Eating 7 inch Scorpion that put me in Thailand Hospital: Thailand Gross Grub

Poisoned by eating a fried scorpion. Eating a scorpion that sent me to the hospital. Who knew scorpions had poison in the mandible AND it's tail? Not me. I was allergic, breathing slowed, heart went crazy. Great stuff. www.thaipulse.com for more.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_xHi_VQRRg&hl=en

Importance of Travel Books

With the world speeding down the information superhighway, the time for books, it seems, is over. With every bit of information that you can possibly ask for available on the internet, non-fiction books have been worst hit. For example, when you are planning a trip abroad, you now rely on whatever information the web has to offer. It's no more like the old times when you would try to get your hands on a travel book or two, in order to know more about your destination. So, does this mean that travel books will die a slow death? Certainly not, because if you consider the importance of books, you'll understand that they are here to stay.

What do Travel-Books Tell You?

In a systematic manner, travel books tell you all that you may want to know about different places on earth. From the very exotic locales to the bustling metropolises, there's hardly a place not described by travel books. These books offer amazing insights into the pros and cons of visiting a place and other details about the weather, famous landmarks, festivals, culture etc. In fact, no matter what kind of holiday you are planning, travel books can help you a lot.

The three major types of travel books deal with adventure holidays, cultural diversities and recreational traveling.

Travel-Books and Adventure Holidays

The books in this category tell you about a wide variety of adventure travel destinations round the globe. So take your pick from the wildlife safaris of Africa, Polar expeditions, traveling across the Sahara desert or exploring the virgin forests of Sumatra. You can also get loads of information how to trek, hike, snorkel, dive and do many other thrilling activities.

Travel-Books and Culture

Though travel-books may not be dedicated wholly to cultural aspects of a particular place, they can give you a clear picture of the different cultural intricacies of a region. If you are looking to be a part of different cultural festivals around the world, these books may be just what you need.

Travel-Books and Recreational Traveling

Leisure traveling is what most tourists around the world indulge in. The idea is to spend your free time roaming the world and books can tell you how to get the best out of every moment. You can get to know how to plan your tour and which places to see, where to stay and how to travel. What more can you ask for?

Why Travel-Books are Forever

When you are traveling to a distant place, your best friend is the travel book you pack in your luggage. It is a ready-reckoner for times when an unknown land can seem a bit puzzling. No matter how much tech-savvy you are, a travel book can be the only way to access information in some remote locales. Moreover, if you are a person who doesn't have the resources to travel, you can easily take flight on the wings of imagination, thanks to travel books!

Simon Johnnson is the director of content for Executive Gift Shoppe. They specialize in passport holders and flasks.

Thailand Tourism

At least until recently, tourism has been the third most important sector of Thailand's economy, after agriculture and exports. Among 'industries,' tourism is listed in first place. The country is without doubt one of the world's favorite tourist destinations, in part because of its magnificent natural beauty (of many varieties, not just the famous islands), in part because of the natural friendliness of its people, in further part because of the relative ease and safety of traveling in Thailand, which is easily done on both high and low traveler personal economies.

This situation is now in considerable flux, and concerns about the viability of Thailand's major tourist industry are growing. Currency fluctuations and new economic policies have put a significant dent in exports as a source of GDP, and increasingly severe and unpredictable weather - primarily floods and droughts - throughout the country are an increasing concern to its agriculturalists.

Those changes make the viability of Thailand's tourist industry all the more important. While the country has so far survived threats to the industry such as SARS, bird flu, and the 2004 tsunami relatively intact, tourism officials and operators are only too aware that a more large-scale bird flu epidemic or another tsunami (in a region where earthquakes in Indonesia such as the one that caused the one in 2004 are increasingly frequent) could have a devastating effect on the industry.

Additionally, the relocating of the country's main airport, an expansive new facility called Suvarnaphumi planned by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to make Bangkok the 'hub of Southeast Asian travel' has been a only slightly mitigated disaster for the country and the source of considerable national shame. Hurried construction, corrupt construction practices, and overall bad planning have yielded a facility many find far inferior to the 95-year-old 'old' airport in Don Muang, for which longtime Thailand visitors had developed an affection, and which worked with seasoned efficiency. The new airport is daily news nationally, with alternating reports about its safety (primarily of the runways) and inconvenience. It is much farther out of the city, making it much more difficult for tourists to get to their Bangkok destinations and to others on their travel itineraries.

