Things to See & Do in Brisbane
Posted July 22, 2009 , add a commentThere is a saying associated with Queensland in Australia: Beautiful one day, perfect the next. And since I am from that very state, I cannot say a bad word about the place (although plenty of other Australians will try). One reason for this is that other states are jealous of the year-round warm weather, great sandy stretches of coast, a world-class botanical garden, and the friendly attitude of the natives.
See? I told you I couldn’t be mean to Queensland.
Another factor in the bad attitude towards Queensland would be the fact that we had a notoriously corrupt government during the 1980s, which for some reason… just seemed to keep getting voted back in. But enough of that, the old codger is dead, and his wife still happily makes pumpkin scones – mention that and you just might sound like one of the locals.
Inside that ’70s dome at Brisbane’s Botanical Garden
Currently, we are in a period of a relatively normal government, and the state has become a haven for nature and shopping junkies alike. I can’t go through the entire place in this scrap of an article, but there are some places around my hometown Brisbane that are worth a gander.
Things to see & do in Brisbane
While Brissie (yes, that is what we locals call it) may not be a raging hubbub of all-night parties and obvious cultural influences, it does have some rather picturesque (and odd) visions. Take for example South Bank – a faux beach riding along the waves of the Brisbane River, which hosts a number of pool and chillax areas, as well as a range of eating an drinking opportunities. Great for during the hot sticky days of summer. (However, word of warning to watch your gear, as you don’t want to be left high and dry, or rather low and soaking, after a frolic in the fountainous goodness.)
The beach at South Bank
Right, so South Bank is in the CBD basically, just a short stroll from the parochially named Queen Street Mall – don’t even get me started on the idea of Republic of Australia… how many times people?? Digressions aside, the CBD has shops and cinemas… oh and a fair few pubs, which can be either full of suits or a bit rough.
Fortitude Valley isn’t just for gay junkies anymore
So really, my recommendation is to venture further than the CBD, and get yourself to Fortitude Valley. Although strangely, trying to find it on the train ticket machine was intensely difficult… maybe it was just jet lag, but really! Anyways, the train will take you to Brunswick St station – head from there to the Brunswick St Mall, cos the other way can be kinda scary.
The Valley, as it is known, used to be home to derelicts, misfits, punks, gays junkies every kind of miscreant there was… ahh, those were the days of freedom and frolicking madly. Since being cleaned up for the…er I was trying to think of a reason, but I think it was cleaned up for the sake of money. Since then, it is probably a lot more accessible to the masses – there are a variety of shops, bars, pubs and eating places there.
Long term haunts are Rics caf? and Fatboys, which are joined together. Though beware, you can’t have your food in the bar section, due to smoking laws. And the staff there do tend to go against the ‘everyone be friendly’ policy of the warmer states, just letting you know it is not personal, they hate everyone. Also in the Mall is the Troubador, which puts on good live shows, and also the Globe theatre just near the train station. As for party places – alright, if I must – Monastery, Family, MoonBar. The others make me groan out loud, so I tell you not what they be.
Another bonus to the Valley Mall are the markets on Sundays, which are full of handmade crafts, second hand and vintage clothes, fun new designs, and loads of weird shit to keep you occupied for a while. One of the best guys there is an old dude who has been making shoes since I was at Uni, and he makes great leather sandals that are super comfy…
Brisbane with a view & food
If you are looking for a spectacular view of the city, a short drive from the centre of town will get you to Mt Cootha Garden, which has a great botanical garden selection, and a cool dome from the ’70s that makes you feel like you are in some kind of science fiction film. Further along is a fab drive up the mountain, to the scenic viewing point. There is also a great restaurant called The Summit, which has a fine menu and excellent desserts. Ah, the memories… actually, my dad fell asleep at the table, and then got angry at the waiter. But they are very accommodating, so they were nice enough to give us an extra dessert to calm him down.
