Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Chiang Mai Hill Tribe Tour - Part III

With so many visitors coming to visit the Hill Tribes, tourism has inevitably become a big part of their lives. The more enterprising ones have begun to supplement their income by selling souvenirs to tourists, and when you visit the villages you are bound to come across young Lisu or Akha boys and girls selling small souvenirs or asking for money to have their pictures taken. They are not as pushy and persistent as the ones in Bali that I have come across. Their always smiling faces could melt even the most stony heart. Be generous and buy some of the souvenirs which are mostly very reasonably priced, and a lot of hard work had gone into producing them.

Whats great about Chiang Mai is that even if you decide not to buy anything, you won't get a scolding or sour face - unlike some other places I've visited.


These brick houses built on ground belong to the Lisu Tribe.


Some of them have converted to Christianity.


The are Akha houses - also built on stilts like the Karen houses.


In between work - time for a break.


The beautiful countryside and surroundings. The natural landscape of northern Thailand is breathtaking.



Bali Island Villas Provide a Family Vacation With Class and Comfort

Bali Villas Vacation

When you book a typical Island vacation plan, you are probably looking at the room tariffs, worrying about local commuting arrangements, mulling over seasonal discounts and how to keep the kids entertained besides fighting for your share of beach-space at the hotel's limited grounds.

However, with just a little bit of online research, you can book yourself one of the most memorable Island vacations ever! That's only when you opt for an exclusive Bali villa Seminyak booking! For, this location is one Bali hot spot along the beautiful, sunny beaches of fashionable Island property that is secluded but still well connected to major fine dining and shopping establishments to make you feel you have the best of both worlds.

Pick the right destination and half your holiday planning has already borne fruit. Choose a reputed Bali island villas property and your options for tropical fun, frolic and family time can prove to be endless! That's because the top-end private villas here have been especially developed for discerning guests by local businesspersons who understand the global travelers need for rejuvenating, truly fulfilling holiday experiences like no where else on Earth!

Thus, these luxury Bali island villas offer an affordable family vacation solution with ample room for couples requiring their privacy and also au pair services, if needed, for minding the children. For older children, there is usually an activity room or special area designated for pursuing board games, outdoor sports or a mini-pool besides spacious, clean and safe beach-facing garden area they have access to. These ensure they don't have to stay confined to a room, like at a hotel.

The in-house staff at the best private villas in Bali are friendly locals who have learned the art of service with a smile and are within reach for extending to laundry, cooking, housekeeping and assorted needs. This ensures guests never feel lost, as one is likely to in a typical hotel set-up or luxury resort complex, as most Bali villa Seminyak settings call for these properties being located on the fringes of the Island, so they are still able to offer privacy, spaciousness and more natural beauty along with the added benefit of being able to set one's own pace.

Additionally, one never feels the obtrusiveness of a mass tourism experience that staying at a hotel invariably means for a family looking to spend quality time, especially when one is so busy soaking in the warmth and privacy of home comforts extended with a personalized level of gracious Balinese hospitality - only available at the best luxury Bali island villas!

At World End in Apalachicola, Florida

You’ve probably never heard of Apalachicola. Neither had I until recently. That’s not surprising when you consider that it’s the belle of Florida’s “Forgotten Coast,” a beautiful, remote section of coastline that few know about and even fewer inhabit. (Supposedly, the name came about when a Florida tourism brochure “forgot” to include it.)

To get you situated, Apalachichola (or “Apalach,” as the locals call it) is located on the southernmost tip of the Florida Panhandle. It’s 1.5 hours southwest of Tallahassee (the drive on Highway 319/98 hugs the water and offers gorgeous views), or 1.5 hours southeast of Panama City. No matter how you slice it, it’s not that easy to get to, which is why it remains the perfect place to drop off the grid.

Water is the name of the game here, as the town (population 3,000) is located on the banks of the Apalachicola River, which empties into the massive Apalachicola Bay, which is in turn protected from the Gulf of Mexico by St. George Island, a 22-mile long barrier island with pretty white sand beaches and summer houses on stilts. (I stuck my feet in, and let's just say the Gulf is warmer right now than the Pacific ever gets - and that's in "winter" here!)

