south east asia itineraries="south east asia itineraries"
Backpack in Asia
Millions of travellers from all over the globe embark to Thailand to embrace themselves with the ultimate vacation getaway. So the big question is what makes Thailand so desirable and what can you expect from this tropical haven that lies in the midst of South East Asia ? Well, Thailand is embedded with an array of untouched beaches, outstanding landscapes, sacred temples and are all complimented with an unrivalled level of hospitality. Although the list of intriguing tourist spots are literally in the hundreds, there are a few that must be part of your itinerary to this charismatic country.
All over Thailand you find Buddha temples and despite them beingsimilar in meaning, the Temple of Emerald Buddha in Bangkok city is the most prominent of them all . The Emerald Buddha is hosted in a Temple that was discovered in India in the 43rd BC and is covered in green jasper with gold accents and is now situated at the Grand Palace in Bangkok. A few kilometers from the Emerald Buddha Temple is the Wat Pho Temple and is renowned for their collection of exquisite Buddha's in the country, including a stunning 46 metre high statue of a reclining Buddha.
Apart from the historical temples, Thailand is also rich in monumental museums and hosts the largest museum in South East Asia, which is The National Museum that was inaugurated in the year 1926 by King Prajadhipok and is located in Bangkok on the Na Phrathat roadway. The museum is blooming with an impressive range of Thai art, weapons, woodcarvings and sacred Buddha images
The Vinmanmek Teak Mansion is recognized as the tallest teak building in the world and is within a few kilometers of the Dusit Zoo in Bangkok Thailand. The Vinmanmek Teak Mansion was structured in the late 1900's and was formerly a royal palace in Bangkok city. This bustling metropolis has something special for all types of vacations and age groups, whether you're foreseeing a family excursion or simply a romantic getaway.
Thailand vacations would be incomplete without their cluster of world class dining venues that are evenly spread all through the country. The tradition of Thai cuisine is derived from its strong aromatic flavours and compromises of five senses of tastes, which are sour, hot, sweet, salty and bitter. Thailand is influenced by a number of classical eating houses that are bound to take you on a memorable culinary voyage and are inspired by the northern and southern parts of the country.
The Woodstock bar and grill was established in the year 1984 and is one of the oldest pubs in Bangkok Thailand. The music at the bar is inspired by hits from the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's, with elegant accents to spice up the ambience. The bar serves mouth watering American cuisine and is the perfect venue to jumpstart your tour of Thailand.
Our next choice of elegant restaurants is the O'Reillys Irish Pub in Bangkok , which plays close resemblance to an old Irish pub and features large LCD screens and bands performing every night of the week . The staff welcomes you with their extensive yet impressive menu that is bound to cover all aspects of fine dining.
Another fine diner restaurant is the Bonjour restaurant ,which is located opposite the UNESCO building and was once a palatial estate of the Thai royal family. The Bonjour restaurant is featured by private rooms that procure an intimate and private aura and is encompassed within landscaped gardens .
These are just a few of the many hallmarks in Thailand and your journey there is destined to be the most enviable getaways of a lifetime. Åk sista minuten Thailand
Nearly all regions through the western world want its students to journey on a gap year for some purposes. Some others go to gap year travel because they desired to seek peace and several taught themselves to be off from the place where they are accustomed to. Several might even go for a journey since they are fascinated to learn the traditions of various other places. Considering that gap year vacation or backpacking is among the common activities in your life, it must be expended on a location in which you do not have any remorse and you can realize your objective in spending the gap year package.
Should you want to discover the significance of your life's existence by way of stretching out your help to other individuals and touching their lives by knowing their culture and tradition, then the country of Indonesia will be the ideal place you possibly can check out. You will find so many things which you can do here in order to be useful to other people. Because Indonesian children are usually willing to learn English language so they can get a fantastic work in this competing world. Even though community teachers are well-educated in teaching English language like sentence structure and grammar, most of them don't have the confidence and the talent to get a correct diction, accentuation and pronunciation. Although you do not have the license to teach for so long as you can teach, you may get together with them. It would be more helpful for the volunteer's part since he/she can study Indonesian language and it is very simple vocabulary to teach English with them. Because there are nearly two million street children who have not gone to school due to low income and insufficient sources, volunteering to educate such kids can be a real fulfilling and rewarding work. Instead of directly training the kids, you can also train the teachers and also the training staffs. Besides teaching of English language, you can even aid in training drama, arts, music and sports.
Other beneficial activities that can be carried out while in your gap year in Indonesia are the following: community extension programs for helpless kids, helping out in some orphanage and disabled projects, sport coaching, environmental development, animal conservation and care as well as helping orangutans as well as other endangered creatures like Sumatran tigers, elephants and Komodo dragon lizards.
In case you want to unwind and relax right after your intense work, you can pay a visit to the heavy jungle as well as the paradise seashores. With the locations which you can go are Komodo, Borneo and Bali - the place that Indonesia is actually proud of. If you wish to go to parties right after work, then you can find numerous areas which you can go. Each one has the ability satisfy your wants. Such include the Yogakarta and Ubad as well as the monuments of Borobudur. If you need to have a lot more enjoyment, then surfing in Bali could be perfect for you.
About the Author
Routinely goes on a journey and can be observed creating content articles for periodicals and website pages laos gap year
With 3,260km-long coastline, Vietnam has numerous pristine plages, of which those in the Centre are highly recommended for their amazingly crystal water, rich of sunlight, less of rivermouths, and flat shore dotted by fishing villages; few of them have been developed as comfortable resorts like China Beach, Nha Trang or Phan Thiet. Yet, should you turn West, you will meet an absolute different topography near the Lao border – the fertile plateaus cultivated for industry trees plantation and cattle farming. It's Tay Nguyen – "the Plateau in the West". There are also lots of minority groups inhabit this area with those customs and conducts that are very unlike their brothers in Northern Vietnam. Their festive days and exciting daily life, the highland scenery and the sea and mountain resorts – all make a voyage to the Centre of Vietnam so diversified and memorable.
Further south - Phan Thiet Phan Thiet is an old Cham outpost with a population of 75,000 people. Its renown for its large fishing fleet and is famous for "nuoc mam", or fish sauce, the traditional and most popular dipping sauce in Vietnam. The particular smell of fish and fish sauce permeates the downtown area as Phan Thiet river cuts right through the centre of the town. It is also packed with boats. The fishing village at Mui Ne is very picturesque with its hundreds of multicolored boats.
There is also a beach a few km to the east of the town. But the bigger draw is Mui Ne Beach, 22km again to the east of the town. The road to Mui Ne is stunning with sand dunes on the one side and a relatively unspoiled beach on the other. Beautiful, majestic coconut trees are in abundance on both sides of the road.
Phan Rang and Thap Cham Phan Rang is actually composed of twin towns; Phan Rang and Thap Cham. It is a small town on the coast with its main attraction being Cham historical remnants and towers in the surrounding area. The Cham Empire thrived in and around Phan Rang from around the 8th century its fall in the 17th century. The Phan Rang region is very dry, as it manages to avoid the summer and winter monsoons. It averages only 60cm of rain per year. The immediate area around Phan Rang is very beautiful and is interspersed with grape gardens and is the home of the best dragon fruit in Vietnam.