West End also has a great range of pseudo-hipster bars and cafes, which are super for a casual Sund’y beer, or a little bit o’ shoppin’. The Lychee Lounge serves awesome cocktails, althgouh it can be a bit exy-pensive. But they are worth the extravagance. Another slice of chilled out heaven is the Shire, where you can get all different coffees, teas and bits to eat – oh, the pies are chew-tastic.
If you are not a pie aficionado, in Australia, you will become one. And if they are bio, even better, cos they really are an experience. And often on the weekends there will be bands and DJs at the Shire. There is also a great bookshop in West End called Avid Books, with heaps of second hand classics and newbies. I love to troll through the shelves, and the owner is friendly and very knowledgeable.
So that is but a taste of what Brisbane has to offer. Others may bite and snivel about Brisbanes’s cultural origins – we were of course one of the last settlements, and have a fairly large bevan background. However, since the invention of the modern telefonee and other such contraptions, Brisvegas, as it is fondly referred to by residents, gives a far more relaxed view on life, and reminds you that slowing down does not have to be a bad thing. Just watch out for the crocs (the human kind) at South Bank, remember to smile and you will be doing fine.
-Tina Grace
Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Brisbane tours & things to do, from Brisbane harbour cruises to day trips from Brisbane.
Get the Advantage of Cheap Hotels by Making an Off Season Trip
Posted July 15, 2009 , add a comment
Describing any country in a few words is quite a difficult task. If someone is asked to describe Australia then in simple yet striking words it can be described as a land of exquisiteness that is emotionally attached to its tradition, class and natural beauty. In one word it is a land of paradise where you will experience the beauty of Australia and its flawless hospitality. Australia is spread across a wide area and is covered by water on all its sides. The continent is very wide and also spread across a large area. Thus, due to this reason the various parts of the continent experience the different types of climate and environment. If the northern part of the continent experiences the tropical climate and should preferably be visited during the winters while for the southern regions, the months during the summer are considered to be the most ideal. Thus, it completely depends on which season and which place you are planning to visit the country. Generally, the best season to visit the country is considered to be the time interval between September and October when the season is neither very hot nor freezingly cold. Thus, a large number of tourists are seen flying over to Australia during this time duration which thus over crowds all the famous and well known cities. This is also that time of the year when most of the cultural events are organized for attracting the tourists from the various parts of the world. Hence, this is considered as the peak business time for all the businessmen, traders and the hotels of Australia. Right from the transportation tariffs, eatables, hotel tariffs, gifts etc. are all at a sky touching price. Thus, many people prefer visiting the country during the off seasons when the crowd of tourists is less and so are the prices of all the materials. Visiting any city or country during the off season has its own advantages some of which include: 1. Travelling charges during the off season are always cheaper. You can save about 50% of the total expenses spent in travelling during the on seasons. Thus you should preferably visit the country during the humid summer season or the freezing winters. 2. You can enjoy more like a local rather than a tourist due to the vacant roads and famous places. Thus, you can spend more time without having to rush the various places due to over crowdedness. You can thus spend as much time as you want at the famous and most beautiful places as you want to. 3. You will get a good and respectable response from the local people during the off seasons which is not very much possible during the on seasons due to the crowdedness. 4. Mat it be the budget hotels in Sydney or Melbourne, restaurants or the gift shops, in every of these places you will receive good services, qualities and facilities from the staff which is always a problem during the on seasons. You can stay in the cheap hotels or the luxurious hotels, lodges are always available for you. 5. Hence at the end, your total savings are just unbelievable. In this budget, you can easily visit the country another time and thus enjoy yourself. So, enjoy yourself in a well planned, budget holiday in Australia.
