in the world. But it is a culture we see having a huge influence on other cultures around the world. Because in the countries of Asia, South America, Australia and even the Middle East you see people, especially young people, emulating how Americans look, talk, eat and view the world. To be sure, culture may be America’s greatest export.
Perhaps the one area where we see the greatest copying of our culture is in the area of sports. Americans love of sports reflects our admiration of people who are competitive and people who are winners. Because if anything, Americans think of themselves as winners. And the world sees that and says, “That is how I want to be too.”
Music too has become a part of our culture that is so vibrant, so dynamic and so exciting that each musical movement that starts here sweeps the world. When Rock and Roll began to dominate American culture, we could not contain it’s influence within our borders. Instead it spread like a virus all around the globe. Before long it wasn’t just Americans that were singing “I wish they all could be California girls”. That wonderful and very American song was being sung in every culture from Berlin to Baghdad and from Paris, France to Pretoria, South Africa.
There are so many interesting and fun parts of American culture that have caught on worldwide that it’s sometimes impossible to separate popular culture of the world from the American origins that set those trends in motion. The internet has only accelerated that process. Even in closed or restrictive societies like Iran and China, because young people can get access to videos, news feeds, popular television, movies and music from America over the internet, they too become addicted to want to be part of “all things American”.
Besides the various genres of culture such as clothes, music, movies and sports, there is a certain “attitude” that speaks to the world. It is an attitude that is distinctively American. There is a cockiness, a self assured bravado, an almost obnoxious assurance that we are universally liked and that we will always be universally successful that appeals to those outside our culture that find themselves wanting to be like us.
And why shouldn’t we carry a certain amount of attitude with us wherever we go? Americans are outgoing and friendly because that is the nature of our country. Will Roger’s trait that he “never met a man he didn’t like” is very much a down home American trait. That attitude is a natural outgrowth of the spirit of cooperation and good will that is how America ticks.
While in some of our more urban cities, that spirit becomes sophisticated and street wise, it comes out especially in times of crisis. They say in some of the biggest emergencies of recent history including 911 and Katrina, in the heart of the horror, the people did not panic but quietly went about helping each other. If anything screams out “American”, it is that kind of attitude.
We can be proud of our culture because it is so uniquely us. And we can be proud that others envy us and want to adopt our music, our styles and even our attitudes. In the right kind of way, it is how we really do go about “exporting America” as the whole world looks on and begins to be infected by this wonderful culture and this infectious “attitude” that is what it means to be “an American”.
Friday, April 09, 2010
All Time Favorite Destinations for Easter Holidays
If you are looking for the perfect time to get away and enjoy a trip around the globe then Easter is a good time. This is the best time to avoid the rush of the summer holidays and enjoy your trip in leisure. With the Easter holidays approaching, start making your plans for holidays as it’s never too late to book a last minute getaway for you and your family. Here are the all time favorite 5 top Easter holidays destinations across the globe.
Majorca in Spain - If you are game for sangria, sun, and tapas then Majorca can offer it all and much more to you. It also gives you the extravaganza of the striking Balearic Island. In this summer season the island is too crowded, hence spring is the best time to relax and enjoy the hidden treasures of the place. The city is also dotted with picturesque hills and beaches for you to enjoy.
Cervinia in Italy - What can be better than a Italian holiday in Cervinia. This region is great for skiing, so if you love the sport then you are sure to have a great time here. Here, you get the best of a good value for money skiing holiday coupled with bonuses of the opulent Italian cuisine.
Larnaca in Cyprus – This part of the world has much to offer to the visitors such as elegant stretches of beach, and the amazing Cypriot weather. Don’t forget to enjoy KEO beers that are brewed at close by Limassol, or a genuine brandy sour, as you watch the sun set in paradise.
Crete in Greece – If you wish to spice up your Easter holidays with Greek Culture then visit Crete where Easter is celebrated with much pomp and show. Take part in the fulfilling candle-lit processions that takes a round through the orthodox Greek churches.
Majorca in Spain - If you are game for sangria, sun, and tapas then Majorca can offer it all and much more to you. It also gives you the extravaganza of the striking Balearic Island. In this summer season the island is too crowded, hence spring is the best time to relax and enjoy the hidden treasures of the place. The city is also dotted with picturesque hills and beaches for you to enjoy.
Cervinia in Italy - What can be better than a Italian holiday in Cervinia. This region is great for skiing, so if you love the sport then you are sure to have a great time here. Here, you get the best of a good value for money skiing holiday coupled with bonuses of the opulent Italian cuisine.
