Sukhothai Thailand

Ruins of the former capital underline its relevance to the nation and, in particular, its arts. This despite a reign that lasted only 140 years before being overtaken by another capital. Written by John Hoskin for the Thai Airways magazine Sawasdee. This article is published here with permission to promote travel to Northern Thailand’s most historic and important ancient capital Sukhothai.

“For all the desolate, miserable, god-forsaken places on this earth, Sukhothai must surely be the worst.” So wrote Reginald Campbell in Teak Wallah, an account of his time as a forestry official in Northern Thailand in the 1920s.

Perhaps Sukhothai, 450 kilometres north of Bangkok, is not one of Thailand’s most inspiring towns, but just 12 kilometres away are the magnificent ruins of the Kingdom’s first capital, from which the modern town takes its name: Sukhothai.

Campbell may have had a blind spot for the history and culture of his host country, however his complete silence on the historical remains of Sukhothai is indicative of the neglect of the ancient site, so nearby, suffered until recently. In campbell’s day the ruins were likely all but obscured by jungle. Today’s traveller is more fortunate. Following the completion in 1988 of a decade-long UNESCO restoration project and subsequent designation as a World Heritage Site, Sukhothai now beckons as a fascinating historical park. Full former glory of Sukhothai is beyond retrieval, but the ruins that remain mark the cultural centre of Thailand and offer a superb insight into the early flowering of Thai civilisation.

Precisely one hundred years ago, Crown Prince Maha Vajiravudh, later Rama VI, made a historic eight-day visit to Sukhothai during a three-month journey in the north of the country.

Noted for his nationalism – the Kingdom’s flag, its modern education system and even the modern idea of a Thai nation are all a result of his reign – the Crown Prince’s 1907 journey served to underscore Sukhothai’s influence on the nation’s development.

Within the confines of the ancient city’s ramparts are more than 20 major monuments, while numerous other sights are scattered throughout the 70 square kilometre park. The Sukhothai ruins have been restored and stand amid manicured lawns and ornamental ponds themselves set off by a distant background of wooded hills.

Originally an outpost of the Khmer empire centred on Angkor in Cambodia, Sukhothai achieved independence in the first half ot eh 13th century when two Thai chieftains rallied their formerly disunited followers and established what was the first sovereign Thai state in Sukhothai. With the influence of both Pagan to the west and Angkor to the east declining at the same time, Sukhothai was well poised to become not only the capital of a new kingdeom but also a regional political and cultural hub of the first order.

As the undisputed power base of the new Thai nation, Sukhothai reigned supreme for only 140 years. In 1378 it became a vassal of up-and-coming Ayutthaya to the south and only 60 years later it was totally absorbed by the younger Thai nation. By the end of the 15th century, Sukhothai was abandoned. Yet in that brief time it established religious, cultural and political patters that continue to influence the nation. The history of Sukhothai in the Khmer period is still not fully understood. Khmer architectural touches are readily discernable in the ruins of the few Sukhothai temples, notably the earliest parts of Wat Sri Sawai and Wat Phra Pai Luang, but it is unclear whether the site was a fully fledged Khmer settlement or merely a military stronghold But whatever they did inherit from the Khmers, it is obvious that the Thais wasted little time in constructing their own capital on a scale and in a style befitting the birth of a nation called Sukhothai.

During the reign of King Ramkamhaeng, between 1279 and 1299, Sukhothai experienced its golden age. Under this monarch’s masterful leadership the kingdom was consolidated, politically throughout territorial gains and culturally through the adoption, from Sri Lanka of Theravada Buddhism.

It was Theravada Buddhism that served, as it still does, as the principal cohesive force in the Thai state. The Sri Lankan school of Buddhism had an enormous impact on art and architecture, its influence distinguishing the Sukhothai achievement above all else. This is most evident in the Buddha images, cast according to descriptions in Pali scriptures, in the details of line engraving, in decorative stucco work and most importantly, in the bell-shaped chedi.

Although Sukhothai’s political and social organisation was perfected under King Ramkamhaeng, the art and architecture of the city did not reach their apogee until around the middle of the 14th century. At that time, during the reign of King Lithai, a man noted both for his religious conviction and his scholarship, Theravada Buddhism was greatly strengthened through the Kingdom’s direct links with Sri Lanka. Previously, the faith had arrived indirectly via monks from Nakhon Si Thammarat in Southern Thailand. The result was building of chedis and other religious structures at both an accelerated and more refined pace.

The so-called lotus-bud chedi, characterised by a bulbous dome at the top of the spire and unique to Sukhothai architecture, then made its appearance. The construction of Sri Lankan bell shaped chedis Sukhothai also became more widespread, replacing the pyramid and round tower of the old Khmer style, while incorporating Singhalese stylistic influences in stucco decoration and line engraving. This is also the period, most historians agree, that the art of bronze-cast Buddha images reached perfection.

On the national timescale, Sukhothai’s glory was short-lived. Yet its brief passage does not truly reflect Sukhothai’s enormous contribution to the nationhood of the Thai people. In virtually all fields of human activity – political, religious, civic and cultural – Sukhothai established traditions that, despite later adaptations and development, are still discernible in the modern, present-day society.

The most vivid example of this influence is the Thai concept of monarchy, which originated in Sukhothai. The regional forerunners were more akin to the god-kings of nearby Angkor, but the Thai model, while similarly providing absolute power, made royalty more accessible, more paternal, than it had been under the Khmer. Such an ideal and practise of monarchy has served to bind and guide the nation throughout subsequent centuries, which in turn has helped to preserve a remarkable historical continuity.

Part 2 coming soon.

Alpenlofts at Garibaldi Springs Squamish

Built at the entrance to the prized and exclusive Garibaldi Springs Golf Resort, the Alpenlofts in Squamish are creative urban living spaces that are within North America’s outdoors adventure capital.

If you are looking for a recreational real estate property in Squamish or Whistler or if you would like to live or retire close to the new and exclusive Garibaldi Springs Golf Resort, the Squamish Alpenlofts residences and homes are clearly your choice of living spaces. Close to all the walking, biking, and hiking trails in addition to golf, hotels, shops, restaurants and more, the Squamish Garibaldi Springs Alpenlofts at the Golf Resort are a fine collection of fourteen strata genuine loft residences in addition to six Alpenlofts strata titled commercial spaces. You can move in today to the Squamish Alpenlofts residences at Garibaldi Springs Resort which will provide luxurious interiors with ceiling heights up to eighteen feet tall, Petina stained concrete flooor, signature spiral staircases and much more! The Alpenlofts in Squamish are condominium residences that have been designed by world renowned Les Furber who was the architect and design team behind the Golf Course at Garibaldi Springs in Squamish British Columbia. Natural settings, beautiful location and prime convenience are what make the Alpenlofts a prime residential area for urbanites as well as those seeking a quieter and slower paced lifestyle close to Whistler as well as West Vancouver.

More about the Alpenlofts

Also called the Alpen Lofts residences, these Squamish based condominium loft homes form the entrance to the all new Garibaldi Springs Golf Resort that is set to open later in the fall or winter of 2007. The Squamish Alpenlofts provide only fourteen unique lofts that have an alpine, natural and west coast nature style of architecture in addition to granite counters, stainless steel kitchen appliances, concrete flooring and vaulted 18 foot ceilings. These functional and open loft spaces at the Alpenlofts residences in Squamish are affordable and conveniently located to the urban city as well as the winter wonderland in Whistler, BC. In addition, residents at the Alpenlofts residences in SQuamish can enjoy ground floor retail and commercial spaces with local conveniences in addition to being at the foothill of the Garibaldi Springs Golf Resort that is opening soon. Brought to the market by Sea to Sky Premier Properties, the loft condominium suites at the Alpenlofts in Squamish are now available for purchase and immediate move-in as well.

Interest

If you are interested in these loft residences in Squamish, you can register online for more details from a sales associate at the Alpenlofts: http://www.alpenlofts.com/regform.htm. Also, you can contact the licensed Sea to Sky Premier Properties – Whistler BC sales manager Gerry Halstrom directly for more information about the Alpenlofts 40751 residence condos at the following phone number and email address: info@alpenlofts.com , 778.689.6000 or toll-free 1.888.324.4653. For a photo gallery with images of the interiors of the Squamish Alpenlofts 40751 at the Garibaldi Springs resort, please click on this following link on the Alpen Lofts web site at: http://www.alpenlofts.net/gallery.htm. Located along the Sea to Sky highway to Whistler, Squamish is a bustling town of more than sixteen thousand residents now and provides a wealth of outdoor recreational, lifestyle, and business retail opportunities to those seeking a change in their life. As a leader in outdoor recreation venues and facilities, Squamish, where the Alpenlofts 40751 residential condominium loft homes are located will be the base for some of these activities including: windsurfing, rock climbing, mountain biking, golf, parks, kayaking, swimming, canoeing, fishing, white water rafting, hiking, walking, and hockey.
Select pricing, floorplan availability and specific unit details are located online at the Garibaldi Springs Golf Resort Galleries Squamish web site at http://www.galleriescondos.com/graphics/Price%20Listmay06.pdf. As of April 2007, you can see that there is only one remaining Squamish Galleries penthouse unit left that is on the third floor with one thousand and twenty three square feet and priced at $340,900 (for two bedrooms, two baths and one flex pad). The second floor Galleries Squamish garden level flats and studios include everything from 2L and 2M which are 786 sq ft and $232,500 one bedroom condominium residences to GP J and GP K at 1344 square footage and $368,400 two bedroom Galleries condos. There are also some commercial spaces still available. For financing and bank pre-qualification mortgage help, please contact Paul Hudson at RBC Royal Bank at 604.898.2244 about the Galleries Squamish condos property development for details.