Australia’s Northern Territory: 10 Things Not to Miss
Posted , add a commentAustralia’s Northern Territory: 10 Things Not to Miss
To me, the Northern Territory is Australia. That’s not to say that the rest of the country doesn’t have much going on, it certainly does, but the Northern Territory is the Australia of my boyhood. When, as a twelve year old, I fantasized about visiting the land Down Under, my mind imagined vast expanses, Aboriginal bushmen, frill-necked lizards, kangaroos taller than my father, giant red rocks, ferocious crocodiles and the endlessly vacant outback – and this iconic version of Australia, the stuff of childhood dreams, really does exist in the Northern Territory.
It’s in the territory after all where the majority of Australia’s crocs reside, and where Sweetheart, the country’s most famous crocodile—notorious for attacking boats—made her nest. It’s the territory where many Aboriginal young men still go on “walkabout” when they come of age and where most of Australia’s indigenous population lives. It’s the territory that Mick Dundee called home, in the movie Crocodile Dundee, which (let’s admit it) informed most of our early opinions on the country and the territory where frilled necked lizards leave their dens during the wet season, escaping predators by running on their hind legs. It’s even the territory where red kangaroos, known to grow as tall as six and a half feet, hop through the scrub brush at the base of Uluru, Australia’s red-rock centerpiece.
And since Australia’s Northern Territory is twice as large as the state of California with 1/200th of the population, it’s the most ideal place to carve out a little elbow room and explore the outback. Here are my top-ten must-visit spots in “The Territory”:
1 – Uluru
The navel of Australia isn’t just a national icon; it’s also one of the most sacred Aboriginal sites that the country has on offer and certainly one of the most beautiful on a grand scale. Standing next to Uluru, glowing red in the afternoon sun, while reading the dreaming stories retold by the Anangu people for tens of thousands of years, a person feels humbled but at the same time connected rather than insignificant. Few places on the planet can offer such a depth of emotion.
2 - Kata Tjuta
Resting in the same National Park, and a mere ten miles away from Uluru, the domed formations of Kata Tjuta are often thought of as even more striking by travelers. Which makes it stranger still to learn that only 25% of the visitors to Uluru-Kata-Tjuta National Park stop off there at all. One wonders, once you’ve gone all that way (because the Red Center is not close to anything else in the whole country) why not push on those extra ten miles? Those who do discover that it’s infinitely worth it —and the Valley of the Winds walk, following a path through the domes carved by rushing wind for millions of years, is an experience that won’t soon be forgotten.
3 - Kakadu National Park
Before I ever set foot on Australian soil I was surprised to find Kakadu National Park ranked above even the mighty Uluru in a book titled: 100 Places in Australia That Australians Should See Before They Die. Now, having spent a combined month tramping through the park, I know why.
Kakadu, located in the Territory’s “top-end” is as diverse and fascinating as the country itself. It is a massive park, 12,305 square miles (roughly the size of Israel) with a wildly varied ecology. Grasslands, mangrove swamps, deciduous forests, savanna and monsoon rainforests all flourish here creating a wide variety of animal habitats.
Cruising the Yellow Water Billabong at sunset to spot birds, crocodiles and the occasional buffalo is an absolute must. Also be sure not to miss the rock art and panoramic wetland vistas at Ubirr or the opportunity for a swim at Jim Jim Falls, Gunlom Falls (where parts of Crocodile Dundee were filmed) or Maguk Plunge Pool.
4 - Kings Canyon
This spot is the least visited of Central Australia’s big three (behind Uluru and Kata Tjuta) but those who do visit are in for a treat.
The Rim Walk, around the top of the canyon, indulges hikers with hundreds of egg-shaped sandstone domes unfolding across the horizon, wide vistas of the surrounding stone country and vertigo inducing looks 330 feet down to the valley floor below.
Inside of the canyon there is a small, wind-protected swimming hole perfect for refreshing tired hikers and for taking in the much more comfortable view up the sheer walls.