There are great fears among observers of Thailand's tourist scene that it will take just one more major problem such as the ones described above to drive tourists to seek other travel destinations in Asia and elsewhere. The effects on Thailand's economy would be devastating if tourism were to drop even a small amount.

Hugh Nelson is an e-learning specialist who has worked in the education industry for more than 10 years. He currently lives in Hong Kong and is a director of UniRoute, a company that runs educational websites helping students prepare and successfully apply for post-graduate studies abroad.

IELTS

Thailand Study Abroad


Thailand Education

Backpacking in Thailand - How to Travel Super Cheaply

A great way to get amazing results from your backpacking or traveling-for-low-cost budget is by booking a ticket to Thailand and preparing to explore to your heart's content - cheaply of course. Don't think it can be done? Wait until you've read this article and you'll be ready to book your ticket and go!

Now most budget travelers or backpackers would know this anyway - but in case you don't, the simple fact is that when it comes to low cost travel, Thailand takes the cake, and allows you to eat it too. (By the way, Thailand's neighbors are even cheaper to travel through than Thailand!) So let's find out how to do it.

Firstly understand that you can basically catch trains, buses and vans (boats too, depending on where you're headed) to almost anywhere in Thailand. Pretty much wherever there's a road, there's transport. You'll also have a few choices about what style you want to travel in... You can go local style and pay the local fares, or you can go VIP and pay top dollar (for Thai standards).

As an example, a VIP 24 seater bus with air conditioning (think of it like a fridge on wheels) will cost you the top end of your traveling budget, but give you a very comfortable trip (albeit a cold one). Whereas you can also find a local bus or van doing a similar route and pay less than half the VIP price. You still get to where you're going though!

So, to do Thailand on a really cheap budget is more than possible. The trick is to catch the local buses and vans, and do what the local Thai people do. I've seen folks sit in low-cost seats all night to ride 12 hour train trips, rather than fork out the extra for a bunk bed to sleep in. 

Actually you'd be amazed at how cheaply you can travel Thailand for. For under US$10 you can do a picturesque 5 hour journey to a whole new part of Thailand. OK, so the bus might be full, and the driver a maniac, but you still get to where you're going, right? So, go book that ticket right away!

Martin has been writing articles for nearly 3 years. His newest interest is in postcard marketing. So come visit his latest website that discusses everything about postcards such as postcard marketing and direct marketing postcards for your small business marketing adventures.

Top Romantic Getaways in the Philippines

In recent years, the Philippines has rapidly become a premier honeymoon destination. In April 2009, the Philippines was awarded the "Most Popular Destination in Asia" award by professional jurors at the 2009 World Travel Fair in Shanghai, China. Foreigners booking their marriage ceremonies and honeymoons in the Philippines have been at record growth rates the past several years.

What are the Most Romantic Places to Visit?

Insiders, people who live in the Philippines, or those Expats who travel to the Philippines frequently have found many special romantic "getaways" to bask in equal doses of passion, solitude and creature comforts. Frankly, there are so many beautiful and romantic locations in the Philippines, it is extremely difficult to identify the Top 5, Top 10 or even the Top 20. Certain places are more romantic to some than others for very personal reasons.

Nevertheless, based on my over 20 years of travelling to and living in the Philippines with my Filipina spouse, I have come up with a comprehensive list of locations which I continuously find other Expats confirming with me as also being their favorite romantic getaway locations.

The Luxury Locations

1. Amanpulo on Pamalican Island: Rated - 5 Star

This has to be at the top of the list, with rooms starting at $550 per night. This place is the Ultimate beach resort in the Philippines and the Ultimate Getaway for those with the funds to afford it. If you choose to visit Amanpulo, you will be hobnobbing with the rich and famous of the world - jetsetters and celebrities from around the world. This is one of the best known secret locations in the Philippines.

