General Safari Safety Tips - South Africa

If you are on a guided African safari, your chances of encountering problems are minimal. Tour operators make it their business to know the areas they travel in thus reducing risk to travellers. However, it is sensible to take normal precautions on your African safari, particularly when travelling through urban areas.

Travel Documents / Money

Always have a photocopy of your passport, and any visas. Also, have a list of traveller's cheque numbers. These copies should be packed separately from the originals. It is never a good idea to carry large amounts of cash, and most urban centres (hotels, shops) do accept credit cards (Visa and Mastercard are most common), and traveller's cheques. You might need cash for purchases local markets - keep this in a travel wallet, or a zip pocket.

Luggage

Never leave cameras and hand luggage unattended, whether in a vehicle, or even in a hotel foyer. Never pack valuables (this includes medication), in your check-in luggage.

Personal Safety

When travelling independently on your African safari, stay informed in terms of the local news. Ask at your hotel about any unsafe areas, and codes of dress and behaviour. Don't openly carry valuables. If you must carry your passport and money, keep them in a buttoned-down pocket.

Game Viewing

Your guide will always do a safety talk with you, whether your game viewing is to be done from a vehicle, or on foot. Wildlife is potentially dangerous, but as long as you adhere to what you guide tells you, there is very little to worry about. At viewpoints, hides and camps, wildlife is more familiar with people and less intimidated by your presence. Never tease or corner wild animals - this may cause an unpredictable response and a potentially dangerous reaction. Never feed any animals, as this can cause them to lose their fear of humans.

Creepy Crawlies

Although Africa is known to be home to a number of potentially dangerous species, especially snakes, scorpions, spiders, and insects, very few visitors are adversely affected. Snakes tend to be shy, and generally stay away from built-up areas. Lodges and camps generally have insect (especially mosquito) proofing in their rooms. If you go on a walk, it is always a good idea to comfortable, enclosed walking shoes, socks, and long trousers - just as a precaution.

Gerald Crawford: born in South Africa, studied electronics, telecommunication, eco-travel and african travel concepts. He taught responsible tourism in South Africa and the United Kingdom. If you have any questions or comments please e-mail me on. E-mail Address: gerald@12234455.co.za Website Address: http://www.12234455.co.za

Planning Your Thailand Vacation

Thanks to its rich culture, amazing beaches and crystal clear oceans, delicious food and friendly people Thailand has been one of the top tourist destinations for many years. Millions of visitors flock to the beaches, cities and temples of Thailand each and every year to enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of this wonderful SE Asian destination. And as you might imagine, along with the huge influx of tourists has come a huge number of Thailand hotels catering to the needs of Thailand's visitors.

If you're considering a Thailand vacation then I would suggest that you plan your trip during Thailand's dry season which runs from November through March. Rainfall is quite unusual during this time and temperatures are a bit lower as well making for a much more comfortable vacation for those from northern climes. The only downside you'll have is that many other travelers will also be visiting during this time making crowds and unfortunate reality.

No matter what part of Thailand you choose to visit you'll find friendly smiling Thai faces, great food choices and rich cultural heritage. From Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in the north where you can sample traditional Thai Lanna foods and culture, visit the incredible Thai temple Doi Suthep and even see elephants in their natural habitat down to the islands and beaches of the south such as Koh Samui, Krabi and Ko Phi Phi where the sand is like a powdery white sugar and the waters are crystal clear aquamarine you're certain to have a wonderful time when in Thailand.

You also won't want to miss the glittering capital city of Bangkok where East meets West and the traditional Thai culture meets modern ideas and concepts. Bangkok is home to hundreds of Thai temples, more restaurants than you can count and of course world class hotels. If you've got money to burn then check out The Oriental Hotel nestled on the banks of the Chao Phraya River and voted one of the best hotels in the world numerous times. Of course there are also many more lower cost options when it comes to Bangkok accommodations. Try the Pathumwan Princess hotel if you're looking to stay close to Chinatown, one of the more interesting ares of Bangkok. Or if you're looking to be closer to the nightlife of Bangkok choose a Sukhumvit hotel or one near Khao San Road, the famed backpacker haven of Bangkok.

Regardless of what type of vacation you're looking for, beach holiday, mountain retreat, natural wonders, nightlife and parties or some combination of these, Thailand has the answer to your holiday needs. Come and find what millions before you have discovered...Amazing Thailand.

Learn more about the wonderful country of Thailand at the authors blog. There you'll find cultural tips, destination guides, Bangkok hotel reviews and much more about Amazing Thailand.