The Floorplans at Alpenlofts Squamish Lofts

The first floor site plan is located as a downloadable PDF document online here: http://www.alpenlofts.net/1stfloor.pdf. The second floor of the Squamish Garibaldi Springs Golf Resort Alpenlofts condos and presales Squamish real estate properties includes many of the residences and is seen in this siteplan document: http://www.alpenlofts.net/2ndfloor.pdf. The third floor in this modern yet traditional mid-rise residential and mix-used building at Alpenlofts 40751 in Garibaldi Springs Squamish, BC will feature many residence lofts including Units three to fifteen and floorplan types A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6 and C. You can see more details online here: http://www.alpenlofts.net/3rdfloor.pdf. Lastly, if you are interested in the commercial or retail ground floor space at the Squamish Alpenlofts real estate development, please click on this site plan PDF: http://www.alpenlofts.net/Alpen%20Lofts-Commercial%20Main%20Floor.pdf. The Alpenlofts pricelist is also available online here: http://www.alpenlofts.net/pricelist.pdf. You can see that the condominium lofts at Alpenlofts in Squamish BC are very affordable and range in price between just two hundred and ninety nine thousand, nine hundred Canadian dollars (for one thousand and thirty one square feet) to three hundred and eighty one thousand CAD (for one thousand two hundred and seventy three sq ft). The commercial spaces at the Alpenlofts Squamish at the foothills of Garibaldi Springs includes Unit 4 at 1189 sq ft and $272,000, Unit 5 at 1190 square footage and $272,000 also as well as Unit 6 at 1650 square feet and $369,900.

Details about presales Squamish real estate and Whistler properties and realtors is found online here.

Toronto Rakes in 5-Star Hotels

New real estate hotel condo projects the first to be built in more than a decade in Toronto Ontario. Published in the North Shore News in April 2007. Author is Deborah Stokes a contributing writer.

Toronto: First it was the Trump Tower, then the Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons and the Hazelton. Now Shangri-La is the latest luxury hotel to take up residence in Toronto. For a city that thinks of itself as world class, the arrival of these stars would seem to confirm it.

We’re talking five stars, to be exact. Though none of these establishments are open yet – all are in various stages of construction or planning – this wave of luxury ends a long drought for Toronto. It is one of the few cities of its size and stature without a five star hotel. Not even the long-standing Four Seasons Yorkville, the city’s most popular address for visiting celebrities and business titans, has that ranking.

These new hotels in Toronto are also the first to be built in Toronto in more than a decade. Though they certainly fill a gaping hole in the market, on paper, at least, the five-star-hotel scene suddenly looks a little crowded. Has Toronto hone from none to too many?

“There’s only so much you can absorb,” says Lyle Hall, Toronto-based managing director of HLT Advisory, an international tourism consulting firm. None of these brand new hotels is alarge project, so the issue is not overcapacity, he says, and questions whether they will be able to charge five star rates. In downtown Toronto, the average room rate is $167 per night. Five-star hotels in other major cities charge upwards of $400 a night. Says Hall, “There are only so many people who will pay that. During the film fest maybe, but what do you do the rest of the year?”

The Shangri-La, announced this month, will go up on University Avenue, Toronto’s grand boulevard, across from the new opera house and close to the financial district. Set to open in 2011, it will bring 200 luxury hotel rooms to Toronto, a first rate spa, shops, lounges and restaurants.

Ian Gillespie, president of Westbank, the developer for the Toronto Shangri-La project (as well as the Shangri-La in Vancouver, set to open in 2008), says the competition at the high end “was actually a selling feature for us.” In his view, the Ritz, Four Seasons and others will help develop the luxury hotel market in Toronto, and make the city known to the high end international leisure traveler.

A few blocks away from the Shangri-La site, the Trump International Hotel and Tower at the intersection of Bay and Adelaide streets has been in the works for a couple of years. When finished ti will add another 290 upscale hotel suites. Further south in the business district, the Ritz-Carlton, which aims to open in 2009, will have 260 luxury rooms and suites, plus all the usual Ritz amenities such as restaurants and lounges, a spa and even a ballroom.

In Yorkville, not far from the original Four Seasons, the new Four Seasons will add another 265 five-star rooms to the scene by 2009. Meanwhile, its neighbour the Hazelton, which will be the first of the fab-five hotels to open, early this summer, will have 77 luxury hotel rooms.

All of these hotel condo projects have a big insurance plan should the well-heeled traveller fail to materialize. Each one is being built with luxury condos as part of the real estate project. The hotel-residence model allows the real estate developer to leverage the cost of the building and operating a five-star hotel, with the sale of residential condo units. And there are economics to be achieved on facilities such as pools, spas, health clubs, even concierge and valet services, when both guests and residents use them.

Selling luxury condos in the range of $400 to $600 a square foot is “the only way to build a luxury hotel in Toronto,” says David Larone, a director with PKF Consulting in Toronto, which specializes in the hospitality and tourism industries.

And living at a posh hotel is an attractive selling point, he points out. In fact, the hotel itself may be just another amenity for residents of these projects. “These aren’t hotels,” Hall says. “These are apartment building with a hotel tossed in.”

Galleries Condos Squamish

Located along the Sea to Sky Highway between prestigious West Vancouver and world-class resort Whistler, the Galleries Condominiums in Squamish are resort condos and luxury commercial properties for sale now!

What many people don’t know is that Squamish is now home to many great presales real estate properties that provide affordable, conveniently located and high-end features and finishes. Include the Squamish Galleries Condominium development at the Garibaldi Springs Golf Resort that is set for occupancy and move in later in the fall of 2007. With an eighteen hole golf course, biking and walking trails, shopping and fine dining restaurants within walking distance from the Galleries Condos in Squamish, these luxury condominium homes are some of the best kept real estate investment secrets in all of British Columbia for that matter. Also, the Galleries Condominiums are also close to Squamish hotels, and some of the world’s leading mountain biking and hiking trails for those outdoor enthusiasts looking for a residence condominium that is close to nature and what they most enjoy. Condominium residences at the Galleries presales real estate development in Garibaldi Springs Golf Resort also provide panoramic vistas of the Tantalus Mountain Range, various open floorplans and functional spaces that will be your home for decades to come.

Contacting the Galleries Homes

If you are looking for the sales representative for the Garibaldi Spring Galleries condominiums and commercial properties, you can visit the Galleries web site located online at http://www.galleriescondos.com/contact.php. For the residential live-work studios and Squamish presales condo properties at Galleries, you can contact Gerry Halstrom at 1.888.324.4653 (toll-free). For any commercial and retail space enquiries at the Squamish Galleries property development, please contact either Guy Kirby or John Pedlow at 604.925.4117 (not toll-free). For those who want to get onto the priority registration list for updates and construction news about the Galleries Garibaldi Springs Squamish condominium properties, please visit and fill out this online form: http://www.galleriescondos.com/regform.php. As you have learned, the Galleries condos in Squamish are part of the new Golf Resort at Garibaldi Springs, and you can learn more about this world-class resort online at their marketing website: http://www.garibaldigolf.com/. For renderings of the condominium suites and live/work studios at Garibaldi Springs Galleries condos in Squamish, BC, you can visit this following link for images: http://www.galleriescondos.com/renderings.htm#. For all downloadable documents on the Galleries Condos web site, you need the Adobe Acrobat reader and the docs include the sales brochure for the Garibaldi Springs residential Galleries presales properties, disclosure statement, amendments, and purchase agreement for home buyers and investors here. The pre-construction Squamish real estate development team includes Chris Block, Partner, at Chandler Architecture and Design, Gerry Halstrom, Associate at Sea to Sky Premier Properties, John Block, Director of Property Management, TiGERi Properties Group, Pat Campbell, Principal of DMG Landscape Architects, Myron Calof President, TiGERI Properties Group, Willow Springs Galleries Condos general contractor and Ada Bonini, Principal of BYU Design for marketing of Squamish Galleries Condominiums.

