How to Spend Gap Year Holidays in Thailand

How to Spend Gap Year Holidays in Thailand

Posted by Tukimin  |  at  10:36 AM

Thailand is one of the fascinating places where you could spend your gap year. This country has a number of attractions that you could visit. There are also a lot of new and exciting activities that you could do here. If you are interested in spending your gap year holidays in Thailand, there are several ways on how you could do it:

1. Try elephant trekking

Elephant trekking is one of the popular activities among vacationers in Thailand. And you can try it if you spend your gap year holiday in this country. There are various trails across the country with elephants trek but more popular trails are located in the Chiang Mai Mountains. This activity will allow you to explore mountains, jungles and rivers while riding on a platform carried by an elephant on its back.

2. Explore Thailand's bustling markets

Thailand is known for its street markets where you could buy almost all sorts of things from street foods, accessories, apparels, and many others. Some of these markets are set up during the night and they have become part of the nightlife of both visitors and locals. Also, don't forget to visit the Damnoen Saduak floating market which is one of Thailand's popular attractions.

3. Explore Chiang Rai

The lush jungles of the Chiang Rai region in Thailand are one of the best places to explore and to do nature tripping. During your trip, you may also meet mountain tribes that thrive in this area.

4. Try extreme activities

Aside from visiting popular attractions in Chiang Mai, there are places located close to the city where bungee jumping is popular. But this activity is not for the fainthearted. Another good option would be go-karting.

5. Sample Thailand's traditional cuisines

Part of your itinerary in Thailand should be to sample this country's traditional dishes such as the Pad Thai noodle, the Tom Yam Goong, the Kuay Tiew noodle soup, and the Geng Kheaw Wan Gai green chicken curry among others. If you are interested, you may also be able to learn how to cook these dishes.

These activities are just some of the possible highlights in Thailand. There are many other things that you can add to this list including exploring the country's white sand beaches, learning more of their culture, participating in a moon party or shopping spree, and many others.

Exploring Thailand can be one of the best experiences you can have. This country has a lot to offer from its beautiful beaches, mountains and jungles to its lively cities, rich culture and delicious traditional dishes.

Exploring Thailand can be difficult to do on your own. There are nice places to visit in this country which are only known to locals or those who frequently visit Thailand. If you like to have a fully guided and comprehensive tour of Thailand and experience these places, it would be good to book your gap year holidays in Thailand with a reputable agency such as Go Discover Abroad. Some of these agencies have travel packages for those who would be spending their gap year in the country.

Read More»

Places to Visit in Melaka Malaysia

Places to Visit in Melaka Malaysia

Posted by Tukimin  |  at  9:00 AM

Whether you are a backpacker or an ordinary tourist, if the way you roll isn't much all about beaches and mountains, and you can settle for a historical trip, then a trek around the small state of Melaka (alternatively Malacca) in Malaysia is for you. It is first founded in 1400 AD when a Sumatran prince arrived in the country after being banished from Temasik (a.k.a. Singapore). Being a hot spot for spice trade, Melaka, Malaysia attracted a bunch of conquerors from the Portuguese (1511), the Dutch (1641), and the British (1826). Malaysia finally claimed independence in 1957.

As you may gather, Melaka, Malaysia has a rich history and culture that are best met face-to-face. Here are a few recommended places to visit there, should you be up for the trip.

Melaka Heritage Trail

The state's colonial past is very rich and most definitely adds to its natural allure. In the Melaka Heritage Trail, there is the Dutch trail where the remnants of the state's Dutch and British era stand in the form of Christ Church. It was built without using any nails in the Dutch era, but is taken over and reinvented as the Anglican Church when the British took over. There is a rather odd placement of a weathercock on top of it, too. Entrance is fee but fees may be charged should you want to take photos of the church's interiors.