Pklong Garai Cham Tower The main attraction in Phan Rang is a small group of Cham towers which sit by the roadside 7 km on the road to Dalat. These towers were built in the early 14th century as Hindu temples during the Cham Empire. They have been beautifully preserved. The towers were named after the King who invented a system of irrigation used in local villages. As the tourist buses from Nha Trang to Dalat pass through Phan Rang, the Cham towers are seen as a convenient place to take a break along the way. The result of which is that the towers are periodically swarmed by travelers heading north and south. In the center of the largest temple is an ancient linga (phallic symbol) with a human face painted on it. The other towers still retain their beautiful shapes and the carved details are clearly visible.
My Lai One of the vestiges of the war is the village of My Lai. It is situated 15 km North of Quang Ngai. The destruction of the entire village by Lieutenant Calley's men is probably the best documented military atrocity on record. The massacre occurred on 16 April 1968. On that day, 504 women, old men, children and babies were mindlessly slaughtered by Company C with almost no resistance. There is a museum with photos depicting the series of events on this horrific day. The atrocities took place at different sites within a two or three square kilometers area. Walking among the fields, you occasionally come across a memorial plaque indicating the number of people that died on that particular spot. Lieutenant Calley was later court-martialed in the US and sentenced to life in prison. However he only served three years in jail. After the US Supreme Court refused to hear his case, Calley was paroled.
Hill tribe villages If you time it is very worthwhile to take an excursion to visit the hill tribes. To get to the villages, follow the road heading to Dalat and the Cham Towers. Before reaching the Cham Towers there is a gas station situated on the right hand side. Turn right onto the dirt road just before the gas station. This private road leads to different villages where you will be able to see the different hill tribes. Noteworthy, while there, is a visit to view their irrigation system. You will find it quite interesting.
About the Author
15 years in Travel Business in Vietnam , Laos & Cambodia working for Asiana Travel Mate in last 3 years as online Advisor
Online contact: www.asianatravelmate.com
Local Offices: 113C Bui Vien Str. District 1. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Phone: +84-8 38 38 6678
Saigon Tourist Information Center 92-94-96 Nguyen Hue str. District 1 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Phone: +84-838250615
Hanoi Tourist Information Center 7 Dinh Tien Hoang Str. Hoan Kiem Dist. Hanoi, Vietnam Phone: +84-4 39263370
Truly Halong Center 21 Luong Ngoc Quyen, Hoan Kiem District Hanoi, Vietnam Phone: +84 4 39263449
Hue Tourist Information Center 45 - 47 Le Loi Str. Hue City, Vietnam Phone: +84-54 3942 233
LAOS -- Voyage sur la rivière Nam Ou (8 heures assis sur un minuscule banc de bois...)
Make the Most of Your Hanoi City Day Trip with www.Buffalotours.com
"BuffaloTours takes you to a fully guided day tour to Hanoi city and makes you enjoy the selected highlights that this beautiful and charismatic city has to offer."
Explore major highlights that Vietnam Hanoi city tour has to offer in a single day with Hanoi city day trip at Buffalotours (http://www.buffalotours.com).
This small group fully guided day tour takes you to chosen highlights that this captivating and fascinating city has to offer. Various selected highlights include the Ho Chi Minh Complex, Temple of Literature, Museum of Ethnology, Ngoc Son Temple with an hour's cyclo tour around the old quarter.
This tour is designed for you to discover the culture, beauty, sights, style and the best of Hanoi combining local charm and popular locations. Indulge yourself in the immense geographic and cultural diversity of Vietnam tours and the country's assorted climate with a Hanoi city day trip.
Begin your tour in Hanoi, and travel around the old quarter by covering a selection of the following places:
Ho Chi Minh Complex: Completed in the year 1975, the Ho Chi Minh Complex contains Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum, his former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh museum.
The Temple of Literature: Built originally as a temple of Confucius, The Temple of Literature is the site of Vietnam's first university dating back to 1070. The complex is divided into five courtyards with various paths and one of the courtyards contains the statue of Confucius guarded by two beautiful bronze storks standing on turtles. The Temple of Literature highlights the significance that the Vietnamese society has placed on education.
Museum of Ethnology: the Museum of Ethnology is broadly recognized as the paramount in the country and has a broad display devoted to Vietnam's 54 Ethnic minority people. Along with that, there are also traditional tribal houses reconstructed within the grounds.
NgocSonTemple and HoanKiemLake: Set on a tiny island on the Hoan Kiem Lake, the Ngoc Son temple has a history dating back to the 13th century. The Hoan Kiem Lake is the local point of the city and the source of many legends.
One hour cyclo tour through the Old Quarter: An experience that is must for any visitor to Hanoi, a cyclo is a Vietnamese version of a cycle rickshaw, originally used as the main form of transportation in Vietnam. Sit back and relax as you witness the hustle and bustle of Vietnamese life from the comfort of your arm chair with this one of a kind one hour cyclo tour through the old quarter.
With Buffalo Tours you can book numerous tours to Vietnam and also customize tours as per your requirements. The rates vary frequently so please e-mail us at info@buffalotours.com for all enquiries or to get the best possible price based on your travel period and specific touring needs.
Established in 1994, Buffalo Tours has been providing the best Vietnam tours that are customized to suit all your needs. We constantly push the boundaries by generating exclusive and reliable travel options and modern itineraries and offer every facility that customers require to make their tour better. From the customization of Vietnam tours, personalized tours to Hanoi city tour to hotels, flight bookings and more, we provide it all.
Along with Hanoi City day trip, you can also book adventure tours, luxury tours, cruise tours, and more to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand at www.buffalotours.com.
About the Author
Customize and book your Hanoi city day trip with Buffalo Tours. This small group fully guided day tour takes you to selected highlights that this beautiful and charismatic city has to offer. Browse best Vietnam tours to choose from or get more tour info at www.buffalotours.com.
religion in laos_2="religion in laos" thesis statement help!!?
im writing a research paper on the cultures of souteast asia; cambodia, vietnam, and laos. i have a thesis statement - the culture of vietnam, camobodia, and laos have changed over the years; with language, religion, education, marriage, and food changing as the countries become more modern.
i dont like this because i have to explain how it changes and i dont want to talk about the past culture, i want to talk about the culture now..
the things im talking about in my paper. -language -religion -education -marriage -food. if you can think of a good thesis for me that just talks about the culture today it would really help! thanks.
State that they have amazing and unique culture
Party - Lao/Thai New Year and New Tripitaka Library Celebration 3/26/2011
What is your favorite Thai and or Lao food? laab is pork or beef or chicken or fish or goat or lamb, grounded with very little or no fat, can be pure raw, 25% cook, 50% cook, 75% cook, 100% cook, has many kind of herb, spice, and more in it. (only one meat per dish) please research laab before making your decision. (I'm not Thai or Lao)
I love Thai food! Laab, also known as Larb and Laap, is a northeastern food. It usually eaten as a part of a set (laab, papaya salad and sticky rice.) The set is accompanied by string beans, sliver of cabbage, water spinach and Thai basil. It can be served as an appetizer. It can also be served as a main course along with other non-northeastern food.
There are variations of laab, duck laab, chicken laab. Some people like my brother love to include a few pieces of liver in laab.
This popular tourist city, Luang Prabang, is jam-packed with things to see and do, making it one of Southeast Asia's most renowned ‘little towns'. It was the capital of Laos until this title was taken by Vientiane, but to this day, no other city in the region can match the untapped beauty and serene atmosphere of Luang Prabang.