Three Types of Floorplans

There are different floor plan layouts available for your different needs and requirements when selecting a Garibaldi Springs home at the Galleries Squamish condominium properties. Firstly, there are garden patio flats at Galleries that include private landscaped patios with clay brick bordering as well as landscaping. The Galleries garden patio flats will come in either one or two bedroom layouts and most will also have an addition flex pad for use as a den, theater or home office or even a guest room. All condominium units at the garden patio flats level will have stainless steel and granite features. The Gallery Lofts condominiums in Squamish will be for professionals, artists, retailers and other business oriented homebuyers and investors. There are two floorplan layouts for the Squamish Gallery Lofts residences that include ground floor commercial/retail of about eight hundred square feet with an upper level residence or a Galleries loft studio with five hundred sq ft connected to a two storey residence. Either way, the Gallery Lofts residences at the Garibaldi Springs Golf Resort will come with landscaped patios, large street entrances, French doors (double entry), private stairways and much more. Lastly, the Galleries penthouse suite at the Squamish presales real estate development will feature resort style living with panoramic views of the glaciers and mountain ranges. Click here for the ground floor floorplans: http://www.galleriescondos.com/groundflr.htm. The second level floor plans at the Squamish Galleries condominiums includes: http://www.galleriescondos.com/2ndflr.htm. For the Galleries penthouse floorplans, click here: http://www.galleriescondos.com/3rdflr.htm. For full interior features and common area finishes and amenities at the Squamish Garibaldi Springs Galleries properties, click here: http://www.galleriescondos.com/features.htm.

Select pricing, floorplan availability and specific unit details are located online at the Garibaldi Springs Golf Resort Galleries Squamish web site at http://www.galleriescondos.com/graphics/Price%20Listmay06.pdf. As of April 2007, you can see that there is only one remaining Squamish Galleries penthouse unit left that is on the third floor with one thousand and twenty three square feet and priced at $340,900 (for two bedrooms, two baths and one flex pad). The second floor Galleries Squamish garden level flats and studios include everything from 2L and 2M which are 786 sq ft and $232,500 one bedroom condominium residences to GP J and GP K at 1344 square footage and $368,400 two bedroom Galleries condos. There are also some commercial spaces still available. For financing and bank pre-qualification mortgage help, please contact Paul Hudson at RBC Royal Bank at 604.898.2244 about the Galleries Squamish condos property development for details.

For more Whistler travel, accommodations and Squamish real estate investment opportunities, click here.

Quay West Resort Bunker Bay Mirvac Resorts

Landscape hotel grounds and thirty five acres of paradise, the Mirvac Resort Hotels presents the Quay West Resort in Bunker Bay Western Australia.

Close to Margaret River area and with villa style boutique five star accommodations, the Bunker Bay Quay West Resort provides a perfect getaway for travelers to Australia. Five star guestrooms and suites, hotel services that are amazing, conference and wedding facility and services, golf and spa vacations and great dining is what makes this Mirvac Margaret River Quay West Resort hotel in Bunker Bay unique and exclusive to those seasoned travelers who want a pristine and exclusive Australia vacation and travel experience. The closest major city to Margaret River is Perth in Western Australia, and the Quay West boutique five star resort hotel and guestroom villas in Bunker Bay provides one of the most picturesque natural settings in the world. Close to the crystal blue waters yet just minutes away from the most famous wine region in Western Australia, five star boutique hotel guests will be spoiled every day while staying at the guest villas Bunker Bay Quay West Hotel guest suites. The Villa apartments guest suites at the Quay West Hotel and boutique accommodations are spacious one and two bedroom guestrooms with high ceilings and great lake and garden views.

Hotel Venues

There are only 150 well appointed five star villa style resort apartments and guests suites available at Quay West Resort Bunker Bay in Margaret River wine region. The Quay West Resort Bunker Bay villa five star hotel suites will also have high speed internet access (some wireless areas) as well as soaker bathroom tubs and television (with DVD and CD players for movies and music). Air conditioning is standard and there are kitchenettes in every villa style apartment at Bunker Bay Quay West Resort Hotel in Margaret River Western Australia. The Bunker Bay Margaret River Quay West Hotel resort villa apartments in Western Australia will provide travel vacations that are meant to be experienced once in a lifetime and other activities that guests may enjoy include tennis, working out in the gym, sundeck and a heated pool. For those who want to take a spa vacation, the Quay West Resort in Bunker Bay Margaret River wine region will provide the most luxurious and top rated Spa called the Spa at Bunker Bay Quay West Resort where you can enjoy a multitude of spa and massage treatments any time.

Introducing the Quay West Resort Bunker Bay’s newest addition, the Spa

Recently launched and opened, hotel guests can now enjoy a day spa within the confines of this magnificent destination hotel at Quay West Bunker Bay in Margaret River’s wine region in Western Australia. From the tranquility and serenity of the Spa at Bunker Bay Quay West Resort, you can enjoy the spacious and luxurious spa environment with the highest end tables, showers, spa baths and service that you will ever encounter at a five star hotel. Travel vacations and spa inspired packages are now offered by the Spa at Bunker Bay Quay West Resort, so visit the web site today for both the spa menu and price list for more information.

Hotel Booking and contact details

For any Margaret River Australia travel holiday or spa vacation, choose the five star Quay West Resort Hotel located in the beautiful Bunker Bay area of Australia. If you are within Australia, you can contact the Bunker Bay five star Quay West Hotel Margaret River resort in Western Australia toll free at 1800 010 449 too. The address of the Bunker Bay Resort at Quay West Hotel in Australia is Bunker Bay Road (off Cape Naturaliste Road) in Bunker Bay, Margaret River Wine Region. For those high-tech individuals and couples, you can book your Margaret River Quay West resort hotel booking in Bunker Bay online at the hotel website located at https://reservations.mirvac.com.au/availability_table.asp?hid=QWRBB®ion=14&ad=7/11/2006. You can book your studio villa or two bedroom guestroom suite online at the Quay West Resort hotel web site in Western Australia today. In addition, you can find out the latest weather forecast for the Margaret River wine region/Bunker Bay district online at http://www.mirvachotels.com/hotel_detail_location.asp?hotel=22 where you can also find a map and driving directions to the Quay West Resort Hotel Bunker Bay so you do not get lost on your way there. Using the same web site link, you can look at great images in a photo gallery of the Bunker Bay Quay West Resort Hotel Margaret River in Western Australia for travelers and holiday goers.

Mystical Myanmar – Visiting the Temples of Bagan

From the North Shore Guide to the world outside and written by Andrew Renton, contributing writer. This article is published solely to promote tourism and travel to Myanmar.

My tricycle driver stands over his pedals for the uphill climb. Like all Burmese he is as thin as a wisp and I marvel that his lunghi (sarong) doesn’t catch in the chain. He constantly fingers the huge silver bell to flaunt his luck. He has snagged a foreigner and, for now, all is well in his world.

I arrive on the afternoon ferry from Mandalay, just as the sun is setting over the receeding banks of the Irawaddy River. There is no dock. I teeter along a narrow gangplank into the hands of frenzied touts pushing everything from guides to guesthouses.

The May Kha Lar Guesthouse offers rooms which are simple but immaculate. For $10 CDN a night I have aircon, satellite TV, private bath and a “two-egg” breakfast served on the upper balcony. I also have the invaluable services of Miss Cho.

“You will need a bicycle or a horse cart, unless of course you plan to visit the temples by foot?” She exudes a no-nonsense charm that commands respect from locals and guests alike.

Two thousand temples and stupas cover an area of 80 square kilometres. Another 2,000 lie in ruins, the victims of time and looters. Many date back 1,000 years to when Bagan was the capital of Myanmar was in transition from Hinduism to Theravada Buddhism.

King Anawrahta ascended the Burmese throne in 1044. He began a lavish building programme which was continued by his heirs for another 250 years. In 1287, Kublai Khan’s marauding Mongols overran the city.

According to Marco Polo: “The king caused these towers to be erected to commemorate his magnificence and for the good of his soul. They form one of the finest sights in the world.” They still do!

Since my last visit in 1987, Nyaung U has become the new base for budget tourists. The government forcibly moved residents of Old Bagan to a field several kilometres away, flattening and removing any sign of past habitation. Doubtless a political move carried out just prior to the fruitless 1990 election of Aung San Suu Kyi still under house arrest in Yangon.

9 a.m. My driver is waiting. I prop myself up on a floral mattress and we clip clop along dusty lanes. We pass a peanut plantation. A man perches precariously at the apex of a tripod built from three bamboo poles bound at the nexk by strands of rattan. He shakes peanuts from freshly harvested plants onto a sheet of gunnysack.

Tin speaks good English. He and his wife Kin Kin support an extended family of 13. They all share a palm-thatched bamboo hut. She leaves for the market at 5 a.m. to sell Shan noodle soup to early risers.

Tin rents the horse cart (which turns out to be an authentic pony and trap) on a daily basis from the owner. He urges it on with a series of gentle clicks and grunts, rarely using the long-tailed whip. He gives ma brief history of each temple of Myanmar before sending me off to inspect. Not bad service for around $10 CDN a day.

In 1975 a major earthquake shook the area. UNESCO funding saved the day and restored the Anada Pahto, the oldest of the great temples of Myanmar. It houses a 30 foot Buddha hewn from a single teak log. Restoration continues on many others.

