Khao San

The first place that catered for tourists in Bangkok was Khao San. It is centered round the infamous Khao San Road that despite undergoing changes remains the heart of the backpacking scene in Bangkok and one of the most famous roads in the world. Here you will see young people from all over the world shopping, eating on the street, buying fake IDs, getting their hair braided and getting drunk.

Although Khao San isn’t on the Skytrain or Metro lines it attracts lots of visitors because it is near some of the most important historical sites of the city such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun. The best way to get in and out of Khao San is on the Chao Phraya River Express.

Chinatown

Next to Khao San is Chinatown. This is an area of some great markets in the city as Sampaeng Lane, Pat Klong Talat (Bangkok’s largest flower market), and the night market. Few tourists make it to the thriving Chinatown area other than to get to the main train station (Hualamphong). This is a shame because it is an area with lots of temples and some great hotels such as Shanghai Mansion that recreates 1930s art deco Shanghai style complete with water garden and antique furniture. Chinatown in Bangkok is also the best place in Thailand to get Chinese food.

Sukhumvit

Sukhumvit has had a reputation for the seedy since American soldiers on R&R hung around the area in the 1960s. This reputation continues thanks to Nana Entertainment Plaza and Soi Cowboy. This is a one-sided view of the area because it is also an area of museums and art galleries such as the Science Museum, Sombat Permpoon Gallery and Kamthieng House Museum. It is also an area that attracts the rich and beautiful to some great restaurants and some exclusive nightspots such as Whow Pub and Bed Supper Club.

There are also some great boutique hotels in Sukhumvit to stay in such as Davis Hotel, MaDuZi, Seven Hotel and Ariyasomvilla. These hotels encompass the cool, the chic and the historical.

Siam Square and Silom

Siam Square and Silom are in the center of Bangkok. By day they form the commercial heart of the city. Here are the skyscrapers, corporate headquarters and massive shopping malls such as MBK, Siam Paragon and Plantip Plaza. This is also a great place to take kids in Bangkok. Here you will find Siam Ocean World, the largest aquarium in South East Asia. Silom is also the area where visitors will find Patpong famous for its smutty shows and night market selling counterfeit watches.

These area descriptions of Bangkok only touch the surface of this complex and fascinating city. It is full of contrasts and full of bargains. It is a city that always exacts a reaction from visitors either good or bad.

Phangka Beach is also known at ‘Emerald Bay’ on account of the beautiful emerald colored water in the bay. The area has very little development. It is dominated y rich vegetation. There is a long stretch of beach and a small fishing village that still has many original wooden houses built in a Chinese style.

You can walk down the beach at Phangka and not meet anyone. It is a very peaceful area, ideal for couples and those looking to escape from stress and noise. Phangka is a west facing beach so it gets a stunning sea view. In some ways the lack of over development  on Phangka is reminiscent of the best aspects of Koh Phangan.

There are only a few places to stay at Phangka. The best of them is Elements Boutique Resort and Spa. It features private pool villas with direct access to the beach. Have a look at the video below to check out what you are missing:

It seems that the effort to save the environment is now in the hands of  consumers. We must do what our leaders are reluctant to do, and that is be more environmentally friendly. A great time to start is this Christmas. Here are a few ways that you can make your Christmas green:

• Cut down on transport costs. Try to buy presents locally and even try to buy gifts that are made locally. It makes no sense to buy things made in China if you live in Vancouver. The carbon emissions involved in getting the stuff to Canada are melting the polar ice caps.
• Use recycled paper for Christmas cards and wrapping paper. This helps to slow down deforestation.
• Buy gifts that are made from renewable materials. Green gift ideas made from renewable materials include bamboo blinds, bamboo kitchen ware, water hyacinth furniture, coconut oil, coconut milk and rattan baskets. A coconut Christmas or a bamboo Christmas present is a very good way to start going green during the season of goodwill.
• Another green gift idea is to get recycled goods or upcycled goods. The later is something made of recycled material that has a higher value – such as jewelry or a laptop case from an old wetsuit.
• Turn off the Christmas lights when you go to bed. Kill stand by lights they do nothing but waste power.
• Buy a programmable thermostat for your home, buy one for your friends and family too. You can buy a good 5+2 thermostat such as the Lux Products TX500E for as little as $40.
• Practice green cleaning. Stop using polluting detergents in the home: either use green detergents or use vinegar, bamboo vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda.
• Plant a tree this Christmas. Give plants and trees as presents. Contribute to nature, rather than just taking from nature. Moreover, if you are considering buying hardwood flooring, consider the cost in terms of valuable trees. Buy antique hardwood flooring, reclaimed hardwood flooring, bamboo flooring or cork flooring instead. All these types of sustainable flooring stop deforestation and look just as good and perform just as well as hardwood flooring.
• Replace old electrical appliances with Energy Star appliances that save electricity and money. It is worth spending on Christmas gifts that will save you money in the long run.

