Author: Andrew Regan

Perched on the tip of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore’s small size belies the huge number and variety of bazaars, markets and malls which make it a shopper’s paradise. Located at one of the major intersections of the world, Singapore’s strategic position has allowed it to grow into a major center for trade, communication and tourism - and has earned it the nickname “gateway to Asia”.

Singapore’s success as a shopping haven can be partly attributed to its long history as a major port. During the 14th century, Singapore was part of the Sumatran Empire, and as a natural meeting point of major sea routes, the port saw many traders from China, Arabia, India and Europe. After a brief period of control by the Portuguese and subsequently the Dutch, the British saw the potential of Singapore as a strategic base for their expanding empire. They claimed it as a British Crown colony and established a center of free trade, which attracted even more merchants from all over the world and led to a huge growth in population and economy.

With its long history in trading, it’s no surprise that Singapore has grown into the exotic shopping mecca it is today. The city can be divided into several main shopping areas, each offering a different experience. In Chinatown, merchants display wares such as fine silk, gold jewelery, exotic snakeskin medicines and pungent spices. For some Arabian flare, try the bazaar style shopping area that houses Singapore’s Muslim community; here you’ll find traders renowned for textiles, baskets and woven leaf goods. Little India, as the name suggests, is full of flavor from the sub continent, offering an array of silverware, saris and delicious Indian cuisine. And if you’re hungry for more excitement, head to Orchard Road - a premier shopping belt housing some of the largest and most popular shopping centers such as Centrepoint. This is truly a shopper’s paradise, offering everything from casual clothing and electronics to Oriental rugs, fine arts, Asian antiques and books.

But aside from year-round attractions and shopping splendors, Singapore boasts a number of seasonal attractions. The Dragon Boat Festival for example - the commemoration of a Chinese patriot who protested against government corruption - is celebrated each summer with boat races across Marina Bay. Autumn sees events like the Chinese Festival of the Hungry Ghosts and the Hari Raya Puasa, while winter invites the Chinese New Year celebration - so no matter what time of year you visit, you’ll be able to experience Singapore’s unique offerings.

As a major tourist hub and popular stop over destination, there are plenty of frequent flights to Singapore direct from London. And you’ll have a massive choice for accommodation, ranging from youth hostels to luxurious hotels - so you’re sure to find something to suit your budget. With so many attractions and shopping opportunities to choose from, it’s impossible to see everything; but Singapore’s safe streets and long opening hours mean that you can cram a lot in. And with some shopping areas opening 24 hours a day, you really can shop until you drop!

Article Source: Article Base.com

About the Author:
Andrew Regan is a freelance online journalist who travels extensively.

Location
Located in the middle of Hoi An Ancient town, the Nhi Nhi Hotel is within walking distance from restaurants and bars nearby and around 20 minutes by car from Danang Airport.

General
The hotel has a lobby where guests can relax or meet friends and business delegates. Round the clock reception service is also available to assist you in all your needs.

Rooms
All guest rooms at the hotel are well decorated and equipped with several modern amenities. Attentive room service is also available for your conveniences.

• Suburb: City, 20 minute by car to the Airport (Danang)
• Address: 60 Hung Vuong St. Hoian Town, Quang Nam Province
• Room facilities: Air conditioning, Cable / Satellite TV, Hairdryer, In-room safe, Mini bar, Private bathroom / Ensuite, Telephone
• Hotel facilities: Baby sitting service, Disabled facilities, Laundry facilities, Lobby, Parking facilities, Reception, Room service
• Rating: ***
• Room Price: from USD $15 per night

Following is a sponsored post:

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Whether you are here for business, sightseeing or visiting friends, you will be impressed with what the hotel offers.

General
Guests traveling on business can make use of the conference facilities provided by the hotel. During leisure, you can also explore the beautiful city and its attractions.

Location
The Evergreen Hotel is situated in the heart of both the entertainment and commercial business district of Yaumatei, Kowloon. The superb location of the hotel puts you at the nucleus of all public transportation facilities. Night market and Jade market are also within walking distance from the hotel.

Rooms
There are 68 guest rooms at the Evergreen Hotel that are comfortably furnished with a host of modern amenities. Attentive room service is also available in order to make your stay as easy and comfortable as possible.

Restaurant
You can dine at the nearby Cantonese Seafood style restaurant that serves delicious dishes for you to relish.