Tourism is the most important financial resource for the city, but even though hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to this settlement every year, Luang Prabang has been able to control the pressures for development, and continued following a largely traditional culture. However, the general Luang Prabang hotel does contain some of the modern amenities western tourists are used to.
Nevertheless, visitors will be enticed by the vast amount of activities and attractions located within and around the city of Luang Prabang. There are so many cultural and spiritual events on offer within Luang Prabang.
Giving of Alms: each morning, at the crack of dawn, the local monks parade through the city to receive their daily offerings. Local hotels and guesthouses can arrange for food and other items required if Buddhist or non-Buddhist travellers would like to participate in the daily ceremony. Otherwise, wake-up calls can be made for those visitors interested in seeing this ceremony.
Ock Pop Tok Culture Centre: visitors can take part in traditional weaving practices and other cultural activities at the Ock Pop Tok Craft Centre. Here, tourists can experience true bamboo or textile weaving, and witness traditional cultural events. The centre is just two kilometres from the centre of Luang Prabang, and is certainly worthy of half a day.
Cooking classes: there is no better way to enjoy the taste of local Laos's cuisine then by cooking it yourself…or at least attempting to cook it yourself. There are plenty of cooking classes at some of the biggest restaurants in town. For a small price, most of the classes provide ingredients, equipment, a chef, and sometimes a recipe book for participants to take home.
Vipassana Temple: for those tourists who are fascinated by Buddhist culture, joining the Alms Ceremony every morning is only the cream of the crop in Luang Prabang. The Vipassana Temple is a golden structure located close to the city. Here, monks practice Vipassana meditation, so if visiting the area, local rules must be adhered to, and noise has to be at a minimum.
Night market: like most other major cities in Southeast Asia, Luang Prabang does have an interesting might market. Here, vendors sell the typical merchandise one would expect from a night bazaar, including traditional crafts, arts, clothes, souvenirs and food. Be wary that some of the souvenirs may be made from endangered animals. Unlike Bangkok or Chiang Mai in Thailand, Luang Prabang's night markets close at 21:00 to adhere to the strict 23:00 curfew rules in the city.
Kuang Si Falls: situated just outside the city lies the fabulous Kuang Si waterfall, which is probably one of the most visited natural attractions in town. It is quite beautiful, and with the high number of tourists visiting everyday, it is quite easy to make new friends while bathing in the many waterholes around the waterfall.
Pak Ou Caves: located about an hour from the city of Luang Prabang, the Pak Ou Caves are one of the most interesting natural landmarks in Laos. Commonly known as the Buddha Caves, these rock caves are magnificent, but the upper cave is not for the faint hearted.
Trekking: there are a number of trails and tours to go trekking through the surrounding countryside of Luang Prabang. Fair Trek Project is a popular tour that focuses on the outside villages, offering traditional experiences for tourists and income for the poor villages.
About the Author
Lek Boonlert is an editor and content reviewer at DirectRooms and is responsible for all Luang Prabang Hotels content.
South East Asia Travel Tip - Health and Medicine Overview
To travel to Indochina area, the first suggestion is to buy yourself a health insurance which policy provides coverage outside your country, very few pay for medical evacuation too. Depending on the medical condition and your location, the medical evacuation can easily cost $10,000, such an insurance will help you a lot if you need medical services while travelling.
There are a few big cities such as Bangkok and HCMC can provide international standard medical care in Indochina area, but most part of this area is not, taking health precautions and vaccinations are prior to your travel plan. The following immunizations are suggested, you may consult your doctor or the local health department to discuss which ones you need:
Diphtheria and tetanus: Combined vaccinations for these two diseases are usually given in childhood and should be boosted every ten years.
Hepatitis A: Vaccination provides immunity for up to ten years and involves an initial injection followed by another six months to one year later.
Typhoid: Vaccination takes the form of an injection or capsules.
Meningococcal Meningitis: This vaccine is only recommended for travellers making extended visits to rural, northern Vietnam. Protection lasts for three years.
Rabies: People making longer trips to remote areas should consider rabies vaccination, which involves three injections over a period of three to four weeks.
Bring your own medicine and prescription drugs in case you cannot get the same ones at local pharmacies in Indochina area. Many of the drugs sold in small pharmacies are copies or have expired. Stick to reputable Pharmacies that are easy to find in main cities around Indochina area.
Remember to drink a lot of non-alcoholic liquids, stick to bottled water and prevent using ice in the drinks in most part of Indochina area. If there is no bottled water, boiled water is acceptable. In Bangkok, Hanoi and HCMC, ice is general fine.
Vegetables should be thoroughly cleaned and preferably cooked. All meats and fish should be well cooked. To be safe, peel your own fruit. Yogurt, if refrigerated, is generally fine but avoid fresh milk and be wary of other non-sealed dairy products, especially home-made ice cream. If you are unsure, avoid it.
Tummy is common disease for travelers. If it occurs, maintain a diet of bland foods of fluids only. If severe, consult a physician.
When you need medical care during your vacation in Indochina area, medical personnel outside big cities normally speak little or no English, so make sure your tour guide is beside you when seeing a doctor. Good communication is the criteria of correct diagnosis. Local hospital and doctors expect immediate payment for health services. Minor illnesses and injuries can be taken care of in most cities in Indochina area. If there are more serious health problems that require medical evacuation, please contact your tour company in the first time. Professional tour operator is experienced for emergency situation. You can visit http://www.indochinaodysseytours.com to get more information about this.
About the Author
Inchina Odyssey Tours - Your trustworthy Indochina Vietnam tour operator since 1987. Personalized and worry-free service in tours, hotels and tickets in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand.
provinces in laos="provinces in laos" the best parts of China to visit?
i'm going to be in Laos and Vietnam and want to go into China but want to know what are the nicest provinces/towns to visit. Preferably those near the Laos and Vietnam border. I was looking at Yunnam and Sichuan what are they like. Also does anyone know the best way to get there? THanks for any help
Kunming is a lovely little city. I wasn't all that impressed with Chengdu, but you can fly from Chengdu to Lhasa, which is a very interesting city despite being overwhelmed by tourism and development. You may consider Hong Kong or Macao as well. It's been a while since I was in Kunming, but from what I understand, it is not all that safe to travel to China by bus from where you will be.
hostel laos="hostel laos" How much money (in USD) do I need to spend 3 months backpacking Thailand, Cambodia and Laos on a budget?
I would like to do some extensive scuba diving and understand I will need lots of $$ for that. Hostel/Guesthouse living is fine for me.
You could make a rough estimate by referring to your Lonely Planet-type guidebooks, which you've surely purchased or checked out at the library, which list various accommodations by quality and price, so you have some idea. Likely they'll even give you prices for activities such as scuba diving, and list specific companies. Then you'll have your budget and can decide if three months is even doable. And if once you get out there, you'll be sure to bring a credit card for emergencies, and if you find you've gone over budget you can bail out and go home.
"Down to the Southern tip of Laos" Andyestherblog's photos around Pakse, Lao Peoples Dem Rep
This is the last time I come to you from Asia with a new post. I'm actually in the airport of Hanoi, or I'll take a few hours a flight to Sydney via Singapore. The Asian part of my trip it closes here and tomorrow I begin the Pacific my world tour. My last days in Asia were super well and therefore I leave the continent on a very positive as you'll read.