These are just a few ways in which you can make your Christmas celebrations more environmentally friendly. Whether you buy bamboo gifts or energy efficiency devices or plant a tree every little contribution counts. It is the season to show your love to your family and friends; why not show some love to nature too?

A few years later the party had taken over nearly all of Haad Rin Nok beach. It had also become the biggest drawcard for the town of Haad Rin that hosts the party. The town quickly quickly developed – lots of bars, restaurants and hotels were opened.

Locals were quick to notice the success of the Full Moon Party and it wasn’t long before imitation parties started to spring up around the island. The small coastal village of Ban Tai with its long beach and plenty of flat jungle land was an obvious choice. Now there are a number of regular parties in the Ban Tai area. They are the Jungle Experience, the Shiva Moon Party (or Shiva Moon Family), the Black Moon Culture Party and the Half Moon Party. All these parties have a small cover charge at the entrance which includes 1 free drink. All the parties focus on techno and trance music. As opposed to the FMP only 1 DJ plays at a time. They also have plenty of fluorescent decorations.

After all the parties there are now after parties. The two most famous famous venues for after parties are the Backyard Pub in Haad Rin (after party for the FMP) and Ban Sabai Resort (after party for the Half Moon, Black Moon, Shiva Moon and Jungle Experience parties).

One of the latest parties to emerge from Koh Phangan is the Blue and Green Sramanora Waterfall Party. It is held every Sunday in the jungle near Ban Kai. It features minimal techno and tech-house, and offers a different genre to most of the other parties in Koh Phangan.

Other beaches have developed their own small parties. There is now quite a big party scene in Koh Phangan. Most notable is the Paradise Waterfall Party 1 km from the small fishing village of Chaloklum on Koh Phangan. It is only a small waterfall but makes a picturesque setting for an outdoor party.

In Chaloklum there is also a nascent live music scene centered around the Omega Bar. Every Wednesday they have an Art Music Event. During the day there are arts and craft activities for children in the area, and at night there is a  lively jam session.

Having night parties in Koh Phangan is not enough there are also a number of after parties on the island. The best of these are the Backyard Party that starts at 11am after the Full Moon party stops. The Backyard Party is often considered a better party than the actual Full Moon Party. Also on Ban Tai beach Ban Sabai holds an after party the day after all the other parties.

It seems to be non-stop parties in Koh Phangan.

Afternote

It is interesting to compare Koh Phangan nightlife with Koh Samui nightlife. While the neighboring island of Koh Samui has better accommodation and cooler bars it seeks to imitate Koh Phangan with its Black Moon Party and Escape House Party at Chaweng Lake View. The interesting thing to note is that Chaweng Lake View is the largest indoor venue in South East Asia, capable of holding 4,000 people. In the past such names as DJ Marky and Judge Jules have played at  Koh Samui’s Black Moon Party. Despite having a more sleazy element to it than does Koh Phangan’s it does also have a good party scene. Moreover, Koh Samui parties are less fixated on psy-trance music than Koh Phangan parties.

Haad Rin is on a narrow peninsula hemmed in by the sea and mountains. It is thus unable to expand like other beach areas in Thailand. This means Haad Rin is a very compact town that it is easy to navigate by foot.

There are 3 major beaches in Haad Rin. On the eastern coast is the famous Sunrise beach or Haad Rin Nok  that is home to the main sound systems of the FMP. It is the best beach for swimming. Beachfront is taken up with bars so there is very little actual resorts right on the beach. The exception is Palita Lodge.

Most Haad Rin hotels, resorts and bungalows are to be found in Haad Rin town and along the opposite beach facing west that is called Haad Rin Nai. Here such popular resorts such Neptune’s Villas, Vimarn Samut Resort and Blue marine can be found. Also along Haad Rin nai is the best hotel in Haad Rin, the Best Western Phanganburi Resort and Spa. Although the sunset is imprresive at Haad Rin nai the water is not great for swimming as there is also a ferry port with boats to Maenam in Koh Samui.

The quietest beach in Haad Rin is Haad Sarikang. It is about 15 minutes walk from the Full Moon Party beach. Haad Sarikantang is a beautiful white sand beach ideal for swimming. There are just a few resorts in the area. These include Sarikantang Resort and Spa and Cocohut Beach Resort. For the smart party goer Haad Sarikantang is the first option.

Koh Samui is one of the most visited beach destinations in Thailand. The main places to stay are Chaweng , Lamai and Bophut. By day these beaches can get crowded and by night (especially in Chaweng and Lamai) the seedy elements of Thai night life are all too apparent.

Lipa Noi escapes all of this. It is a beach with just a few resorts, most in the mid-range price bracket. An air-con room with TV, fridge and hot water in such places as The Lipa Lovely, the Lipa Beach Resort or Viva Vacation Resort can cost as little as 1,500 THB a night ($50).

For those interested in wellness and Buddhism there is also the Samui Dharma Healing Center where you can stay and follow a regime of fasting, Buddhist reflection and meditation. They also do such things as colonic irrigation.