2. Manila Makati Peninsula Hotel: Rated - 5 Star

This is the perfect getaway for those looking for a romantic upscale, city location, with city light views and culture similar to New York City. There are numerous room choices, from superior rooms ranging from $200 to $300 per night, up to suites ranging from $400 to $500 per night. The views in the lobby of the hotel are absolutely stunning, and the room is perfectly decorated.

3. Shangri La Mactan Island Resort (Cebu): Rated 5 Star

This luxurious resort is nestled on 14 hectares of beautifully landscaped coastal land. All the rooms open to excellent view of the ocean. Being on the coast, the resort offers all the normal water sports. You get a lot of space when you stay here. It has been named as one of the "Top Ten Best Resorts in the Asia-Pacific" by Business Traveler Magazine

4. Badian Island Resort and Spa (Cebu): Rated 5 Star

This resort is on the top of the list of Top 10 Island Spas, as featured in a recent issue of Asia Spa magazine. It is situated just off the coast on the far Southwest end of Cebu island, away from the cities and the noise, in a perfectly beautiful romantic destination spot. It is about a 2.5 hour drive from the Cebu airport, but you can request for a helicopter to whisk you to the resort in 30 minutes.

5. Shangri La Boracay Island: Rated: 5 Star

Another plush property from the Shangri-La's group, this resort is located in a northern part of Boracay island. It is in a location secluded from all the hustle and bustle congestion of Boracay, and has its own secluded 350 meters of unspoiled beach and well-preserved nature. This luxury resort features 219 rooms and villas decked out in ethnic Filipino décor, each room connecting to a balcony where you can relax and revel in panoramic views of the beach.

Now, how about the rest of us, we who wish to not so freely roll out the night rates of the above luxury resorts, but wish to find that unique romantic getaway. Well, this list is even harder to select, as there are so many beautiful and romantic locations at the more affordable rates of $100 to $250 per night.

The Budget Minded Locations

1. Boracay's elite row of resorts - Boracay is the best-known tourist spot in the Philippines. Because the northern end of Boracay's main beach is relatively isolated, the more high-end resorts are located there, two of which I recommend as romantic getaways:

Waling-Waling Beach Hotel: Rated: 3 Star

This resort has only 29 rooms, so it is quite private, and guests are treated like family. What gives this resort its unique character is that outdoors is a line of native cabanas filled with over-sized pillows decorated with shells and hanging lamps where you can dine, read, drink, take a nap or simply watch the sea and people walk by.

Friday's Resort: Rated: 4 Star

Friday's, like Waling, is located on beautiful White Beach, but what makes it differ so much from Waling is its somewhat isolated location, which gives it more privacy. It was the first luxury resort built in Boracay

Nami Private Villas Hotel: Rated: 4 Star

Nestled in the hills with a magnificent view of the ocean, the resort features 12 private and spacious villas, each with its own Jacuzzi. The resort is only a 10 minute drive from the main area of White Beach. There is a service center that can arrange activities for guests, such as horseback riding, aqua sports, and golf. The resort is an ideal destination for those seeking a romantic getaway with privacy and seclusion, while still being nearby Boracay's commercial area.

2. El Nido Resorts in Palawan: Rated - 4 Star

El Nido is home to enchanting vistas of white sand beaches, huge limestone cliffs, tranquil lagoons, and reefs teaming with life. The scenery is simply stunning, the water some of the clearest I have ever witnessed, and they are really secluded - on the north end of Palawan. There are two major resorts making up the El Nido Resorts - Lagen Island Resort and Minoloc Island Resort.

3. Pearl Farm Beach Resort: Rated - 5 Star

Located in the southern part of the Philippines is the Samal group of Islands, an archipelago consisting of nine islands which stretch out over a land area of 28,000 hectares. Samal is a beautiful, tranquil and exotic island with a coastline adorned with white sand beaches, abundant marine life, rock formations, mangroves, and landscape elements of coconut palms, flowering plants and fruit-bearing trees. The area is blessed with various natural attractions and flourishing flora and fauna.