On my last post, I found myself in the mountains of South Vietnam. Since I have come a long way and I even found al'extreme north of the country, on the border with China. Yesterday, j'admirai a sunset on China since the Vietnamese side of the Song Hong River! The South-North crossing of the country has been quick: 48 hours on the bus! I did not really have time to stop along the way because I got a short time ... .. Between two buses, but I enjoyed for 3 hours from the beach of Nha Trang with a special thought for Raph, a friend of Sciences Po and HEC. His father was born in what was still a small fishing village at the time and is now a beautiful beach frequented by tourists. 17 hours later, I also received a 3-hour stop in Hoi An, a small historic city well preserved and classified World Heritage by UNESCO for its picturesque charm. However, 2 days and 2 nights bus, it's hard!
The day of rest that followed allowed me to visit Hanoi. The capital of Vietnam is smaller and quieter than Saigon but aya tout de meme 3.5 million and about 2 million motorcycles. I use this day to prepare the end of my stay the best! I reserve two towers and organizations to visit Halong Bay and take a trek in the mountains of North.
After two weeks spent mostly alone, these 6 days would be a real pleasure. It was also a success for the beauty of the landscape for people rencontrees!
Halong Bay is a .... Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin or emergent of over 3,000 islands, rock pythons and rocks of all sizes. Everything looks like a huge mountain chain noyee of which we can not see that the highest peaks. The scenery is breathtaking and is nothing like what I saw auparvant! We sailed between the rocks for two days on a very nice boat with a group of 10 people. From time to time we cross floating village where boats are coming up behind us to sell box Springel ... .. mass tourism has not forget to get here either. I had the opportunity to take a dip in these waters and even color emeraude to go kayaking.
Two hours after returning to Hanoi, i'm going in a night train in the direction of the mountains. 10-hour train and bus 3 hours later and I was ready for the trek for me! With Susan, German, and Naomi, English, we were a small but very friendly group. We have been accompanied by two Australian for the first day. The mountains surrounding Sapa offers landscapes and typically Asian magnfiques with terraced rice pudding of a hill and a loss of sight. Unfortunately, what I expected as a real mountain hike was closest to the parkway as mountaineering, but it does not detract from the beauty of places. For two days we have been through the villages of ethnic minorities who live in villages we imagine another time if we had not stopped every two meters by a child who asks for money or a great mother who sells memories!
These villages of minorities were very different from what I have seen in other Asian countries. Until then, I had a little trouble understanding exactly what these people in villages called "ethnic minorities" were different from the rest of the population. In Vietnam, the differences are much more glaring. First, they can hardly speak
Vietnamese but not sell you a cat in a bag in a surprising English! Second, they wear traditional clothes and very colorful. Each village makes its own clothes in his own way and its colors. It was the first time I saw such suits doors daily (I had already seen, but obviously were clearly doors only to entertain tourists). Finally, the difference is that I prefer, they are physically very different from other Vietnamese. These villagers were very small and had a very typical faces. At the beginning when I saw the faces of dozens of small women lay on the windows to watch us and then jumping to accompany us during our walk, I really believed to have debarque countries
Hobbits!
We spent the first night in a mountain village who prepare a meal of God which we share with the whole family (for us it is special, but they do them every day ...). Accomapgner for these delicious dishes, our guests have left behind a bottle of the bundle of a rice wine home. And believe me, it's tough! Like a little lost bronzes in the mountain chalet, I am allowed to go to local traditions while my two friends quickly faltered and lower the flag. I recovered ca with alcohol but in an old village the next day and I even ended up having to play musical instruments before a local group of tourists dancing! Not too likely to be completely drunk, I knew very well that the Asians would come before me (it's always like that, the target will recognize ....)!
Voila, you now know everything, or almost all of these 7 weeks in Asia that have already been through 6 countries starting with Singapore and Thailand to Vietnam via Laos and Cambodia as well as the Burmese getaway! When I think back to dive on the island of Ko Tao in Thailand, I feel that an eternity ago. I find it hard to tell me that it was in the same trip is only 7 weeks. It must be said that the program was more than him and I do not have much traine en route. A few days' holiday in Australia will get the greater good!
laos immigration="laos immigration" Visa problems Thailand, please help?
Okay so here's my problem. I obtained a 60 day Visa in the UK before coming to Thailand. I only just noticed yesterday that when coming through Thai immigration at Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok), that they've stamped my Passport as 'admitted until February 14' which would make it 30 days from arrival in Thailand. This is clearly a mistake made by Thai immigration and there are no immigration offices open where I'm staying until tomorrow morning. Do I need to leave Thailand and make a border run or will I be able to just stay in the country and obtain another Visa tomorrow? Please if anyone could help I'd be really grateful, I really need to know because I'll have to get a bus to Laos tonight if I cannot stay.
Don't panic. Your Visa is valid for 60 days, the length of stay is at the discretion of the Immigration Officer who checks you in. You can apply for a an extension of either 7 or 30 days at the Immigration Office your town, on the 14th, your visa is still valid, the cost as I recall was like 1900 baht. The overstay fine is 500 baht per day, the old degenerates in Pattaya just pay this on the way out the door after (sometimes) lengthy overstays. Getting arrested with an expired visa is completely different however, they will get pretty cranky.Thai government makes it tough to just stay on, therefore the number of overstays. If you were on a multiple entry visa, making repeated border runs for extensions it might be different, they are cracking down on that stuff. This info is available I'm sure if you look for yourself, stop asking the uninformed on Yahoo. Good luck have fun.
Awareness campaign on human trafficking and migration Laos 2010 (Save the Children)
flight laos_2="flight laos" Tips on being comfortable on a long flight with multi-stops (economy seat)?
LAX--Taipei--Bangkok--Laos. Any DO's and DON'Ts??
Definitely staying hydrated is important. I have flown from LAX to TPE. It is a long flight so bring a book to read. Also the airline should be showing a movie so you can at least watch different movies or listen to music.
The airlines stress getting up and walking around to prevent deep vein thrombosis. In the in-flight magazines, they have some exercises you can do to help circulation.
The airlines will periodically serve you beverages such as juice or water. Do accept the beverage every time it is offered. They may also give you a moist towel to wipe your face since the air sometimes is dry in the cabin.
Enjoy your flight. If you can sleep, try to get some rest. You can try to ask for an emergency exit row since you get more legroom but those seats are usually reserved for those who fly a lot with the airline. You can still ask anyway.
I want to plan a trip to explore Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand and need advise. Does anyone know of any organised groups that do this sort of thing? or any sites with travel bloggs on this sort of trip, or anyone who's done this and can offer advise, thanks!
I've been to all the countries you mention, but never on an organized tour. However, that's probably the recommended option for Myanmar. For Myanmar, visa on arrival is not possible.
travel lao_6="travel lao" I need this translated into Italian for my "Myspace" profile. If someone can do this, Thanks?