There are a few bars and local restaurants to try on the beach. The best place is Big John Seafood that has fresh and lovingly prepared seafood. The atmosphere at Lipa Noi is very relaxed and peaceful. It seems like a million miles away from the hectic beaches of Chaweng and Lamai.

The beach at Lipa Noi has some of the most stunning sunsets on Koh Samui. The sand is free of coral and so is good for sunbathing. The water does not, however, get deep for quite a few meters. For this reason many people prefer to simply relax around the resort pool.

The capital of Koh Samui is Nathon. However, few tourists stay in Nathon. The main beaches are Chaweng, Lamai, Bophut and Maenam. Of these Chaweng is the main tourist hub. it is a 7 km long beach with fine white sand. There is a good selection of resorts and hotels along the beach to choose from. The town next to the beach is full of bars, restaurants, shops and nightspots. Some people love the chaotic nightlife of Chaweng, others find it tacky.

Lamai is just south of Chaweng and has an equally lovely beach. There are luxury resorts in Lamai as well as plenty of cheap options. Lamai town is smaller but has the same type of night life.

For those looking for a more sophisticated beach scene the ideal place is Bophut. It has Fisherman’s Village where the old fishermen’s houses have been preserved and turned into cafes, bars, pubs and sophisticated dining spots. Bophut Beach is white sand and good for swimming. Along the beach are some good value mid-range and luxury resorts to choose from.

Maenam is the backpacker enclave of Koh Samui. It has long stretch of beach but it is not great for swimming. There are plenty of bungalows in Maenam offering air-con, TV and fridge for good prices. Maenam has a pier with regular services to Haad Rin in Koh Phangan. Maenam is the ideal place to stay for those who want to go to the Full Moon Party but want to enjoy the superior amenities of Koh Samui.

The other beaches in Koh Samui such as Baan Kao, Coral Cove Bay, Tongsai, Thongson and Taling Ngam are very tranquil. Often the beaches are not great for swimming but the resorts normally have swimming pools. One beach that does stand out is Laem Set. It has a famous wellness center called the Kamalaya. There is also the Samui Orchid Resort which also owns Samui Aquarium and Tiger Show. Also near Laem Set is the Butterfly Garden. Althoug it Laem Set is a quiet beach it attracts lots of day trippers as well as tjhose wanting to study yoga, Pilates, tai chi etc.

Koh Samui has a beach suited for everyone and most budgets are catered for. There is also a wide range of activities in Koh Samui that suit sporty types, those interested in yoga, those interested in learning about Thai culture and those who like nightlife.

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How to Open a Green Coconut

A green coconut is a young coconut which is ideal for coconut water. Often these young coconuts are sold shaved and the top tapered. To open a young coconut it is just a matter of chopping off the top using a heavy knife. If you are not confident of using a big knife you can use a hammer to bang a nail into the top of the coconut. Put two holes into the top. Then pour the coconut water into a glass and put the coconut juice in the fridge. If the coconut is not shaved then rest it on a towel for balance and then same as before drive a nail into the top.

How to Open a Coconut with a husk

First examine the coconut and find the three black indentations. These are weak points. Rest the coconut on a folded towel and then use a hammer to put holes into the black marks. Once opened pour the coconut milk out of the coconut. Next wrap the coconut in the towel and hit the coconut with a hammer until it cracks. Then take out the pieces of coconut and use a sharp knife to scrape out the coconut meat. Finally use a vegetable peeler to take the thin brown layer off the coconut meat. It is now ready to eat or cook with.

Enjoy your coconuts!

Koh Tao is a small island in the Gulf of Thailand that has become famous for its PADI dive courses. Koh Tao is second only to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia for attracting people to do their Open Water Course. The majority of people who arrive at the port town of Mae Haad head either for the western beach of Sairee or the Southern beach of Chalok Baan Kao. These are the two main tourist hubs on the island. At both places you can find plenty of restaurants, bars, shops, travel agents, internet places and dive shops.

Sairee Beach is the longest beach on Koh Tao and has fine white sand, clear water and is fringed with palm trees. There’s a great sunset. It is an idyllic setting except that it can get noisy at night. The night life of Sairee draws many young people keen to drink and party until the early hours. This ruins Sairee Beach for many.

A great alternative is the small beach called Jansom Bay. It is directly south of Sairee. It takes 10 minutes to walk to Jansom Bay from Mae Haad, the port.

There is one place to stay in Jansom Bay. That Charm Churee Village. It is a good mid-range option that has stylish bungalows many with sea views. The beach has the same fine white sand as Sairee. The area is scattered with boulders that attract fish. Not far off the coast is Three Rocks, a popular dive site. The beach at Jansom Bay is called a private beach. Only residents at Charm Churee Village can use the beach for free – everyone else has to pay an entrance fee. At night it is a peaceful place and is devoid of all night parties that keep people awake in Haad Rin, and yet such things are near by if they are desired.