4. Pansukian Resort: Rated 5 Star

This is a beautiful, uncrowded (only 8 Villas) resort in Siargao, an unspoiled island in the southern Philippines, also known as a surfer's heaven. There is a world famous surf break known as Cloud 9 north of General Luna, the main city on the island. The Siargao Cup surfing competition is held in late September or early October each year. Siargao is east of Cebu and northeast of Butuan City in Mindanao.

5. Surf Camp - Calicoan Island, Samar: Rated: 4 Star

The Surf Camp is an idyllic tropical getaway situated in 'abcd' beach, Calicoan Island's prime surfing area. The eight luxuriously appointed cottages are inspired by Thai, Balinese, Indonesian and Filipino architecture. All are equipped with air conditioning, hot water, satellite tv, minibar, safety deposit box and intercom. The resort features an infinity pool with an unparalleled view of the Pacific Ocean.

6. Sonya's Garden - Tagaytay: Bed and Breakfast

You can't believe that tucked in a small road outside Tagaytay City is this delightful place filled with rare flowers, and where you can have lunch or dinner and stay for the night in it cottages lovingly built and uniquely furnished by its owner, Sonya Garcia. It is the closest that you can get to an English "bed and breakfast" in the Philippines, but with a bit more style and personal service.

7. Bohol Beach Resort at Panglao - Bohol Island: Rated: 3 Star

Panglao is a small island virtually attached to the main island of Bohol, connected by two bridges of just 50 meters in length. All major beach resorts are located on Panglao with its pristine white beaches and clean seawater. Panglao is also the destination of choice for many divers. Alona Beach is where all the big hype is about Bohol (and the higher priced resorts - one great one which is Alona Palm Beach Resort).

8. The Manor at Camp John Hay - Baguio

What makes staying here so special is that it is located in Baguio, the summer capital of the Philippines. Baguio, located at 5,000 foot elevation, was originally constructed as a mountain retreat by US military forces in the early 1900's. Now, its cool temperatures (average of 19 degrees Celsius year round) draw Manila visitors in large numbers when the lowlands are sweltering. The city's character is shaped by the throngs of young college students. It is the most accessible and preserved pine forest area in the Philippines.

Do you want to learn more about these romantic getaways? I have just completed my new book "How To Be A Happy Husband of a Happy Filipina Wife", and located on its website is an expanded free book available for download entitled "Romantic Getaways In The Philippines", which includes an indepth discussion of the amenities and nightly rates for each of these locations. You can download it after signing in at one of the following websites:

http://www.HowToBeAHappyHusband.com

http://www.RetirementLivingInThePhilippines.com

Will Irwin is a powerful entrepreneur, and business and life coach. He has started many online and offline businesses both in the USA and in the Philippines, residing in both Hawaii and the Philippines.

Living in Thailand - How to Know You've Been in the Land of Smiles For Too Long

Thailand is an amazing place to live. The friendly people, delicious food and beautiful scenery are just a few reasons to live here. However, the culture is very different from what most westerners are familiar with. Below is a list to help you determine if some of the more curious Thai cultural oddities have rubbed off on you.

You see an elephant in the street and don't think "Oh wow! An elephant!" but instead complain about how it's slowing down traffic.

You wake up in the morning with a hankering for rice and noodles, not eggs and toast.

You think that riding your motorcycle the wrong way down one-way streets, running red lights and riding on the wrong side of the road are perfectly normal.

You think that Singha and Chang are actually pretty decent beers.

You see a family of four and their dog riding together on a single motorcycle and you only wonder what they ate for dinner.

You wear sweaters and sweatshirts despite the steaming hot weather.

You are deeply concerned when your favorite rice dish goes up in price by $0.15 to a staggering $0.60.

The language actually starts to make a little sense.

You have no problems eating raw pig organs mixed with pig blood and spices.

10 year olds riding motorcycles in the streets do not faze you.

You think Sangsom and Mekong are actually pretty decent whiskeys.

You haven't cooked a meal in months, besides what can be made with a hot water maker.

You find that some of the Thai music is actually pretty decent.

Shaking somebody's hand feels weird.