Larnaca in Cyprus – This part of the world has much to offer to the visitors such as elegant stretches of beach, and the amazing Cypriot weather. Don’t forget to enjoy KEO beers that are brewed at close by Limassol, or a genuine brandy sour, as you watch the sun set in paradise.
Crete in Greece – If you wish to spice up your Easter holidays with Greek Culture then visit Crete where Easter is celebrated with much pomp and show. Take part in the fulfilling candle-lit processions that takes a round through the orthodox Greek churches.
Saturday, April 03, 2010
Travelling Stress-Free with your French Bulldog Pet
Its rare that you would find a family that’s not eager to take a vacation. Everybody packs up, looking forward to having a great time after a stressful year, but. Is the whole family really going? Many American households today said in a survey that they look as their dogs s members of the family, so when a “family” vacation is coming, most of them would like to take their dog along with them. The problem is, having a dog along can become a nuisance as well, and this is known to be true as well with the French bulldog.
So, many families would just resort to leaving their pets behind with their extended family or friends or just hire a pet sitter. But what if you really want to take your French bulldog with you? What re your options? What should you do to enable you to bring your French bulldog with you and still fully enjoy your family vacation? Here are some tips and reminders which you can take note of, to help you get that “true” family vacation that you have always wanted.
Tip 1 – Check out the places where dogs are normally allowed in most of the places of interest. You should also look for a place where you will be able to comfortably stay which allows pet dogs inside. You can ask your travel agent or scour the internet for recommendations on the places of interest which answers your vacation needs for pet-friendly places. Make sure that these places have all the facilities that can help your French bulldog enjoy itself and at the same time have health care services as well.
There are now many travel agents and websites that offer vacation packages that allows for a pet to be brought along. Choose along with your family so that everyone will know what is ahead for them. This way, you are not just choosing a place for your dog, but for the whole family.
Tip 2 – If your French bulldog is not yet familiar in riding a car, then prior to the trip you should start familiarizing it. Take it for short drives. At the start, just let him stay in the car for awhile with the engine idling, this will allow him to familiarize with the sound and the shaking. Then slowly let the car move, don’t jerk the car and go slow at first. Then take him for short rides stopping at least every mile or so, gradually add more miles before stopping.
Tip 3 – Have your dog get a thorough checkup by his vet before leaving on your dream vacation. This will eliminate the risks of him having any health concern while on vacation which can ruin the trip. Take any medication with you that your vet may recommend. Remember to get the ok signal from your vet first.
Tip 4 – Remember to pack everything that your dog may need, most importantly its collar, with all the contact details on the tag. Also remember to bring his food and anything that can make the journey comfortable for him. Also, make sure to bring cleaning materials as the dog may vomit or emit waste.
So, many families would just resort to leaving their pets behind with their extended family or friends or just hire a pet sitter. But what if you really want to take your French bulldog with you? What re your options? What should you do to enable you to bring your French bulldog with you and still fully enjoy your family vacation? Here are some tips and reminders which you can take note of, to help you get that “true” family vacation that you have always wanted.
Tip 1 – Check out the places where dogs are normally allowed in most of the places of interest. You should also look for a place where you will be able to comfortably stay which allows pet dogs inside. You can ask your travel agent or scour the internet for recommendations on the places of interest which answers your vacation needs for pet-friendly places. Make sure that these places have all the facilities that can help your French bulldog enjoy itself and at the same time have health care services as well.
There are now many travel agents and websites that offer vacation packages that allows for a pet to be brought along. Choose along with your family so that everyone will know what is ahead for them. This way, you are not just choosing a place for your dog, but for the whole family.
Tip 2 – If your French bulldog is not yet familiar in riding a car, then prior to the trip you should start familiarizing it. Take it for short drives. At the start, just let him stay in the car for awhile with the engine idling, this will allow him to familiarize with the sound and the shaking. Then slowly let the car move, don’t jerk the car and go slow at first. Then take him for short rides stopping at least every mile or so, gradually add more miles before stopping.
Tip 3 – Have your dog get a thorough checkup by his vet before leaving on your dream vacation. This will eliminate the risks of him having any health concern while on vacation which can ruin the trip. Take any medication with you that your vet may recommend. Remember to get the ok signal from your vet first.
Tip 4 – Remember to pack everything that your dog may need, most importantly its collar, with all the contact details on the tag. Also remember to bring his food and anything that can make the journey comfortable for him. Also, make sure to bring cleaning materials as the dog may vomit or emit waste.
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