5 - Animal Tracks Safari
It is not my business to blatantly plug a safari company. But in all my time in Australia I have seen an endless string of travelers disappointed because they were not able to have an experience in which they gained access to genuine Aboriginal culture. Animal Tracks does just that in a way that honors Aboriginal Heritage rather than exploiting it. With an Aboriginal guide, guests track crocs and learn to find wild carrots, yams, grubs and sugar bag (native honey). Later they use fire sticks to get a blaze going for roasting crocodile, kangaroo and barramundi on an underground oven. This is a perfect way for kids to learn about this fascinating culture and pick up a few basic survival skills.
6 - Litchfield National Park
Go to Litchfield on a hot Saturday and you’ll get a master’s class on how Territorians stay cool. The park is Mother Nature’s take on Wild Rivers, a circuit of amazing swimming holes and cliff jumps. The finest gem among them is Walker Creek where you can reserve a shady campsite and have a natural swimming pool, carved by river against rock, all to yourself—water monitor lizards and butterflies included.
7 – Darwin
The largest population center in the Territory, Darwin is far from being a booming metropolis. The town has a quaint feel and it’s easy to explore the sidewalk bars and harbor side parks by foot. Be sure to visit the sprawling Mindil Beach Sunset Market (Thursday & Sunday only), pretty much the only place I’ve ever been where you can feast on an endless variety of local and international dishes, purchase a bottle of organic honey, get a massage and watch monkey hand puppets play the bongos all in one night. Another great way to acquaint yourself with the city is to hop aboard the Alfred Nobel for a dinner cruise with Darwin Harbor Cruises. The cruise is a perfectly relaxing chance to learn the history of Australia’s second most famous harbor while indulging in oysters, shrimp and barbecued barramundi.
8 - Douglas Hot Springs
Normally when I think hot springs I think of mildly warm water that smells overpoweringly of sulfur. But not Douglas. Here the water bubbles up boiling hot through a sandy creek bed and converges with a cool water section of running river. The resulting mix comes at any temperature that you could desire (from scalding to tepid). Sitting in the steaming pools at dusk with your legs trailing in the current is the all the spa you’ll ever need up in the Territory. Keep your eyes peeled for the two beautiful olive pythons living in the hollow tree stump at the water’s edge.
9 - Katherine George
My favorite experience in Australia may very well be the 41-mile, five day Jatbula Trail tracing the Edith River near Katherine. Arrive in the early part of the dry season (when the rivers are safe from saltwater crocs but there’s still lots of water flowing) and you will experience some of the most stunning, yet isolated scenery the territory has to share. Each day of hiking leads to a new, separate, and totally unpopulated waterhole with natural slides, cliffs to jump off of and animals of all sorts to spot including the rare frill-necked lizard. The hike winds through grassy savannah, swampy wetlands, and rough stone country—sometimes all three in a day, before dropping you at another empty, spectacular campsite.
10 - Arnhem Land
Abutting Kakadu National park, this vast Aboriginal Land Trust is difficult for tourists to access but worth the effort ten-times over. Arnhem Land has the same various beauty as Kakadu without the infrastructure or crowds. More importantly, this is the spot to go if you are looking to connect with indigenous people living in the traditional manner. Some of the area can be accessed by tourists who hold permits, reserved far in advance. If you aren’t planning a year out a better option comes around in July, when the Aboriginal Community at Oenpelli (near the Kakadu-Arnhem Land Border) hosts an “Open Day”. There, visitors can see the works of traditional artists, practice spear throwing, enjoy local music and dance and watch a footy match between neighboring communities. A month later, on the isolated Gove Peninsula in North East Arnhem Land, the Garma Culture Festival kicks off, a weeklong opportunity for visitors to see the intact cultural traditions of the Yolngu people who have inhabited the peninsula continuously throughout the course of history. It may take a little research to access Arnhem Land but the opportunity to interact with Aboriginal communities on their land and on their terms is absolutely invaluable.
So there it is. The Northern Territory in all its croc filled, scorched earth, wild, sprawling, epic glory. In danger of sounding far too gushy: let me wager that this is the Down Under you’ve always dreamed of.