How do I explain myself? Licensed Pilot at 17, Hang Glider Pilot, Advanced Scuba diver, Published Science Fiction Author... Also into foreign languages... Conversational in Thai, Laotian, and (international language) Ido... Currently Studying Chinese, German, and Spanish... I enjoy traveling, reading and photography... As for music I like everything from Reggae to Trance Ambient... In this world there is so much to do and learn yet little time... The Thai writing below my picture says "Hi, my name is Brad"
Sono diventato pilota con licenza a 17 anni, sono un pilota di Hang Glider, un avanzato scuba diver, ed un autore di una pubblica di Science Finction......mi piacciono anche le lingue straniere....posso fare conversazione in Cinese, Tedesco, e Spagnolo........ I miei passatempi favoriti sono viaggiare, leggere, e la fotografia.....per quanto riguarda la musica, mi piace tutto dal Reggae al Trance Ambient........in questo mondo dove c'e' tanto da fare ed imparare, ma con poco tempo disponibile. La scritta Thai sotto la mia fotografia dice "Ciao, mi chiamo Brad"
Located just 140 km to the South west of Hanoi, Mai Chau valley has spectacular mountainous landscape dotted with house-on-stilts villages of the Thai ethnic group. This two-day trip offers an glimpse into the life of Thai people in Vietnam, with a combination of cultural sightseeing and soft adventure activities
Day 1: Hanoi – Hoa Binh – Mai Chau 08h00: Departs Hanoi 13h00: Check-in Mai Chau Lodge 15h30: Visit Soldier Cave, Walks to Thái villages of Pom Coong and Lac 17h00: Dinner; Traditional dance performance by the local Thái tribe
Day 2: Mai Chau - Hanoi ( Breakfast, Lunch ) 08h00: Breakfast and check out 09h00: Valley Biking 12h00: Lunch 13h00: Return to Hanoi
Early December, Asiana Travel Mate (ATM) holds an opening ceremony for our fifth office in Ho Chi Minh City, the seventh sales outlet nationwide, at 60 Pham Hong Thai Street, District 1. This is the latest step in ATM's continuing expansion of "Responsible Travel & Sharing" business in Vietnam and Indochina.
Customer and partner support is an important part of the office's success, and we thank all who came to the office warming reception to meet staff and gave good wishes. On this special occasion, we would like to offer customers who buy our services at the new office a 10% discount of any Vietnam Day Trip, effective from December 1st to December 31st inclusively.
Asiana Travel Mate is one of the Leading Tour Operators within Indochina. Our Travel Advisors have full Expertise in organizing tailor-make tours for thousands of Traveler to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. with many more offices in Vietnam, We are ensuring your Safe and Memorable Holiday with our Ultimate Personal Care and our strong commitment to "Responsible Travel & Sharing"
SAIGON HEAD OFFICE: 113C Bui Vien Str., Dist. 1. - Phone: +84-8 38 38 6678 HANOI TOURIST INFORMATION CENTER: 7 Dinh Tien Hoang Str. , Hoan Kiem Dist. - Phone: +84-4 39263370 HUE TOURIST INFORMATION CENTER: 45 - 47 Le Loi Str., Hue City. - Phone: +84-54 3942 233 SAIGON TOURIST INFORMATION CENTER: 92-94-96 Nguyen Hue str,, Ho Chi Minh city - Phone: +84-838250615 TRULY HALONG CENTER: 21 Luong Ngoc Quyen, Hoan Kiem Hanoi - Phone: +84 4 39263449 CAMBODIA OFFICE: 117, St 6 Salakanseng, Svay Dangkum, Siem Reap, Cambodia - Phone: + 855 (0) 63 963320 LAOS OFFICE: 03/Ban Viengxay-Kithsarath RD, Luang Prabang Province-Lao PDR - Phone: +856-71 260 567
About the Author
Asiana Travel Mate, founded in 2006, provides customized inbound travel into Vietnam, extending to Cambodia and Laos. We believe in delivering services as promised, benefiting local communities and preserving the cultural and natural heritage of Vietnam
getting to laos_3="getting to laos" Can my wife visit Laos with me with a 2 year green card and her Laos passport?
Can my wife go to Laos wtih me? She got here in the U.S. July 2007, she got her 2 years Green Card it's good till 2010, but not the permanent one. She still has Laos passport and it's good till 2010.
What steps and what does she need to do, besides buying the air ticket?
So what you're saying is that your wife is a citizen of Laos and a US green card holder, and she wants to go to Laos?
In that case, of course she can go to Laos. Just make sure she takes her green card with her as she will need to show it to the immigration officer when coming back to the US.
And make sure you don't stay out of the US for more than 6 months.
"Getting Old" Vanessaanddan's photos around Vientiane, Lao Peoples Dem Rep (photography)
South East Asia Tour – Visit Singapore and Thailand
Welcome to South East Asia, a well known region in the world tourism map, which is slowly capturing the attentions of tourists from world over, with its enticing attractions and charm. Most of the holiday destinations in this part of the earth are wonderful and provide visitors to enjoy memorable time, which ever part they visit. Among the many tourism destinations that include like Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, etc Thailand and Singapore tops the list in visit of tourists. Every year thousands and hundreds of tourists from all the nook and corner of the world visit this premier holiday places of South East Asia to enjoy delightful time with families, friends and dear ones.
Well to enjoy the beautiful and exciting attractions you have to plan your holidays in an advance as you have complete some documentation work to make the tour delightful and memorable. But if you are planning your Thailand Singapore tours with well known tour operator they will not only provide you great services but at the same time assist you to get the paper work done. This is the starting point that you have work on and after that you have week and more than that to enjoy time making fun and enjoy each and every moments in a delightful way.
You have wonderful opportunity to choose the destination of your choice or visit both of them at the same time on your vacation. Thailand and Singapore are well known for their exciting range of tourism attractions and offer tourists to treasure remarkable experince to relish in forever. Visit to Thailand and explore some exciting tourism destinations that include visit to Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Surat Thani, kasbi, etc. Also tourists love and plan for Bangkok Pattaya tours as these destinations are amazingly beautiful and provides wonderful opportunity to see and explore some exciting attractions which are one of its kinds and found nowhere else in the world.
Apart from Thailand Tours you can also visit to Singapore a beautiful country with amazing attractions and pleasing climatic conditions. Here one can visit to some exciting attractions that include Asian Civilization Museum, Escape Theme Park, Jurong Bird Park, Kent Ridge Park, Merlion, Night Safari, Singapore Zoo, Sir Stamford Raffles Statue, Sentosa Island, Singapore Botanical Garden, Parks and Natural Reserves, etc. Beside these you can also enjoy lots of shopping, experince the magic of the throbbing night life, experince the magnificence of the rich culture and traditions, etc. These entire attractions have truly made Singapore and Thailand the most favored holiday destinations that attracts thousands and hundreds of tourists from the entire corner of the world.
Well if you want to see and explore these exciting destinations of South East Asia, you are most welcome. Plan your tour package from the well known tour operator and enjoy your holidays in these beautiful destinations of South East Asia, in a delightful and memorable way.
Visit these wonderful Singapore and Thailand and you will love to come back time and again to enjoy your holidays with families, friends and dear ones.
About the Author
Bhaskar writes about various beautiful tours and travel destinations of the world. He is providing valuable information on Malaysia Tour, Kuala lumpur Genting Tours .
2007 Asean Football Championship - Singapore vs Laos
laos holidays_3="laos holidays" best way to travel by land from Bangkok to Laos/Camodia/HCMC?