These unusual geographic qualities make the bay the uncontested oyster capital of Florida. If people know anything about Apalach, it’s that “good oysters come from there." Approximately 90% of the oysters in Florida come from this bay, as well as 10% of the national oyster supply. The town's big annual event is the Florida Seafood Festival every November, which features an oyster eating (up to 250-300 at a time!) and shucking contest.

As someone who finds a raw oyster the equivalent of a salty blob of mucus, I can assure you that it wasn’t oysters that drew me here. But for those that appreciate the slippery critters, you should know that I have never in my life seen them prepared more ways: fried oysters, baked oysters, broiled oysters, oyster po’ boys, oystercakes, oyster gumbo, etc. They're the centerpiece of every menu, and you could easily eat them three meals a day.

Fortunately, there were plenty of other things to eat, from unbelievably fresh fish caught same day to classic Southern fare. We checked out three great places mentioned in the New York Times’ 36 Hours in Apalachicola article – Caroline’s River Dining, The Owl CafĂ© and Verandas – as well as the town’s undisputed best restaurant, Tamara’s, where we chatted with the funny chef/owner, Danny, pictured below, who was a chef in Savannah, Georgia, previously. Oyster lovers will have to join the debate about whether Papa Joe’s or Boss Oyster is the best spot for oysters.

For us, what drew us to Apalach for New Year’s Eve was the opportunity to hang out on a houseboat with my boyfriend’s good friend Kathy. Talk about a unique lifestyle. A massage therapist and yoga teacher (after years of obstinate resistance, I attended – and very much enjoyed – my first yoga class under her tutelage at the Water Street Hotel), Kathy lives full-time on a handcrafted, floating houseboat moored in the Apalachicola River. She also owns a second houseboat, which houses her adorable Spirit of the River Spa. As is typical of a town with one stoplight, everyone knows Kathy, and Kathy knows everyone.

The houseboats are docked in the center of town in a small houseboat community. To enter the boats when the water is low, you climb down a small ladder, and voila. Sometimes you notice a gentle rocking and the squeaking of an otter who lives underneath, but other times, you forget you’re on the water. One of the boats has an engine and rudder should they be needed (i.e. hurricane relocation!), and both have porches overlooking the river channel and surrounding marsh.

Most people who come to Apalach stay in stately inns and B&B’s, however. Modeled after Philadelphia, with wide streets and central squares covering a nine-square-block “downtown,” Apalach is distinctly Southern, thanks to the live oaks and Spanish moss, and distinctly genteel, thanks to its Victorian architecture and boomtown history as an antebellum cotton port, turn-of-the-century timber powerhouse, and more recently, seafood producer. (You're snapped back to modernity when a golf cart whizzes by, however. It's legal to drive them on any road other than the highway.)

Given this rich legacy, the town has a surprisingly large number of historic buildings from 19th and 20th century - over 900 according to the Chamber of Commerce. Many grand homes have been preserved as B&Bs, and The Coombs House (built 1905; around $120/night and up) is the best-known. It was fully booked for New Year’s – a good sign given the current economy. So on Kathy’s recommendation, we stayed at The Bryant House (built 1897; around $90/night and up), run by the vivacious Brigitte, a native of Germany.

A hilarious raconteur, Brigitte says the town cast a spell on her, prompting her to twist her husband’s arm into buying an old house and relocating with their talking Macaw Einstein, who greets you from the porch when you arrive. Brigitte admits to getting “small town panic” every now and then, but insists that as soon as she leaves, she’s desperate to come back to the peace and quiet. Kathy echoed these sentiments. Apalach seems to be one of those places that pulls you in with its sleepy charm and, when you leave, calls you back.

I see what they mean. Despite the region’s nickname, Apalach is not easily forgotten. And to the continued bafflement of my friends, nor is my love affair with teeny tiny historic towns!