When to go
To visit the Top-End try the end of May till the first week in July when the water holes are full but the crocs have moved out of them. The Red Center is great any time but keep in mind that summer temperatures regularly climb upwards of a hundred and ten degrees.
Photo credits:
Uluru by Peter Nijenhuis on Flickr, Kings Canyon by Lyndi&Jason on Flickr, Darwin sunset market by grun2000 on Flickr, Swimming hole and Gunlom Falls by Steve Bramucci
Penguins On Phillip Island, Australia - Choreographed By Nature
Posted , add a commentPenguins On Phillip Island, Australia - Choreographed By Nature
We feel as if we were here to watch a football match. There is a palpable electric feel in the air and expectancy is high. We hear a cry of excitement, “I can see one!” The crowds strain their necks and try to focus on the moon-lit waters. I train my binoculars and catch my first glimpse of a pair of wobbly feet. Now the deep blue sheen of a wing and then the head!
We are on Phillip Island, 140 km from Melbourne, Australia known for its pristine beaches, wildlife and most importantly the ‘Penguin parade’. George Bass discovered the island in 1798 and named it after Australia’s first governor, Arthur Philip. In the late 1920s an access to this island was built and organized viewing of the fairy penguins was organized and tourist traffic boomed!
We enter Phillip Island through a bridge linking the mainland after a scenic drive from Melbourne. We see the Koala Conservation centre, where there’s a boardwalk and we get to hug these sleepy leaf munching marsupials. We also visit the Nobbies centre, which has a camera link with a nearby Fur seal colony and we get to see them frolicking on the rocks! We walk through the main building with coffee shops, souvenir stalls and take a five minute walk along the Summerland beach to reach the amphitheatre- like grandstand.
There are flood lights here and a massive crowd of spectators, many Japanese tourists among them. We see that there are other options too to view the fairy penguins. One is a Penguins plus Viewing platform that gives you a little shelter from the cold winds-at a cost of course! The other one is the elevated Sky-Box only for five tourists, in an enclosed elevated tower that also makes use of latest night view technology and has rangers to give commentaries!
We are given maps and a list of Dos and Don’ts by the volunteers and strictly instructed that photography is prohibited. Penguins’ eyes are specialized for seeing underwater and on land at low light and are highly sensitive to sudden brightness. We are all bundled up as the icy blast whips through our clothing and we are elated to see our first fairy penguins, the stars of the show tonight.
The fairy penguins are native only to Australia and New Zealand. These diminutive birds are only 33 cms tall whereas their Antarctic cousins are as tall as 70 cm! They waddle towards us, some get thrown back by the tide and others assume roles of leaders as they guide the pack towards the green path leading to the burrows in the sand dunes.
What begins with a few birds is now a magical procession of hundreds! Some of them look hesitant as if crossing a busy road, others preen themselves for some imaginary ramp show, and others walk with military discipline in a single file towards their young ones in the burrows. Some penguins are so full of their dinner that they take some rest on the beach before waddling home! We are told that these frail-looking birds leave for the sea at dawn and sometimes swim as much as 100 km in search of food! They lay eggs in their burrows and both parents take turns in incubation.
These tuxedo-clad penguins have the gait of choreographed drunks! They make their way by following the cries of their young. We find it amazing as to how these cuddly creatures reach the precise shores without any homing devices or GPS and make it a daily sunset ritual.
As the penguins walk towards the burrows, we follow them on the dimly-lit wooden boardwalks and see some amazing sights. A penguin feeding a small one with open beak his cache of fish, some penguins communicating in excited cries and others watching the crowds with some interest before disappearing into their subterranean homes.
The wardens lead us towards the exit as we reluctantly leave this grand spectacle of nature. The black and white birds have made hundreds of fans tonight! It is a totally surreal experience. An event of nature has been orchestrated into something like a fairground experience with a truly Australian flavour!