WE putter from one extraordinary monument to the next, dodging coachloads of French tourists and German cyclists. The spire of the Mahabodhi Paya is shaped like a pyramid, each face dotted with tiny niches holding hundreds of seated Buddhas.

Inside the dark passages of the Pahtothamya, I pay a toothless old lady to show me murals dating back from 1084.

Sunset is breathtaking. The sky turns from deep gold to darkening shades of pink. Temples slowly evaporate into the haze of the night. The street is suddenly alive with people and flickering BBQs. Hawkers prepare quail eggs, skewers of meat and deliciously crisp crepes brimming with onions and tomatoes.

Miss Cho demands a blow-by-blow account of the day. “Did Tin show you this templae and that stupa?” “Where did he take you at sunset?” “Tomorrow will be better. I will tell him to take you further. They are lazy you know!”

”You are lucky. Tonight there is a puppet show at The Myayadana Restaurant. I will arrange a tricycle for you. Later he will take you to a Pwe in the next village.” Burmese love street theatre and an opportunity to watch transvestite actors strut their stuff.

In this extraordinary corner of an outrageously beautiful, if tarnished, country, I feel a warm glow of contentment. I am in the capable hands of Miss Cho. Myanmar is surely the most fascinating country in South East Asia despite a despotic government. Golden stupas gleam from every hilltop. The one-legged rowers of Inle Lake are unique. Festivals happen around every corner. Smiles are contagious.

When weighing your decision to visit, remember that many, like Miss Cho and Tin, rely on tourism to buy food and medication for their families.

If you go to Myanmar:

Getting there: Most Canadians will fly to Bangkok then take a one hour flight ($100 CDN) on Bangkok Airways to Yangon.
Visas to Myanmar: Necessary for all travellers
Myanmar Embassy: 902/903 – 85, Range Road, Ottawa ON KIN; telephone 816.613.232.6446 or email meott@magma.ca or the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok for same day service. Take three passport photos.
Getting Around: car and driver (around $40 CAD per day). Rickshaw. Bus. Pickup truck. Shared taxi. Plane or train (wonderful though ancient and unreliable).
Safety: Myanmar is as safe as it gets. Don’t talk politics. You can get people (and yourself) in trouble.
When to go: November to May is the dry season and less humid.
Money: Take clean US dollar bills.

Hotel Lindrum is Melbourne’s Premier Boutique Hotel Accommodation

Located in the heart of Melbourne Hotel Lindrum is comfortable, understated, luxurious and conveniently located so that travelers to Australia and the beautiful city of Melbourne spend more time relaxing and enjoying the sites and sounds of the city.

A member of the Select Hotels & Resorts International, the Melbourne Hotel Lindrum and boutique accommodations is located in the province of Victoria in Australia. As one of the hot travel destinations in Australia, Melbourne is a multicultural city rich in history, culture, natural wonders, resort destinations and boutique five star accommodations such as the Hotel lindrum in Melbourne. Exactly how you dreamed, the hotel guest suites are both comfortable and spacious and the Hotel Lindrum Melbourne Australia hotel staff are friendly and helpful. Whatever your plans are in Melbourne, the boutique luxury Hotel Lindrum is a perfect getaway for both travelers to Australia’s magical city as well as for business people who need a quiet and splendid 5 star accommodation for their corporate trips. Just minutes away from the Melbourne Hotel Lindrum are many of the city’s finest restaurants, theatres, shopping and of course the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Also within the business and cultural districts of the city, the Hotel Lindrum Melbourne provides some of the most spectacular hotel facilities and amenities that you could ever wish for as a business traveler or vacationer to Australia

The Guestrooms and Suites

Rich woods and ambient colour palettes grace every boutique luxury guest suite with heavy carpets and intimate spaces so that you feel like you’re at home while spending your travel vacation Australia holiday in the most unique and sophisticated Melbourne Hotel Lindrum boutique guestrooms. There are four types of residence suites available at the Hotel Lindrum Melbourne Australia which are perfect for travelers and business people alike. More Details about the Luxury Accommodations at the Melbourne Hotel Lindrum Australia
The boutique accommodations at the Melbourne Hotel Lindrum five –star guest rooms also features the Superior Suite which has the same in room facilities as the Standard Room but is larger at thirty three square metres in living space. The third type of hotel boutique 5 star accommodation in Australia’s Hotel Lindrum in Melbourne is the Deluxe Room which have all the standard in room amenities and features as the above guest suites, but also stunning views of many sites including the Cricket Grounds, Botanical Gardens and the beautiful Melbourne Park. Charming, warm and inviting, the boutique luxury Deluxe Suite at the Hotel Lindrum Melbourne Australia travel dream vacations are the ideal place to stay during your trip. Elegant appointments, large bedrooms and windows that provide lots of natural lighting, the Junior Suite is the largest and most exclusive hotel guest suites at the Hotel Lindrum in Melbourne Australia.

Boutique Australia Melbourne hotel facilities and services

The Melbourne Hotel Lindrum boutique five star accommodations and guest suites will provide hotel twenty four hour reception in the lobby entrance in addition to room service any time. All guests and delegates at the boutique Hotel Lindrum Melbourne Australia travel holidays will also have complimentary wireless internet access in the lobby area in addition to access to the fireplace lounge and billiard table games room. For business people, the Melbourne boutique Hotel Lindrum luxury accommodations will provide a fully operational and appointed boardroom for meetings, conferences and corporate functions as well as rooms for disabled persons. The Hotel Lindrum in Melbourne also features a health club and fitness center near by and all luxury hotel guests will have same day laundry and valet services for rent. The Australian Room at the Hotel Lindrum Melbourne is a perfect location to host those smaller corporate retreats of ten or fewer staff. You can download a fact sheet of the Australian Room at Hotel Lindrum Melbourne Australia online at hotellindrum.com.au/facilities/conference.html.

Rates and Reservations

Hotel Lindrum Melbourne has a large connection and affiliation with corporations and companies, so preferred rates are possible. You can contact Renee, the Group Sales & marketing Manager for Hotel Lindrum Conferences at 61 3 9668 1111. For any other reservation bookings for the boutique Hotel Lindrum Melbroune Australia for your travel bookings, please contact 61 3 9668 1111. The Rack Rates for the Melbourne luxury Hotel Lindrum five star accommodation is Standard ($360), Superior ($400), Deluxe ($410) and the Junior Suite ($450). For boutique 5 star Melbourne luxury Hotel Lindrum corporate rates, the Standard guest room is $225, Superior Room is $265, Deluxe at $275 and the Junior Suite is $315. There is also a current listing of Event Rates at the Hotel Lindrum in Melbourne Australia and you can check it out online at the Hotel Lindrum web site at hotellindrum.com.au/rates/index.php. For the online booking engine for Australia Melbourne Hotel Lindrum, please visit reservations.synxis.com/LBE/REZ.aspx?Hotel=12640&Src=LindrumWeb.

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The Action Eight for Phuket Thailand

Kerrie Hall reveals eight exciting ways to get the adrenaline pumping in Phuket Thailand in the Fah Thai March and April 2007 edition.

Endless summers, fabulous seaviews, beachside dining, wonderful sunsets and a laid-back lifestyle are exactly what makes PHuket a true tropical paradise. But while this is heavenly for the most part, what is life without an adrenaline rush once in a while?

Ever wanted to dive with turtles, learn to surf, be a boogie-queen, or go on a jungle adventure? You’ve come to the right place. Seize the moment and live your dreams with one of these eight exciting experiences awaiting you in Phuket Thailand.

1. Martial Art Mix

An explosion of worldwide interest in the King’s sport of muay thai, or Thai boxing, is attracting many international visitors to Phuket’s training gyms where experts run professional courses in the centuries-old martial art. Originally used on the battlefield in male combat, muay thai is also attracting a growing number of females fans interested in learning for fitness and competition. Students enrol in courses ranging from one week to several months that, along with personal techniques and kickboxing sessions, also include gym workouts to increase body strength. Schedules are serious in the Phuket Thailand gyms, but still leave plenty of time for enjoying other attractions in the region of Phuket.

How to: Mixed Martial Arts and Muay Thai Training Centre (www.mmaphuket.com) and Phuket Muay Thai Camp (www.phuket-muay-thai.com).

2. Surf’s Up in Phuket

Popular with the surf fraternity during monsoon season (April to November) when currents, winds and swells descent on the west coast of Phuket, the beach scene gets funky with local and international board-riders and boogiers hanging out for waves. Although not of the mind blowing calibre raved about on the international circuit, the local surf scene does attract a decent crowd for fun of the sport and is a great place to learn. Several surf competitions in Phuket are held each year from Surin in the north to Kalim and the south of the island at Kata Beach. Nai Harn is also a popular surf spot during these months on Phuket, with a legion of surfers and boogie-boarders catching some great waves.

How to: Learn to surf or rent a board at Phuket Surf School (phuketsurf.com) located at the southern end of Kata Beach.