Raja Ampat is one of islands on the Indonesia

Raja Ampat is one of islands on the Indonesia. If you like scuba diving and find best location to dive, visiting to the Raja Ampat is good choise.

amazing island, raja ampat, papua diving spot The archipelago is an island located in papua. Raja Ampat Island is an island that is very impressive for diving purposes. Raja Ampat islands have the potential to serve as a tourist attraction, namely diving tours.

waters Condition of Raja Ampat Islands, according to various sources, is one of the 10 best waters for diving sites around the world. So often visited by tourists who want to dive. In fact, already recognized as the number one best place for completeness of underwater flora and fauna at this time.

Is Dr. John Veron, an expert on coral reefs and have experience from Australia, acknowledged that the Raja Ampat archipelago located in the westernmost tip of the island of Papua, which is about 50 miles northwest of Sorong, has the most best areas of coral areas in the country of Indonesia. Raja Ampat Islands there are many coral species.

Under these conditions the Raja Ampat Islands in Papua, Indonesia, often visited by tourists who want to dive in Raja Ampat islands. There are several areas of coral reefs in Raja Ampat and until now still very good condition. At low tide, tourists can see the coral reef without diving in Raja Ampat because the water is very clear.

Since the area that a lot of very beautiful island, so most of the dives at a particular time has a fast current. Thus a diver allows also for the drift dive, the dive as he followed with a fast flow of water so clear, while through the collection of fish. For those of you who like meyelam, and want to find a good dive sites, then choose the Raja Ampat Islands, Papua Indonesia is the right choice.

The best tourist attractions in Indonesia

Best places to dive in the World

Best place to dive in the World: List of the best scuba diving destination, dive spot and Best Travel Destinations for Scuba Diving

Dive into the sea is a very exciting adventure. Seeing the natural beauty under the sea, view, and can swim with the beautiful fish can only be done if you dive into the sea.

Vacation trip to see where the best places for diving can be done by visiting the best and beautiful place to dive. Where is the best place to dive? Hopefully some info about list of best places for diving destination in Indonesia and in the world, can help you, so you can choose the best places for diving destination in the world.

One of the best places for diving in the world is located in Raja Ampat in Indonesia. The archipelago is a series of several adjacent islands and is located in western Papua Island. Raja Ampat diving destination in the world because it has the panoramic beauty of the islands under the sea.
Diving Place Raja Ampat Papua Indonesia

Travel Reading Roundup

Photo credit: Tara Donne, Condé Nast Traveler
The small-town daydreaming just won't let up. Below are three things I really enjoyed reading this week. And surprise, surprise, they all are paeans to rural living.
Fairy Land
An exceptionally good article in this month's Conde Nast Traveler about the rustic charm of Northwestern Connecticut, worlds away and yet only a two-hour drive from NYC. Read about treehouse communities, raw milk aficionados and more.

Vespa Vagabond

A friend sent me this blog about a Bay Area photographer who drove cross-country on her Vespa as part of a planned move to NYC. One slight hitch - she fell in love with a small town in Wyoming and decided to live there instead.

Daily Coyote
This is the continuation of Vespa Vagabond. Wondering what a 31-year-old city slicker does after moving to a town of 300 people in Wyoming? Adopt an orphaned coyote and take amazing pictures of him, naturally.

The BARONG RANDA SANGAR

Barong Dance
Barong & Randa

The Barong Keket is half shaggy dog, half lion-and is played by two men in much the same way as a circus clown-horse. Its apponent is the rangda (witch).
The Barong repsesent good and protects the village from rangda, but is also a mischievous creature. It flounces into the temple courtyard, snaps its jaws at the gamelan, dances around and enjoys the acclaim of its supporters-a group of men with kris. Then the rangda makes her appearance, with long tongue lolling, pendulous breasts wobbling, human entrails draped around her neck, fangs protruding from her mouth and sabre-like fingernails clawing the air.
The two duel with their magical powers, and the Barong's supporters draw their kris and rush in to attack the witch. The Randa puts them in a trance and the men try to stab themselves, but the Barong also has great magical powers and casts a spell that stops the kris from harming the men. This is the most dramatic part of dances-as the gamelan rings crazily the men rush back and forth, waving their kris around, all but foaming at the mouth, sometimes even rolling on the ground in a desperate attempt to stab themselves. Finally, the rangda retires defeated-good has won agaon. Good must always triumph over evil in Bali, and no matter how many times the spectators have seen the performance or how well they know the outcome, the battle itself remains all-important.