For the first 3 weeks of our holiday we want to travel to Vietnam and Cambodia (and possibly Laos) before going back over to Thailand. I know we wont have a lot of time in each place but was wondering if anyone knew the best route to take by land to each place? what buses/trains boats to take and time scales of travel? The flights to these places are adding up to a couple of hundred pounds each which will take a lot of our money up so we want to do as cheap as possbile especially since the exchange rate is so bad to the £ at the moment, we dont mind travelling by land as have done overnight train before to phuket..
if anyone has any info they could share, that would be much appreciated
Thanks
Take a bus from Bangkok to Aranyprathet. Takes about 4-5 hours. Tuk-tuk from the station to the border, walk across the border and take a shared taxi to Siem Reap, about 4 hours. See the temples of Angkor for a few days then take a bus to Phnom Penh. See the history of the Khmer Rouge. Boat from Phnom Penh to Chau Doc, Vietnam - takes about 6 hours. From there you can see the Mekong Delta or head for HCMC. Use overnight trains through Vietnam. From northern Vietnam it will take at least a day to get to a recognisable place in Laos. From Laos head towards Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand. Personally, I think you're squeezing too much in. 3 weeks in Vietnam alone would be very little. The itinerary above will see you lose at least one week of your 3 weeks travelling. Cambodia and Laos have little to no rail systems so overnight trains are not an option there. I would choose two of the four countries and spend a week and a half in each, possibly flying with Air Asia. That way at least you'll get to see some of the major sights in each. Laos is fantastic but it takes a long time even to get between places inside the country (often between 6 and 10 hours on a bus depending on where you are going). Getting to the borders and then crossing will take a lot of your time up there.
lao musics_2="lao musics" What does "Music in the soul can be heard by the universe" mean? ?
a quote by Lao Tzu that i think is beautiful, but at the same time I don't really understand it.
Music that touches the soul can cross language borders, time, and space. Ex:Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Ludwig Von Beethoven Basically just music that will be recognized for ages.
laos money_2="laos money" a little help on Laos economics...?
i'm doing a report of Laos, and i need a little help on the economics...i mean i already know this, just want to make sure it's correct information.
i need to know: currency-type of money how the people make a living- what jobs do they hold average salary for working families what types of industries are in the country and why they are important.
thanks guys! :D
Hi,
Lao currency is LAK. Most people in Laos work for government and the average monthly pay will be $60-$120/monthly. More info about Laos visit http://www.laos411.com and for Lao currency visit http://www.laos411.com/forum/yaf_postst9_Lao-Kip-Exchange-Rates.aspx
The following article is intended to provide some insight into the differences between the United States K-1 visa and the immigrant visas known as the CR-1 visa and the IR-1 visa.
Many individuals have misimpressions about how the United States visa acquisition process works. Some are under the mistaken impression that the entire process occurs at United States Embassies and Consulates abroad. In reality, the process usually begins at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). The Department of Homeland Security's United States Citizenship and Immigration Service is responsible for adjudicating immigration petitions brought by U.S. Citizens on behalf of their alien spouses or fiancees. That stated, USCIS is not the only agency that has a role to play in this process as the United States Department of State is responsible for adjudicating visa applications pursuant to immigration petition approval.
The CR-1 visa or IR-1 visa petition can sometimes be filed at a USCIS office abroad under certain circumstance. Sometimes, it might also be possible to effect what is known as a direct consular filing of a petition for an IR-1 or CR-1 visa, but such circumstances are a rarity. In many cases, the petitions for such visas must be adjudicated at a USCIS service center in the United States. Meanwhile, the K-1 visa petition can only be adjudicated at a USCIS service center in the USA. Although the K-1 visa is technically a non-immigrant visa it is treated in much the same way as an immigrant visa since such a travel document allows for a sort of dual intent on the part of the applicant.
Processing visa petitions and applications can be cumbersome in some cases as there are a great many bureaucratic hurdles which must be overcome before the visa can ultimately be issued. For some individuals, the Consular Processing aspect of the visa process may be the most cumbersome phase since there may be a great deal of geographic distance between the US Citizen petitioner and his or her spouse or fiancee in their home nation. Concurrently, the applicant may have a less-than-fluent grasp of the English language which can impede efficient processing in some cases.
In some immigration matters, individuals seeking visa benefits opt to retain the advice and counsel of an attorney as this can provide significant assistance to prospective petitioners and beneficiaries since such individuals can be apprised of their rights and prospective privileges with respect to U.S. Immigration law. Those wishing to obtain American immigration counsel, especially overseas, are well advised to check the credentials of those asserting to be an expert in such matters since only a licensed attorney from the USA is permitted to practice United States immigration law. An attorney's credentials can be ascertained through inspection of documents such as a license to practice law in one of the US State Supreme Courts, a Federal license to practice law, or possibly a State Bar Association membership card, depending upon the jurisdiction in question.
About the Author
Benjamin W. Hart is a licensed American attorney residing in Bangkok, Thailand. Contact: 1-877-231-7533, +66 (0)2-266-3698, or info@integrity-legal.com. See further: US Family Visa or K-1 visa .
Look Nok (35th Anniversary of Laos at Lao embassy in Bangkok 3/12/2010)
The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture offres Masters and Doctoral Scholarships to the nationals of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, thePhilippines, Singapore,Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam
For scholarship updates visit scholarships portal to get to know the latest happenings about various national and international scholarships and all the requirements for those scholarships.
Scholarship Description: The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) invites applications for its graduate scholarship(MS andPhD)in agriculture and related fields (including biologicalsciences, socialsciences, economics andstatistics, forestry and fisheries, environmental sciences, agro industrial technology and engineering,biochemistry, and development management) for School Year 2012-2013.
For scholarship updates visit scholarships portal to get to know the latest happenings about various national and international scholarships and all the requirements for those scholarships.
The scholarship is open to nationals of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, thePhilippines, Singapore,Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam who are regular employees of academic or research institutions or government agencies and not older than 35 years old.
For scholarship updates visit scholarships portal to get to know the latest happenings about various national and international scholarships and all the requirements for those scholarships.
This scholarships is open to the residents of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, thePhilippines, Singapore,Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam with good personality, clear about research and with motive of excelling in the field of the prescribed course.
Scholasrhip Application Deadline: 30 July 2011
About the Author
For scholarship updates visit scholarships portal to get to know the latest happenings about various national and international scholarships and all the requirements for those scholarships.
mekong river cruise laos="mekong river cruise laos"
The Mekong River; Weaving through and Forging the Southeast Asia we all Know and Love
The Mekong River is one of the most if not the most important river in all of Southeast Asia. Citizens of Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam who live along the banks are quite dependent of the river, either for its fish, and of course its waters. It is the world's 10th longest river, spanning a length of about 4,900 kilometers, draining an area of 795,000 square kilometers of water and discharging 475 cubic kilometers of water annually.
Archeologists have estimated that there were settlements living in and around the Mekong dating as far back as 2100 BCE. Early civilizations included the Funan (1st century AD), who were then proceeded by the Chenla (5th century AD). The Angkor Empire then took over and influenced most of the area until the Kingdom of Siam and the North Vietnamese followed suit.
The Mekong has quite an interesting start point. Contrary to the warm tropical nature of Southeast Asia, the river actually originated from the cold and snowy Himalayas in the Tibetan Plateau. From here, it runs through the Yunan Province in China before making its way to Myanmar, then forming a border between it, Thailand and Laos before cutting through Cambodia and finally emptying out in the Mekong Delta and South China Sea in Southern Vietnam.
Along the way, the Mekong has her fair share of waterfalls and rapids. Now, that may be good for those looking for a scenic and relaxing sport, but it is quite the opposite for travelers. Those falls have earned the Mekong as one of the toughest rivers to navigate on.