3. Jungle Jaunts on Phuket

Nature lover will delight in the variety of wildlife found in the tropical jungles of the Andaman region and within easy reach of Phuket Thailand, including the myriad of national parks located just over Sarasin Bridge on the mainland in Phang Nga province from PHuket. Drive yourself or take a tour, but be sure to pack a swimsuit, as many feature stunning waterfalls and natural pools for a refreshing dip after exploring the nature trails. For the serious and hardy trekkers, Khao Sok National Park is a few hours drive from Phuket Thailand and offers hiking trails deep into the jungle where untouched beauty abounds. A wealth of exotic animal and bird speices can be sighted, such as wild elephants, macaques, gibbons, hornbills and perhaps even an elusive tiger.

How to: Paddle Asia (www.paddleasia.com) offers a wide range of extreme adventures in Phuket, including hiking, rafting, and mountain climbing.

4. Kayaking in Phuket

The amazing waters of Phuket and the region are easily explored by kayak. Sea kayaking, in particular offers many great experiences including the chance to explore offshore islands, karsts and caves. Head to Yanui in Phuket; this is one of the most scenic coastal regions in the island’s south- with gorgeous surrounding beaches and uninhabited islands nearby, plus a rich marine life to view with a snorkel.

How to: Kayaks are available for hire by the hour from a beach operator at Yanui Phuket. John Gray Sea Canoe (www.johngray-seacanoe.com) offers accredited educational, environmental tours in Phang Nga Bay and beyond.

5. Dive In

The elusive Green Sea Turtle, weighing up to 200kg, is the largest hardshell sea turtle found in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate waters off of Phuket. Protected by the Endangered Species Act, it can be sighted in Phang Nga Bay, the Similan Islands and occasionally Phuket’s west coast. This marine species brings excitement to any dive expedition in operation around the Adaman region of Phuket and along with the amazing coral reefs found here, make this home to some of the world’s best dive sites.

How to: One of Thailand’s oldest and most famed dive operators is Fantasea Divers who run expeditions off Phuket, into Burma and beyond (www.fantasea-divers.com).

6. Hold Tight in Phuket

An emerging activity for thrill-seekers bound for Phuket during monsoon time is kite-surfing – also known as fly-surfing or kite-boarding – the art of jumping waves on a wakeboard and flying through the air propelled by wind and a hovering sail. A rapidly growing sport across the world, many enthusiasts travel with their own equipment and can be sen ripping along the waters at Karon Phuket and off Rawai Beach Phuket Thailand.

How To: Kite Thailand (www.kitethailand.com) has a base at the south end of Rawai Beach at a restaurant called Baan Had Rawai, where lessons for kite-surfing are held during high season in a large shallow sandy area ideal for learning this exciting pastime.

7. Phuket Beach Digs and Bumps

Recent host of the SWATCH-FIVB World Tour Women’s Professional Beach Volleyball Tournament and other popular competitions, Phuket has witnessed a rise in the popularity of this energetic sport, with volleyball nets on most major beaches of Phuket. Many Thai locals are now forming teams for friendly matches and anyone is welcome to join in the Phuket beach action and fun. The activities start when the day cools down, sometime in the late afternoon, when volleyball matches can be found on the sand at Surin, Patong, Karon, and Nai Harn. It’s a great way to meet new friends on Phuket and indulge in fun fitness – plus, the waves are right there for a quick dip afterwards.

How to: Phuket Sports and Tennis now welcomes volleyball enthusiasts to its new international standard volleyball court at Rawai in southern Phuket.

8. On the Water in Phuket Thailand

Boating is one of Phuket’s most popular adventure activities for visitors, and the variety of watercraft available for charter is astounding, although usually, the tour itineraries are set on dedicated courses that don’t deviate from its path along Phuket’s shores. One new luxury operator in Phuket, OmniMarine (www.omnitrips.com) however now offers exclusive experiences designed for the individual aboard a range of imported European vessels. Itineraries are specilised to cater for every whim. It might include a half-day outer island trip on a super-speed, six-passenger Silver Clour or overnight cruising of the Phuket’s Similan Islands Marine National Park aboard a private, fully-catered Ferretti motor yacht. Those who prefer the buzz of being at the helm couldn’t be in a better place to learn. Home of the King’s Cup, Asia’s largest sailng regatta, Phang Nga Bay Regatta in Phuket, Phuket Race Week and other regular yachting events, this part of the Thai cost boasts some of the world’s best sailing waters. With a growing number of marinas in Phuket on the island an more planned for the Andaman region, the opportunities for sailing adventures look set to abound.

How to: The popular Sunsail Phuket (www.sunsailthaildand.com) runs a training school for novices thorugh to competitive racing and Yachtsmaster level.

The Golden Door Health Retreat – Elysia Boutique Hotel Accommodations in NSW

In the beautiful Pokolbin Hunter Valley area of New South Wales, Australia, travel holidays and vacation boutique accommodations have never been so luxurious and impeccable as The Golden Door Health Retreat – Elysia Hotel Resort.

With incredible views of the Brokenback Mountains as well as the NSW wine vineyards, the seventy four villa Golden Door Health Retreat – Elysia resort hotel destination is within the Hunter Valley beautiful Pokolbin area of New South Wales. Stylish and eleganty appointed villa estate guest rooms and suites at the Elysia Resort Gold Door Health Retreat provides one to three bedroom luxury 5 star accommodations in this all purpose health and wellness retreat that revitalizes and revives your soul, mind and body. The Spa Hotel at The Golden Door Health Retreat – Elysia Spa health resort retreat provide only a minimum stay of two days and with the utmost in flexibility, knowledgeable and friendly staff, and adventure travel Australia opportunities in the Hunter Valley NSW area, The Golden Door Health Retreat – Elysia Spa resort destination has grown exponentially in popularity over the course of the past few years. Located in Australia Pokolbin’s New South Wales province, the boutique and 5 star Elysia Golden Door Health Retreat and wellness spa is not only for Australians, but for many international tourists and vacationers to Australia.

You can also take part in the world famous Golden Door Program during your stay at the luxury five star The Golden Door Health Retreat – Elysia Spa and Wellness resort as well. Tonnes of awards and accolades have been awarded to the Elysia Hotel Spa at the Golden Door Wellness Retreat and for good reason. Spa and Wellness Menu at The Golden Door Health Retreat – Elysia Hunter Valley Australia

If you are in for an amazing spa experience at the boutique Elysia Spa Hotel and Golden Door Wellness Health Retreat resort destination, then plan you trip early and check out the many different spa and massage treatments offered by the incredibly experienced and knowledgeable spa staff. At The Hunter Valley five star boutique Golden Door Health Retreat – Elysia Spa and Wellness resort, you will experience a facility that’s purpose is only to pamper and revitalize you with an extensive array of services that include products by BABOR skin, body and spa care, facial, hands and feet, body treatments as well as body massage and healing techniques, Elysia Spa Hotel packages, The Golden Door Health Retreat – Elysia Spa Wellness Luxury in Pokolbin Hunter Valley NSW waxing and tinting, spa to share with a family member or lover, make-up by BABOR, wellness services, physical and health assessments by professionals as well as private activity sessions like personal training, yoga, pilates, tennis as well as meditation. There is something for both men and women at Pokolbin luxury boutique The Golden Door Health Retreat – Elysia Spa Wellness center and the spa and wellness menu is available online at the luxury boutique 5 star Golden Door Retreat Elysia web site at goldendoor.com.au/default.asp?action=article&ID=59. There are two Golden Door Health Retreat – Elysia Spa Wellness center packages that include Spa Fusion for two hundred and ninety dollars for three hours as well as the Golden Door spa Escape package at four hundred and forty dollars and lasts for a scrumptious four hours.

Golden Door Health Retreat

You will have cable tv as well as DVD and spa cuisine delivered to your door in addition to relaxing spaces and luxurious spa bathrooms at the five star villa boutique hotel guestrooms and luxury accommodations at the Pokolbin Hunter Valley Golden Door Health Retreat – Elysia Spa Wellness resort. Australia spa destination resorts and retreats have never been this modern, sophisticated and affordable and the Golden Door Health Retreat – Elysia Spa Wellness center accommodation villas will also provide all the standard resort amenities too.

Contact info

This Australia Health and Wellness Retreat in Hunter Valley NSW is located at Thompsons Road in Pokolbin NSW 2320. For reservations and villa bookings at the Golden Door Elysia Health Resort and wellness spa, you can contact 1800 212 011 or 61 2 4993 8500. You can also email reservations@elysia.com.au for reservations or programcoord@elysia.com.au for the health and wellness spa coordinator or info@elysia.com.au for general inquiries. New updates and packages are located at http://www.goldendoor.com.au/default.asp?action=category&ID=20 at the Pokolbin Hunter Valley NSW Elysia Golden Door Health Retreat and Wellness Spa. For rates and reservations online at the Golden Door Health Retreat – Elysia Spa Resort, you can do so at http://www.goldendoor.com.au/default.asp?action=category&ID=21.