Melaka Zoo and Night Safari

The Melaka Zoo and Night Safari is an ideal place most especially if you are visiting with kids. Children will definitely enjoy the sights within the zoo's premises as it is enclosed with alluring greens that evokes a real rainforest. You can imagine the effect that this brings to the visitors and to the animal themselves. It feels like you are one with nature. The entire zoo is very spacious and offers a great choice of species to learn more about, including: wildebeests, Malayan gaur, iguanas and tapirs. They also have a nice aviary and an amusing Orang-utan.

Palau Besar, Melaka

Here is a site that will satisfy your sight and historical cravings. Or even more.

A large island, Palau Besar is infamous for its Islāmic tombs and gravestones that for many years have been a preferred pilgrimage site among Islams. Sultan Al Ariffin Syeikh Ismail, a known Islam prophet in 1400AD, is buried around the island. There are a lot of news of information about Melaka that you will learn during your visit in the island. There is a small museum covering just that. And after a long day of trekking and cultural/historical studying, you deserve to pamper yourself by dipping in the clean, beach waters.

Make sure that you drop by the Elves' Village on your way though, and as you walk, absorb all the odd rock formations that are around the island. Speaking of which, you may also enter a cave of Gua Yanos, a site that is said to have been a venue for practice of mysticism and silat, a type of Malaysian martial arts.

Read More»

Winter Adventure Activities In Australia

Winter Adventure Activities In Australia

Posted by Tukimin  |  at  8:56 AM

Winter is a magical time of year although many of us whine and complain about the cold instead of trying to just embrace the winter cold.

I must admit I don't live in a particular cold climate here in Sydney, Australia but I do enjoy the snow and even going out and doing adventures during the winter.

The first and most obvious adventure to do while embracing the winter is of course visiting Australia's snow fields.

In southern NSW, Thredbo and Perisher are the slopes in the Snowy Mountains where everyone flocks too during the winter and high snow fall peaks.

Most of the hotels are located in the near by town of Jindabyne offering lodges, dorms and the more luxurious styles of accommodation. Buses leave frequently from Jindabyne to the ski slopes and everything is located fairly centrally.

Victoria is another state where skiing and snowboarding adventures are extremely popular. Mt Hotham, Mt Buller and Falls Creek are probably the most popular but there are in fact seven ski fields in this region.

In Melbourne also there is an awesome company for indoor alpine skiing which allows skiers a chance to ski before and after the snow seasons have naturally ended for the year or even just to practice and get lessons before hitting the slopes.

Apart from the obvious snow adventures during the winter time the annual whale migration is something not to be missed on Australia's east coast.

The humpback whales head past the coastlines from top to bottom between May and November each year, as they make their way between the warmer oceans and their Antarctic hunting grounds.

The humpbacks are in strong number during the winter months so is perfect for a winter adventure in Australia.

Australia gives home to the world's most venomous snakes in the world, but during the winter months they prefer to hide and hibernate to escape the cold. So for those Australian's or those visiting snake prevalent areas in Australia, winter is the best time to go hiking.

I personally love hiking through bush trails in the Royal National Park, the Blue Mountains or wherever else I'm visiting. Getting out in nature is the most rejuvenating feeling and the best part about winter is that most of the snakes are hibernating.

There are plenty of different activities and adventures that you could certainly do during winter, much of which may be year round already. The trick is finding the right adventure for you so that you too embrace the winter

Read More»

Indulge In The 5 Best Adventure Activities In Goa

Indulge In The 5 Best Adventure Activities In Goa

Posted by Tukimin  |  at  8:41 AM

When it comes to picturesque destinations, what is the first thing that comes in your mind? Surely it would be a vacation. But if you are an adventure seeker, you always look for the adventure activities in which you can luxuriate in.

Well, if you are planning a vacation in Goa and are looking for some exciting activities that you can treat yourself, then you must read about these five best adventure activities in Goa. Many people travelling from Mumbai to Goa also prefer hiring Mumbai Goa taxi to enjoy the expedition.