The Mekong Basin may well be one of the world's richest areas in terms of biodiversity, perhaps even richer than the Amazon! Estimates have about 20,000 plant species, 430 different types of mammals, 1200 birds, 800 reptiles and amphibians and more than 1200 species of fish swimming in its waters, some of which are giants. The Giant River Carp, which can grow as long as 1.5 meters and weigh as much as 70 kilograms, makes its home here. Also included are the 4 meter wingspan 500 kilogram Mekong Freshwater Stingray and the renowned Mekong Giant Catfish, known to grow as long as 3 meters and weigh 300 kilograms! The rare Irrawaddy Dolphin and Siamese Crocodile also call the Mekong River home.
Perhaps you'd like to live some of that Mekong magic? You certainly can! In Cambodia, experience the famed countryside and rural atmosphere along its banks as you cruise along the Mekong. Spend the night on the Mekong Delta in luxury and discover amazing waterways hidden amongst vibrant tropical fruit gardens, bustling floating markets that offer a cornucopia of items and acres of emerald rice fields that make this region of Southern Vietnam so magical.
Established in 1993, Exotissimo Travel is a well known Tour Operator in Asia. We have the expertise and connections to create your perfect inspirational tours as well as customized programs in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia and Japan at the best possible price. Your experience guarantees stops to the main sites as well as the hidden spots, giving you a true sense of the culture and rewarding you with unforgettable memories.
"Mekong river cruise" Lgeorge's photos around Luang Prabang, Lao Peoples Dem Rep (photography)
mekong river cruise laos mekong river cruise laos mekong river cruise laos
Thailand, island nation located in the south east of Asia .Thailand is a country rich in culture and natural beauty. It has been hallowed with liberal natural parks, productive plains, isolated jungles, beaches washed by turquoise waters and humid islands bathed in endless sunshine. The country has more visible historical indication of its past cultures than any other country in Southeast Asian. Its history is very composite, involving the incursion of many different peoples, the rule of different kings, the concern of various kingdoms and the interaction of dissimilar cultures. Thailand is known for its prominent hospitality, sacred temple, and breathtaking natural beauty. Thailand offers something for all type of travelers. Thailand’s restrictions stretch to adjacent regions of Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Gulf of Thailand and the Indian Ocean. You plan to visit Thailand between July and November; the weather can be awkwardly for you. Around July and November, it will be rainy season in Thailand. The weather is at its best from February to March. It is perfect time to go to the beaches. Places of tourist significance in Thailand include Phuket, Koh Samui, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Koh Chang and Koh Samet while provinces like Krabi, Koh Libong, Koh Hai provides great photographic memoirs of Thailand as a tour destination.
Buddhism is the main religion in Thailand with the King of Thailand respected as the supreme emperor and also the supporter of all religions embraced by the people. Thailand truly is an amazing place, with so much to offer tourists. The regular and most popular destinations of Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Samui, Chiang Mai etc are only a small part of the country, and there are so many more undiscovered charms to be found. Thus, Thailand has spiritual forbearance wicker into its social structure and respects people of all races. This multiculturalism makes Thailand a hot much loved as a tour destination for the global traveler with add-on visits to nearby cities like Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Butterworth and other major southern Thai towns being part of an avid tourist’s list. You visit Surin islands, again stopping at a couple of top lunge sites.
The sea is mediator and there is less sickness. We again see some truly amazing fish while diving in the clear steamy water. But the most fantastic moment comes when a small husk of dolphins swim alongside our boat. How are barely credible to see this while traveling to and from tropical paradises. There tends to be more boats that have come from Phuket for the diving around the Simolan Islands. The largest groups of non-Thai people are the Chinese who have traditionally played an extremely important role in the economy. Many have assimilated into majority Thai society, and do not live in Bangkok's Chinatown on Yaowarat Road. After the end of the Vietnam War, many Vietnamese refugees settled in Thailand, mainly in the northeastern region. Muay Thai, after they retired from the army, these soldiers often became Buddhist monks and stayed at the temples. Most of the Thai people's lives are closely tied to Buddhism and temples; they often send their sons to be educated with the monks. ”Muay” is also one of the subjects taught in the temples.
About the Author
Priya Singh wrote this article on behalf of Thailand Holiday vacation package. For more information on Thailand Tour Agency, discount airline tickets and travel tips for visiting Thailand you can visit joy-travels.com
Thailand, Laos, Cambodia (11.) - Vientiane, Tak Khaek, Pakse
lao food="lao food" What cultures do you like apart from your own?
What cultures would you like to explore more or are completely infatuated with? What made you like this certain culture??
I ask because I see ppl who are able to be culturally ambiguous and take on other cultures as if it were their own (adopt cultures) and i find t fascinating. I have a certain affinity for Lao ppl and culture (especially their bomb food ;p) I think it all goes back to my early teen years when I started hanging out with some Laotian people in my school. The hospitality they and their families showed me was unlike any I have ever received from my own kind or any other groups. They treated me like a family member, feed me, helped me when i needed it and never asked anything in return. That is how i began to adopt this culture.
I like pretty much all cultures EXCEPT for French. For some reason, I hate french - the language, the style, the decor, the - everything. Anyway, my absolute favorite cultures are Native American (pretty much all kinds) and the African Americans. Ever since like, third grade and we learned about Harriet Tubman and the cruelties slaves faced, I've been reading books taking place around the time. I've read hundreds of realistic fiction books, and quite a few nonfiction books as well. I think that in every book, the hospitality and kindness from a lot of the slaves that were constantly treated cruelly, really got to me. I think that's why ever since I was in third grade I've wished that I had an interesting and/or honest group of ancestors - I've wished that I were Native American or African American. Among the books about slavery and racism towards them in the future, I've also read a lot about Native Americans and their decsendants. It's so interesting! The stories they came up with, the rituals, everything!
OK, sorry for the little rant, anyway, Native American culture or African American mostly. As for the people, I like people for who they are, not their race. I do love accents though, British especially.
Vietnam advanture package in the North,Vietnam adventure trips
VIETNAM ADVENTURE PACKAGE IN THE NORTH
(12 Days / 11 Nights)
Day 1: Arrival - Ha Noi (-/-/-)
On arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you are met by our guide and transferred to hotel. The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is a stylish and gracious city that retains an unique old world charm and some Asia's most striking colonial architecture. The many lakes and parks make for relaxing atmosphere. If time permits we enjoy on a short cyclo ride through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places. O/N in Ha Noi.
Day 2 : Ha Noi Sightseeing Vacation(B/-/-)
Today we spend a full day exploring the charming Hanoi City. The first stop is Ho Chi Minh Complex containing the mausoleum of the nation's founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow it with a visit to the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam and the History Museum with an excellent collection of artifacts illustrating the Vietnamese history. The sightseeing also includes the outlaying Ethnologic Museum, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. Afterwards we drive back to the town center, stopping at the Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple. They are some major highlights set by the beautiful West Lake. We see these sights before continuing to the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem with its sacred temple. In front of this lake is the famous water puppet theatre where we will see a fantastic performance. O/N in Ha Noi. (B)
Day 3: DUONG LAM VILLAGE SIGHTSEEING TRIP TO MAI CHAU (B/L/D)
In the morning, we start from Hanoi to Duong Lam village, a purely agricultural village of the DUONGNorthern Red River delta where still preserve many hundred-year-old houses. It will be your unique experience as you walk along tiny ancient alleys; visit Mong Phu Communal House in Mong Phu hamlet - the only hamlet whose original village entrance gate remains intact, dedicated to national heroes. Have the opportunity to bike in the village and have some talks with the locals in their ancient houses by visiting the ancient houses of Mr Lam, Mr Ha and Mr Huyen. After that, we continue walking to visit Mia Pagoda (other hamlet in Duong Lam village), is built in 15 th century and admire 287 statues of all sizes, among with are famous sculpture such as the statue of Buddha in the Himalayas and the statues of the Eight Vajra Deities. Then visit Ngo Quyen temple and Phung Hung temple, places dedicated to two national heroes Ngo Quyen and Phung Hung. Lastly, we will go back a local family to enjoy your special lunch with Vietnamese foods in an ancient house. At around 14:00, we will keep heading to Mai Chau valley & view sunset behind the hills. After dinner in a family, we have the opportunity to take part to a traditional dance show. O/N at house on stilts in Pom Coong remote village.