All the more surreal because I don’t have one photograph of the Parade (except for a postcard from the souvenir shop), but I can vividly recall in my mind’s eye even today the sequence of events that night!
Photo by wouter! on Flickr
Thailand travel
Posted , add a commentThailand Travel:
This popular country is located in southeast Asia in the north of Malaysia, bordered by Laos and Cambodia on the east. In the recent years, Thailand
tourism has become a very activity in the world, securing a position among the
top 25 most popular tourism places of the world and among the top 5 in Asia. There are several reasons for the increasing popularity of Thailand tourism, the most important one is the friendly and peace loving nature of the Thai
people. Thailand tourism offers a wealth of exotic and culturally distinctive destinations spread throughout its 76 provinces. The Majestic city of Bangkok is the capital of Thailand.
Topics:
? Thailand Tourism Overview
? Getting There
? Transportation And Car Rental
? Climate / Weather
? Visa
? Golf
? Shopping
? Top Hotels
? Nightlife
? Local Tourist Office
? Currency
? Recommendation and Safety
THAILAND TOURISM AND TRAVEL OVERVIEW:
Thailand tourism is an irresistible combination of breathtaking natural
beauty, inspiring temples, renowned hospitality, robust cuisine and ruins of
fabulous ancient kingdoms. It offers everything from crowded markets and bazaars
to ancient temples, to busy nightlife all set against some of the best scenery
in the region. Thailand tourism is mainly divided into four regions - The Central Plain,
The Peninsular South, The Mountainous North and The High Northeast Plateau.
Thailand is a popular travel destination, and tourist facilities and services
are available throughout the country. You will find great food, a tropical
climate, national parks, fascinating culture and, great beaches, its diverse
attractions make it popular with tourists and travelers of all types and ages. Thailand
tourism has been heavily promoted by the Tourism Authority Thailand
(TAT).
GETTING
TO THAILAND:
Since Bangkok is Thailand’s main tourist attraction,
most tourists arrive at Bangkok’s Don Muang International Airport which has
connecting flights to almost all the major cities around the world.
TRANSPORTATION AND CAR RENTAL:
Thailand has many buses and taxi services that are fast, comfortable and very
easily available. Thailand also has a efficient rail system along with domestic
flights, connecting to all the major cities of the country, therefore getting
around the country is very easy and the tourists have several options including
domestic flights, buses, taxis and rail system. The roads are modern and there
are several Air-conditioned buses offering maximum comfort at a low price.
Car Rental:
Many companies like Avis, Hertz, National and Budget operate rental car
operations in Thailand.
In Thailand you drive on the left hand side of the road. Speed limits signs are
posted in English.
It is recommended that you familiarize yourself with driving conditions and
local laws before renting a car in this popular tourism destination.
Most rental car companies apply the following rules, but do check with your
company for full requirements.
- Minimum driver age is 21 years.
- Driver must hold a valid driving license or International Driving Permit
- Customer must have an international credit card.
- A copy of customers’ ID Card or Passport is required.
CLIMATE - WHEN TO GO:
Thailand enjoys a tropical climate with 3 distinct seasons summer from March
through May, rainy season with plenty of sunshine from June to September and
winters from October through February. Since Thailand can get very hot in the
summer season, the best time for Thailand tourism is December to February.
TOURIST VISA:
It is required to have a return ticket and passport ready
before visiting Thailand. The validity of passport should be at least 6 months
beyond intended length. When this article was written in 2007 the citizens of
USA, Canada, Australia, and Britain were exempted from visa for up to 30 days of
stay. Citizens of Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland,
Slovak Republic and Slovenia are granted a 15 day visa on arrival. Citizens of
other countries need a visa in advance.