Preserving Hoi An Vietnam

It was once one of Japan’s and the world’s most important trade centers. A key port on the ancient silk route. Hoi An traded ceramics textiles, fragrant woods, copper coins, and ironware between merchants from as far as northern Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

Written by Raymond Wilkinson for the March/April Heritage Magazine for Vietnam Airlines and published with permission to promote travel to Hoi An and Vietnam.

At the height of relations in the mid 17th century, as many as 1,000 Japanese traders built their homes, warehouses, and even cemeteries in a special treaty quarter in the Vietnamese port of Hoi An. They became advisors to Vietnamese emperors and married into the imperial family. But when the Tokugawa shogunate banned overseas maritime activities in 1635, the Japanese presence in Hoi An went into sharp decline. By the end of the century there were only four or five families living along the beautiful sweeping bays and inlets of central Vietnam. As trade patterns and global commerce shifted, Hoi An went into decline. By the time of the American War, Hoi An was a sleepy backwater town known only to a few cultural experts and intrepid travelers.

In recent years the town has enjoyed a renaissance and revived strong ties with Japan. In 1999 it was declared a World Heritage Site in recognition of its outstanding cultural and architectural importance. Increasing numbers of tourists from around the world explore the town’s cobblestone streets and indulge in nearby golden beaches. Japanese, Thai and Hollywood movies have used Hoi An’s beautiful wooden buildings as exotic backdrops, one of the latest films being “The Quiet American” starring Michael Caine.

The Shows Women’s University in Tokyo has been active for more than a decade in Hoi An and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has sent a series of experts to work with the town’s Center for Monuments Management and Preservation in restoring an estimated 1,107 listed structures. Much of the focus in Hoi An has been on the Japanese Bridge: a serene, curved structure of wood and tile with a covered roof and a small temple at its center. The bridge was once the entrance to the city’s Japanese Quarter in Hoi An.

As tourists from Germany and Australia clambered noisily across the Hoi An narrow walkway recently, Japanese architectural expert Chikako Suzuki ran her fingers across the ancient beams and noted that the joints in some areas were now several centimetres apart. The gnarled wooden planks inside the temple also sloped at a gradual angle. In its old age, the Hoi An bridge is shifting and slowly sinking.

“It is not an urgent crisis, but without proper attention, the bridge could eventually collapse,” Suzuki said. The government of Hoi An and city, as well as foreign experts, have been exploring ways to preserve this most important structure, and according to Suzuki “work could start next year, but it is very delicate.”

An architect by training, after doing research in Nepal and Tunisia, Suzuki joined the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) and arrived in Vietnam in January 2006. A native of Kikari, town in Yamahuchi Prefecture, she will stay in Hoi An until December 2007. In that same year JICA will send a second volunteer, a specialist in environmental education, to join her.

“The Japanese connection is very easy to understand,” says Nhugen Duc Minh, deputy director of the Hoi An Center for Monuments Management and Preservation. “We have had a strong bond since the 17th century and this is merely a continuation. We highly value both the Japanese expertise and financial support.”

In recent years, the most obvious impact on Hoi An has been tourism. With the arrival of thousands of tourists in Hoi An and the construction of modern resorts on the outskirts of town, Hoi An has changed dramatically. Old wooden Chinese and Japanese buildings and French colonial houses have transformed into restaurants, cafes, souvenier shops, and clothing boutiques. “Tourism in Hoi An itself is not a threat to the city,” Nguyen Duc Minh said, “but the overspill and side affects of tourism are potential hazards.”

Suzuki and her Vietnamese colleagues have distributed questionnaires to tourists and local citizens, lectured at schools, and scheduled seminars in Hoi An. Recently, she organized Japanese volunteers working in Vietnam and thirty some locals to collect rubbish from the local river, to clean up the waterway, to identify specific pollutants in Hoi An, and to brainstorm ways to combat that pollution. Suzuki also keeps a close eye on renovation work in Hoi An being done on some of the town’s oldest buildings.

“Workmen can sometimes by sloppy,” Suzuki explained. “They are not worried about preserving the wood in these buildings in Hoi An. They just want to get the work done as quickly as possible, open a shop or restaurant, and make money from the tourists. We have to emphasize that this work is to protect Vietnam’s precious cultural heritage for the entire world to enjoy for decades to come.”

Bring on the Night – Whistler Nightlife at a Glance

Written by Iris Dineen for the Whistler The Magazine Winter 2006 / Spring 2007 edition. Published solely to promote tourism to Whistler’s nightlife, music and pub scene throughout the year.

Whistler in the winter is best known for its great skiing and snowboarding, but its after-hours scene is fast approaching the same level of recognition among repeat visitors. Let’s face it: Whistler’s vibrant nightlife makes it an extremely popular place to party.

Part of the equation with Whistler’s nightlife is an abundance of great local talent: brilliant resident DJs and local bands keep everyone hyped and the nightlife scene fresh. Clubs in Whistler still regularly mix up the entertainment scnee by booking big-name bands and world-famous DJs.

While finding social activities is easy it’s sometimes hard to decide where to go, because Whistler has so much to offer, especially in nightlife. There is enough going on to satisfy all your social desires. If you’re a “social butterfly”, the eye candy, dancing, socializing, good times and laughs are just a few of the wonderful joys you will encounter in Whistler Village nightlife. Here’s the inside scoop on the pubs and clubs from a locals’ perspective.

It starts with Whistler Buffalo Bill’s, also known as, the cougar bar, which always draws a large crowd. Whether you’re twenty something or fifty something, you will have the time of your life with a gread dance floor, pool table, and video games. Buffalo Bill’s is a fabulous choice and a great place to meet new friends in Whistler. Across the way is Moe Joe’s, where you can always find a great DJ or live show during nightlife. This underground Whistler club is always packed and has the juiciest floor filling entertainment in town.

As you wander down and around the corner in Whistler Village to the jungles of Tommy Africa’s, prepare yourself for a great mix of music and fabulous staff. The vibe here is electrifying and it’s a frenzy of fun every night of the week from’80s night to special events, and the best part is the funky jungle atmosphere. Right in the Whistler Village Square you can venture down into Maxx Fish, which features theme nights, and costume parties; this palce is always full of late-night energy. Just a few doors down is the Savage Beagle, the perfect all-purpose destination in Whistler nightlife with a classy lounge atmosphere upstairs and a wild dance floor downstairs. Last but certainly not least on the Village Stroll in Whistler is Garfinkel’s Night Club, one of the locals’ favourite clubs with Whistler’s hottest dance floor. Some of the best DJs spin at this Whistler club and celebrity sightings are part of the Garfinkel’s legend.

The pubs in Whistler have a cozy yet buzzing atmosphere and are something you will definitely want to explore. You can often catch live entertainment in the late afternoon and early evenings. Check out Merlin’s The Dubh Linn Gate, Tapley’s, Black’s Pub, Brandy’s at The Keg and the Brewhouse in the Whistler Village or Dusty’s Bar and Grill in Creekside. The Whistler pubs are where it’s at if you’re looking for great food, entertainment and friendly service.

Another great place to socialize is on the heated patios in Whistler. These are great places to have a cold drink while you thaw out after a full day of skiing or riding. The patios are the best place to people watch and are a premium pre-party place in Whistler. The Longhorn Saloon, the Garibaldi Lift Company (GLC), Citta’, The Amsterdam Pub and The Mix are frequented by both visitors and locals. Join the crowd.

If you’re in the mood for comfy seating and warm atmosphere in Whistler, we can heartily recommend the Crystal Lounge, Cinnamon Bear Lounge & Grill, the Firerock Lounge, Monk’s Grill, the Bearfoot Bistro’s Champagne Bar, the Araxi Lounge, Elements, the Fifty Two 80 Bistro Bar, three below, Mallard Lounge or 21 Steps “Attic.” Lounging in Whistler is a great place to catch up with friends and rest up for your next big day ahead.

Every night is an adventure in Whistler whether you’re looking for a relaxing lounge, a friendly pub, or bumping club, we can almost guarantee that no visitor will leave unfulfilled.

More information about Whistler Resort, nightlife, pubs, entertainment, recreation and Whistler-Blackcomb is located here.

Boutique Five Star Palazzo Versace Hotel in the Gold Coast of Queensland

One of the leading hotels of the world, the luxury Gold Coast Palazzo Versace boutique hotel is one of very few 5 star accommodations along the beautiful Gold Coast of Australia. Travel here is absolutely breathtaking, and the Palazzo Versace luxury hotel accommodations are stunning.

Styled and designed after the world famous Donatella Versace and is passion for living and designs, the Gold Coast welcomes a five star boutique hotel called the Palazzo Versace luxury accommodations along Queensland. If you plan to visit Australia or travel through the Queensland province, then this 5 star hotel awaits you and your family. From the signature luxury hotel at Palazzo Versace to the clothing labels, Versace inspires and influences thousands of world travelers throughout the globe. Located in Queensland, the boutique Gold Coast Palazzo Versace Hotel and luxury 5 star accommodation guest rooms and suites today only two hundred and five rooms in addition to seventy two condominiums and three award winning restaurants in a private marina setting and along the famous and beautiful Gold Coast of Queensland Australia.