Day 4: Hanoi - Son La (B/-/-)
This morning we are going to have a short trekking journey (or bike tour) to some of remote villages of Thai People inhabiting in Mai Chau valley The journey northwest begins as we depart from Mai Chau and pass through the undulating terrains of tea plantations, terraced rice fields and sleepy villages linked to the road which is the main artery of trade between the northwestern region and the capital city. This is our first glimpse of rural Vietnam and sets the tone for the days ahead. En route we have several stops to stretch our legs and visit some roadside villages. The thrilling drive will deliver us in Son La by mid or late afternoon depending on road and traffic conditions. We check in hotel and enjoy a short walk around this mountain town. There is a little traffic on roads and many Black Thai in traditional costume scurry in all directions. O/N in Son La.
Day 5: Son La - Dien Bien Phu (B/-/-)
The provincial museum and the top hill old prison are some of major sights in Son La Town. We include these in a short morning tour before we wind our way past the stunning mountain scenery. The road conditions are very poor therefore we need to bring along our spirit of adventure until Dien Bien Phu, the site of the decisive battle in Vietnam's struggle for independence in 1954. Once reaching Dien Dien we drive around to see this fast growing town and make stop at Dien Bien Phu museum which details the event in place. We follow it with a visit to the strategic hill A1 and the old battle field where the lush vegetation grows behind many war relics including old French tanks and artillery pieces. O/N in Dien Bien Phu
Day 6 : Dien Bien Phu - Tam Duong (B/-/-)
Heading out of Dien Phu Phu Town, we spend a full day travelling into Vietnam's most mountainous region. The roads are difficult at times, but the spectacular landscape with a mixture of terraced fields and colourful local population makes the hardship all worthwhile. Along the way we encounter the mountaineers going about their daily business. These local villagers are almost the Red Hmong, Kho Mu, Mang, Dao people who still retain their age old cultural traditions and wear distinctive costumes. We arrive in Tam Duong by late afternoon and may have time strolling around. This small hill town is surrounded by the breathtaking mountain backdrop and frequently visited by the ethnic minority people. O/N in Tam Duong.
Day 7: Tam Duong - Sapa (B/-/-)
The breathtaking north scenery is unequalled although the conditions are very basic. Today we continue driving along a zigzag route to Sapa. The road conditions is very poor in some places but it is still a wonderful trip for photograph hunters as we pass though the various scenic water falls, charming villages and rolling mountains. The hill station of Sa Pa was founded in early last century and rapidly became an ideal place for anyone seeking an enjoyable escape from the unbearable heat in plains. At an elevation of 1,500 meters, it has some warm days and cool evenings. Today we can soak up the fresh climate as much as you want by spending the time to wander around and catch the first look of Sa Pa. The ethnic minority people are frequently seen in this hill town and small vendors along the street sell local textiles and handicraft. O/N in Sa Pa.
Day 8: SAPA (B/L/-)
Time to visit Sa Pa Market where the Red Dao, Black Hmong, Tay , Xa Pho ethnic minority people converge from the surrounding mountainsides or valley to trade their goods and enjoy a walk to some nearby hill tribe villages such as Cat Cat, Lao Chai and Ta Van villages. O/N in Sa Pa.
Day 9: SAPA - BAC HA MARKET - BACK TO HANOI BY TRAIN (B/L/-)
We continue venturing into northern Vietnam with the next stop being Bac Ha Market, which also attracts a wide variety of ethnic minority groups including the Variegated Hmong, Dao, Phu La, La Chi, Tay. The experience of this congregation is colorful and unique. Afternoon, enjoy a boat trip down stream Chay River and take visit to villages along the river, discover the local people life. Transfer to Lao Cai Railways Station for overnight train back to Hanoi. O/N on board.
Option 1: Bac Ha & Muong Khuong Market on Sunday Option 2: Coc Ly Market on Tuesday Option 3: Lung Khau Nhin Market on Friday Option 4: Can Cau Market on Saturday
Day 10: HANOI RAILWAY STATION - HALONG BAY (B/L/D)
05h00: Arrive at Hanoi Railways Station, transfer to hotel for leisure and breakfast. 08h00: We are picked up at your hotel and then keep going to Halong Bay. On the way, we will stop by a Humanity Center where almost disable children known as Agent Orange affected victims in the Vietnam war are living & working and contributing to the social development. You will have chance to see how much the war did damage Vietnam & how hard Vietnamese people are surviving. 12.30 We are welcome on the traditional junk and have welcome drink. Start the boat trip to visit Halong Bay, listed as a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. This picturesque "Dragon descending to the sea" Bay has 1,969 limestone islets rising from the sea, many of them containing beautiful grottoes. Visit of a grotto then seafood lunch on board. The excursion includes the visit to Con Cho Island, Dinh Huong Island, Canh Buom Island, Ga Choi Island. Swimming on Titop or Hoa Cuong beach. Watching sunset. Fishing with seine and owing bamboo boat (on request). If you are unable to do or not interested in joining those kinds of activities, you can stay on the sundeck to relax on your own. Dinner and overnight on Cruise
Day 11: HALONG BAY – HANOi (Brunch/-)
In this morning, we will keep on our journey by junk-boat to to explore more islands & natural beauties of Halong Bay. At around 10:30: you will have a brunch served on cruise before reaching to Halong Harbour at around 12:00. Right here our car will be at disposal to pick you up then drive back to Hanoi. At around 15:30: You will get to Hanoi & the rest of time you will be free on your ownO/N in Ha Noi.
Day 12: HANOI - Departure (B/-/-)
At leisure until transfer to Noi Bai Airport for departure flight (check out hotel before 12h00)
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INCLUDING: • Transportation in vehicle with driver for four travelers in mountain as under specified: o New model WD Japanese car on Superior Class Tour o Medium model WD Japanese car on Standard and First Class Tour • Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver in delta • Accommodation in hotels, guesthouses (twin shared room) • Meal as mentioned: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner • English or French speaking guide • Entrance fee to indicated sights • Water puppet show, traditional dance show in Mai Chau • Boat trip • Pure bottled water & wipes
EXCLUDING: Other meals, tip, drinks, airport tax, single room, personal expenses, insurance,...
Sales Consultant Cellphone: +841665285529 YM: medusa1592 ====================================== VIETLONG TRAVEL – HEAD OFFICE IN HANOI 28 B / Le Ngoc Han Str, Hai Ba Trung Dis; Hanoi - VIETNAM Tel: (84 4) 04 39766534 & Fax: 04 39766533 Email: sales@vietlongtravel.com or quynhanh@vietlongtravel.com