Visit these official sites for more tourism information:
Thailand Tourism office- USA
61 Broadway, Suite 2810, New York, NY 10006, USA
Website: www.tourismthailand.org
Thailand Tourism office-UK
3rd Floor, Brook House, 98-99 Jermyn Street, London SW1Y 6EE, UK
Website: www.thaismile.co.uk
Embassy websites:
www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk
www.thaiembdc.org
GOLF:
Thailand tourism offers great golf clubs to its tourists .Popular 18-hole golf clubs are the Pok-Ta-Pok along the coast of
Caribbean and Hilton Park Golf Club near the El Rey ruins.
The 9-hole golf course located at the Hotel Melia is relatively cheaper.
Golf has been a popular Thailand attraction for centuries where world’s top
designers have come and left their marks and so have several world class
players. There are Golf Courses within easy reach of all the major cities. For
Golf lovers, the best time to visit is the winter season, from November to
March. Even rainy season is not a bad time since the rain comes down mostly in
the afternoon that too only for a few minutes and most of the Golf courses have
a good drainage system. However, it is highly recommended to get your booking
done in advance, especially over the weekends and peak travel season.
SHOPPING IN THAILAND:
Shopping has always been a the major Thailand tourism attraction where a wealth of
shopping opportunities await the visitors. Thailand is popular for its
traditional handicrafts, textiles, gems, finished jewellery, antiques, ceramics, Nielloware, silk, silverware, pottery and much more, all at a bargain prices.
Thailand is truly a shoppers paradise ranging from modern malls to street
vendors. The biggest market of all, and the most fascinating, is the Chatuchak
Weekend Market, held on Saturday and Sunday at Chatuchak Park in Bangkok, not
far from the Central Plaza Hotel. Chiang Mai is another popular shopping place
where some of the factories have demonstrations of how these goods (silk, paper,
silver etc.) are made. The Night Bazaar, is a good place to sample the full
range of local products such as cotton, lacquer ware, silver, hill tribe
clothing, Burmese tapestries, painted umbrellas, and woodcarvings. Other than
the big malls that have a fixed price, bargaining is very popular at most of the
other tourism places in order to get the best prices.
TOP HOTELS:
Thailand tourism offers a vide range of luxury hotels and resorts, some of the
popular ones are - The Peninsula, Lebua at state tower, The Metropolitan, and
Intercontinental in Bangkok; Amanpuri, Aleena resort and spa, and JW Marriott in
Phuket; Four Seasons Chiang Mai in Chiang Mai.
You will also find several budget accommodations and inns in Thailand.
NIGHTLIFE:
Nightlife is another popular attraction of Thailand tourism, the evening entertainment
is both plentiful and inexpensive. The bars, discos and pubs are open till late
at night and some of the clubs play live music all night. The important
nightlife locations in Thailand include the cinemas that offer excellent value
for money, ticket prices are much cheaper than in many other parts of the world
and most of the country?s cinemas are top of the range. The other locations
include the beaches that are the most sought after nightlife locations. Here one
would find bars, pubs and go-go bars that are very popular. Thailand’s nightlife
has something for all its visitors and offers a wide variety of night
entertainment, it is truly a nightlife paradise.
Thailand tourism has some problems too, prostitution in Thailand is a big
in-famous industry and the Thai red-light branch turns billions of dollars every
year.
LOCAL TOURIST OFFICE :
Thailand Tourism Office:
1600 New Phetburi Road, Makkasan, Rajatevee, Bangkok 10310.
+66 (0)2 250 5500 (Bangkok) or www.tourismthailand.org
CURRENCY:
1 USD = 32.125 Thai Baht
For latest exchange rates go to -
http://finance.yahoo.com/currency/convert?amt=1&from=USD&to=THB
RECOMMENDATION & SAFETY:
Solo women travelers should avoid beaches at night. Thailand is overall safe
country to visit from both the health and personal safety aspects. Consult with
your doctor with any immunizations he may recommend. Tourists should also
exercise caution in remote areas along the border with Myanmar. Visit
travel.state.gov for latest safety guidelines.