• Scuba Diving - If you think that scuba diving is something that really allures you, then you will be amazed to know that Goa has numerous sites where you can do scuba diving like Bounty Bay, Grand Island, Davy Jones Locker and Umma Gumma Reef. Sites like Grand Island also have snorkeling facilities, where you can experience fascinating marine life. You can book radio cabs to travel to these places and easily opt for scuba diving and snorkeling packages.

• Water Sports - Earlier water sports were only a part of five star hotels, but these days, you can find numerous organizers that provide water sports at reasonable prices. From parasailing, jet skiing, waterskiing to wakeboarding, wind surfing, catamaran sailing and banana rides, you can opt for anything that you feel like doing.

• Fishing Tours - How about catching a huge fish in Goa? Sounds interesting, right! From mid October to December is considered as the best time to enjoy fishing in some of the popular spots in Goa. In places like Candolim and Dona Paula, there are some licensed commercial fishermen that provide economical and expensive fishing trips. If you are a serious fisher, then you can even opt for deep sea fishing expedition.

• Trekking - Many people love trekking and camping in Goa, but the best time to enjoy these activities is during October to December. During the month of October, Panaji based Goa Hiking Association organizes a major trek every year. In December, Youth Hostel Association also organizes trekking programs that allures many fanatics. These are two major trekking schedules which are full of fun and excitement.

• Go Karting - This is the latest craze in people. If you are also looking for something like this, then you must visit South Goa. Located on Panaji - Margao highway at Nuvem is a 500 meter long track that allures many enthusiasts. Apart from this, there is one more track at Arpora located north of Baga and Calangute beach. The 300 meters long track is good for learners.

Read More»

Top 10 World-Wide Adventure Attractions

Top 10 World-Wide Adventure Attractions

Posted by Tukimin  |  at  8:11 AM

The world is full of adventure, each and every country, city, town and destination is sure to have some kind of adventure that would best you.

Travel in itself is an adventure as far as I'm concerned. Nothing truly says adventure than exploring, experiencing or discovering something new, quirky and above all getting out of your daily routine or perhaps out of your comfort zone.

There truly are unlimited adventures to be had across the globe but there are some adventures that just should not be missed. The below is a listing of the Top 10 World-wide adventure attractions.

1. The Macau Tower Bungee Jump - Malaysia

This bungee jump is located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on the Macau Tower. The free fall is a staggering 233 metres (764 ft) making this jump the tallest bungee jump in the world.

Bungee jumping in general is one of those highly extreme and intense adventures, said to feel faster and get the adrenalin pumping more quickly than jumping out of an aeroplane.

2. Trekking Machu Picchu

Peru is magically looking place that is so full of history and culture which can be found right throughout the country and even in their surrounding, neighbouring countries. But it's main tourism for adventure travel is the Inca Trail.

Trekking Machu Picchu takes around 4 days to complete the path and camping on these grounds are provided. The mountainsides can be quite daunting and is a moderate trek some fitness may be required. Leading up to and reaching Machu Picchu, particularly at sunrise is well worth the walk.

3. Wreck Dive the SS President Coolidge

The SS President Coolidge off the island of Santos in Vanuatu is considered a Mecca for scuba divers. The American troop carrier, which was originally a luxury ocean liner, was sunk by two friendly mines in 1942.

The ship now lies around 20 metres below the water's surface and the way the ship now lies makes this the most accessible ship for wreck divers, when considering the size of the ship.

4. Safari in Kruger National Park

When it comes to an African safari and viewing the Big 5 or perhaps even the Small 5 game animals there is no better place than Kruger National Park.

Kruger is located in the north-east corner of South Africa on grounds that cover just under 19,000 sq kilometres (over 7,000 mi sq) and holds all of the Big 5 among other predators, prey and even over 500 species of birds.

5. Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro

Africa is also the home to another great world adventure and that is climbing Africa's highest, free-standing mountain. Mt Kilimanjaro stands at a height of 5,882 metres (19,341 ft) however only around 40% of climbers make it to the summit.