Reference: by Lonely planet

The Exotic Niagara Falls




The Niagara Falls are voluminous waterfalls on the Niagara River, straddling the international border between the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of New York. The falls are 17 miles (27 km) north-northwest of Buffalo, New York and 75 miles (120 km) south-southeast of Toronto, Ontario, between the twin cities of Niagara Falls, Ontario, and Niagara Falls,New York.

Niagara Falls is composed of two major sections separated by Goat Island: Horseshoe Falls, the majority of which lies on the Canadian side of the border, and American Falls on the American side. The smaller Bridal Veil Falls also is located on the American side, separated from the main falls by Luna Island. Niagara Falls were formed when glaciers receded at the end of the Wisconsin glaciation (the last ice age), and water from the newly-formed Great Lakes carved a path through the Niagara Escarpment en route to the Atlantic Ocean. While not exceptionally high,the Niagara Falls are very wide. More than six million cubic feet (168,000 m³) of water falls over the crest line every minute in high flow,[1] and almost 4 million cubic feet (110,000 m³) on average. It is the most powerful waterfall in North America.[2]

The Niagara Falls are renowned both for their beauty and as a valuable source of hydroelectric power. Managing the balance between recreational, commercial, and industrial uses has been a challenge for the stewards of the falls since the 1800s.
Article Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niagara_Falls

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

New South Wales The Blue Mountains Australia

New South Wales The Blue Mountains Australia
New South Wales The Blue Mountains Australia
New South Wales The Blue Mountains Australia
New South Wales The Blue Mountains Australia


Australia, New South Wales, the Blue Mountains is located immediately to the west of Sydney, is one of the most accessible areas of highland natural beauty in New South Wales, Australia. Although not particularly high as a mountain range, the Blue Mountains is nonetheless renowned for its majestic scenery of a unique kind, for its cultural attractions and natural beauty sight.The Blue Mountains is most famous for its three National Parks which are Blue Mountains National Park, Kanangra Boyd National Park and Wollemi National Park.You can only find two fast food restaurants here that are McDonalds and Burger King.The environment and in here still a bit traditional, If you’re looking for a country lifestyle then this place is the right one.One of a tourist attraction is The Zig Zag Railway which was the main system for descending from the mountains before tunnels were made. The train journey up and down the mountain takes about 1.5 hours. Trains run at 11am, 1pm and 3pm, steam trains only run on Wednesdays, weekends, public holidays and school holidays. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 students and senioprs, $10 children over 5 and free for children under 5. Family tickets for 2 adults and 3 children or 1 adult and 4 child are cost $50.

New South Wales The Blue Mountains Australia

New South Wales The Blue Mountains Australia
New South Wales The Blue Mountains Australia
New South Wales The Blue Mountains Australia
New South Wales The Blue Mountains Australia


Australia, New South Wales, the Blue Mountains is located immediately to the west of Sydney, is one of the most accessible areas of highland natural beauty in New South Wales, Australia. Although not particularly high as a mountain range, the Blue Mountains is nonetheless renowned for its majestic scenery of a unique kind, for its cultural attractions and natural beauty sight.The Blue Mountains is most famous for its three National Parks which are Blue Mountains National Park, Kanangra Boyd National Park and Wollemi National Park.You can only find two fast food restaurants here that are McDonalds and Burger King.The environment and in here still a bit traditional, If you’re looking for a country lifestyle then this place is the right one.One of a tourist attraction is The Zig Zag Railway which was the main system for descending from the mountains before tunnels were made. The train journey up and down the mountain takes about 1.5 hours. Trains run at 11am, 1pm and 3pm, steam trains only run on Wednesdays, weekends, public holidays and school holidays. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 students and senioprs, $10 children over 5 and free for children under 5. Family tickets for 2 adults and 3 children or 1 adult and 4 child are cost $50.