You can ride a motorcycle with 10 grocery bags, a bookshelf and a hot pizza box strapped to it.

You ask for every meal extra spicy.

You put spicy fish sauce on everything.

About The Author

Tom Bak is a professional software developer with over ten years of programming experience on diverse projects, including seven years of videogame experience with numerous published console game titles. He is currently working on a free word game and an online word puzzle.

Where to Backpack Within South East Asia

Thailand

Thailand is usually the best place to start for the first time independent traveler. It's very easy to get around and there are always lots of other backpackers about to chat and hang out with.

Thailand is a mixture of forests to the North for Trekking and some of the best beaches in the world in the south.

Bangkok is a buzzing city crisscrossed with canals & rivers. The sky line is one of high rises, shopping malls & international hotel chains but at the canal banks and side streets of the city the traditional side of Thai life is clearly visible. The business hub of the city is easily navigated using the skyrail & underground but the more touristy areas around the Koh San road are less well supplied & Tuk Tuks are the main mode of transport. Negotiate hard with your tuk tuk driver - a taxi will always be cheaper & has the advantage of air conditioning however be sure to agree that you're charged according to the metre as opposed to agreeing a fixed price. Taxis will only take you at an agreed price after 3pm as from this point on your in to rush hour and they are highly likely to spend hours with you stuck in traffic!

Your main point of call will be the Koh San road as this is where all the hostels and guesthouses are located. This is one long street where there is a market every night and lots of bars and restaurants to choose from even a McDonald's and Burger King for those who are want something more to home. For the best food though go to the street hawkers. You will get some of the best Pad Thai you will have ever eaten for around 20 Baht.

South Islands

Most people come to Thailand for the beaches and Diving. The main Islands in the south are:

Koh Tao

A backpacker Island where everyone comes to dive and mainly to learn how to dive. There are some great beaches here and also a good nightlife.

Koh Pan gan

This is the party island of Thailand and where the famous Full Moon party is held each month. This if you have not heard is one big crazy party on a beach which attracts at least 10,000 people each month to get as fucked up as possible. Get here a few days early during the peak months if you want to get accommodation though.

Koh Samui & Phuket

These islands are crammed full of package holiday tourists on their yearly holiday for 2 weeks in the sun. I would strongly suggest avoiding these two islands.

Koh Phi Phi

This island did get severely damaged by the Tsunami and having seen the before and after myself it truly is remarkable how quickly is has got back onto its feet. There is one main area/town where everybody stays but it's still big enough not for everyone to be on top of each other. The Beach is like a postcard or you can get a boat to the lagoon where the Leo Dicapro film 'The Beach' was filmed and chill there for the day.

Vietnam

Vietnam was ravaged by war but is now a great place to visit. I suggest starting your trip off in Hanoi and working your way down the country.

Hanoi

Hanoi is the capitol of Vietnam and is a great introduction into the Vietnamese way of life. The city is always bustling and careful when crossing those roads as those motorbikes don't stop.

The city center is located around Hoan Kiem lake, just of the lake is the old quarter which is the main area for budget hostels and guesthouses. Hanoi is a great place to just go out and wander. Each street has its own trade and each shop will only sell products to do with that trade so you end up having streets only selling shoes or kitchenware. It's weird to see but that's the way they do it.

If you get tired and hot whilst walking around you can always stop off for some Bia Hoi. You will see all around the city lots of people sitting on little plastic chairs on the street, this is where they sell the Bia Hoi. This is officially the cheapest draft beer in the world. A glass should set you back about 10p/20 Cents.

Ha Long bay

This is north of Hanoi and is available from all travel agencies in the city as either overnight trip. This is a must for anyone in the area as it is UNESCO heritage site and is for a good reason.

The bay has close to 2000 limestone islands with of caves to explore and a few lagoons to go kayaking in. When you go out to the bay you go out on a traditional junk ship where you will get your own room and dinner and breakfast served.

Hoi An

Hoi An is located on the coast and actually has a pretty decent beach. It is the also the place to come for tailor-made clothes. There are too many tailors to mention here with the main road pretty much consisting of them. You can get literally anything made here all you need to do is take a photo of the item you want and they will make it for you. A good quality suit will cost around $50-$100.