Udonthani - Thailand's Jewel In The Northeast

Udonthani was founded in 1296 by King Mengrai. It became the capital of Lannathai Kingdom, and once the kingdom started to decline, the importance of Udonthani also started to diminish. The city was often occupied either by the invading Burmese troops or the Thais from Ayutthaya. King Taksin captured Udonthani from the Burmese in 1774 and ever since it has been a part of Thailand. Today, Udonthani is the second most important city in Thailand after Bangkok. Udonthani is 560 kilometers from Bangkok.

When to Go to Udonthani

If you are planning a visit to Udonthani, the best time is between November and March. During this time the weather is cool and temperatures are from 75°F to 89°F. During April and May, it is extremely hot and visitors usually avoid those months. You can also plan a visit to Udonthani during June, July and August. There is no doubt that during those months the weather is hot but it is bearable and prices in hotels and restaurants are lower than in peak tourist season.

Places to Visit in Udonthani

Udonthani has over 300 Buddhist temples to choose from. Doi Suthep is the most popular out of these. It was built in 1383 and gives an excellent view of the city. The other temples worth visiting are Chiang Man, which is the oldest temple in Udonthani, Phra Sila, which is popular for its marble Buddha, and Phra Satang Man for its crystal Buddha.

Besides temples, you can spend time with your family at the Udonthani Zoo, Doi Inthanon National Park, Dao Cave, the Night Bazaar, Sirikit Botanical Gardens and Phrathat Doi Suthep. Udonthani is also popular for its nightlife. If you are a cooking or dancing enthusiast, you can take a Thai cooking or Thai dancing course at the local bars and cafes.

Just 47 kilometers east of Udonthani is Thailand's premier Bronze Age excavation at Ban Chiang, which is a world renowned archaeological site.

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Kenya Safari Tour - The Best Place to Enjoy Vacations

Most of us like to see animals and feel crazy about them. Watching animals in wildlife sanctuaries could be adventurous to any one; and if it is a Kenya safari it becomes more than anything. A Kenya safari can give you a real experience of wildlife. The tour offers you a vast landscape of beautiful animals grazing and playing. You may get a chance to see in deep jungle, which is thrilling desire of most tourists. Tourist feel like they are part of wildlife gives you a very close experience of watching animals. A tour of Kenya can help you recapture the lost memories of childhood days and makes you relish for all the time of vacation.

The Kenya safari is the most realistic tour of any wildlife and fulfills your wild desires. One can see animals in their natural habitat. It would be of great interest to see a roaring lion, running rhinos, beautiful herd of deer, the tour is educational to kids and interesting to adults. Safari tours are not recommended to kids however big kids can take part in this adventurous and thrilling safari. One of the most adventurous part of safari tours in Kenya is hot air balloon, which can be enjoyed at several place, masai mara, mara safari club fig tree camp are the best place relish this wonderful balloon. This tour is very popular but highly expensive.

Kenya is still considered as the best place for a safari tours in the world. It is the only the country which gives you real satisfaction of safari tour and meeting with wild giants.

In Kenya, you will get some of the best hotels and modern facility that adds few more stars in your cap of safari tour. Apart from this there are many skilled people who are professional guide and help you with all respect of your tour to safari. The country is known for some of its national parks Masai Mara, Tsavo, Amboseli, and Lake Nakuru.

While you plan your Kenya tour, make it well organized. Climate matters a lot, best time for safari tour is October month. There are many travel company which could help you on your safari tour, but choosing a good one is really a smart job.

For more information regarding African Safari and Africa Safari; Please visit: http://www.kenya.com.

A Vacation at Bangsaen Beach, Thailand

Bangsaen beach is a resort located just an hour away from the Thai capital of Bangkok. Tourists from Europe and America are now flocking to the beautiful, peaceful town of Bangsaen, so as to spend their vacation in a modern, but authentic, Thai destination. It is predominantly couples and families who go there. Very few large, young groups of backpackers go there, because they prefer the party atmosphere on the southern Thai islands. For those just looking to drink and party in Thailand, Bangsaen beach holds little appeal.

However, Bangsaen beach is not at all boring. You can sunbathe on the beach, do water-sports, go shopping, watch movies, etc. The point is that you can come with your partner or family and rest assured that you will be in the right kind of environment. That so many expats have chosen Bangsaen beach as their new home says a lot about the place. Due to the amount of homes sold to non-Thais, a unique opportunity exists, whereby instead of having to stay in a hotel, you can rent one of these fantastic homes whilst the owners are back in their home country. Staying in a luxury vacation home is always preferable to staying in a hotel, especially if you have your family with you.