• Suburb: Kowloon: Yau Ma Tai
• Address: 48 Woo Sung Street, Yau Ma Tei Kowloon
• Room facilities: Air conditioning, Hairdryer, Private bathroom / Ensuite, Refrigerator, Tea and coffee making facilities, Telephone, Television
• Hotel facilities: Banquet facilities, Conference facilities, Faxing facilities, Internet access, Laundry facilities, Photocopying facilities, Room service, Safe deposit box
• Rating: ***
• Room Price: from USD $59 per night

Author: Vagabond

Thailand has always held a special place in my heart. I first travelled there in 1991, a wide eyed kid wet behind the ears with a bucket shop one way ticket to Bangkok. My grand plans of a short beach break before heading down to the east coast of Australia joining the 1000’s of Pommie pilgrims earning a right of passage didn’t exactly go to plan. I left Thailand eleven months later to return home penniless, emancipated and full of great stories, which my friends soon got bored with.

I returned a few times mainly to Bangkok and Koh Samui happy to be back in the land of smiles but feeling slightly disappointed at all the changes. The old story of development being good for the locals but not good for my sense of adventure. That didn’t deter me from joining the Imaginative Travellers Wilderness Adventure two years ago.

Arriving in Bangkok this time was different. I had a hotel booked so no lugging my pack in Bangkok’s suffocating mixture of exhaust fumes, heat and humidity looking for a clean bed. I had a group to meet too, this was also good, eating Pad Thai on your own looking for a fellow traveller to strike a conversation with can be hard work. There were 10 of us, a mix of Poms, Aussies, a Canadian, an American and a South African. We all met for dinner and shortly after my first Thai beer I knew this would be a fun trip

Bangkok to me means food and shopping and the best place to find both is the Chata Chuk weekend market. I headed there with belly empty and wallet full destined to reverse the two. The market is huge, really huge, 35 acres of cheap goodies huge and sells everything from furniture to genuine fake designer clothes. The street food is fantastic but remember the Thai’s like it hot. I left my shopping with the hotel to keep safe as I would be returning there once I finished the trip.

Off to Chiang Mai on the overnight train. I like travelling like this, sleeping while moving makes sense to me and the train is clean, functional, safe and fine. I think Chiang Mai is the perfect place to escape hectic Bangkok. It’s a peaceful, happy place and that reflects in the locals. Sight seeing will take you to the Wat Pratat Doi Suthep temple - stunning and golden on a sunny day. The next stage of the trip was trekking in the surrounding jungle, I decided I needed a massage before we set off.

A trek in the hills of Northern Thailand is a chance to escape everyday life and clear your head. The going is not too difficult for someone with fairly good fitness although if it rains the mud can be tricky. I was enjoying my own head space when we arrived at the first village of wooden homes, pecking chickens and lots of smiles, basic but I couldn’t think of anywhere else I would rather have been. Chan, our guide, was a local from a neighbouring village and before long he had us divided amongst our village hosts before the sun set and got too difficult for us city people to do anything without electric light. That night, with the noise of the surrounding jungle lying on a mattress roll on a bamboo floor, was maybe the most peaceful night’s sleep I have ever had.

The next day’s trek was shorter and we covered ground quicker, maybe we were getting used to the trekking but I think it was the excitement of the elephant ride to come that afternoon. Lunch was delicious but we were too busy watching the elephants wash in the river to notice. Elephants are brilliant creatures and being on one journeying deeper into the jungle is a fantastic experience.

The next morning Chan had us up early helping him and the village men build our rafts to take us down river to civilization. It is all part of the experience helping the guys and by helping I mean staying out of their way while they expertly craft our rafts. A serene float down to the nearest small town where our bus was waiting to take us to a hot shower and another massage.

We left Chiang Mai and headed back to Bangkok where we broke the journey up to the south with an over night stay in the city of angels.

I had heard a few good things about Khoa Sok national park, not too popular with tourists or backpackers alike due it not having a major bus stop. To get there you need to stop the bus by the 3rd banyan tree after 17th stream near the big hill and you will find a bakkie waiting to take you into the park. I’m glad we had a tour leader. The first night we slept with the birds in tree houses the second and third we stayed in raft houses on a man made dam. It is a truly beautiful area and a few of us spent the days swimming in waterfalls, flooded caves, kayaking and hiking and some of just sat back and took it all in.

How to finish this Thailand trip? On the beach of course. The islands around Krabi are what we visualize when we think of a Thai beach and they do not disappoint. The Thai’s have a word called sabai, loosely translated it means an inner happiness and contentment. I woke one afternoon from a napping on the beach and understood exactly what sabai means.

Spencer Neal has worked in adventure travel since 1997. His many adventures and passion for travel has led him to part own an online adventure travel agency Travel Light www.travellight.co.za specialising in world wide adventures for South Africans. You can contact him at spencer@travellight.co.za

Article Source: ArticleBase.com

About the Author:
Spencer Neal has worked in adventure travel since 1997. His many adventures and passion for travel has led him to part own an online adventure travel agency Travel Light www.travellight.co.za specialising in world wide adventures for South Africans.

Sponsored post:

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Author: Douglas Scott

Thailand is one of the most accessible and well known countries in South East Asia.