Australia Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour is a town on the north coast of the Australian state of New South Wales, approximately two thirds of the way from Sydney to Brisbane. Coffs Harbour is largely a family destination, but also attracts some travelers between Sydney and Brisbane. I can tell you that the view in this area is so pretty. Besides that, you also can hang out with your buddies or families to enjoy walking along the harbour and feel the cool breeze. In here also available clubs and pubs with counter meals and entertainment; exotic Asian, Indian, Thai and Chinese and fresh creative cuisine, coffee and cakes from cafes and restaurants. when the sun shines brightly, you can catch amazing scene from the harbour.

Lovina Beach is one of the existing list of beaches on the island of Bali

Lovina Beach is one of the existing list of beaches on the island of Bali. jiak your visit to Bali for vacation travel and tours, visit Lovina Beach is the right choice for you who like the natural beach

Bali Island is often visited by tourists because it has a lot mencanegara attractions that are attractive to local tourist attractions or overseas. One of the beaches on the island of Bali that attract tourists to visit the beach Lovina. Walaupun unlike Kuta beach is visited by many foreign tourists, it also has Lovina beach is very beautiful.

Lovina beach is one of the beaches on the island of Bali and is still visited by tourists who come for the holidays. Tourists who come to this beach can watch dolphins dolphin fish.Lovina beach is located about 9 km west of Singaraja, this is one tourist attraction in North Bali. Tourists both foreign and locally many who visit there, other than to see the unspoiled beaches and clean, tourists can see the dolphins which are common in this beach.

Only by hiring a fishing boat, tourists can approach the dolphins. Of course this will add to the experience for tourists who visited Bali. To complement the tourism facilities in Lovina beach, various accommodations ranging from hotels to the Cottages are available with very affordable prices.

The Excellent Places to Hike Around Las Vegas

Travel to Las Vegas and you'll likely hear plenty about nearby attractions like the Grand Canyon, the Hoover Dam, and Lake Mead. There are even places right on the Strip where you can take part in guided tours of these places. These highly publicized attractions are well worth it and have many interesting sights and are great ways to escape the lights of Vegas. But in addition to these high traffic tourist spots, there are a couple of not so highly publicized areas that are well worth your time, and cost no more than a rental car and a camera.

Red Rock Canyon is located about 15 miles west of the Strip. It is just outside of the city - you can take Charleston Boulevard all the way there. Charleston crosses the strip just north of the Stratosphere. Hop on Charleston and go west. Once you pass RedRock Casino and Highway 215, you're almost there.

When you first get to Red Rock, there is a visitor's center where you can get out and check out some of the history of the canyon. You can learn about the Native American's who first lived in the area as well as the animals and plants that populate the canyon.

The canyon itself is made up of red sandstone which is very striking in color when the sun bounces off the canyon walls. There are numerous hiking trails that you can stop and hike. They range from easy to difficult. The canyon is also popular to rock climbers, who can often be seen scaling the cliffs and rocks of the area.

From the visitors center you can take the scenic loop, which is a 13 mile loop that winds its way through the canyon with numerous places to stop to either hike or take pictures. One of the stops along the loop is the Ice Box Canyon trail which is a two mile moderately difficult hike that includes some rock scrambling. This trail works it's way back into a canyon which is known for the cooler winds that blow through the rocks. While hiking be sure to look up the canyon walls as you can often see the climbers scrambling up their lines.

Along with the desert vegetation you're likely to see different animals in the conservation area. Bighorn sheep and deer accompany the wild burros that roam the land. The burros are rather tame and will often come up to car windows looking for food - though it is recommended not to feed them as this increases their independence on the tourists of the area. A picture of a burro sticking his head in your car window is often a great picture to share with friends back home.