Want to relax under the sun in a jacuzzi in your back garden? Well, you can do just that. And ever wondered what it would be like to live just a stones throw away from the beach? Wonder no more! You can live in luxury like a celebrity for your vacation - what better way to spend your vacation? Everything in Thailand is cheaper than it is your home country, and accommodation is no exception. It is no exaggeration to say that you can secure the same quality of accommodation that you are used to at just a fraction of the price. Bangsaen beach in particular provides really great value for money.

Now Try: Bangsaen Beach

Eco-Tourism In Thailand

Eco-tourism has become popular all over the world with people demanding that countries do more to preserve nature and environment. Thailand is not far behind in eco-tourism and many activities popular in Thailand fall under that category.

Thailand is very popular with tourists looking for adventure in the wilderness, and is mainly because of the abundance of natural resources that Thailand has to offer its visitors. Mountain biking, whitewater rafting, camping and trekking, scuba diving, bird watching and rock climbing have become the done thing in natural tourist areas. All these activities are available all over Thailand, especially in the south, west and the mountainous regions of the north. The most popular of all these activities being offered to tourists are trekking, bird watching, scuba diving and mountain biking.

The government and private organizations are making sure that there are many back-to-nature activities for eco-tourism seekers. Most national parks in Thailand come under the purview of the Royal Forest Department and they have trekking trails for nature lovers. Many camping sites are also present in these national parks.

Neither trekking nor camping is a new activity in Thailand. They have been present for decades. However, eco-tourism has ensured that the activities are better managed now than before. Thailand is paying more attention to preserving its natural resources as it has come to realize that the tourists will come as long as the natural resources are unspoilt and off-the-beaten areas are better equipped to cater to tourists without disturbing the environment and the natural flora and fauna.

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Presidential Museums - Visiting Cincinnati and the Home of America's 27th President

This is another in a continuing series of travelogue articles showcasing presidential museums, homes, and historical sites. Join us as we visit the Queen City, Cincinnati, and the home of America's 27th president, William Howard Taft.

President Taft: An Overview

America's 27th president, William Howard Taft, was born in Cincinnati just before the Civil War. He pursued the legal profession early in his career, which ultimately led him into public service and politics. In the 1908 elections, he won the presidency and served in office until 1913.

Taft is the only U.S. president who also served as chief justice of the Supreme Court, a position Taft held in higher regard than the presidency. He was appointed to the court by President Harding and served for several years until just before his death in 1930.

The Taft Home In Cincinnati

Located about a mile north of downtown, the Taft Historic Site welcomes visitors free of charge. This is the home where the future president lived up until the time he left for Washington.

Guided tours are conducted daily by National Park Service rangers. You will see period rooms which have been restored to their appearance when Taft lived here, along with fascinating political memorabilia from Taft's presidential campaign.

An overview of his many accomplishments as president and chief justice are spotlighted, and you can stroll around the grounds to see the home's exterior and the adjacent visitors center.

Visiting Cincinnati

Nearby in downtown Cincinnati, there are numerous attractions, especially along the Ohio River. Take a river cruise in the summer, or dine in one of the many waterfront restaurants with a view of the Cincinnati skyline.

While you're here, be sure to try the chili at either Skyline, Gold Star, or Camp Washington, three of the area's best known chili parlors. The chili is a slightly sweet, slightly spicy mixture that is served over spaghetti, along with onions, cheese, and beans.

For an historic lunch in a beautiful urban courtyard, we recommend Arnold's Bar and Grill on 8th Street downtown. This is Cincinnati's oldest bar and restaurant, open since 1861. Try one of the daily specials and soak in the historic ambience.

Just a mile from downtown, and almost straight up, is a well known city entertainment area, Mt. Adams. Here you'll find specialty shops, restaurants, and nightlife options dotting the narrow, winding streets. An under the radar gem is the City View Tavern, well known for its outdoor deck overlooking the city below. They have a limited food menu but be sure to try a mettwurst, a mildly spicy sausage that is famous in these parts.

There are numerous other attractions in and around the city, like a world class aquarium and the famed white Bengal tigers at the Cincinnati Zoo. You'll find an active local sports scene, dozens of great local restaurants, and a real sense of history.

Summary

Accessible from just about anywhere in the country, Cincinnati is an ideal weekend destination. Visit the home of America's 27th president, William Howard Taft, and then explore the many attractions and great local cuisine the city has to offer.

Are you interested in exploring the lives and careers of U.S. presidents? Join us as we take a virtual tour of America's presidential museums, homes, and historic sites. We've even got a little presidential trivia for you! Visit us today at: http://www.presidentialtravelusa.com