Acclimatization is absolutely necessary for any of the seven climbing routes so it is best to mix this adventure with a nearby safari prior to the climb. These safari's could be at the Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater.

6. Eisriesenwelt Caves

This is world's largest ice cave which extends about 42 kilometres into the Austrian Alps and although this is the largest iced cave the ice is only present for the first kilometre.

The Eisriesenwelt Caves, which translates to world of the ice giants, can be accessed year round and is done so by almost 200,000 visits per year. The round trip through the cave system takes around an hour and a half and will take you through to a number of significant sites.

7. Ice Diving

This is by far one of the coolest adventures ever to exist... literally. Baffin Island is one of the placesi n the world that you could take up this adventure although tours generally leave from Canada's island called Nunavut.

You may be able to complete the dive with an Advanced Open Water dive licence however drysuit certification will help make the diving experience a little more comfortable.

8. Diving With Great Whites

Great whites have a fearful reputation for being notorious killers however there are some of us that either don't believe the hype, want to see this behaviour for themselves or simply just to experience what a shark attack might look like from below the water's surface.

Diving in a cage and seeing these great whites up close is an amazing experience which you could take up in South Africa, Australia, Mexico and America.

9. Swimming with Whale Sharks

The world's largest shark is not a predatory hunter of large fish or even sharks. This is the gentle giant known as the whale shark which can grow around 14 metres in length (46 ft). Despite its size this shark only eats plankton.

Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia has a large season where the whale sharks come in close to shore for feeding which provides visitors to the reef the opportunity to snorkel with and among them. At 14 metres long, it is sure to make you feel a little small but will be an awe-inspiring experience.

10. Volcano National Park

On the Big Island of Hawaii is the Volcano National Park which contains two active volcanos; Muana Loa and Kilauea. The park itself covers the volcanos as well as the surrounding areas which are covered in dried lava and ash.

Hiking tours are popular here and this park allows its visitors to actually get quite close to both these volcanos as well as to a section where the hot lava meets the oceans creating intense mist and steam.

Read More»

Island Hopping Adventure in Kodiak Alaska

Island Hopping Adventure in Kodiak Alaska

Posted by Tukimin  |  at  7:59 AM

Kodiak is the biggest island in the Kodiak archipelago, which lies on the south coast of Alaska. The archipelago is separated by the Shelikof Strait from the mainland. Everything you expect from an exciting island hopping adventure can be found in Kodiak Island - the mountainous landscapes, beautiful bays, luscious forests that stretch to the north and east. On your Alaska vacation, take pleasure to hop to this island.

What is great about the Kodiak Island is despite its frontier travel environment, it is still very much accessible. There are regular flights from Anchorage to Kodiak through airlines like ERA Aviation and Alaska Airlines. There is also a ferry service to the island from Homer. In addition, Kodiak Island has become a favored docking point for many cruise lines.

Numerous activities and events take place on the island all year-round, as Kodiak typically experiences temperate marine climates. However, weather patterns can drastically change on the island. Before island hopping at the Kodiak Island, it is important that you know the weather conditions and forecasts during your visit. You also need to make sure that you bring the proper clothes and equipment for your island hopping adventure. Some of the popular activities when you reach the island are hiking, boating, bird watching, sightseeing and scuba diving.

Wild Life Viewing in Kodiak Island

Two-thirds of Kodiak Island on the southwestern section belongs to the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge making it the best place to experience an exciting wildlife watching. The Kodiak bear is going to be the highlight for your excursion. The most ideal time to watch these uncanny bears is during July, August and September. You can easily find them in the Kodiak National Wildfire Refuge. To maximize your experience, plan a guided backcountry viewing trip ahead of time. For instance, book your travel or research relevant information about the place on the onset of your Alaska vacation planning. Fortunately, there are a couple of tourism-certified outfitters that are more than capable of conducting such tour. Hence, you can also reach out for their help and make your Kodiak Island hopping a wild and memorable adventure.