The 5 Star Hotel Rooms and Suites

Versace is well known for his extravagant style and exciting lifestyle, and that has translated in to the luxury boutique hotel guest rooms and suites at the five star Gold Coast Palazzo Versace accommodations in Australia. The first of the boutique Gold Coast Hotel suites is the Superior Room which is well appointed with classic furnishes, colours and designs. The luxury Gold Coast Palazzo Versace Hotel Superior Room also has a private spa and completely separate shower. The Superior Suite at the boutique Palazzo Versace Gold Coast Hotel is sixty square metres and has a maximum capacity of two adults and two children or three adults. The Lagoon Room boutique luxury Palazzo Versace Gold Coast hotel accommodations in Queensland travel holiday Australia vacation travelers is all about the refined designs and finishes and attention to detail in this forty to forty six square metre five star accommodation room. The Deluxe Suite at the boutique Gold Coast Palazzo Versace Queensland hotel is exceptionally comfortable and features a king bed and eighty spacious square metres of living space. The Queensland Australia travel experience at the boutique luxury Palazzo Versace Hotel along the Gold Coast also features the Deluxe Broadwater Suite which is 80 sqm and provides a private spa, hair dryer, Sony Playstation, internet connection, pay movies, twenty four hour news, newspapers, in room safes and room amenities from the Versace Dreamer collection. This Imperial Suite at the boutique Palazzo Versace Gold Coast Hotel is one hundred and sixty spacious sqm.

The Palazzo Versace Condominium Suites along Gold Coast Queensland

This boutique hotel at the Gold Coast Palazzo Versace accommodations also provides two and three bedroom condominium suites which have the sale elegance and finishes as the hotel guestrooms. The two bedroom condo residences at the boutique five star hotel Palazzo Versace Gold Coast will have private balconies and kitchens with modern appliances in addition to a second bath room, powder room and private marina berth. Ranging from 143 to 146 sqm the two bedroom condominium suite at Palazzo Versace boutique five star Gold Coast hotel in Queensland is fit for four guests. The plunge pool at the Palazzo Versace condominium suites are absolutely stunning as are the rooftop terrace with spa. The gold Coast hotel at Palazzo Versace accommodations also provides three bedroom condominium suites that are larger than the two bed counterparts. The in room facilities for this luxury hotel acccommoodation suites include CD, DVD players, pay movies, videos, Sony Playstation, bathrobes, slippers, room amenities, private spa, air conditioning, private bar and voice messaging. Facilities and Activities around the Gold Coast Palazzo Versace Hotel in Queensland

Three are five different areas where you can enjoy fine dining and drinks at the Palazzo Versace Hotel and boutique five star hotel accommodations in Queensland Australia travel holidays. The Gold Coast Palazzo Versace will feature Vanitas, a premier restaurant with a wine cellar and elegant appointments. Il Barocco at the Gold Coast Palazzo Versace Hotel in Queensland Australia is a contemporary and classical cuisine fine dining restaurant overlooking the lagoon. Le Jardin is a chic meeting place for cocktails, appetizers and coffee time at the boutique five star Palazzo Versace Hotel in Gold Coast. The boutique Salus Per Aquum Spa at the Palazzo Versace Gold Coast hotel is a European inspired spa that provides the latest in treatments for spa and massages. Highly qualified professionals and friendly staff are what makes the luxury Salus Per Aquum Spa at The Gold Coast Palazzo Versace hotel stand out from their competition. If you would like to book a holiday travel package to Australia’s Gold Coast, consider staying at the five star Palazzo Versace Hotel in Queensland.

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Legendary Land – Bac Lieu in Vietnam

Published with permission to promote tourism and travel to Bac Lieu, this article written by Minh Thuy was originally published in the March/April edition of Heritage magazine for Vietnam Airlines.

Known for its natural beauty, Bac Lieu has become a resort destination for those seeking adventure off the beaten path. In addition to its outdoors highlights, Bac Lieu is a land where ethnicities live together and cultures converge.

Bac Lieu’s main ethnicities are Kinh, Hoa and Khmer people. The particular culture of Bac Lieu and the region’s unique characteristics come from its layered composite of culture. Bac Lieu folk songs and chants, for example, reveal typical characteristics of Bac Lieu people. As their traditional music illustrates, Bac Lieu natives are known for being straightforward and hospitable, for speaking simply and gracefully. Musical lyrics also describe Khmer people’s enthusiastic approach to work.

As many legends, classical dreams, and films depict, Bac Lieu is known for its nobles’ extravagance. One noble, Tran Trinh Huy, was a notorious playboy and free spirit, known particularly for his tendency to burn money to boil eggs. Common behaviour in Bac Lieu is of course far from this infamous noble’s. In fact, Bac Lieu natives are hard to classify generally, as they are composed of diverse ethnic, religious, and socio-economic groups. Many men from northern and central Vietnam come here to get married, while local Bac Lieu men are also known for seducing urban lasses.

There is an inherent sense of community in Bac Lieu which takes form in local spirituality. Although Bac Lieu houses are low-roofed, all the villagers collectively contribute to the village’s pagoda, which is majestic and splendid. Notable pagodas are Xiem Can Pagoda (Vinh Trach Dong, Bac Lieu Town) and Cai Gia Pagoda (Hung Hoi Township, Vinh Loi District).

Visitors and tourists often come to Bac Lieu in search of outdoors activities. Tourists frequent the ecological longan garden to try the unique longan fruit. At the garden, singers serenade with tradition songs as visitors eat banh xeo (rice pancake folded in half, filled with savory meats and vegetables). The Lap Dien Bird Sanctuary, known for its rare species, is also a popular destination. Phat Ba Nam Hai, reputed for its supernatural power, welcome thousands of tourists every year. The South Chine Sea, past the Kinh Tu salt marsh, offers cuttle-fishing expeditions. Finally, Bac Lieu’s countryside is home to traditional craft villages. Phuoc Long and Hon Dan districts have villages specializing in plaiting, mat weaving and hat making.

Bac Lieu’s people, history and natural beauty distinguish the area. Visitors come from the breathtaking landscapes and stay for the hospitable people.

Bac Lieu Province

Bac Lieu is a province that lies along the Cuu Long River’s delta, in Southern Vietnam. Bac Lieu is 280 kilometers away from Ho Chi Minh City.

Geography: 2,520.6 square km. Bac Lieu is a relatively young region
Population: around 800,000 people
People: Bac Lieu has 20 ethnicities: Kinh (90.0%); Cambodian (7.9%); Hoa (3.1%); mixed descent
Culture: in the past, Bac Lieu was very famous for its hedonism. At the end of the 19th century and early 20th century, the open-minded nature of Bac Lieu attracted aristocratic people from the other surrounding provinces in the south. All the wealthy men attracted to Bac Lieu used their money to build palaces that were different from palaces in Hanoi, Saigon and Dalat. The intent was to build palaces that were architecturally reminiscent of Paris.

Quay West Resort Bunker Bay Mirvac Resorts

Landscape hotel grounds and thirty five acres of paradise, the Mirvac Resort Hotels presents the Quay West Resort in Bunker Bay Western Australia. Close to Margaret River area and with villa style boutique five star accommodations, the Bunker Bay Quay West Resort provides a perfect getaway for travelers to Australia.

Five star guestrooms and suites, hotel services that are amazing, conference and wedding facility and services, golf and spa vacations and great dining is what makes this Mirvac Margaret River Quay West Resort hotel in Bunker Bay unique and exclusive to those seasoned travelers who want a pristine and exclusive Australia vacation and travel experience. The closest major city to Margaret River is Perth in Western Australia, and the Quay West boutique five star resort hotel and guestroom villas in Bunker Bay provides one of the most picturesque natural settings in the world. Close to the crystal blue waters yet just minutes away from the most famous wine region in Western Australia, 5 star boutique hotel guests will be spoiled every day while staying at the guest villas Bunker Bay Quay West Hotel guest suites. The Villa apartments guest suites / boutique accommodations are spacious one and two bedroom guestrooms with high ceilings and great lake and garden views.

Hotel Venues

There are only 150 well appointed five star villa style resort apartments and guests suites available at Quay West Resort Bunker Bay in Margaret River wine region. The Quay West Resort Bunker Bay villa five star hotel suites will also have high speed internet access (some wireless areas) as well as soaker bathroom tubs and television (with DVD and CD players for movies and music). Air conditioning is standard and there are kitchenettes in every villa style apartment at Bunker Bay Quay West Resort Hotel in Margaret River Western Australia. The Hotel resort will provide travel vacations that are meant to be experienced once in a lifetime and other activities that guests may enjoy include tennis, working out in the gym, sundeck and a heated pool. For those who want to take a spa vacation, the Quay West Resort in Bunker Bay Margaret River wine region will provide the most luxurious and top rated Spa called the Spa at Bunker Bay Quay West Resort where you can enjoy a multitude of spa and massage treatments any time.