Sun seekers lie on the beaches on one of Thailand’s many beautiful tropical islands, backpackers explore Thailand’s culture and Westerners who stay long term hang out in Bangkok or work in one of Thailand’s tourist resorts.

Tourism in Thailand has been heavily promoted by the Tourism Authority Thailand. Tourism in Thailand is well organized and the attractions are easily accessible. Increasing numbers of tourists from the West are visiting amazing.

It has varied attractions including interesting and cultured cities historical parks with stunning monuments and temples from ancient Siam national parks of outstanding natural beauty, wildlife sanctuaries, tropical islands, beaches, and tasty food and meditation retreats.

The Kingdom of Thailand, which used to be called Siam until 1939, has never been colonized by the West and therefore does not have the same resentment towards foreigners that is experienced in some other countries. Thailand is an interesting country to visit historically and culturally with impressive ruins from ancient empires in Thailand. It was invaded by the Burmese and was under Khmer control for some time.

People from other areas such as China, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia and Tibet have ended up in Thailand, leading to a diverse mixture of people and cultures. Buddhism came to Thailand from India in the second or third century BC and has become the predominant religion but there is also a strong Muslim community.

Thais are very proud of their King. The easy going attitude of the people in Thailand has led to Thailand being known as the Land of Smiles. Thais tend to be pleasant and friendly, and used to tourists. English is now taught in schools so many young Thais speak some English.

Thailand is part of South East Asia and borders Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Malaysia. Refugees from Myanmar live in settlements in Thailand. Thailand’s hill tribes in the north consist of different ethnic groups and sea gypsies live on the islands in the south.

There are border crossings between Thailand and her neighboring countries, allowing travelers to cross by land. Thailand is a good place to start a trip to South East Asia as it is very easy going well set up for tourists and it is possible to get visas for other countries in Bangkok.

Thailand is shaped like an elephant, with the northern region being the ears and head, and the southern gulf being the trunk. The Siamese elephant is a national emblem and there are still some wild elephants left in Thailand.

Article Source: ArticleBase.com

About the Author:
Douglas Scott works for The Rental Car Hire Specialist. and is a freelance writer for The Thailand Rental Site

Offering pleasing accommodation and various facilities, the Ibis North Point Hotel caters to the needs of both business and leisure travelers.

General
Ibis North Point Hotel offers a well-facilitated business centre for the professional needs of the guests. There is also an ample parking space available at the premises.

Location
Located in a fast developing commercial district on Hong Kong Island, Ibis North Point is 46 kilometres from the international airport.

Rooms
The hotel boasts 210 comfortable guestrooms and suites with some offering views of Victoria Harbour. All the rooms are well furnished and come with a host of modern amenities.

Restaurant
Guests can enjoy dining in the cosy atmosphere of the onsite cafe restaurant.

• Suburb: Hong Kong Island: North Point, 46 km to the International Airport (Hong Kong)
• Address: 136-142 Java Road, North Point
• Room facilities: Cable / Satellite TV, In-room safe, Private bathroom / Ensuite, Tea and coffee making facilities
• Hotel facilities: Business centre, Currency exchange, Laundry facilities, Parking facilities, Reception, Restaurant
• Rating: ***
• Room Price: from USD $60 per night

Following is a sponsored article:

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Being an ideal place in the city of Phuket, this hotel offers a warm welcome, pleasant ambiance and convenient facilities to make your stay a memorable one.

General
During leisure, you can browse the net, take a bracing dip in the swimming pool or revitalize yourself at the Jacuzzi.

Location
Located in the hillside near Patong beach, the Patong Green Mountain Hotel is a boutique resort with modern Thai interior design. This property is only a short walk from the Patong Beach, which is a popular nightlife and 14 kilometers from Phuket Town.

Rooms
This hotel boasts beautifully decorated guest rooms that are fully equipped with a long list of elements intended for your comfort. Each room has a balcony that offers magnificent views of the pool.

Restaurant
Discover the delicate pleasures of the finest Thai and international cuisine at the Cha-ba Restaurant that offers a dining experience you will remember forever. The classic pool bar serves you all day with fresh cold drinks, light meals, snacks and exotic cocktails.

• Suburb: Patong Beach, 60 km to the airport
• Address: 14 Soi Prabaramee 3 Prabaramee Road, Patong Kathu Phuket 83150
• Room facilities: Air conditioning, Balcony / Terrace, Hairdryer, In-room safe, Internet access, Mini bar, Private bathroom / Ensuite, Refrigerator, Tea and coffee making facilities, Telephone, Television
• Hotel facilities: Business centre, Cocktail bar, Faxing facilities, Internet access, Laundry facilities, Lounge, Parking facilities, Restaurant, Room service, Safe deposit box, Swimming pool
• Rating: ***
• Room Price: from USD $20 per night