Kodiak Island Fishing

Kodiak is world-renowned for saltwater sport-fishing. The charters for salt-water fishing offer half-day, full-day and multiple days excursion, and most island communities and lodges offer a charter service. Everything from the actual fishing, enjoying the scenery and caring for your catch can be amazing part of your island hopping adventure in Kodiak with the help of the charter staff and captain. There are also other types of fishing that you can do on the island like remote fishing and road system fishing in rivers, lakes, streams and coves. Just make sure to check the corresponding regulations and permits for your intended fishing excursion.

Other Activities

Kayaking is a common outdoor activity around the Kodiak island. In fact, the Kodiak natives known as Alutiiq people has been doing it for more tan seven thousand years. It has also aid Alutiiq hunters earned their living from the waters surrounding the island such as fishing. Today kayaking remains a wonderful way to experience Kodiak Island's rich and diverse marine environment. Kayaking allows you to explore and take part in the navigational history of the island. It is a fun adventure that will take you to hidden bays where you can find a peaceful refuge and natural beauty.

Handy Tip

If you want some respites from the outdoors, you can explore the cultural centers and museums on the island. There you can learn more information about the history of Kodiak Island. If you are traveling with your family, you can also include camping in the rainforests where you can see a variety of wildlife and colorful flora and fauna.There are also several hiking and biking trails, which you can join to explore the thick rainforest and rugged coastline of the great Kodiak Island.

The great Island of Kodiak is truly an amazing place to spend a lot of activities and experience marvelous moments with your family, friends, colleagues or your significant other. Do not ever plan an Alaska vacation and an island hopping to Kodiak alone. Aside that it can be very lonely, going alone will not give you as much happiness as traveling with a group.

Read More»

Family Friendly Holidays in Three Valleys

Family Friendly Holidays in Three Valleys

Posted by Tukimin  |  at  7:40 AM

The Three Valleys region is the best choice when looking for a family ski area in Europe. There are slopes and resorts that offer something for every skill level, and you can go many times and still discover new and exciting places to ski. It is a place that can move with you as your family's skill level develops.

At various resorts there are miles and miles of groomed green runs for the young skiers in your family; there are also tree-lined trails that are perfect for the more adventurous skier who likes to go off-piste. The Three Valley's boasts the most efficient chair lift system in the Alps, connecting families to the best slopes with ease. With the catered chalets and host of child-friendly activities, there are many resorts to offer the perfect ski holiday for children - where both adults and children can enjoy the slopes and amenities.

Nursery Slopes

Many of the resorts have nursery slopes (sometimes called bunny slopes) that gradually rise up into green runs; as your children's skill levels develop they can advance higher and higher into green, blue, and red slopes. Both Les Menuires and La Tania are resorts that cater to beginner skiers and families travelling with young children, with excellent access to the slopes from the catered chalets.

For the Non-Skiers

Whether you have children who can't ski, don't want to, or just want a break from the slopes, at any of the Three Valleys resorts you'll find a whole range of activities that will get them out into the snow to appreciate the outdoors. There are guided trips through the lush mountain forests on snowshoes to explore the magic of the beautiful valleys, and guides can take you on full-day hikes and on shorter half-day excursions.

Just because you're staying in one of the catered chalets doesn't mean you can't enjoy the amenities of the luxury hotels. Many have great swimming pools, and Jacuzzis where you can soak your muscles and give them a break from skiing.

Accommodation

Families who travel to the Three Valleys often find it favourable to stay in one of the many charming catered chalets, which offer full kitchens and lots of space for kids to run around. They boast every modern convenience and quick, easy access to the outdoors, where children can run around and let off some energy on days when they're not on the slopes. They are also normally very conveniently located to both the slopes and to amenities and restaurants in the villages, making it easy to go into town for a meal or to meet up with other families.

Read More»