The great thing about Red Rock is that you can see the sights without ever leaving the air conditioning of your car - or if you're feeling a little adventurous you can venture out on one of the trails and make your way a little off the beaten path. Even though you are just outside the sprawling city of Las Vegas, a trip to RedRock is a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city - a great way to take a vacation inside your vacation.

By: Patrick Treadway

Kuta Beach Lombok Indonesia

Lombok Island is located in Indonesia has called Beach Kuta beach. The name of this beach like the Kuta beach in Bali. Lombok is an amazing island in Indonesia, and many attractions are quite famous.

Kuta beach, Lombok is an island resort in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Kuta beach, Lombok has white sand and its location is located in a rural village called Kuta.

Kuta village began to place an attractive tourist destinations in Indonesia since the establishment of many new hotels to support the tourism in Indonesia, especially in the island of Lombok. Kuita beach has natural beauty that is very charming and can be enjoyed in this village. Every once a year on Kuta beach Lombok Sasak ceremony is always held in this village.

That is a traditional ceremony called Odor Nyale ceremony. In a ritual ceremony for the sailors at sea Nyale worms. According to the legends and stories, there was once a princess, named Princess Mandalika, his face was very beautiful, and many princes and youth who want to marry him. Because he can not make decisions, then he plunged into the sea water.

He previously promised that he would come back once a year. Long hair became the worms Nyale. As a very interesting tour the local government always panati optimize and maintain it to keep it clean and attractive so they can attract foreign tourists.

The best tourist attractions in Indonesia

Travel galery very interesting to visit the beach Kuta Bali

Travel gallery very interesting to visit, beaches Kuta Bali is the best choice to tour with the family, white beaches and clean very comfortable to sunbathe in the morning.

Top 5 Switzerland Tourist Attractions to See

Switzerland is known as The Land of the Alps, and rightfully so. Bordered by France, Germany, Italy and Austria, Switzerland offers the most breathtaking views of the panoramic Alps. Though small, it is also one of the richest countries in the world, which is why there is no wonder many tourists dream of a Swiss vacation. There are plenty of Switzerland tourist attractions, too, although there are five you should definitely stop to see.


1. The Chillon Castle - Located on the shore of Lake Geneva, the Chillon Castle is one of the most famous castles in Switzerland. Consisting of 100 buildings, it dates back to the 11th century and is the former residence of the Savoy nobility. It also has three courtyards and four great halls which offer magnificent views of the lake beyond.
2. Zermatt - Although there are many beautiful ski resorts in Switzerland, Zermatt stands out as one of the top Switzerland tourist attractions because it is located at the foot of the Matterhorn, the most famous peak of the Swiss Alps. Even if you're not into skiing, you can still enjoy the view while dining at a gourmet restaurant or shopping around the town.
3. Geneva Jet D'eau - This fountain in the heart of one of Switzerland's major cities is one of the tallest fountains in the world, projecting water up to 140 meters high. Built in 1891, it is also considered one of the symbols of the city of Geneva.

While in Geneva, you might want to see other tourist spots, too, particularly the museums. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum is one of the most popular museums in Switzerland, and is definitely worth a visit, along with the Cathedral de St. Pierre and other historical buildings.
4. Swiss National Park - Although you cannot pitch a tent and spend the night at Swiss National Park, you can certainly appreciate the different views of the Alps as you go hiking, which is why it is one of the Switzerland tourist attractions worth seeing. It is also Switzerland's only national park, covering almost half the area of the entire country. It is a sanctuary for various wildlife such as elks, marmots and eagles, as well.
5. Swiss Transport Museum - Located in Lucerne, the Swiss Transport Museum is home to an exhibit of locomotives, ships, aircraft, automobile and other modes of transport and communication. It also houses an extensive collection of the works of Hans Erni, a Swiss painter and sculptor. You're sure to enjoy the Planetarium and the IMAX theatre, too.

Indeed, Switzerland has many sights waiting to be discovered. Aside from visiting Switzerland tourist attractions, don't forget to immerse yourself in the country's rich culture, too by participating in festivals or simply mingling with the Swiss. You're sure to have a wonderful time and many golden memories to take home with you.