Nha Trang

Is a beach resort just over halfway down the country. This city is very developed with a good long beach stretching the entire length of it. There is not much to do culturally here but it's a good place to unwind after more than a few very long bus journeys to get this far. If you choose to just relax on the beach all day the only time you need to move from it is to go to the toilet as there are so many hawkers selling you pretty much anything you require from books, drinks to a BBQ of fresh fish. There is a big nightlife here with a couple of main place to go to. These are the Why Not Bar and the Sailing Club which is right on the beach but more expensive for it.

Ho Chi Min City (Saigon)

This is the Vietnam you see in the films. Streets packed out with so many bikes, fumes that make it hard to breathe and just general chaos. There a quite a few museums here to visit which are mainly to do with the war but are all worth a visit and even the strongest man will hold back tears at the photos of the suffering they endured.

From here you do a day trip to the Cu Chi tunnels where the North had a series of small tunnels which they used to fight the south. You can go down some of these tunnels but be warned that they are very small and it's best not to do it on a hangover like I did. Also here you can fire an array of automatic weapons and rifles which is not that cheap as you pay per bullet.

Cambodia

Cambodia has had quite a nasty past with its dictator Pol Pot but is recovering maybe not as fast as its neighbors' but it is getting there. Cambodia is surrounded by Vietnam, Thailand and Laos and has the Mekong go through the country into Laos.

Phnom Penh

Is a typical Asian Capitol city, will not loads to do but getting there is a great experience if you come from Vietnam. From Saigon you can get a boat which will take you 2 days to get here but you do see some real Vietnam and Cambodia on the way.

The two main places to see in and around Phnom Penh are the Killing Fields where around 200,000 people were executed during 1975-1979 when the Khmer Rouge reigned. You can see millions of bones and thousands of skulls that have been recovered from the pits.

Also go to S-21 which used to be a high school which was converted to a prison also during the Khmer Rouge where they imprisoned up to 20,000 people and repeatedly tortured and killed from this.

Two to three times a day they show a film which goes into detail of what went on in the prison with interviews from survivors and prison guards.

Sihanoukville

Is a beach resort about 3 to 4 hours bus ride away from Phnom Penh and has a decent enough beach which all long has hostels/guesthouses, restaurants and bars where you can chat with new found friends and enjoy a nice cold beer. You can dive here but I would not waste your money as the visibility is very poor and the reefs not having much sea life.

Siem Reap/Angkor Wat

Siem Reap is the city closest to the temples of Angkor Wat. The town itself does not have much to offer apart from a market in the center of town where you can get some new clothes and souvenirs. Every night most people head down to the aptly named Bar Street to meet and hang out with friends.

The temples of Angkor are quite spectacular and are very worth the visit. You get the choice of either a 1 day or 3 day pass. It is recommended to go for sunrise over Angkor Wat as this is quite amazing but can get very busy.

There is so many temples to see here most still in great condition. Although my favorite is the one which has been taken over by the jungle and most of it are ruins.

You can either hire a tuk tuk driver to take you around which is advised if you do the one day trip or just hire a bike and go around at you own pace.

Laos

Laos is landlocked and borders Burma, China, Vietnam, Thailand and Vietnam. Laos was involved in the Vietnam War mainly due to its proximity to the country and is one of the most under developed country in the region.

Vang Vieng

The town where you leave remembering nothing. This place is just one big drunken haze. You get a tractor inner tube and float down a river and stop off at bars on route and get free shots of lao lao whiskey and then drink buckets of more lao lao whiskey and coke until 6pm then when you think you have enough you go over to an island which is just bars (smile is the best) until middnight when the curfew kicks in. Love this place :D

Try the rope swings at each of the bars. The first bar has the biggest whatever other bars may claim.

Luang Prabang

Very beautiful town and is very quiet compared with Vang Vieng. The night market seems to run on forever with lots of goodies. Also if you go here you have to go bowling one evening after 11pm - you will see what I mean.

Backpacker who loves to travel.

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