Introducing the Quay West Resort Bunker Bay’s newest addition, the Spa
Recently launched and opened, hotel guests can now enjoy a day spa within the confines of this magnificent destination hotel at Quay West Bunker Bay in Margaret River’s wine region in Western Australia. From the tranquility and serenity of the Spa at Bunker Bay Quay West Resort, you can enjoy the spacious and luxurious spa environment with the highest end tables, showers, spa baths and service that you will ever encounter at a five star hotel. Travel vacations and spa inspired packages are now offered by the Spa at Bunker Bay Resort, so visit the web site today for both the spa menu and price list for more information.

Hotel Booking and contact details

For any Margaret River Australia travel holiday or spa vacation, choose the five star Quay West Resort Hotel located in the beautiful Bunker Bay area of Australia. If you are within Australia, you can contact the Bunker Bay five star Quay West Hotel Margaret River resort in Western Australia toll free at 1800 010 449 too. The address of the Bunker Bay Resort at Quay West Hotel in Australia is Bunker Bay Road (off Cape Naturaliste Road) in Bunker Bay, Margaret River Wine Region. For those high-tech individuals and couples, you can book your Margaret River Quay West resort hotel booking in Bunker Bay online at the hotel website located at https://reservations.mirvac.com.au/availability_table.asp?hid=QWRBB®ion=14&ad=7/11/2006. You can book your studio villa or two bedroom guestroom suite online at the Quay West Resort hotel web site in Western Australia today. In addition, you can find out the latest weather forecast for the Margaret River wine region/Bunker Bay district online at http://www.mirvachotels.com/hotel_detail_location.asp?hotel=22 where you can also find a map and driving directions to the Quay West Resort Hotel Bunker Bay so you do not get lost on your way there. Using the same web site link, you can look at great images in a photo gallery of the Bunker Bay Quay West Resort Hotel Margaret River in Western Australia for travelers and holiday goers.

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Ayurvedic Spa Rituals and Ayurveda Sessions in Southeast Asia

Part 2 - continued

Spa Speak

No need to slip up when faced with the latest spa menus, grease up on your Ayurvedic terms
Doshas – Ayurveda classifies patients by body types determined by proportions of the three doshas. These include Vata (air and space), Pitta (fire and water), and Kapha (earth and water). An imbalance between the three is considered to cause various health problems.
Marma Points – vital energy points of the body
Shirodara – a Ayurveda steam of warm herbal oil is poured on the forehead in a continuous stream to induce a clear, calm mind.
Pizhichil – Ayurveda warm herbal oil is poured all over the body and massaged into the body to two therapists.
Panchakarma – an Ayurvedic system of purifying and cleansing the body involveing five processes.

What’s New: Youth Hospital

With Bangkok Hospital’s new BMC Anti-Ageing Center (www.bangkokinternationalhospital.com) slated to open this March, medical travellers can now add a new destination to their list of holiday options. Anti-ageing medicine is a medical specialty founded ont eh application of scientific and medical technologies fro the early detection, prevention, treatment as well as reversal of age-related dysfunction, disorders and diseases. The new BMC Anti-Ageing Centre in Bangkok offers a wide range of services dedicated to preserving youth and vitality. There are specific programmes relating to anti-ageing (functional medicine), hormone replacement, exercise, dietary advice, mental health support and weight loss, alongside check up services. To help you look as good as you’ll feel, the BMC Anti-Ageing Centre also includes related services such as aesthetic dermatology and plastic surgery.

Questions and Answers

Why is Ayurveda catching on in all the major spas and wellness centers? A medical and Ayurvedic doctor with over 10 years of experience in alternative medicine, Dr. Sushil Rahul of Chiang Mai Oasis Spa (www.chiangmaioasis.com) gives some insight on this year’s hot holistic buzz:

Why Ayurveda?
Because Ayurveda is the ultimate choice for those who wish to live a harmonious life in tune with nature, coupled with a sensible lifestyle based on knowledge. It shows us how unbalanced states can be corrected and maintained, based on one’s individual body composition.

What’s on offer at Oasis Spa?
We tailor our Ayurvedic menu and packages according to the client’s needs, based on an integrated holistic approach that involves relaxation, detoxification, rejunvenation, and beautification. Specific Ayurveda treatments include Ayurvedic Shirodara, body massage and head massage.

What treatment is recommended?
What works best is a tailor made package for an individual, based on Ayurveda consultation with the doctor.

What about Ayurvedic herbs – do they have to be imported from India?
As we are a day spa and not a clinic or hospital, we develop our Ayurveda menu according to day spa requirements, we don’t prescribe herbs as such for the treatment. We use Indian and Thai herbs to make Ayurvedic massage oils, and advise the client on making lifestyle and diet changes based on Ayurvedic principles and alternative medicine.

Travel Spa Ayurveda Sessions around the world during your Ayurvedic holidays

Chami Jotisalikorn, author of Thailand’s luxury spas and thai spa book reveals what’s hot in the world of wellness during your next travel holidays.

Spa Review: Penthouse Pampering

You’ll be surprised at the transition from Thai teak house to South Indian bungalow when you step through into the new Ayurvedic Penthouse at Bangkok’s Oriental Spa (tel +66 (0)2 659-9000 ext 7434, www.mandarinoriental.com). This self-contained annex recreates an authentic ambience from the sub-continent, complete with wooden treatment beds and furniture from India and rejuvenating therapies straight from the distinctive traditions of Keraleeya Ayurveda from Kerala.

With the help of a detailed questionnaire, Ayurvedic expert Christina Watson helps to select therapies suitable for your type to balance and detox your body. The relaxing Keraleeya Abhyanga is a 60-minute treatment consisting of oil massage, followed by herbal steam in a fabulous wooden steam cabinet. Other therapies include the Shirodara heated oil therapy on the forehead and Vadanam traditional facial.

Christina stresses that Ayurveda is a way of life, not just a quick fix, and the spa offers individually tailored long-term programmes for Bangkok residents, with an Ayurvedic doctor soon to be on the premises to help guide the way.

Wellness Buzz: All Aye’s on Ayurveda

Now, there’s no need to go to all the way to India in search of Ayurvedic healing, with Thailand and the Maldives emerging as the latest hotspots offering the ancient holistic “Science of Life.”

A slew of new spa resorts are leading the trend now. At the Angsana Spa Maldives Ihuru (tel +960 (0)6 643502, www.angsanaspa.com), the menu includes Ancient Treat, a spa package under the Essence of Angsana range, featuring a traditional Ayurvedic massage that helps ease tensions and promote circulation.

A few atolls away, the recently opened Anantara Resort and Spa Maldives (www.anatara.com) offers luxurious Ayurvedic massages, bath and steam treats as well as great service to go with its deluxe suites by the beach. The spa at the Four Seasons Maldives at Landaa Giravaaru (www.fourseasons.com) is a resort within itself, with pool suites and garden spa suites offering a comprehensive approach to physical, mental and spiritual well-being, and a focus on yoga and Ayurveda.

The spa resort features a dedicated Ayurvedic Retreat within the spa complex, with a herb garden and resident expert for individually tailored consultations. Truly get away from it all at the Fania Spa onboard the Rania (www.raniaexperience.com), a one of a kind exclusive private luxury cruise yacht named after Queen Rania of Jordan. Enjoy Thai and Ayurvedic massages, body scrubs, wraps, herbal facials and more – available both at sea and on shore.

Readers Recommend

IN a place where spa standards can vary Phnom Penh’s O’Spa (www.ospacombodia.com) has quickly developed a loyal following among local expats and embassies in the Cambodian capital. Located in the peaceful residential area of Daun Penh, near Wat Phnom in the historical heart of the city, the tastefully decorated spa offers a sophisticated range of treatments from Thalassotherapy and Dead Sea mud wraps to hot stone and Balinese massage, administered by professionally trained therapists.

Ayurvedic and Ayurveda Events

In need of a physical and mental spring clean? Head to Kamalaya Retreat Koh Samui (www.kamalaya.com) and book yourself a spot on one of the retreat’s impressive line-up of special programmes aimed to help put your health back on track

- 11-17 March : Yoga Fusion with Carole Warren and Lorraine Taylor – four different types of yoga within one programme to help you discover which one suits your personality and body type, and one-to-one support to create a practise you can take home.

- 7 – 13 April: Holistic Detox with Graeme Stuart – Bradshaw – An intensive body mind cleansing programme to improve your physical health and well-being, as well as revitalise your spirit. Graeme is a naturophatic physician and founder of the Integrated Medicine Institute (IMI) in Hong Kong, and brings together the most current medical research and detoxification methods.

- 28 April to 4 May: The Vital Essence of Being with Rajay Mahtani – a programme of yoga, holistic wellness treatments and nutritious spa cuisine to offer you an opportunity to relax, restore and rejuvenate your vital life energy. Two daily intensive yoga classes are taught by certified senior level BKS Iyengar method instructor, Rajay Mahtani.

Clara Valley Wine Country Thorn Park Country House Sevenhill

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